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How To: Make a Modern Dip-Dyed Rope Dog Leash

by on Jun 20, 2018

Capree Kimball

Colorful rope dog leads have been all the rage in the pet accessories world lately — and I am obsessed! But, with prices ranging anywhere from $70 to over $150, they’re a little outside most people’s “dog stuff” budgets. If you’d still like to get your paws on a stylish leash for your pooch (in whatever color your heart desires) without breaking the bank, give this easy DIY rope leash project a whirl! You’ll learn how to make a dog leash that perfectly fits your fido’s taste (and yours!).

I am head-over-heels for the rope leash look. As a visual reference, here are a few awesome shops and brands that make them.

Rope Dog Leash Options to Buy

Rope dog leash

1. Mungo & Maud 2. RESQ/CO 3. Found 4. Grey Paw (at $35, definitely the most affordable option)

Many of these use traditional nautical splicing and whipping techniques, but today we’re going to employ a bit of a shortcut! (If you want to learn how to splice rope, there are tons of video tutorials on YouTube, FYI.) So, are you ready to make your own rope dog leash? Awesome. Pawesome. Here’s what you’ll need!

 

Materials for DIY Rope Dog Leash Project

Rope dog leash materialsCapree Kimball

 

Materials

The rope clamps and snap hook can be found in the rope section of your local hardware store. Finding 100% cotton rope can be a little tricky, though. I ended up finding the braided style at JoAnn’s in the trim section. You can order the 3-strand style from Knot & Rope Supply for pretty cheap. (I happened to have some on hand prior to this project.)

 

How to make a dog leash

1. Determine about how long you want your leash to be (anywhere from 4-6 feet is pretty standard) and cut it accordingly. Be sure to tape or tie off the ends so your rope doesn’t unravel.

Something white coiled up.Capree Kimball

2. Soak your rope in some warm water. Meanwhile, prepare your dye according to the instructions on the bottle. You won’t need very much! A bottle of RIT Liquid Dye will go a long, long way.

A white pot with a with rope rising up out of the water.Capree Kimball

3. Now for the fun part! For an ombré/gradient/dip-dyed effect, quickly dip and remove your rope from the dye. Then, re-dip at different heights/levels, until you’re happy with the gradation. Want your rope all one color? Submerge the whole rope in the dye, stirring constantly, until the desired color is reached.

Note: I made two versions of this leash using different kinds of rope and found that the 3-strand variety creates a smoother, more subtle ombré effect.

4. Remove your rope and hang it up (outside or in the garage), dark end at the top, to allow the dye to creep down the rope. You can help it along by squeezing the excess dye/water down the length of the rope.

A rope is displayed curled back and forth and graduating from white to black.Capree Kimball

5. Once you’re happy with the way the gradient is looking, rinse the rope in cold water until the water runs clear — or — use some RIT Dye Fixative before you rinse out the rope if you want to super-seal the color.

6. Allow the rope to dry thoroughly. This may take up to 24 hours.

A silver hook on the end of a black rope.Capree Kimball

7. Now that your rope is dry, it’s time to attach the clamps and snap hook. Decide which end you want to place the hook. Feed the end of the rope through the ring then fold the rope over, creating a small loop.

A black cord with a silver hook near a white tool.Capree Kimball

A black length of rope has a silver hook at the end of it.Capree Kimball

8. Place the clamp on a flat surface with the prongs facing up. Lay the base of the rope loop inside the clamp, between the prongs. With a hammer or rubber mallet, hammer all four prongs securely over the rope.

A large string is shaped into a hook.Capree Kimball

9. On the other end, fold the rope over to create a 6-7″ loop (bigger or smaller depending on how big your hands are and what feels comfortable to you). Then, repeat step 8.

Now, after you’ve attached the rope clamps, you could call it a day — you have a perfectly functional leash at this point. (Heck, you could skip the dyeing altogether and just attach the clamps and snap hook and — BAM — you’d have a leash.) If you really want to take this project into über-stylish territory, though, you’ll want to add some finishing touches and cover those ugly clamps up!

dyed rope dog leashCapree Kimball

A purple and a white piece of rope coming together under a piece of sewed leather.Capree Kimball

There are multiple ways to cover the clamps: you could wrap them in twine/yarn/string/leather cording/etc. etc. I chose to use up some leftover leather (from this project) and create a sleeve with some colorful stitching. If you’d like to do the same, read on!

A hammer and ruler sit on a table together.Capree Kimball

 

Materials for Creating a Leather Clamp Cover:

 

Rope Dog Leash: How to Make a Leather Clamp Cover

A black rope with a silver clasp, a borwn pice of board, a ruler and a cuting tool laying on a green background.Capree Kimball

1. Cut a strip of leather about 2.25″ wide, or wide enough to cover the length of the clamp.

A ruler is spread out over a gridded cutting board.Capree Kimball

2. From this strip, cut two pieces of leather, both about 2.5″ long or long enough to wrap around the clamp.

A brown square item set in a clear container on a sheet of paper.Capree Kimball

3. Soak one of the leather pieces in warm water until it becomes soft and malleable. Stretch it out a bit then pat dry.

A leather material folded over on a gridded cutting board.Capree Kimball

4. Fold the leather over. Take a hammer and your darning needle and create some small stitch guides/holes anywhere from 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart. You only need a few light taps from the hammer, don’t go crazy.

A black rope being bound to a brown material.Capree Kimball

5. Lay the leather on a flat surface, then position and place the clamp on top. Cut a length of embroidery floss and tie a knot at the end. Anchor the floss to the rope itself by looping and tying the thread a few times.

A contraption has blue rope and a metal clasp on it.Capree Kimball

A black rope is bound by brown leather.Capree Kimball

6. Stitch the two ends of the leather together with a simple whip stitch, pulling tightly. When you reach the end, anchor the floss to the rope as before. Cut the thread.

A white rope sits next to a black rope with a clasp on it.Capree Kimball

7. Repeat steps 3-6 for the other clamp. Allow the leather to dry out completely (it’ll tighten up around the clamp as it dries) and you’re done!

Now for some pretty, pretty pictures!

A white and purple rope with a silver hook on it.Capree Kimball

A purple and white length of rope is attached to a silver hook.Capree Kimball

An ombre black and white leash lies coiled.Capree Kimball

A homemade dip-dyed dog leash.Capree Kimball

And, of course, obligatory photos of my dogs:

Two dogs on leashes are sitting in the grass.Capree Kimball

Happy leash making!

 

 

 

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3 Comments

  1. Jackie Brosnihan

    Have you thought about or tried splitting apart a 3 strand twisted cotton rope and dying each strand a different color and then retwisting the rope strands back together? I’m thinking of trying to do since I can’t find 3/4″ multicolored rope anywhere except China for $1000. Nobody in the US makes it at all… only thinner rope.

  2. Elizabeth

    If I want an adjustable leash with O-rings, do you have any idea how I might add them in along the length of the leash? I’ve seen them on the expensive ombre leashes online, but I don’t understand how they could have gotten the o rings through the rope.