Felted Alpaca Hats

Longbranch Fiber Farm

Hand Felted Alpaca Hats

McGowan Photography

We have 13 crown styles and with different brims you can change the whole look!

Check the Show Schedule to see where the next batch of hats can be viewed.

Custom design your own hat and I’ll make it just your size.

There is an endless supply of colors to work with and I usually have hats made up, inquire what is on hand.

Click here for hat order form

Not including the time spent standing around admiring color combinations for each hat, it takes about 7 hours to make one. I don’t start with a preformed blank that can be purchased from a millinery supply. I start with the alpacas staring through the door each morning, waiting for their breakfast. Once a year we shear the sixty plus critters and a hat may be the end result of the morning ritual around here followed by a lot of elbow grease.

I get asked all the time if I wholesale the hats and the answer is always "no". It took me a while to figure out why. I could work harder and make more, or farm out some of the grunt work. The real reason is I spend a lot of time making them and I like to see how they get bought. My hats are not something that you have to have. They are something that for some reason, you want to have. It might be the same reason that I put this particular band or bauble on it...and I just like to see it when it happens.

I see my hats out and about sometimes and it is always such fun! Especially when it was purchased as a gift and I never got to see the recipient. Then there is the occasion when I stalk people trying to figure out if the hat is one of mine by getting a closer look. One of these days I’m really going to embarrass myself.

In the rare case that I missed meeting you at the time of purchase, enjoy the hat. The alpacas thank you!

Sincerely,

Elsa Leyden, Felt Craftsmen, Alpaca Farmer

My designs are wet felted directly onto a form. They are not knitted first. Each hat is made and finished by hand with a wire and black trim along the edge of the brim to allow for custom shaping. A sweat band is sewn into the crown for comfort. After the hat is formed and dry it is steamed with Bergamot sented water to set the shape of the hat. Decorative hat bands are coordinated to the color of the hat or a leather band is available. One of my favorite things to do is collect bits and pieces of stuff. I have a variety of adornments and charms to personalize each hat. If a hat is for a special order, I will try to match a request. For example: flowers, animals, shells or glass beads. The cost of the decoration can increase the cost of the hat. I'll let you know if the decoration is not standard.

Most styles are available in small, medium and large. Some are also available in extra small and extra large. If you provide an exact measurement, I can adjust the size to fit during the felting process. Use a string or tape measure. Starting from the center of the forehead, continue around the back of the head at the widest part and back to the center of the forehead. Your head size is where the tape meets the beginning of the tape. The tape should be taut but not too tight. If using string, remove and measure the amount of string used to go around the head.

Each custom ordered hat is $120.00 for the basic hat. Shipping and handling is $10.00 per box. If I can't fit your order in one box there is an additional $10.00 per box. Washington State residents should add 8.4% for tax. Visa & Mastercard orders by phone only. Orders of six hats or more receive a 20% discount.

Have your own favorite alpaca? Have a hat made from your own fiber for an additional $10.00 processing fee. Includes washing, dying and finish work. Please see the Fiber Processing page for more information about using your own fiber.

Bell Cloche, a classic design and a favorite for any age. Please specify when ordering if you prefer a shorter brim in the back.

Bucket is very similar to the Bell Cloche but a little squarer on the top with a slightly shorter brim.

Derby is another classic style. It is best suited for people with small faces.

Derby with the front of the brim pulled down giving it a Peter Pan look. This style is best suited to people with small faces.

Fedora has a shorter crown than the Indiana Jones and a more stylized look.

Indiana Jones is for the adventurer in all of us. This style has a higher crown than the Fedora.

Gambler is similar to the Flat Top but has a ridge and indentation on the top. The style is common in rodeos and horse shows.

Flat Top works well for men and women. This has a shorter crown than the Top Hat. Another classic design.

Top Hat shown with a rolled brim. This style has a deeper crown than the flat top, like a traditional Top Hat. The brim can be ordered with a rolled or flat brim.

Round Top is another classic. It has a low crown that rests right on your head.

Flanged Brim for those Southern Bells! The brim measures 3 1/2" in the back and widens to 4 1/2" in the front.

Western Cowboy has a tall crown that requires a large brim to balance the hat.

click here for hat order form

Longbranch Fiber Farm - Elsa Leyden

PO Box 89-Lakebay, Washington 98349

20320 30th St KPS - Lakebay, Washington 98349

253-884-4523

elsa@longbranchfiber.com

www.longbranchfiber.com