I found this delightful free pattern for a reversible wool hat, and with the kind permission of the author, Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz, here is a LINK to her pattern and a photo of her hat.
First job was to print the pattern and stick it together to try it for size. I discovered that I needed to reduce the size by 12% – easily done on the print settings.
Then I could work out the size of felt fabric I needed to make. I used 4 layers of mid-green merino wool to make a rectangle then topped it with a pattern of diagonal stripes of open-weave fabric, yarns and nepps. The dry layout was 100 x 60cms (40″ x 24″).
I got the idea for the pattern by looking down at my skirt!
I had to make a few adaptations to the pattern because the felt fabric was thicker than the fabric used in Daniela’s pattern.
Instead of folding the fabric over itself into a tube then flattening it with zig-zag, I cut the straps in half widthways, backed them with thin cotton fabric then zig-zagged around the edges.
The hat was designed to be made from two layers of fabric then ‘bagged out’ but the felt wasn’t suitable for that, so I applied an adhesive web to a piece of thin green cotton fabric then ironed it onto the felt fabric to form the lining.
I cut away the excess cotton fabric…
…then neatened the bottom edge with zig-zag stitch.
The crown of the hat is formed by joining together the points. I butted the edges of the felt together and sewed them shut with zig-zag stitch.
The first one was easy but it became progressively harder as more felt bunched up under the machine.
But here it is finished…
…and the view of the top.
With all the lovely weather we’re having this year, it’s hard to imagine it being cold enough to wear this hat!