This hat dried just in time for me to take it along with me to the International Fungi & Fibre Symposium in Gysinge, Sweden. Its base is made of conk (Fomitopsis pinicola), with turkeytails (Trametes versicolor) and dyer’s polypore (Phaeolus schweinitzii) for the added colour and texture.

I hesitated to pack this in my suitcase, fearing it might get crushed or lost, so the safest way to transport it was on my head. It’s surprisingly sturdy and attracted a fair bit of attention, but I do need to find a better mold – I molded this over a bowl, and it ended up being a bit too wide and a bit too shallow. I made some “hat bands” of felted wool, which helped with the fit, but I still have to screw it on my head until it fits securely!

Sweden in another week!