Follow the simple instructions to make a warm felt hat to keep out the wind!

This is an ideal way of using up scraps of pre-felt and having something useful when finished.


1.  For this project I have used pre-felt which can be bought by the metre or you can make your own pieces, using the first steps of felt-making, before the hardening process.  Pre-felt is produced in  the first stage.  I use a large dinner plate as a pattern and cut 2 circles.  If using scraps of pre-felt, stitch them into the required shape using contrasting pure wool and carry on as per instructions.

 

2.  I measured the circumference of the round and cut a contrasting piece of pre-felt about 1 inch longer than the circumference and twice the depth that I wanted my hat to be.  This was then folded along the length.

 



3.  Next I stitched around the circumference using a contrasting wool.


 
4. My next task was to stitch along the edge of the straight piece with contrasting wool to hold the edges together.(APOLOGIES FOR THE PICS, CONTRAST NOT RIGHT).
 

 

  


5.  To join the two pieces I used contrasting thread and blanket stitch, which is decorative and also holds the pieces together. You can use any stitch as long as it holds in the same way.

 

7.  To add decoration I threaded a contrasting yarn in and out of the stitching.  (White yarn)

 




   

8.  Now I prepared for the wet task of felting.  I laid out a bath towel, a rush blind, a bottle of hot water and some hand soap.  I flattened the hat, soaked it with hot water and rubbed it with soap.  I rubbed this hard with my hand, repeating the application until it was well soaked.

    

9.  My next task was to harden the felt.  This was achieved by rolling the hat vigorously in the towel and the blind.  I rolled the bundle back & forth about 80 times.  I opened the roll at intervals to ensure the hat wasn't felting together on the inside.  To help prevent this I gently pulled it apart, rubbed wet soap inside, turned it a quarter turn, rolled and repeated each time and then carried on as before.  It was also a chance to check the size of the hat. Continue in this way until it is the required size.  

When this stage is completed, rinse the hat thoroughly in cold water.  To shape it I placed my fists inside and gently stretched it where needed.  I then shaped the rim, using my fingers to pull it gently, causing it to flare.  Wearing a bathing cap I placed the hat on my head and moulded it to fit, taking care not to pull too hard!

SORRY, NO PHOTOGRAPHS OF THESE STAGES - EVERYTHING'S WET!!

Leave to dry on a tall object.  I placed a dry cloth under the hat to help absorb the liquid.  When dry, the brim can be worn down as a cloche or turned up