Looking for a fun project to do at home? I've posted about this in the past, but maybe it's time for a little reminder. It's always fun to make your fave girl a new hat! Since summer is approaching around here, I decided on a classic turned up brim hat in a bright, rich pink.
This is a pattern that I have made before. And it's still available for free on Ravelry here. This is a tried and true pattern. I found some yarn in my bin, since all the stores are closed now. But plenty of stores are still open for online shopping. You will need a wool that is not treated for washing. I like this yarn, because the fibers are fairly loose in one strand. This is a fast knit, a small project on large needles. I really love this brand of needles.
The hat will come out ridiculously large.
Now we are ready to felt.
I use two bowls and a pair of thick extra large gloves to insulate against the heat.
Fill one bowl with an ice bath and get the hat cold and wet.
Then fill the other bowl with very hot water and a splash of detergent. Squeeze the cold hat out and put it in the hot bath. Start scrubbing it good. You need to get it very hot. Start breaking down those fibers.
Back into the cold water. Add a few more ice cubes if necessary and get it good and cold. We want to give those fibers a big shock. Now squeeze it out and put it back into the hot water. Pour more water from the kettle on it. You don't need to add more soap. It will foam up enough. Keep working on those fibers, swishing it around and scrubbing together between your hands. Once the process begins to happen, it will move along fairly quickly.
Once it looks close to the right size, rinse it will and check it out. I have a doll I try them on. She's a little fakie that doesn't mind getting a bit wet (unlike the vintage Kenner pictured here). But you can cover the dolls head with plastic wrap or a bag before putting the hat on her to check for size. Since this is wool, it sheds water, so it is fairly dry right out of the rinse stage.
I shape it with my fingers. I push it all the way down on her head to get that nice perfectly shaped crown. The pattern is for a completely rolled brim, but you can shape it into a turned up brim. It can even be shaped into a cloche shape. This pattern is super versatile. Be very detail oriented about the shaping before and while it is drying, because this is exactly what you will get when it dries. I find it quite moldable, like finger pinching clay.
After I have shaped it exactly as I want it, I allow it to dry perched on a glass.
Finally I give it a pretty ribbon for a hat band and few flowers in the back.
My girl is ready for a breezy summer afternoon!
