JuJu Hat Tutorial
This is What You Will Need:
- Thick Wool Yarn (aprox. 1/2 ball for small, 1+ for large)
- Scissors or X-acto knife
- Poster board or Thick card stock
- Stapler
- Double sided tape
- Popsicle sticks or Chopsticks
STEP ONE: The Backer
Trace and cut a circle out of poster board. Then cut out a 1/2″ – 1″ hole in the center of that circle, depending on whether you’re doing a large or small hat. Next, cut from the outside edge of the circle to the inner circle, as shown. I used a dinner plate as a template for tracing my circle. (10.75″ diameter (1″ center hole)).
STEP TWO: The First Layer
Cut the yarn aprox. 1″ longer than the diameter of your circle backer.
To figure out how much yarn you need to cut for the first layer, just hold it on top of the circle, spread it out like a fan, and see if there are any hollow areas. If so, cut some more until you like the fullness.
Once you’ve established that you have enough yarn to fill your circle, use a piece of yarn to tie the bundle in the middle.
STEP THREE: Additional Layers
Divide the sides of the first bundle in half so that it’s the shape of an x. Cut a second bundle of yarn into shorter lengths than the first (mine were 4″ shorter) and tie. Place bundle vertically onto the x and tie around the sides of the x shape. Repeat with a third, even shorter layer, if desired. I did. Just make sure that you tie on the third layer horizontally this time. You don’t want all the ties in the same place or it will naturally want to separate in that area.
STEP FOUR: Attach to the Back
Turn yarn upside down so that the knots are facing up. Overlap the edges of the poster board to desired cone shape. Staple in place. Pull the ends of the ties through the hole, and tie a knot with the ends to create a loop for hanging.
If your hole ends up being a bit too big, and the knots themselves don’t hold the yarn in place, then tug on the yarn ends and stick some popsicle sticks through under the main knot to secure in place. They will also help stabilize the Wool JuJu Hat so that it sits flatter when hanging on the wall.
STEP FIVE: Secure the Yarn
Stick the double sided tape onto the back, peel off red layer, and press the yarn down into the desired position.
THE END!
My favorite part of this project is that JuJu Hats cost hundreds of dollars, but this one doesn’t!! Or, you can buy one of my Faux Juju Hats on my Etsy shop!
Please let me know if you give it a try! And link up if you post your results! Thanks!
Photo Credits: Rosa Pearson Design for Flutter Flutter
Tags: Art, Cameroon Headdress, DIY, DIY Project, JuJu Hat, Tutorial
May 26th, 2011 at 2:00 am
Rosa, you made that look so easy! I just may try making a JuJu Hat. (It’s so fun to say too isn’t it!)
May 26th, 2011 at 2:23 am
Holy Smokes. How did you think of that? Love it!
May 26th, 2011 at 3:17 am
Nice pics lady! Are those done with your new camera???
May 26th, 2011 at 5:07 am
Thanks Tracey! No, the pics are using my good old point and shoot! No new camera yet…
May 26th, 2011 at 5:09 am
Very well done (the hat and the tutorial)! Need to add this project to my list…
May 26th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Barbara, I really wanted one, but didn’t want to spend the money… and that is how the DIY was born! : )
May 26th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
LOVE Juju hats! And I’m with you Rosa – would so love to have one, but $600 is a big GULP
Thank you so much for sharing this great tutorial!
May 26th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
You’re welcome Sheila! Thanks for visiting! Great to meet new bloggers!!
May 26th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Color me impressed, girlfriend, that turned out amazing! That is so cool how it translated and all the color and texture is so rad (c: I have definitely been noticing these juju hats popping up an awful lot in the design world and this is a BRILLIANT (and cost effective) solution…LOVE IT!
May 26th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
You are brilliant!! I am adding this to my long list of projects:) Thanks for the great tutorial!
May 26th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
That is amazing! I will definitely be doing this!
xo
Karina
May 26th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
AMAZING…Thanks!!!!
May 27th, 2011 at 12:03 am
Perfect! Another project on my to-do list.
May 27th, 2011 at 12:57 am
Wow, great step by step, and the final product is incredible! Thanks for stopping by my blog and thereby leading me to yours! am loving it.
May 28th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Rosa, this turned out amazing!!! Love it
Fantastic post.
amy*
Ps. Thank you so very much for your thoughtful comment on my blog yesterday. It meant a lot to me!
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:52 am
This is absolutely beautiful. I have wanted a JuJu hat for ages but they’re way out of my price range – this is the perfect solution. I might even post it to my blog – if you don’t mind?
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Thanks for stopping by and saying hi Pascale!
June 2nd, 2011 at 5:58 pm
[...] all the grey. It was the jumping off point for our master bedroom. I’m adding some of my Faux Juju Hats in a variety of colors and sizes on the wall above the chair to add some more colour and texture to [...]
June 3rd, 2011 at 12:36 pm
I absolutely love this. I looked at the juju hats and once I saw the price I stopped. But after reading your tutorial, I might just make one. Thanks for a great tutorial.
