It takes imagination, skill, muscle power, sweat and wool to make the hat…
… and a mysterious drawing.
When it’s half done, Miszek teases Clive by sending a photo in which the hat can’t be properly seen.
Later, the finished hat travels from Gdansk in Poland to the Ystwyth Valley in Wales…
… snug in a neatly packed box.
The hat has been sleeping, but wakes up when the box is opened.
Jack investigates the hat. The hat smells interesting. It smells of Miszek…
and of Fisieńka Ćmieleska!
Here is the hat. It’s the best hat in the world!
It springs a wonderful surprise, having not one…
… but two faces!
Miszek writes to Clive:
‘So here it is – your protection from the cold and what’s more important – protection from all the evil lurking in the woods. From now on you are perfectly safe.’
He’s right. I do feel safe with this Janus hat that keeps an eye on where I’ve been as well as where I’m going.
It takes imagination, skill, muscle power, sweat and wool to make the hat. But most of all it takes a big heart, and Miszek has the biggest. Thank you Miszek for the-hat-that-keeps-me-warm-and-safe. This hat makes me very, very happy.
Clive Hicks-Jenkins' Artlog: 
Wow, what a fantastic hat!
By the way, this week keep an eye on Animalarium. 🙂
It is fantastic Laura, isn’t it. What species would you categorise it as being? (-;
Wonderful, warm and whimsical!
Oh my goodness. It’s simply the most fabulous, fantastic, and make-you-feel-happy creation for wearing I’ve seen for many a long time.
You might now be safe in the woods, Clive – but how will the local fauna feel?!
They will feel that one of their own has come among them!
(-;
As a feltmaker myself I know how much time and physical effort goes into making something like this. It is a joy of a hat which I suspect you’ll wear with great style!
I’ll certainly wear it with great pleasure Chloe.
Very cool. But I’m afriad this post is missing one, critical photo… a photo of you modeling the hat.
Ha ha. Believe me, that will come! (-;
couldn’t agree more :–)
Miszek, you might remember I asked for photographs of you wearing it. Did you take any of yourself wearing the finished hat before you posted it? (-;
a treasure!!!
what a surprise that it has two faces, how clever!
congratulations 🙂
He’s a clever lad!
Fabulous!!
Hello Pilippa Ribbons!
Pilippa Ribbons!
I like that.
And the hat, especially where it pops out of the bag. I am very glad that if an escaped tiger wanders to Aberystwyth, you will have eyes in the back of your head to scare him off and know that you are watching, watching!
Not having to worry about stalking tigers is a great weight off my mind. You never know when they might turn up, so it’s a relief to have the-hat-that-watches-fore-and-aft.