Craft Your Own Coonskin Cap

Turn a raccoon hide into a warm and hardy hat.

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Turning deer and other animal skins into leather, as I described in the October/November 2016 issue, can lead to the creation of warm and durable clothing, including coonskin caps. The following instructions will help you craft a cap from hair-on raccoon leather. Such caps have been made and worn by generations of explorers and homesteaders, and you, too, will value the cozy feel of a quality, long-lasting cap.

This cap has a tapered liner and straight sides. Without the tapered liner, the cap would fit like a bucket. The liner can be removed for washing and will thus get you more years of service from the cap.

Before you get started, keep these tips in mind:

  • When cutting hair-on leather, turn the hide hair-side down, extend the utility knife blade to the shortest setting, and carefully cut through the leather. Leave as much hair on the leather as possible so that it can cover the seams.
  • Published on Sep 19, 2017
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