My primary interests this spring put me outside for long stretches of time, subsequently exposing my skin to the sun more than I’d like: hiking, camping, landscape photography, gardening, etc.

I wanted to create a custom-fit sun protection hat for myself that ticked all of my “must have” boxes:

• 100% natural domestic wool with natural lanolin retained to increase the inherent moisture-repellent properties of minimally processed wool
• Comfortable custom-fit cap intended to wear over a thin scarf or bandana for added sun protection of ears and neck
• Dense, totally opaque fabric to maximize sun protection and reduce the risk of picking up ticks in my hair while in heavily forested areas
• Secure/heavy enough to not blow away in the wind without being overly warm
• Extra wide, semi-firm brim extending wide enough to protect my neck, ears, and entire face from the full noontime sun
• Cute, homey, forest-dwelling-mushroom-spirit-vibe
• Inspired by my own previous design for this felted wool cloche
• Designed to felt naturally with wear over time

---

Crocheting is old hat for me (har har! I’ll never pass up a good pun) – I picked up some of my favorite wool yarn and a hook, threw a few stitches into a magic ring, and an hour later we had the start of something promising…

Once I was satisfied with the fit of the cap portion, I moved on to the brim with the intention to try the hat on every few rounds until I was satisfied with the width of the brim and the amount of sun protection coverage for my face and neck.

My goal was to finish the hat completely in time to bring it with me on a weekend camping trip.

I finished just before bed the night before we left and snapped a window-lit selfie as the sun went down to commemorate.

---

This hat is a delight! Truly one of the best things I’ve ever made, all crafts considered.

It fits my outdoor needs exactly, which means I will treasure it and wear it for years to come.

This feeling; this is whole point of slow craft. ❤

---

As it turns out, an unintended benefit of my new wool sun hat is that it helps me hid from neighbors and sip my tea in peace…

Anti-social sun protection…

But as always, my anti-social inclinations are betrayed by a big grin and friendly disposition. 🙂

My new hat even matches my favorite self-drafted knit shawl.

This look is giving me amateur mycologist, forest dwelling Carmen Sandiego vibes and I love it.

*singing to myself* – “Where in the woods is, EK Sandiego?”

hehehe 😉

‘Til we chat again, EK