Now Norma Knits : Tutorials

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How To Line A Hat With (micro)Fleece

This luscious handspun/handknit headband I bought when I was in the throes of hypothermia at the New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival has a nice little secret. It's lined in polyester fleece. See how simple and nice and invisible it is from the outside? It makes the slightly scratchy handspun wearable over my ears and forehead, and it adds a layer of warmth and wind protection.

I've used this procedure to line mittens and hats and neckwarmers in the past. Abigail's Snow Queen hat and mittens (see my galleries in 2004 and 2005) are lined this way, at her request.

As I promised earlier in the week, here is a tutorial to make this simple, quick and inexpensive, yet highly effective, lining. No sewing machine is required, although I used mine for this project.

Using your finished hat as a rough guide, cut a trapezoid (thanks to Ms. Lauren for helping me remember wtf that shape is called) that roughly follows the lines of your hat. Make it twice as wide as the hat, with a little extra for a seam allowance. Fleece has a nice stretch to it -- in one direction only. Make sure you cut the fabric so it stretches horizontally to fit around the head. Trim it so the slanted cuts match each other.

Fold the fabric and seam close to the edge, up the slanted side. Cut a little triangle piece off the opposite side to reduce bulk, if desired, and seam that cut.

Using a needle and thread, baste around the top edge of the lining, close to the edge. Pull the thread like a drawstring.

See? You've made a simple hat shape.

Place the lining inside your hat and trim the bottom edge to fit, if necessary. Fleece does not unravel, so the edge can remain unhemmed.

Using a tapestry needle, and yarn that matches or blends with the yarn of the hat, attach the top of the lining to the inside of the top of the hat two or three times. Just a couple simple knots pulled through both thicknesses and tied is all that is required.