How to Make Sweater Dog Toys

Erika Kern, contributor

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Soft and squishy, with a great big squeak, these sweater bones are a big hit with my dog.

Erika Kern

Gracie tested.

Erika Kern

Gracie approved!

Erika Kern

Soft and squishy, with a great big squeak, these sweater bones are a big hit with my dog.

Photo: Erika Kern

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I have been lucky enough to become the foster mom of a super-skittish three-year-old mutt named Gracie. She had had a hard life. Two years on the street, hit by a car, three months in a shelter, nearly put down, and finally saved by a no-kill shelter where she lived for another six months. Then she met me. . . now she's the most spoiled mutt in town! She was scared at first (rightly so!), but she's slowly warmed up and now we're the best of friends. I sometimes cook her dinner (I know!), I run wih her, and I play with her. And boy, does she love toys! So while looking at my pile of sweater bits left from last month's projects, I could think of only one thing. . . toys for Gracie! What's more, they're so much more affordable than the store-bought toys. Win-win!

Want to make some? 

Here's what you'll need:

• Old sweater (I used acrylic sweaters so I could wash the toy when it gets dirty)
• Pack of squeaks (I found mine at Petsmart; they come four to a pack)
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Stuffing
• Hand needle

First, gather your sweater or sweater parts.

I was left with a bunch of sleeves after all of my sweater projects last month. I thought making a pet project with them would be a great crossover into this month's pet projects.

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Brush and floss...
Brayden4

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Comments (10)

jtz writes: Gracie may not have had an easy life - but she is a lucky girl now! Congrats on finding such a wonderful friend. I have 2 furry kids too, both have had rough lives in the past but are living the good life now.
Posted: 8:21 pm on March 11th

Brayden4 writes: What a GREAT idea for old sweaters! My G. Shep. passed away 2 months ago and I always made him the toys with the squeakers inside. That big, burly dog loved them. I bought a package of about 8 at our local Petsmart.
I still have a boxer and 2 pit bulls, and they don't necessarily like the squeakers, but the firmly stuffed SWEATER toy would take them a while to chew up....thanks for the idea.
Posted: 5:57 pm on April 18th

ShayMarWood writes: Oh, I'm so glad Gracie has a good home now, she looks happy! All my "kids" are rescues, all 7, 3 cats, 2 dogs, 2 cockatiels.

I may change the shape, stuff it with catnip.
Posted: 10:50 am on March 3rd

erika_kern writes: lizander: I found the squeaks at my local Petsmart. If you don't have one near you there's a link to their website in the materials section of the how-to.
Posted: 11:20 am on February 12th

pjinomaha writes: My friend and I attempted to make these bone toys on Sunday. You can check out photos from our crafting session on my blog, Somewhere in Middle America -- http://tinyurl.com/cponxw
Posted: 10:25 am on February 10th

Nancy_Darnell writes: What a wonderful love story! You and Gracie are so blessed to have each other. The dog toy idea is perfect for sweater pieces, leftover fleece, and even old T-shirts--anything that is washable.
Posted: 9:38 pm on February 8th

lizander writes: Love the sweater-reuse ideas! May I ask where you buy squeakers?
Posted: 6:37 pm on February 7th

Jen1964 writes: Looks like fun! We always donated an old stuffed animal to the dog. Pre-loved was favored. One problem some dog-owners have had: if their dog toys looked too much like the still-used human stuff, dog bridged over and claimed anything that looked like it, as chew-worthy. You know, puppy antics, not outgrown... Smell is a big deal, so you could store your new dog toy in his bag of kibbles, for long enough for the scent to be all over it. Nothing else will compare, I guarantee!
Posted: 12:25 pm on February 7th

SuzNTX writes: I love these! I especially loved reading the story of Gracie--very heartwarming. She is a lucky girl!
Posted: 10:57 am on February 7th

FaveCrafts writes: What a cute idea. And Gracie is adorable! I'm afraid my dog would rip this to shreds though!
Posted: 4:58 pm on February 4th

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