Tunisian Dot Collar Slip Free Crochet Pattern
Tunisian Dot Collar Slip Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This little collar slip is a quick, cheerful way to dress up your small dog's everyday collar without any fuss. It's a narrow tube worked in Tunisian knit stitch, so the fabric comes out smooth, dense, and surprisingly knit-like, with a soft wool-blend feel against the neck. A single bold cobalt stripe runs down the center of a warm orange background, giving it an easy bohemian pop of color. It slips right over a collar up to 1 inch wide, stays put, and works up in an evening or two, making it a lovely beginner Tunisian project or a fast handmade gift for a dog-loving friend.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Aran weight wool blend (for example 60% wool, 40% acrylic; 100 g / 180 yds): about 50 yds orange (MC) and 15 yds cobalt (CC)
- Hook: 6.0 mm (J-10) Tunisian crochet hook with cable
- Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure, stitch marker (optional)
- Finished size: Circumference 12 inches (30.5 cm), width 1.5 inches (3.8 cm); fits collars up to 1 inch wide
Abbreviations
- ch = chain (make a loop of yarn on the hook)
- MC = main color (orange)
- CC = contrasting color (cobalt)
- Tks = Tunisian knit stitch (a forward-pass stitch that looks like a knit "V")
- RS = right side (the outside face of the fabric)
- sc = single crochet
- sts = stitches
Gauge
14 sts and 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in Tunisian knit stitch. To check it, work a small swatch in Tks with your chosen yarn and hook, then measure a 4-inch section in both directions; adjust your hook size if your stitch count is off.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep the forward pass loose. Tunisian fabric pulls in and tightens easily, so work the forward pass gently so the tube stays stretchy enough to slide over a collar.
- Change colors on the return pass. When you switch from MC to CC (and back), make the change cleanly at the color boundary so the stripe edges stay crisp and the dots read as one block.
- Count your 8-6-8 split every row. The pattern is simple but easy to drift; checking 8 MC, 6 CC, 8 MC each row keeps the stripe centered.
- Don't over-tighten the seam. A soft whipstitch seam keeps the tube comfortable and prevents a ridge pressing into the neck.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Tube (worked flat in rows, then seamed)
With MC, ch 22.
Row 1 (RS): Tks across (22 sts).
Row 2: Tks across (22 sts).
Row 3: Tks 8, change to CC, Tks 6, change to MC, Tks 8 (22 sts).
Rows 4-42: Repeat Row 3 (22 sts). This gives 40 rows of the cobalt block, centered between 8 orange stitches on each side.
Bind off.
Assembly
Fold the piece in half lengthwise with RS together. Whipstitch the short ends together to form a tube. Turn RS out.
Edging
With MC, join yarn at the seam. Sc evenly around both openings (approximately 24 sc per opening). Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends on the wrong side, taking care to secure the color changes so the stripe edges don't loosen. Gently block the finished tube by misting it and shaping it flat to the 12-inch circumference and 1.5-inch width; let it dry fully before sliding it onto the collar. Check that both openings lie flat and the seam sits smoothly along one side.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the palette: Try teal dots on mustard, or cream dots on charcoal, for a different bohemian look.
- Make it wider: Add a few stitches to each side band (keeping the 6-stitch center) for a slightly wider slip on larger collars.
- Add a second dot row: Work a second 6-stitch block in a different color partway down the tube for a playful two-dot design.
