May I please get a few opinions

[Dreadbelly]

This is a prototype I am currently working on.




As you can hopefully see in the pictures, there are ringed ridges along the crown of what will one day be a tam. This technique has produced a weave that is incredibly thick and strong. It is rather time consuming, at least for now, as I am not familiar with the technique, but I am getting better at it.

I am not so sure on how it looks though. It does make the hat, at least in my eye, look vaguely Celtic with the circular pattern spreading outward. I am not so sure what to think though, and the hat is not yet done. Most tams have smooth tops... This design however adds considerable thickness, density, and strength, which would probably make this an excellent cold weather companion. If I did it double stranded, it'd probably be over a half of an inch thick. As it is now, it is somewhere around 1/8th of an inch thick, considerably thicker than most tams. When I get done with this one though, the wearer will definately know something is on his skull. The colour I used for the prototype is Army Olive Drab.

I have found that most kilt wearers admire quality and durability in their items... And while I make very good dreadlock tams, I am still trying to perfect the ideal "bulletproof bonnet."

Any feedback, advice, or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[cloves]

Looks pretty cool Dread. I like the circular design from what I can see of it. How about a pic of the first tam next to this new style for comparsion?
I also like the fact you've switched to one color. The chocolate brown is very nice. Have you ever thought of making them from real wool yarns and them felting them once done?

[Dreadbelly]

Felting experimentations will come later. I don't know how well crochet with felt up.

I do solid colours as well as prints.

Some comparison photos.





The circular ridges really add a lot to the weave.

[McMurdo]

In my humble opinion you are closer to the "bulletproof bonnet" it looks like you wold not get cold at all and I bet your not even close to done yet, very nice headwear.

[Warlock]

Damn fine tams , Sir!

[Dreadbelly]

I am still working on it. The crown is done, I am now making the bottom section, working in a taper, and will be building the brim soon.

It has been a total pain in the ear to make.

[MacWage]

I am still working on it. The crown is done, I am now making the bottom section, working in a taper, and will be building the brim soon.

It has been a total pain in the ear to make.

Looks GREAT! The older tams WERE often knitted. It looks to be pretty solid. I'll just have to try one out some day soon, especially as you "hoof it" in Greenville, South Carolina (not far from me).
On color: For some reason, they seemed to have prefered blues. (I'm not really sure why? Must have involved the cheapest pleasing common local dye) Yet, it was SO COMMON, that the hats (and often their wearers) were called "Bluebonnets."

[Dreadbelly]

The weave on here not only mimicks a knit, but it is actually thicker and denser, at least on the crown, then a knit.

It's like a crocheted manhole cover.

[Mike1]

Yet, it was SO COMMON, that the hats (and often their wearers) were called "Bluebonnets."

An' aw they waunt tae dae is wish ye's aw guid marnin'!

[cavscout]

I prefer this new design. It is a more solid looking structure and less "Regae".

Another cool feature would be to have, for example, an SF Green top with Dark Brown band and Tori or vice versa. Kahki / Brown, Black/Green...

You could select the most common color palates of tartans and design your bonnets to coordinate with them like the argyle socks.