A custom built hat :)

This is the other planned hat project I mentioned :)  A custom topper for regular customer / pen-pal Kyle - owner of 2 of my wizard hats.  

This time he wanted a Top Hat.. similar to the Fin wool and Wensleydale locks one - but in GREEN.

I used my 'traditional' resist with the flange at the top
for this one

Layers of natural black, brown and white Fin wool 
(the diagonal band is just sunlight)

With lovely Wensleydale curls in white, grey and brown

Well on it's way to being felted.. throwing it.
You can see how the flat top is forming really well here

'healing' the edges

Checking the shape and size

I was really liking how it looked at this point.. so the next step was a bit scary :) .. I had to take a deep breath before plunging it..

In to the dye pot

Close-up
It took 2 dye baths to get the colour this deep

Drying..

First time I struggled to dye it in my smaller pot (pictured) and it just didn't have the room to brew properly.  So second time round I dug my HUGE cauldron out from the garage..  which seemed to work better :)

Colour comparison with sample

This made to measure hat is 1 1/4" bigger than my head
size so I had to keep my head tilted to stop it dropping
down over my eyes :)