Who We Are
SJ is a cell and molecular biology masters student in her fourth year and a lone parent to Isobel as well as Baxter the Rottweiler. She is an advocate for sustainability and a strong supporter of local Scottish businesses - which helped inspire her to create Funky Chunky Beanies.
About Funky Chunky Beanies
I’ve often felt frustrated by the lack of choice in hats, so I decided to take things into my own hands. I’m someone who absolutely loves bright colours, and as a former snowboarder, I also know how important it is for hats to actually keep your head warm.
Roll on September 2022, I bought a loom and some acrylic yarn so that I could get to work. I made my first hat, and I wear it every single day. The loom definitely took some time to master, and it’s not an easy skill, but it was worth it to be able to create such a durable hat.
The kind of chunky yarn that I use is something that no one else really does, there isn’t anything else like it on the market. I decided to create a small batch of hats so that I could sell them. However, I quickly realised that people were more interested in being able to choose their own custom colours and designs. Overnight, I changed my business model and opened myself up to custom orders. Vibrant colours, dark ones, stripes, I offer everything in any shade.
Choosing to have my beanie hats be fully customisable was the best decision I made as it has made the experience more personal for customers but also allowed me to get closer to them. I never expected crafting hats to be a consultative experience, and I love hearing everyone’s stories and discovering their likes and dislikes. It’s one of the best parts of the process.
Why Acrylic Yarn?
Fewer resources go into the process of manufacturing acrylic yarn, which makes it more sustainable in some regards. Since my hats are made to last forever, there is no need to worry about them being disposed of in an unsustainable manner. The planet is important to me, and that’s why the durability of my hats is at the top of my list. The beanies will last so they can be reused.
Acrylic yarn is also vegan-friendly, as many vegans will not use wool since it counts as an animal product. I like to make sure that I can cater to every customer, and while not every dye used is suitable for vegans, I will always work to find a solution, honesty is the best policy.
Additionally, some people are allergic to wool, and others can find that it’s incredibly scratchy to wear. The acrylic yarn I use is designed to be hypo-allergenic and super soft so eliminates both of these issues to create a comfortable hat with no issues.
Being vegan and vegetarian friendly is also why the tags on my hats are made from pleather. This also makes them much easier to machine wash, as you don’t have to worry about damaging the tags.
Giving Back to the Community
The yarn company that I use is based in Amsterdam, but they distribute in Dunfermline, so I can stay local when purchasing my supplies. The yarn company in question also has a strong interest in corporate social responsibility.
This is so important to me as a small Scottish business because I believe in giving back to the community in any way I can and in the importance of shopping locally. You’ll find me at numerous local markets selling and buying throughout the year.
More About Our Hats
As I mentioned, the hats are fully customisable, which means you can have any colours or stripes you like. Even the darker colours look fantastic, especially if you want something a little more formal.
I also ensure the pompoms are hand-stitched, which means they aren’t going to come off if you pull them, and it makes them better quality than those found in fast fashion shops.
Since each hat is lovingly handcrafted, quality control is of the utmost importance. All hats retain their shape and keep your head warm - I’ve been wearing mine every day since I made it to ensure it can handle the wear and tear without issue. My customers come back for more and love gifting them for presents.
The yarn is 100% super soft acrylic, which means it works wonders at retaining heat and keeping your head warm. Since the hat is thick and made to be double-walled, it also means that you get even more protection from the cold over your ears when the brim is rolled up.
All of my hats can be put in the wash at 40 degrees celsius and are mould-resistant (which means you don’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain or snow). Once they come out of the wash, they will be as soft as ever.
Comfort and warmth are everything, and this is why my handcrafted hats have always been made with that in mind.