How to Make and Add Felted Ears to a Beret Hat

Adding ears or antlers to a beret is a simple way to make this dreaded winter accessory cute and more bearable. It's a great project to complete with kids, as it's simple and safe.

I will show you how to make the ears (any colour or shape) with minimum tools and supplies or knowledge.

Even if you never felted before, you will be able to make this project. Wet felting is a very old craft, but quite basic in that you only need water, soap and wool fibers. No tools, no fuss.

The whole project can be done in 1 hour and then needs few days to dry.

You will need to provide your own beret, as this Instructable covers ears only.

1. store bought wool beret
2. needle felting wool fibers in matching colours
3. small water bottle
4. gentle liquid hand soap
5. soft wire for armature and pliers
6. small length of netting fabric/mesh/tulle (the type used to make tutus)
7. needle and thread

Print or draw ear designs and cut the shapes out.

Use soft armature or garden wire to create outlines of the ears. You can also use pipe cleaners (hobby stores have them), but you have to layer them to make them solid.

Prepare your working station:

1. wear gloves if you have delicate skin (prolonged contact with soap and water)
2. have a bottle of water and soap within reach
3. have some small towels at hand for water spills
4. cut two pieces of netting fabric (each piece about the size of A4)
5. have scissors next to you

Lay a piece of net/mesh and create your wool layers directly on top.

Each layer should be relatively thin.

Pull fibers from the bundle, be gentle, just pull strands after strands and layer them out in a shape of a rectangle.

One layer horizontal, next one vertical. And another layer horizontal and another vertical.

This will make sure the fibers are interlocking and once wet, they will be stronger and create unbreakable felt.

Create 4-6 layers at the bottom (depends on the thickness of your strands).

Then place the metal wire armature ears on top of the wool and cover with more layers of wool.

Again, 4-6 layers. It will look quite bulky, but that's normal.

From time to time as you are layering the woolly strands, gently place your palms on top of the wool bundle and feel for lumps or inconsistencies in thickness. If one part is too thin, add a piece of wool to it to keep it even.

Have a hand towel at the ready to catch any stray water.

Cover the whole of your wool rectangle with another piece of net.

Using a small bottle pour water over the mesh, little by little.

Spread 2 pumps of hand soap over your palms and gently pat the wool with your hands.

The general rule of thumb when it comes to handling wool is this: go from very gentle, to moderate and then rough.

The first time you touch the wool, you have to be very gentle. Don't rub, instead pat it delicately to flatten it and distribute the water and soap (imagine how gently you would apply a calming lotion to a sunburn, blistered skin).

Add more water to saturate the piece fully and continue patting until flattened. Add a few more pumps of soap if needed.

Pick the whole piece up and turn upside down and make sure the bottom is also saturated.

Pat, clap, gently slap. Don't rub.

Fold the sides of the rectangle down to create a cleaner look and to thicken the sides.

Separate the ears by cutting the felt in half.

Put the ears to the side for a minute.

__________________________________

Create the white ear parts by layering white wool strands (3-4 layers will be sufficient) on the side.

Place the wool on top of the mesh and them cover it up. Add water and a little soap and flatten it a little bit. Rub with your fingers a few times, only enough for the wool to interlock a little. Then pick it up, grab scissors and cut out two inner ear pieces (use your print out as a guide).

Place the white parts inside the brown ear parts. Use your fingers to feel the wire armature and let it guide you on how to position them properly.

Place the mesh on top of the ear and gently pat the ear several times to flatten it and bond the colours together. Use your fingers or a gentle sponge to do it. Have soap and water on hand in case you have to add more.

To blend two colours together and to begin the wet felting process properly you have to first pat the felt down gently. Then progressively apply more pressure.

Use your finger and rub the white part up and down. If the fibers don't shift, you can move to the next stage.

This time you can be more rough.

Now that the fibers are more or less interlocked, you don't have to be gentle.

Continue rubbing both sides, flip the piece around a few times. Then remove the mesh altogether and pick up the piece in your hand.

Rub the felt between your palms like you would a bar of soap.

You will soon see it shrink down.

Rinse thoroughly under running water and squeeze the excess water out. Be careful not to distort the wire.

Repeat the process with the second ear.

Trim both ears.

Use the internal wire as a guide and cut out the proper shape.

You want there to be 3-5 mm excess wool around the wire!!

Make sure both ears are symmetrical.

Using a bit of soap and water as well as your finger and a piece of mesh, you have to agitate the freshly cut ear edges. Rub them down for a few minutes, until they round up and blend in.

Rinse again, use scissors to shave off any surface fluff.

Leave to dry naturally for 1-3 days.

Use a ruler and a tape to mark the position of the ears on the beret.

Secure with pins.

Thread the needle with appropriately coloured thread and saw the ears to the hat.

Wire armature makes the ears permanently pointing up. Once the ears are securely sewed in, you can bend the wires to make the ears a little cocked or drooping.