First Knitted and Fulled Balmoral Bonnet

[Pleater]

Try using a lot of hair conditioner - wet the cap first and then work in the conditioner, pulling the knitting in small areas first then work up to stretching across the full width of the piece. You will probably hear small snapping sounds, but that is OK as it is what you want, the fibres to unmesh themselves.

Work it like kneading dough if that is any help - hold and stretch, turn, hold and stretch, on a flat surface.

When there has been sufficient stretching rinse out the conditioner - it will probably need several changes of the water, in the last rinse put in a half cup of white vinegar - wool likes an acidic pH and it helps to smooth down the scales on the wool too.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[kiltedrennie]

Great advice @Pleater!

[thescot]

An excellent job.

[Dughlas mor]

Fine looking bonnet and fine looking boy. Congrats on both.

[Theyoungkiltman]

looks great!

[John Henderson]

Great advice @Pleater!

Yes. I will give it a try this weekend. I have had somewhere to be every night this week except last night, and I used that time to complete my balmoral. (There are not photos yet, as it was dark, and there was no other adult in the house at the time to help me with photos. Tonight or tomorrow, there will be another post. I am very happy with the second one.)

[John Henderson]

I followed Anne's instructions. I don't know if it's a lot softer than it was before, but since it was wet, I was able to block it into a better shape than it was before. The sizing is just where I want it. I have the ribbons as tight as they can be, and it's perhaps a little loose. He will have a little room to grow into it.

[Pleater]

Well of course it worked

Things which are worked out at 2 am when the garment is to be delivered next day and it has shrunk in the wash have to be sure and certain moments of pure genius.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[kiltedrennie]

A most excelent job sir! On both accounts!