So this is my first crochet project (not including a simple baby blanket that is only 1/5th its intended size) and my first time felting. It is intended as a valentines gift for my hubby.

I crocheted it using hdc, K hook and a 'make it up as you go along' pattern. The circumference felted down from 27" to 23.5" nicely but the crown to edge has needed some stretching. In retrospect I should have done an extra row or two (was 9", now 8").

Things I would change: Felting a hat makes it quite helmet like! I think future versions will have some little cat ears to break it up. Or, I might do the top crown in a different yarn to reduce the bowling ball effect. Really undecided if I should make another before the 14th (perhaps in a more 'manly' red?) but hubby already has an eared hat. Ideas??

Pre-felting

Post felting