The Art of Felted Wool Hats

Crafting the Perfect Hat with Kangaroo Island Wool

At Kangaroo Island Wool, we are passionate about crafting products that are as beautiful as they are sustainable. Sourced from the pristine environment of Kangaroo Island, our wool goes through meticulous stages of scouring, spinning, and knitting to achieve the highest standards of quality. Recently, we’ve taken our commitment to excellence a step further by creating a cutting-edge product designed specifically for hat making: a knitted, then felted, hat blank that brings a new level of craftsmanship to millinery.

For anyone keen to learn, here’s a brief introduction to the process of making a hat from a felted hood, focusing on classic styles like fedoras and cowboy hats.

1. Begin with a felted Hat Blank: Start with our specially designed felted hat blank. The blank serves as the foundation for shaping your hat.

2. Wet Felting: The hat blank is soaked in hot water to soften the wool fibres, making them pliable for shaping.

3. Shaping: Once softened, the hat blank is placed on a hat block, typically made of wood, to mold the hat into the desired shape—whether it’s a fedora with its sharp creases or a cowboy hat with its signature wide brim. We only recommend hat blocks made by our very talented friends at Hat Blocks Australia (please check out their website www.hatblocksaustralia.com.au)/

4. Drying and Finishing: After shaping, the hat is left to dry. The wool fibres will set in place, holding the hat’s form. Finally, trims, linings, and decorative elements can be added to complete the hat.

Why Felted Wool?

Felted wool is the gold standard when it comes to hat making, particularly for styles like fedoras, cowboy hats, berets, and caps. But what exactly makes felted wool so special?

Felt is created through a process of matting and condensing wool fibres. Our wool is spun to yarn, then we knit a hat shape which is then felted, the fibres lock together to form a dense, durable, and water-resistant material—perfect for hat making. This technique not only makes the material incredibly strong but also allows it to retain its shape, ensuring that your hats are not just stylish but also long-lasting.

The Benefits of Using Pure Wool Felt from Australia

What sets our felted hat blanks apart is that they are made entirely from pure Australian wool—sourced, produced, and crafted in Australia. This is important for a few key reasons:

Sustainability: Wool is a natural, renewable resource, and our wool is sourced from sheep raised on Kangaroo Island, where the land is cared for with minimal environmental impact. By using 100% wool, our felted hat blanks are fully biodegradable and leave no harmful footprint behind.

Animal Welfare: We are proud to say that no animals are harmed in the production of our wool. In contrast to traditional fur felt hats, which often rely on the fur of beavers, rabbits or other animals, our woollen felt offers the same durability and beauty without compromising the well-being of animals.

Premium Quality: Pure wool felt offers a superior texture, softness, and structure. It is breathable, insulating, and naturally water-resistant, making it a perfect material for year-round wear.

Versatility in Design

The beauty of our felted hat blanks is their versatility. While they’re perfect for iconic styles like fedoras and cowboy hats, they can also be used to create a wide range of other headwear. From berets and caps to custom millinery creations, the possibilities are endless. The flexibility of wool allows for creativity and experimentation, giving milliners the freedom to craft unique and stunning pieces.

No Fur, All Class

One of the things we’re most proud of is that our hats are fur-free, yet rival the quality of traditional fur felt hats. We believe that luxury and sustainability should go hand-in-hand. By using 100% Australian wool, grown and processed on Kangaroo Island we’ve created a world-class product that not only feels and looks incredible but also reflects our values of ethical production and environmental responsibility.

At Kangaroo Island Wool, we’ve poured our passion for wool and craftsmanship into every hat blank we produce. Whether you’re a professional milliner or an enthusiast looking to craft your next masterpiece, our felted wool hat blanks are the perfect foundation for creating timeless, stylish, and sustainable hats.

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Kangaroo Island 100% Merino Felt Hood

Name: Kangaroo Island 100% Merino Felt Hood
Brand: Kangaroo Island Wool Company
SKU: UA0017-15
Price: 165.00 AUD
Availability: OutOfStock

$165.00

Experience pure luxury with this un-stiffened, untreated, natural felted hood made from 100% Kangaroo Island Merino wool, artisan made on Kangaroo Island - from sheep to chic. NOTE - this product is intended for hat making and millinery.

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Free shipping in Australia for all orders over $150.

Description

Experience pure luxury with this un-stiffened, untreated, natural felted hood made from 100% Kangaroo Island Merino wool, artisan made on Kangaroo Island - from sheep to chic. NOTE - this product is intended for hat making and millinery.

Shipping & Returns

How Long Will It Take Before I Receive My Order?

It depends on where you live. We send your garments with Australia Post. Some items will need to be specifically created for you so there may be a delay of between 2 and 6 weeks from ordering. We will keep in contact with you about when to expect delivery.

I Want My Order By A Certain Time, Can This Be Arranged?

In most cases we can arrange delivery to meet your requested time but please contact us to find out if we can arrange delivery by your specified time.

What Is The Shipping/Delivery Cost?

Shipping is free if you use a voucher that contains a store code. Otherwise we use Australia Post and a flat fee of $13.60 applies for deliveries within Australia and $36.00 for international deliveries.

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