How to Make Wet Felted Dreadlocks for a Chemo Hat

Sally Gulbrandsen Feltmaker: Her tutorials & techniques are as individual as she is — unique, experimental and always interesting.

Dreads Hat

More about this Project

This project can only be described as a labor of love. There is no doubt that it is a time-consuming one, but I promise your patience and creativity will be well rewarded.

It is my hope that many of these hats will grace the heads of children and adults throughout the world, especially those who have recently lost their hair due to cancer. This hat was designed to bring some fun into their lives.

For newborn photographers everywhere the hat will make a great prop. Adjust the size of the dreads and the thickness accordingly when contemplating making one for a newborn child.

It is my hope that those who follow this tutorial will be inspired to share their own thoughts as they follow through the process of making this hat for an adult or child who is undergoing chemotherapy.

Items Required to Complete This Project:-

A QUANTITY PENCIL WOOL ROVING

Pencil Wool roving can be purchased from Amazon. The amount required will vary and depend on how many dreads you intend to make, also how long you want the dreads to be worn. Around 300 grams of wool pencil roving makes for a good starting point. Select colors according to which the intended recipient will enjoy. Fun rainbow colors work well, as does brown or white pencil roving which can be dyed after the dreads have been felted. Try using natural dyes such as tea or coffee for making brown dreads.

GRATED OLIVE OIL SOAP

Grated Olive oil soap should be dissolved and diluted in very hot water. Olive Oil Soap is kind to the hands and gentle on the wool. Alternatively, you may wish to use Dish Washing Liquid diluted in hot water if no olive oil soap is available to you.

A LARGE BAMBOO CURTAIN BLIND

A large recycled Bamboo curtain blind will provide a very good surface for rolling the dreads on. These can be used over and over again for a variety of other felting projects too. This is one of my favorite felting tools. However, an absorbent hand towel makes a good substitute should you not have one to hand. An absorbent cotton towel should be placed under the bamboo blind to absorb any excess soapy water.

A CROCHET BEANIE HAT WHICH HAS LARGE GAPS BETWEEN THE STITCHES

Make one similar to the one pictured shown below or purchase a ready-made hat from e-Bay or Amazon. Choose a Beenie which has a loose weave preferably handcrafted using thick wool and a double crochet stitch. It should have good size holes through which the dreads can be threaded. You may wish to use a recycled crochet hat crocheted to the size required for the intended recipient.

A STYROFOAM or POLYSTYRENE MANNEQUIN HEAD

Polystyrene Mannequin heads serve as a means to help you gauge the length of the required dreads needed, useful if you do not have a human the right size to measure them against. These come in a variety of sizes and can be used over and over again for a variety of felt making projects. These are used for displaying hats or can also be used as Hat 'Shapers'. These can be purchased very reasonably from Amazon or E-Bay.

Pull off 2 equal lengths of the Pencil Roving from the bundle

The length of the roving should be twice the length of 1 dreadlock as you will be making double ended dreads with this Tutorial.

You will need 2 lengths which are the same size and thickness to make one double ended dread. Please see images below.

Align the two pieces side by side to get the right thickness of one dread.

The completed dread which, when completed is folded and looped through the stitches of the beanie hat and the two pointed ends will be drawn through the loop and tightened up against the crochet stitches of the Beenie. Please see the images below.

2 Lengths of Pencil Roving aligned side by side before soaking

Getting the length right!

The length of the dreads is a matter of personal preference. Please see the images below. I sometimes fold the roving in unequal lengths when threading them through. I stagger the lengths of the dreads to give the head of hair a more realistic and natural line.

Place the alligned lengths of pencil roving into the hot soapy water

Soak the lengths in the bowl of hot soapy water

Submerge the 2 lengths into the hot soapy water

When submerging the fibers beneath the water, ensure that the pieces can be removed still aligned. The thickness of the double ended dread will be maintained if you do this. Once wet through, remove the fibers carefully from the hot water and slide your fingers down the full length of the fibers. The two lengths have become one. Let the excess soapy water fall back down into the bowl of water so that it can be used again.

Squeeze out the excess soapy water with your fingers..

The excess soapy water has now been squeezed from the roving.

Begin rolling the wet fibers beneath your fingers

Dunk the dread back into the soapy water.

Do this 3 times after the initial rolling. It helps to firm up the inner fibers inside the dread. They should feel firm when they are finished but as they dry they will soften and become light in weight.

Dunking the fibers back into the hot soapy water

Removing the dreads from the hot soapy water to roll again

Getting ready to roll

Save time by rolling a few dreads at a time

Save time by rolling the dreads a few at a time. Some people use the tumble dryer as an assistant but I prefer in this instant not to as they are likely to stick to one another if you are not careful.

Two or more Dreads can be rolled at a time.

A completed dread (still wet)

Rinse in diluted vinegar water.

