Make A Dog Toy From A T-Shirt: Easy Steps

There are many ways to make a dog toy from an old T-shirt. The simplest method involves cutting the T-shirt into strips, tying them together, and braiding them. This can be done with or without sewing. More complex toys can be made by cutting the T-shirt into specific shapes and weaving the strips into patterns.

Cutting the T-shirt

The first step in making a dog toy out of a T-shirt is to cut the T-shirt into strips. The width of the strips can vary depending on the desired thickness of the toy. For a thinner toy, cut the T-shirt into 1-inch wide strips. For a thicker toy, cut the T-shirt into 2-3 inch wide strips. You can also cut the T-shirt into 10-12 inch wide strips for a larger toy.

It is important to remove any seams from the T-shirt before cutting to allow the fabric to stretch properly. Cut the fabric into strips and then stretch each strip by grabbing the ends and pulling. The fabric will curl up from the sides as it stretches.

If you are using the sleeves of the T-shirt, cut them first. Cut the sleeve right along the seam that connects it to the body of the shirt. Then, cut the seam of the sleeve (where the armpit would be) and flatten the piece out. Cut the edge seam off of the flattened piece and then cut the rest of the piece into strips.

Once you have cut all your strips, lay them in a neat pile with the ends lined up. The number of strips you use will depend on the size of the toy you want to make. For a thin toy, use 16 strips. For a thicker toy, use 32 strips.

Tying the Strips

Now it's time to tie the strips together. Grab all the strips and make a knot at one end. Tighten the knot as much as possible by pulling on each strip. This will help ensure that the knot does not come undone during play.

Braiding the Strips

After tying the strips together, separate them into three groups and braid them. You can use a simple three-strand braid or get creative with different braiding techniques. Continue braiding until you reach the desired length of the toy. Leave enough length at the end to tie a final knot.

Final Knot and Trimming

Once you have reached the desired length, tie a knot at the end, just like the starting knot. Again, tighten the knot as much as possible by pulling on each strip. You can choose to leave the loose ends as they are or trim them for a neater appearance.

Your T-shirt dog toy is now ready for your furry friend to enjoy! Just remember to supervise your dog during play and inspect the toy regularly for any wear and tear.

Tying knots

First, cut your t-shirts into strips. The width of the strips can vary, with some sources suggesting 1-inch strips, while others recommend 2-3 inches. If you want to get more strips out of your t-shirt, cut along the sleeves and the seams. You can also cut the strips to be around 10-12 inches in length, or you can cut them to be the full length of the fabric. The number of strips you cut will depend on how thick you want the toy to be. For a thinner toy, you can use 6 strips, while for a thicker toy, you can use 9 or more.

Once you have your strips, it's time to start tying the knots. Gather your strips and tie a tight knot at one end. If you're making a braided toy, separate the strips into three groups and braid them together. If you're making a knotted toy, separate the strips into four groups, arranging them into a cross shape.

To tie a square knot, follow these steps:

• Fold the top strip down over the left strip.
• Fold the bottom strip up over the right strip.
• Feed the left strip over the top strip and through the bottom strip.
• Pull all the strips tight.

Repeat these steps until you reach the desired length of the toy, making sure to leave enough length at the end to tie a final knot.

If you're making a braided toy, simply continue braiding until you reach the desired length and then tie a final knot. You can trim the loose ends to make them neat and tidy.

For a more complex toy, you can try making a knotted ball. After tying the initial knot and arranging the strips into a cross shape, follow these steps:

• Fold the top of the vertical strip towards the bottom.
• Fold the bottom of the vertical strip towards the top.
• Fold the right end of the horizontal strip towards the left, passing over then under.
• Fold the left end of the horizontal strip towards the right, passing over then under.
• Pull to secure.

Repeat these steps, flipping the knot over after each one. Your toy will start to form a ball shape as you continue to knot. You can leave some loose ends for your dog to grip, or you can tuck them into the toy for a neater look.

Braiding

Step 1: Cut the T-shirts into strips

First, lay your T-shirts out on the ground. Cut off the collar, bottom seam, arm seams, and sleeves. Then, cut the body of the T-shirt into strips that are around 1-2 inches wide. The length of the strips will depend on the size of your T-shirt, but aim for around 12-20 inches. You can also cut the sleeves into strips, but these will be shorter.

