Sourced from South America, meaning this wool is from non-mulesed sheep.
Before each hat is crocheted, I dye the wool by hand, using naturally sourced plant or food waste dyes. I always dye in small batches, and never make a hat in the same size from the same wool batch, meaning every hat is completely unique!
This particular hat was dyed using:
Acorns, foraged from woodland in the Surrey Hills, where I live. Extracting the dye takes a few days of simmering and soaking, varying shades of pink and browns are created. I then modified the colour using iron water to shift the colour to a grey. Each small dye batch varies so much based on seasonality, quantities and whether I include the cupules or not.
Stinging Nettle, foraged from woodland and bridleways in the Surrey Hills, where I live. Extracting the dye takes a few days of simmering and soaking, varying shades of green and taupe are created. I then modified the colour using iron water to shift the colour to a darker green. Each small dye batch varies so much based on seasonality, quantities and whether I choose to use just the top leaves or the whole plant.
Pinecones, foraged from woodlands in the Surrey Hills, where I live. Naturally strong in tannins, rich brown colours are quickly created.
Every hat tells a story.
After Care
Naturally anti-bacterial, and odour resistant, you should hardly ever need to wash your hat. But if you do feel you need to wash it:
Hand wash cold with a pH neutral soap. Dry flat on a towel to keep its shape.
