If you have a dog, you probably think of him as a member of the family… so wouldn’t you want to crochet him a sweet toy?
When crocheting for a dog, safety is the top priority! It’s a lot like crocheting for a baby, with a few extra considerations to keep in mind.
Don’t use buttons or plastic parts!
Some dogs are avid chewers, and even ‘safety eyes’ can come off when the fabric they’re attached to has been chewed through. I don’t need to give details about the digestion distress a swallowed eye can give your pup… so just avoid them!
For any plush, you can easily add baby-safe crocheted eyes instead of plastic ones.
Select a Sturdy Yarn
Linen would totally rock, but so would wool or cotton. Nothing too soft (no merino!), because you want it to hold up. Even the gentle-est dog will have the toy in its mouth!
You can also look at thin rope in the hardware store. It’ll be sturdy and strong – you’ll just need to do some experimenting to find the right hook size.
Don’t forget to also select a machine washable yarn… because you’ll probably want to wash it!
Crochet a tighter gauge than usual
I used a size G hook on a worsted weight yarn- giving me a very stiff fabric. This will help almost any yarn last longer and stand up to more chewing.
Keep it Safe
Don’t make a super-tiny toy. I don’t know what the exact minimum size is, but make a toy that’s about the size of the toys you see sold in shops- that way you know you’ll be safe.
If you follow these tips, you can crochet an adorable toy that your pup will love… and will last through lots of playing!
Hi! Found your site thru #crochetchat & love these dog toys! If only my dogs weren’t such aggressive chewers (2 full grown Boxers), they would have a whole basket of these!
What do you stuff them with?
I use polyester fiberfill in mine – but you have to take it away if they chew a hole into it.
Use rags to stuff the toy so it will be stronger
You can also repurpose an old ball as the head of your toy. Just stuff it in there before you start decreasing, and crochet around it. Squeaky tennis balls are my favorite. I add eyes and tentacles to turn them into an octopus – tug toy AND bouncy, squeaky fetch toy in one!
I’m going to try making one of these toys for my dog. I hope it works out well. I’ll let you know thank you
I have a small Yorkie but he loves to chew things. I want to make him something that will not cause him to get any yarn or materials from inside the toys to make him sick. I was wondering if an empty water bottle that is squeezed tight and the top is put back on it and that it make a squeaking sound or crunching sound when he chews on it. Would that be appropriate.? I will crochet something over it.
Crocheting dog toys sounds like a fun and rewarding way to spoil our furry friends! Safety is definitely paramount, especially considering how enthusiastically dogs can chew on their toys. I appreciate the advice on avoiding plastic parts and opting for sturdy yarn that can withstand some serious chewing. Using a tighter gauge and creating toys of a decent size seem like practical measures to ensure durability and safety. Have you crocheted any toys for your dog yet? If so, what kind of yarn and patterns did you find worked best?