I would say no. To my knowledge wool is not like leather. Not only that, after stretching, the hat might actually perform a lot worse. I have quality wool blankets, and clothes, and the word stretching just means ruining to me.


Edit: Though after a few minutes of searching it is believed that 100% wool can be stretched effectively. But if there is other products, like the lining and other things, then it would just kill the hat.

 

Can't white vinegar aid in stretching wool, or is it just shrunken wool?
http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_4516671_stretch-shrunken-wool-garment.html

 

Great info y'all! The vinegar one sounds interesting, but I would worry on bleeding out the dye possibly since it is very vintage and in great shape. Never saw one before like this for sure!

 

You could take to a seamstress and have them let it out for you. Put in a small piece of leather?

 

or you could just buy a new one from stormy kromer....I have 2 and they are warm
http://www.stormykromer.com/mens/caps

 

All my wool hats shrank never to return to a larger size. I just give them to grandchildren.

 

Go to your local yarn shop and ask to speak to the manager. The manager will let you know if there are any felters in your area. A felter would be able to tell you if you can stretch a wool hat or not. You might be able to pay them to do it for you.

 

just get it wet and wear it if it's close to the right size, done many times with no issue.

 

Vinegar is only used to set dye in wool. Soak the hat in cold water and wear it or fit it to a wig/hat form of the correct size. Normally, it will stretch when wet. To shrink a wool hat, steam it slightly. My wife uses a steamer to set the twist in her spun wool. Hot water & agitation will shrink and felt wool. So be careful, don't get it too small. It will be back to where it was. If it has a hat band sown inside, its possible that it will not be able to expand.

It actually doesn't shrink the fibers, it only tightens them together to ratchet them tighter. Does this make sense?

"note"
I asked the experienced wool spinner. She said to mist it with water from a spray bottle and fit it on the correct size form and let it dry.

I was partially right. Shouldn't soak it with water.

 

My hats usually fit a little looser right after a hair cut.

 

Great info all! True on the hat looser after a hair cut LOL! I think I will shave my head, my wife will kill me hah

 

Always happy to help.

 

My wife knitted me a Scottish Bonnet that I love to wear in the winter. It is home spun from trash wool that wasn't good for anything else. I love it. Its warm.

 

Wool is the best!

 

you could always go to a tack and western wear place, many of them stretch hats for a small fee using a head shaped form that uses steam.

 

it is very vintage and in great shape. Never saw one before like this for sure!

 

I knew I'd seen the vinegar thing in a book.
Taken from "Vin.e.gar" 1001 practical houshold uses. published by PR Books Limited
Quote
Shrunken woollens
Shrunken woollen jumpers and other items can usually be stretched back to their original size or shape after washing them in a solution of 1 part white wine vinegar to 2 parts water for 25 minutes. Let the garment air-dry after you've finished stretching it.

I know this doesn't help with the liner but if the wool has enough life in it the outer shell may stretch enough with the above method and just add to or replace the liner

 

Vinegar is added to lower the pH in all water for washing or soaking wool. Soap & detergent is a high alkalinity (high ph). Used only to remove grease/lanolin & some dirt/dung. Then the wool is rinsed in clean water & vinegar. Heat & agitation shrinks wool, cool water soak with vinegar helps to relax the fibers and can be blocked/stretched to desired fit.
How many spinners or weavers do we have on this forum? How many spinners process the wool from scratch from the farm or purchase it already in a roving/batts?
Washed raw wool drying. Is this from a sheep, llama, or Alpaca? It all looks alike to me. I'm just the husband of the fiber artist.

 

A wealth of information! Thank you all!