Maria Nitzche
Knit Felted Hats
My first experience in Vermont was as a child visiting grandparents. My grandfather had an oxen team and fairs were a yearly outing. My sister has a ski condo on Okemo and for many years, I enjoyed skiing at Okemo.
In 2002 my state funded contract at the Home of Little Wanderers ended and I moved to Ludlow and began working at Northern Skiworks.
When I turned 70, I decided to make hats. Just knitted hats I found boring, so I tried felted hats. This was what I was looking for. The entire process is fun, starting with the knitting, then felting them and finishing them. Although all the yarn is 100%. each blooms differently during the felting process which makes a different texture and look for the finished material.
I make 17 different styles and enjoy mixing yarn textures and colors for a different expression. I have my beautiful handmade (not by me) wooden hat molds over which I stretch the wet hat and then shape the brim when needed. When I add a finishing, I search my button trove and then design the color and shape of the pin felted finishing.
Maria Nitzsche
Vermont Hats
205 Route 103 S.
Mount Holly, VT 05758802-259-9339
vermonthats@gmail.com
www.vermonthats.com