June 4th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Rosa, beautiful work, fantastic photos. Mind if I shout it out on my blog?
June 4th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Thanks for the sweet words! I’d love it if you did a shout out! Thanks for asking Sari.
June 7th, 2011 at 12:58 am
I love this. I just finished mine and it took just a few minutes! This is brilliant, especially for us design divas on a budget!
June 7th, 2011 at 2:01 am
That’s great Roni! I’m so glad it worked out for you!!
June 14th, 2011 at 3:21 am
I had just found a spot for 3 Juju hats that I have been drooling over for months. Then I realized how much it was going to cost me! Yikes, I am thinking your wonderful tutorial is the better option. Thanks for sharing it with everyone.
June 21st, 2011 at 4:26 pm
[...] was so impressed when I found this amazing wall decoration Tutorial By: Rosa Pearson and searched the Internet for the “Cameroon feather headdress” and you can see some [...]
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:05 pm
this is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing. I might have to try this
Kim
July 4th, 2011 at 7:26 am
[...] αρκετά ακριβά, γιαυτό και χάρηκα πολύ όταν βρήκα στο blog της Rosa τον τρόπο να κατασκευάσουμε εύκολα και κυρίως [...]
July 6th, 2011 at 11:30 am
Hi Rosa,
I tried making it and mine doesn’t look half that good. I am off to giving it another shot with another type of yarn. Will let you know how it turns out. Have a good one!
July 14th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
i love this tutorial! so fun and inventive! might just need to give it a whirl
July 29th, 2011 at 10:48 am
[...] at Flutter Flutter created a $10 version that uses yarn and looks really good especially for a tiny fraction of the price of an authentic hat. You can [...]
July 29th, 2011 at 11:34 am
I must make one. Thank you for the tutorial.
August 2nd, 2011 at 5:52 am
Brilliant!
Brilliant!
Brilliant!
Thank you for sharing, this looks like something I could definitely have a go at doing.
xx Felicity
August 2nd, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Wow, thanks Felicity!! I hope yours turns out fabulous!
August 2nd, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Love this JuJu hat tutorial. We just moved to Vancouver BC and I’m looking for fun ways to decorate on a budget!
Looks like you are in BC also……I found you over at Nesting Place. Looking forward to reading you blog.
August 4th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
I was just thinking a basic pom pom technique would work… awesome to know someone tried it!
August 24th, 2011 at 12:06 am
[...] Flutter Flutter JuJu Hat Tutorial [...]
September 26th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
where did you purchase this yarn? ive looked everywhere and online and can not find any that thick
September 27th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
I purchased it from Michaels, but only the store near me seems to carry it. I’ve looked around to other Michaels, including online, and have not found it anywhere. Possibly they are testing the demand at my store? If you would like me to ship some to you just let me know!
September 30th, 2011 at 1:01 am
is it called thick and thin? i found some on etsy, but havent found the color i want. id like a white or cream with brown flecks, do they have that at your micheal’s?
October 28th, 2011 at 10:12 am
[...] JuJu Hat tutorial via flutter flutter [...]
November 1st, 2011 at 1:54 pm
How creative you are! I, too, have had trouble finding yarn chunky enough to make this, but will try Michael’s here today. I was also wondering what one would look like made from strips of plush fleece, or even wool felt. IF I could get the strips to twist or curl up on themselves a bit, it may look cool. (Think dread-locks!) Thanks for the tute! I pinned it on Pinterest.
November 25th, 2011 at 3:25 am
Hi
Love the Juju hat, having trouble finding inexpensive wool?
How much wool did you use, what size skeins and thickness? Any help is greatly appreciated as I may need to order on line , it would help if I knew how much I needed…. Thank-you!
Rachel
November 29th, 2011 at 6:20 am
[...] FlutterFlutter will be making a virtual appearance on Home with Lisa Quinn next month! My blog, and Juju Hat Tutorial, will be part of an episode airing on December 22nd on the ABC Live Well Network. Here in Vancouver [...]
December 1st, 2011 at 5:55 am
Hey Rosa!
I just finished making my first JuJu Hat — it turned out great! I made it for a Christmas gift for my daughter. I know she’ll love it. Thanks for the simple tutorial. I’ll be making more for sure!
January 11th, 2012 at 4:01 am
Hi Rosa,
I tried my first one with quick and cozy yarn… I am finding this yarn too “floppy” and light weight so will try to find the thick and thin somewhere! Thanks for the great idea!
January 30th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Excellent tutorial! Thanks for a great idea!
February 1st, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Great tutorial. My juju is not so great, but I love it:) Thank you!
February 1st, 2012 at 7:49 pm
[...] to Rosa for the JuJu tutorial and happy that I discovered a nice crafts shop [...]
February 6th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
[...] can purchase one these hats for around $450, or you can always try to make one yourself out of yarn for around $10. Yarn Juju Hat Tutorial Share this:TwitterLike this:LikeBe the first to like this [...]