Hats designed for dogs immediately add a boost of cuteness to your adorable pup. You can find all kinds of dog hats, and many have funny or unique designs. If you’re feeling extra creative and want to challenge yourself, consider making your own dog hat.
We have several fun DIY dog hat ideas that are sure to inspire you. Most of our hats are beginner-friendly and don’t require a lot of materials. So, you can get started right away and adorn your dog’s pretty head with a custom hat.
The 6 DIY Dog Hats
1. Dog Bucket Hat
| Materials: | Fabric, lining fabric, cord, cord stopper, snap button |
| Tools: | Sewing machine, shears, sewing pins |
| Difficulty Level: | Beginner |
Gift your dog with a trendy DIY bucket hat that will make your dog look super cool in the summer. This project comes with patterns for multiple sizes and easy-to-follow sewing instructions. While any fabric will technically work for this hat, it’s recommended to use denim, twill, or canvas. These fabrics are easier to work with and hold their shape better than thinner fabrics.
This DIY project is beginner-friendly, so if you have basic sewing skills, you can end up creating a really cute bucket hat for your dog.
2. Ladybug Dog Hat
| Materials: | Double felt, black buttons, thread, elastic cording, beads |
| Tools: | Needle, sewing pins, shears |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
This adorable ladybug hat is the perfect spring and summer accessory for small dogs. The pattern instructions include sewing on adorable buttons for ladybug spots and attaching antennae. It’s made with durable double felt and is designed to last a long time.
The original pattern was designed for a Chihuahua, but you can easily increase the pattern size for slightly larger dogs. However, the dimensions may not work for medium-sized dogs and larger dog breeds.
3. Dog Witch Hat
| Materials: | Medium-weight yarn |
| Tools: | Crochet hook, scissors |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
If you know the basic crochet stitches, you can make this festive dog witch hat for your dog’s next Halloween. The original pattern uses medium-weight yarn, but you can use almost any type of yarn. Just keep in mind that the size will vary depending on the type of yarn you use. Thicker yarn will produce a larger hat, while thinner yarn will result in a smaller hat.
This pattern is designed for small dog breeds, and you can make these hats relatively quickly once you get some practice. So, they’re fun gifts that you can share with other dogs in your life and include them in the Halloween festivities.
4. Beginner-Friendly Paper Dog Hat
| Materials: | Paper, elastic band |
| Tools: | Skewer |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
If you’re looking for something quick and easy, this paper dog hat is the perfect project for you. All you need is a sheet of 8.5” x 11” paper to fold an origami hat. If you have a larger dog, you can increase the size of the paper while keeping the same proportions.
Using a paper hat can be a great way to get your dog used to wearing hats. It’s lightweight and non-intimidating, so dogs are usually more tolerant of wearing it.
5. Dog Hat Out of a Sock
| Materials: | Sock, thread |
| Tools: | Scissors, needle |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This quick and easy sock hat makes great use of any socks that are missing their pair. There’s minimal sewing involved, so it’s a great project for beginners. All you need to do is cut a hole in the closed end of the sock and use the fabric to sew ears on the side.
This sock hat will fit perfectly on small dog breeds. It’s best to use ankle socks, as knee-high socks may be too long to fit comfortably around a dog’s neck.
6. Doggy Top Hat
| Materials: | Doll top hat, fabric markers, string, feathers, hat accessories |
| Tools: | Hole puncher, lighter, tacky glue |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Let your creativity run wild with this DIY doggy top hat. All you have to do is use a hole puncher to attach strings to the hat. Then, you can add all kinds of accessories, like beads, rhinestones, feathers, and paint designs with fabric markers to make a truly unique hat for your dog.
You can find doll top hats at most craft stores. You just have to find the aisle with doll supplies, and there will be a few different designs that you can choose from.
How to Train Your Dog to Wear Hats
Dogs aren’t used to wearing clothes, and many won’t initially feel comfortable with wearing something on their head. Therefore, it’s important to invest some time in training your dog to get used to wearing hats. When training your dog to wear hats, make sure to build positive associations to hats. Start by placing a hat in front of your dog. Reward them with treats or praise every time they go near the hat.
Once your dog is comfortable being around the hat, hold the hat to your dog’s head, but don’t let your dog wear it just yet. Reward your dog every time the hat touches their head. Eventually, your dog will become comfortable and understand that they’ll get a reward every time the hat touches their head.
After you’ve achieved this stage, you can place the hat on their head and let it rest for a couple of seconds. Reward your dog every time they let the hat sit on their head. Slowly increase the amount of time the hat rests on their head until your dog becomes fully comfortable with wearing it.
Conclusion
Making DIY dog hats is a fun project, and you can find DIY plans for all levels of expertise. As you get the hang of it, you’ll find that you can make all kinds of unique and wacky hats for your dog. They certainly make amazing photo opportunities, and you and your dog can capture many fun moments of trying on hats together.
Featured Image Credit: Firn, Shutterstock
