Field Notes
From Fur to Fedora: Why Hats Don’t Go Straight from Beaver to Brim
Ever wonder why hat makers can’t just take a freshly trapped beaver and turn it straight into a hat? The journey from pelt to a fine beaver-felt crown is anything but direct. This deep dive follows the fur from North American wetlands through the few remaining felting mills in the world, revealing the hidden processing steps, global supply chain, and specialized skills that transform raw fiber into the hat bodies artisans rely on.
