How to Make a Lot of Winter Hats. Fast.

We have a project once a month where we do a multigenerational project with a service learning component for about 2 hours. It’s tough to find something that works in all those. With the Syrian refugee crisis, we wanted to do something that would have an impact locally for those rehomed refugees in our community. This is also a great project for homeless populations (or for a Secret Kindness Agents project).

I developed this pattern after looking at several different patterns online and trying them out. I took the best of them and created this Service Learning Project for our congregation. It takes a little pre-work but not much. This is also modeled on a traditional Syrian hat so I’m trying to capture some of that “feels-like-home” feeling for these individuals. If you are doing this as part of a group project, divide the work into stations. Or split into teams and have competitions. It's fun to come up with ideas. We're going to be doing this while listing to a talk from a local refugee non-profit.

I reference figures/pictures below in my write-up. Here's a PDF with all the images and the writeup. 

Please: this project is intended as a charity activity. Do not use this pattern in a commercial/retail manner. Copyright 2016.

Supplies:

• Fabric Scissors: Make sure you have sharp scissors to use. No fun getting a blister just because of dull scissors!
• Yarn: Only need it if you plan on sewing up the top rather than tying it. Complimentary or contrasting color… up to you!
• Needle: Only need it if you plan on sewing up the top rather than tying it. Use a chenelle or sharp tapestry needle if using yarn. Can be standard needle and thread, too.
• Sewing machine: Optional. You can hand sew the edge if you want after cutting. But much faster with a sewing machine because you  can sew the seam on several hats at once.
• Fleece: Most fleece comes in about a 58/60” length. Fabric needs to be cut 22”x11” (with the 22” length going with the stretch).  In the fleece that I purchased, all the stretch was from side to side (selvage to selvage) rather than along its length. Therefore, I could get about 2 across the width. Take the total number of hats you want to make, divide it by two and then multiply that by 11. That number is the number of inches of fleece you will need (assuming no waste). Use what’s left of the fleece for gloves or scarves. Or sew two colors together to get totally wacky hats! (See figure 1)

	(		)
Length in inches of fleece needed =		Number of hats to make		x 11
		2

Directions:

Fold the fabric from one side 11”. Cut off that the entire length and sew up that seam (or sew it and then cut it off. Whatever works for you…) (See Figure 2) If you are doing this with a large group of folks, this step can be done ahead of time... or do part of this ahead of time so those who are cutting/tying have something to get started on.

You end up with a long tube. Cut it into 11” lengths (or longer if you want a longer fringe). (See Figure 3) Along one edge of the tube, cut right next to the seam 1-2” in and remove it (See figure 4). Then cut fringes 1-2” in along the entire length. (See Figure 5)

Turn the tube inside out, so the stitched seam edges are inside. At this point you have a couple options for finishing the top:

1. You can tie (with a double knot) each pair right across the top. This is the simplest and easiest for little kids.
2. You can make an “X” (see figure 7 on how to determine the 4 corners).
3. Finally, you can sew a running stitch along the top edge and pull it tight. You can use thread or yarn (more decorative).

Finishing:

Fold the bottom edge of the hat up twice, giving it a nice rolled edge. If you need to, add a stitch or two to hold it in place.

You can add some colorful pony beads to some of the fringe to make it extra special.