A piece of art in a stitch

[McMurdo]

So this is a review of my Dreadbelly Tam, let me say it is wonderful to work with Dread on these things he makes it very easy.

I have a few hats kicking about, a beaver felt fedora, a felt cowboy hat etc., however to get something as nice as this is really something, it fits very well, and when you see one in real life the colours in the wool are so very deep and rich.

I would say that if you want a tam do yourself a favour and get in touch with Dreadbelly, you wont regret it it really is a piece of art, anyway I have not got pictures of me in it but I do have the shots Dread sent when it was done, so here they are:







Let me tell you one other thing the photos dont really do it justice, it is a wonderful piece, and I am so glad I decided to have one made.

[Warlock]

HERE, HERE! Dreadbelly's tams cannot be beat! They are magnificent and worth every cent! I love mine and plan on buying more when funds are available. I REALLY need to hit the lottery!

[way2fractious]

OK, Dreadbelly, someday someone's going to have to sit with you and write up the book, The Art of Tam Knitting. That will be third in the series, right behind The Art of Contemporary Kiltmaking and just before The Art of Blademaking. Ah, the genius...

[Dreadbelly]

Crocheting a tam is all in the spread and the taper of the decrease. My design is spiraled outward in a radiating pattern on one side, on the other is a series of ridges to offer strength and substance to the crown. You sit down, you start hooking, and, several thousand stitches later, with luck, you might have something resembling a tam in a your hands. Should I even tell you how often I have to rip out half my work just because I get the decrease taper wrong for the head size I am shooting for? And then I am left doing this for the next half an hour or more as I try to rework everything I had to take out in to something that actually works?

[MacWage]

OK, Dreadbelly, someday someone's going to have to sit with you and write up the book, The Art of Tam Knitting. That will be third in the series, right behind The Art of Contemporary Kiltmaking and just before The Art of Blademaking. Ah, the genius...

THAT would be 4th.
1. The Art of Kiltmaking (Barb)-> In Print, expanded and revised ed. pending
2. The Art of Contemporary Kiltmaking (by Steve, if I recall)-> writer's block
3. The Art of Blademaking (Panache and Tartan Hiker, w/ help by others)-> VERY pending (like not started)
4. The Art of Tam Knitting (IF Dread choses to give away his secrets)

Plus:
5. The Art of Kilt Accessories (chapters by Matt Newsome, Cavscout, Turpin, and others, based upon their specialties, ed. to be determined)

Now, IF ONLY!!!!!!

[Dreadbelly]

Except I don't knit. I wish people would stop saying that. Crochet. Crochet! Crochet..!

[way2fractious]

THAT would be 4th.

Hah! Caught you counting! Switch 3 & 4 on your list and you'll have what I had in mind. My thought was to also recruit Rab Gordon to consult on blademaking book.

And, Dreadbelly, we'll do our UTMOST to remember that the tam title is The Art of Tam Crocheting.

w2f

[Panache]

... My thought was to also recruit Rab Gordon to consult on blademaking book.

I think Tartan Hiker, ozmeath, O'Neille, Piobear, me, and everybody else here who has tried their hand at making a blade would be honored to be a footnote in Rab's book.

Cheers

Jamie

[brandycr]

I crochet and have for years but seen some of Dreads work and thought ahhhh so much more to learn.It was aweesome.

[Dreadbelly]

I had a complete idiot for a teacher.

Self taught.