Isn’t it so nice when you get a new toy! This is the latest hat block I have gained (must remember to photograph and post the others I have too).

A beautiful hat from a bygone era.

I’m really looking forward to blocking on it. I have a wool felt that I’m planning on using for the first time of use. It’s a cream wool felt I dip dyed in some deep red dye, it didn’t quite work out how I would have liked so it seems perfect to use as an experiment! It could even turn out quite well… but I’m not holding out masses of hope. I just want to see the shape really. The crown looks like it may be a little tricky. If anyone reading this happens to know any tricks for this kind of thing I’d be most grateful for any tips.

But, I am making myself wait to use it until I have finished another one hat I started ages ago! I’ve already finished off another six (yes six!) over the Christmas hols. I seem to work best in batches. Maybe paint stiffener on a few felts, then work on some buckram bases. Go back to the felts, re-stiffen them if need be, block a few. Then wire and cover buckram bases. Etc, etc. Maybe it’s the way most people work, I have no idea really. It’s the way I work and I probably always will work like that.