Step 2: Tie the strips together

Gather your strips and tie them together at one end. The number of strips you use will depend on how thick you want the toy to be. Try using 3 strips for a thinner braid, or 9 strips for a thicker one.

Step 3: Braid the strips

Separate the strips into groups of three and start braiding. If you're using multiple colours, you can group the strips by colour to make this process easier. Braid until you have a few inches left, then tie another knot to secure the braid.

Step 4: Trim the ends (optional)

If you want the ends of the braid to be the same length, you can trim the strips. Alternatively, you can leave them for your dog to play with.

Tips:

• Soft shirts work well for this project as they are easier to tie. However, if you have a bigger dog with stronger teeth, you may want to use tougher fabric.
• You can also add a piece of rope into the braid, or use multiple shirts to make a multi-coloured toy.

Making a ball

To make a knotted ball, you will need to start by preparing your materials. For this project, you will need a few old t-shirts, preferably large men's t-shirts, and a good pair of scissors. Cut off the bottom hems of the t-shirts, as these will be used to create the ball. The number of hems you will need depends on how big you want your ball to be. Aim for at least eight hems, paired in sets of two, to create a decently-sized ball.

Once you have your hems cut and ready, it's time to start knotting. Gather your hem loops and use one to tie the bundle together securely. This will be the starting point for knotting the toy. Spread the remaining hem loops from the starting knot, arranging them into four groups in the shape of a cross.

Now, you will begin knotting using a square (or box) knot weave. Here's how to do it:

• Spread the strips in a cross (+) shape.
• Fold the top of the vertical strip towards the bottom.
• Fold the bottom of the vertical strip towards the top.
• Fold the right end of the horizontal strip towards the left, passing over and then under.
• Fold the left end of the horizontal strip towards the right, passing over and then under.
• Pull to secure the knot. The strips should now form a woven square.

Repeat these steps, flipping the knot over after each repetition, and watch your ball grow as it wraps around itself. You can choose to leave a few loose ends for your dog to grip onto, or you can tuck them into the toy to create a neater ball.

Remember, always supervise your dog during playtime and ensure that the toys are an appropriate size to avoid any choking hazards.

Making a tug toy

Materials:

You will need two to four old t-shirts, preferably without side seams, and a good pair of scissors. It is best to use t-shirts made from 100% cotton or a similar fabric that stretches well and is durable.

Cutting the T-Shirts:

Start by cutting the t-shirts into strips. The width of the strips can vary from 1 to 3 inches. You can cut the strips from the body of the t-shirt or use the sleeves for thinner strips. Remove any seams from the fabric before cutting to ensure the strips can stretch properly.

Tying the Strips:

Once you have your strips, it's time to start tying them together. Gather a bunch of strips and lay them in a neat pile, lining up one end of each strip. The number of strips you use will depend on the desired thickness of the toy. For a thin tug toy, you can use 16 strips, while 32 strips will create a thicker toy more suitable for a larger dog.

Take the pile of strips and tie a tight knot at one end. This initial knot is important as it will help prevent your dog from easily untying the toy.

Braiding the Strips:

Now, you will braid the strips together. You can do a simple braid or try a more complex pattern like a square knot braid. If you opt for a square knot braid, divide the strips into four equal groups, and follow these steps:

• Lay the strips so one group is at the top, one at the bottom, one on the left, and one on the right.
• Fold the top group down over the left group.
• Fold the bottom group up over the right group.
• Feed the left group over the top group and through the bottom group.
• Pull all the strips tight.

Continue braiding or tying square knots until you reach the desired length of the toy.

Finishing the Toy:

When you are happy with the length of your tug toy, tie a final knot at the end, similar to the initial knot. Tighten this knot as much as possible to secure the toy. You can choose to trim the loose ends for a neater appearance, or leave them for your dog to play with.

And there you have it! A fun, durable tug toy made from recycled t-shirts. Always supervise your dog while they play with the toy and take it away if it appears worn to ensure safe play.

Frequently asked questions