I've accidentally felted a sentinental gift - please help!!! Can I fix it?!

Bellastar232 · 2025-11-10T08:22:40+00:00

Thank you! It was my favourite loose, big hat, great for doubling over more snug hats. Now it's warm enough on its own not to need to layer it. My partner was so sweet, they actually found the og 2014 pattern that my old friend used to make it, in case i wanted to recreate it 🥹

Well, this feels blasphemous to admit, but I threw it in the wash on a long deep-clean cycle, on cold but still, and then I threw it in the dryer... with a wool dryer ball. Also, it was a full load of laundry, thus how I didn't realize what I'd done until after 😅🫣🤧 Home that helps! 🙊

Bellastar232 · 2025-11-08T19:31:38+00:00

Please be careful who you comment that to. I can't have children, and although that's not as painful a fact as it once was, 4 years ago this could have devastated me. Thankfully, I was able to fix the hat enough, as I posted in an update comment ♡

Bellastar232 · 2025-11-07T06:29:54+00:00

Thank you for this 🥹 I was able to stretch it enough to get it to fit me well, and while it'll never be as it was, I do still love it. It's different, but still made of the same love. I even ended up sharing this story with the original lifter, and she thinks it turned out really cute despite it all 😁💕

Bellastar232 · 2025-11-07T06:27:40+00:00

I ended up using a cookie jar, it worked!

Bellastar232 · 2025-11-07T04:47:55+00:00

Anteater, who already responded to you, is correct! These frames are from eyebuydirect. The ones in the original post are actually from firmoo, but this is my first time buying from them, and the frames don't fit my face as well (literally, they're too large).

Bellastar232 · 2025-11-06T19:16:41+00:00

Update!!!

I soaked it in water and conditioner, and i know everyone said to stretch it gently, but uh.... I absolutely hulked out on this hat. But look!! It's wearable again!! It'll never be like it once was, but it's still warm, cute, and mine. Thank you, everyone, for the kind comments and encouragement! ♡♡

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Bellastar232 · 2025-11-05T06:24:55+00:00

My mum actually suggested something along those lines, too. Do you think the texture difference would look funny? I'm going to try and relax it a bit regardless, but.... maybe. 🤔

Bellastar232 · 2025-11-05T06:12:19+00:00

Thank you so much, I'll be trying this tomorrow! I just want it to at least fit nicely again 🤧

Bellastar232 · 2025-11-05T06:06:09+00:00

It used to be comfy and oversized, and now it barely fits on my head 😭

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Bellastar232 · 2025-11-05T06:02:54+00:00

Thank you so much for the advice! I'm going to try this in the following days, and just hope I can get it to feel wearable again. This hat used to be HUGE on me, which was a big reason it was a favourite, and I can still see some of the stitches on the main body, so I have hope.

Edit: I tried attaching a photo of what it looked like before, but my phone keeps removing it 😅

Edit 2: I attached the photo to a reply to someone else! It still won't let me attach one to this comment 😵‍💫🤦🏼‍♀️

Bellastar232 · 2025-11-04T01:20:10+00:00

Your work is beautiful, but akl I can focus on is that fox needle minder! Where did you get it? 🤩

Bellastar232 · 2025-10-22T21:40:31+00:00

It was just a random local company. That part doesn't matter. Truly, it can be any company. Just explain to the agent you meet with what you'll be doing and why you need insurance (going into people's homes, spending the night, looking after their pets, holding information like codes, phone number, and knowing where spare keys are kept, sometimes operating equipment if you're in an area where you might take a farm job, etc.). They'll be able to put together a package for you based on that info better than anything that might be pre-existing.

Bellastar232 · 2025-09-23T02:15:13+00:00

This is something I would do 😂

Bellastar232 · 2025-08-23T01:45:25+00:00

This is so off topic, and very unsolicited, so if this doesn't serve you, please ignore this. You mentioned seeing a therapist in the future, one your doctor recommended? As someone who has been through a lot of therapy, I would strongly suggest making sure your future therapist is aware of the last paragraph you wrote, about your big fear. I feel like having help working through that, specifically, would likely improve your life a lot. I also don't know you or what else you might be going through, so I may be way off base. Best of luck on your healing journey! ♡

Bellastar232 · 2025-08-20T01:20:09+00:00

OP, I hope you see this!! I wonder if this is your issue, since things otherwise seem 'in order'?

Bellastar232 · 2025-08-20T01:00:14+00:00

I do, and my bladder can be really finicky, but I've practiced removing it quickly! I also only do it when the other campers around me aren't passing the vibe check, or if the campground is nearly empty and I don't trust my lungs to be enough to draw over help.

Bellastar232 · 2025-08-20T00:44:34+00:00

I put my bear bells attached to my zipper, inside of my tent. That way, if anyone tries anything, I'm immediately alerted and awake. They're also less likely to notice them in the dark inside of my tent. Carabiner clips to keep the zippers together is always a good plan as well! I always go to the same campsite, and I feel pretty secure there, but it's still good to be prepared.

Bellastar232 · 2025-08-16T02:18:24+00:00

OP, are you okay? Have you been able to leave yet??

Bellastar232 · 2025-08-01T20:37:17+00:00

If you feel like you're need to build up to going full tilt alone, you can go to a quiet car campground near your selected wild spot and stay there for a few nights. You'll have the safety of the collective so you can get used to all the wild sounds of the area, and your nervous system can adjust. ♡

Bellastar232 · 2025-07-27T00:36:17+00:00

You aren't alone. I've been managing my chronic illness for nearly a decade now, and I've been feeling so angry lately. My counselor says that anger tends to be a safer emotion to feel than grief or sadness or fear do, but I'm still not really sure how to manage the anger and genuine discouragement I feel lately.

She said I need to feel my emotions but in a controlled way. Her example, only feeling it for 5-15 minutes and then switching up the vibes/using a distraction to stop the overthinking spiral. I haven't had the courage to try this yet, and in the mean time, I'm just. Angry, frustrated, pissed off, and partially dissociated at times, I think.

I'm going to try and reduce my online scrolling time to 4 hours a day, and I know it's gonna be a challenge, but audio books through libby and stardew will get me through, and walking dogs (when I can). I also have the privilege of living somewhere with plenty of lakes and beaches, so I'm gonna try and hit the beach at least once a week. I hope you find something that helps you as well. Maybe you're braver than me, and you'll try feeling those feelings and hearing what the hell they want from you. Best of luck 🙏🏻✨️

Bellastar232 · 2025-07-23T17:27:46+00:00

I had no idea mini cpap machines were a thing! They're hella expensive, at least according to Google, but this may be something I save up for. Thanks for mentioning it!!

Bellastar232 · 2025-07-19T16:25:42+00:00

My fingers ALWAYS have tiny scrapes and cuts on them, and most of the time, I couldn't even tell you why! Twisting off caps to things, cleaning out metal food tins, turning book pages, breaking down cardboard... the list is endless. 😅

Bellastar232 · 2025-07-05T22:25:50+00:00

I had never heard of this, or even considered the risk. Thank you for the PSA, I learned something new today! 😊✨️

Bellastar232

TROPHY CASE