Rinse well in hot and then cold water. Give a final rinse in diluted vinegar water and leave to dry before assembling the hat below.

Making or buying a Beenie or use a recycled Beenie!

To complete this project you will need a Beenie Cap which is the base for this chemo hat. If making, use double knit wool and a large crochet hook. Use a large stitch such as double crochet which will give you the right size gaps through which the dreads can be threaded.

Use a recycled hat if desired. Remember that not much of it will be seen beneath the dreads. A matching or contrasting color Beenie does. however work well. Getting the color right will only enhance the final look.

Crochet a Beenie Hat

Inserting the dreads into the crochet stitch gaps

Pulling the dreads through the crochet holes

The dreads pulled tight

Attaching the dreads to the Beenie

I found it easy to work the dreads into the hat when off the Mannequin head. However, I did frequently put it on the head to check my placement of the Dreads.

Placement of the Dreads is key to the success of this hat

Taking care of your dreads

Don't wash your dreads in a washing machine and don't use a tumble dryer as the dreads will attach themselves to one another.

They can either be removed from the hat and soaked and rinsed and then inserted back into the washed cap. They might need another quick roll before you put them back in order to maintain the look.

Beads, threads or feathers can be twisted or pulled onto the dreads for a more trendy look.

Remember that a smaller version can be used as a prop for a baby photo shoot.

Have fun creating your Dread hat and please share your thoughts on this hat.

Wet Felted Dreadlocks Hat

Dreaded Dreadlocks!

© 2016 Sally Gulbrandsen

Comments

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on August 30, 2017:

I think the children would love the dreadlock hats. If you do create some chemo hats I would love to see some of your photos, with the children wearing them if possible and with their parents' permission of course:) Don't forget that these look wonderful on adults too. Thank you for stopping by to comment,

Kari Poulsen from Ohio on August 30, 2017:

What a wonderful idea! I have not ever tried felting, but this hat looks easy enough that I could try, lol. I could make some and donate to the local hospital or chemo unit. I think the kids would love these. :)

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on July 26, 2017:

You are welcome techygran. This is definitely do-able. The hard part for me is letting it go once it is made:) I feel like that about most of my projects!

It is definitely a labour of love.

Cynthia Zirkwitz from Vancouver Island, Canada on July 26, 2017:

I can see where this is truly a labour of love to make, but what a lot of fun for the wearer! Your directions and photos make the project seem so do-able! I am sharing this. Thank you!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on February 12, 2017:

Kali Dragonslayer

I used 60 but felt that 70 might be better. Apologies if you did not get this but apparently HubPages had a problem with their comments.

Kali Dragonslayer on February 01, 2017:

about how many double end dreads did you use for this hat? i am going to make one for my friend who will be getting chemo for breast cancer soon :) thank you!!!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 24, 2016:

Hello Donna,

Thanks so much for the feedback. Glad to have you pass on the tutorial to your friends. If we can help those who are undergoing chemo that would great. I know that my own sister found it so hard to find suitable chemo hats. She said the hats were either too scratchy or hot and in the end resorted to going without one. She looked gorgeous and she did her make up in a way which was spectacular. She was and is still such an inspiration to me.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 24, 2016:

Ms Dora

That is a lovely thing to say about my artistry. I confess I love the way it turned out and as sad as I will be to part with it, my intention is to sell it on an e-Bay charity auction to raise funds for my favorite cancer charity. I hope ultimately one adult or child will wear it with love and laughter in their hearts.

I love the sound of a salt and pepper dread hat, something for me to think on. Who knows, there could be a second dread hat in the pipe-line.

I value your continue feedback, thank you so much MsDora.

Sally.

Donna Herron from USA on April 24, 2016:

Sally - I love this project! Such a wonderful way to help people going through chemo. I particularly like the way you attach the dreads to your crocheted cap - so easy! I know a lot of people who knit chemo caps and many of them also wet felt. I'm definitely passing your tutorial on to them. Thanks for another great project!

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on April 24, 2016:

Sally, I would wear the hat without needing it. Mine would have to be all dark brown dreads, or salt and pepper (resembling black and graying). It is indeed a labor of love and many who need it, as well as those who don't, will find it beautiful. You're an exceptional artist.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 24, 2016:

FlourishAnyway

Glad you like it. On a more serious note, If I suffered hair loss from chemo I would love to wear this dread hat:)

FlourishAnyway from USA on April 24, 2016:

What a humorous photo prop! Very cute!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 22, 2016:

Billy that really means a lot to me. Thank you so much.

You get it! My job is done:)

Sally

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on April 22, 2016:

This is such a loving idea...really, Sally, this product and the message behind it really touched my heart. Well done, my friend.

bill

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on April 22, 2016:

Thank you very much Devika. I appreciate your continued valued support thanks too for the tweet:)

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on April 22, 2016:

Hello sallybea you are talented and you show such creative ideas here. Your great thinking show how good you are at what you do. I Tweeted!