The Artisan
At 70, I had a desire to create. I had dabbled in crafts and decided to try knitting hats. This was boring and my long time knitting mentor suggested felted knit hats. This was what I was looking for. The entire process is fun; starting with the knitting, then felting them and finishing them. Although all the yarn is 100% wool, each blooms differently during the felting process which makes a different texture and look for the finished material.
I make 17 different styles and enjoy mixing yarn textures and colors for a different expression. When I add a finishing I search my button trove and then design the color and shape of the finishing.
The Felting Process
Knit felt hats are made in stages
First They Are Knit
First, the hat is hand knitted using 100% wool yarns. The initial hat is knitted to one and a half times the size of the finished product.
Then They Are Felted
The knitted hats are put in the washing machine with HOT water (boiling water from the stove is added to ensure that the water is HOT) along with 2 dozen or so tennis balls. The tennis balls enhance the agitation. This mix is agitated for up to 40 minutes.
Time varies due to yarn, style and desired fabric density. During the washing, the knitted hat becomes a very tight, thick, dense felt material hat which when dry is waterproof.
The Brims Are Shaped
The hats are then individually formed on hat forms for sizing and brims are hand shaped. The sizing has been a wonderful challenge. I have my beautiful hat molds over which I stretch the wet hat and then shape the brim when needed.
Then They Are Dried
Wet hats dry in 25 hours on my pellet stove or 3 to 4 days if on their own. During the drying, each hat is resized occasionally on the hat form to insure correct sizing. Depending on the hat, at some point, I turn them up side down to flatten the crown.
The Hats Are Enhanced
When dry some styles are enhanced with a trim. The trims can be a lucet cord, buttons and/or pin felted designs.
All Hats Are Lined
Hats are lined with a lightweight fabric in a complementing print. This lining helps the hat slide on nicely, hold its shape and fit well. Each of our hats is unique in design with a comfort band hand sewn inside.
The Finished Hats Are Unique and Lovely
