August 15:
I am doing a modified version of this pattern to look like the top hat the Once-ler wears in the 2012 version of The Lorax.

Honestly, the modifications I’m looking at doing are heavy enough that it might really constitute an original pattern; my gauge didn’t match the one mentioned in the pattern so I had to do new calculations and stuff, and I’ll be tapering it differently.

August 29:
The body of my hat is basically entirely different from the pattern, but I used the directions for the brim (though with a different stitch count due to the body), and did a slightly modified version of the crown (to accommodate for a few extra stitches), so I’m still going to say it’s a variation on the Samedi and Seuss pattern. I also heavily referenced the pattern for ideas and measurements. I actually accidentally made the pinch in the middle a little too wide initially, so I wound up doing a few princess seams to take it in a little more before felting. I hope the felt “ribs” this formed help re-enforce the hat so it’s sturdier.

I made mine a little taller though, because Once-ler needs “a bigger hat to wear.” Because he’s biggering, and figuring on biggering. I might have put the pinch a little too high in the middle, though.

ALSO! I think I figured out how to solve the blocking problem regarding the Seuss hats (as you can’t just put it on a cylinder of cardboard): Line it with a clean trash bag, and then fill it with something like rice, cat food, cat litter, etc. This way you can get a blocking device the shape of the hat to actually fit inside without having to worry about the tapered bits. It might take longer to dry, but should produce results as nice as a properly blocked Samedi hat.

I’d like to do something to make it smoother looking; it’s kind of really fuzzy right now. I think I’ll attempt to shave it? And then maybe coat it with some watered down Elmer’s glue?

September 13:

My hat was well received at DragonCon. :3 Several people had praise for it and people were impressed that I knit it.

It was mostly dry by the first day I wore it (Saturday), but once I’d worn it for a while and was exposed to heat and humidity, it had a little bit of an issue with imploding and staying firm. Not enough that I couldn’t use it, but enough that I had to straighten it up a few times. By Monday, it had dried out more and the issues were even more minor. It’s still a bit weak, but it looks great when worn.

I’d still like to use some kind of stiffening and smoothing agent, which is why I’m keeping this at 95% instead of 100% complete. Also, the band is rushed and isn’t properly tailored, as I made it the night before going to the con.