“Crafting Cute and Fuzzy Headwear: A Chat with the Japanese Duo Behind Animal-Friendly Feline Hats and Wigs”

Get to know Rojiman and Umatan, a Japanese couple who have gained popularity for their unique craft of creating tiny hats using the fur that their cats, Nya, Maru, and Mugi, naturally shed. It all started when Umatan collected the stray cat hairs from her brush and stacked them one by one, forming a miniature mountain. She then placed the hairpile atop her cat’s head, and the feline responded with an amusingly clear expression. Fascinated, Umatan decided to create something more with the hair, and that’s how their journey began. They expanded their repertoire to include wigs, animal ears, crowns, helmets, and other charming headpieces. Umatan designs the accessories, while Rojiman captures their cats modeling the creations on camera. Recently, they even created a special surprise for Bored Panda – an adorable Bored Panda hat!

#1

Cat wearing a tiny hat made by Umatan and Rojiman

#2

Cat wearing a tiny hat made by Umatan and Rojiman

#3

Cat wearing a tiny hat made by Umatan and Rojiman

Before making a cat hair hat, it’s important to wash the hair that you’ve brushed off your cat. This will ensure that the final product is clean and will last longer.

To create a basic cup shape for your hat, start by rolling loose cat hair into a ball about the size of your fist. Gently press the center of the ball with your thumb to create a dent, which will allow the hat to fit comfortably on your cat’s head. Add more hair to the outside of the cup until it reaches your desired size, repeating the process as needed.

For more complex designs, you can craft individual parts separately and then attach them to the cup using felting needles and thread. No adhesive is necessary for this process.

If you’re interested in learning more about creating cat hair hats, the artists behind the book “CAT-HAIR HATS FOR CATS” provide detailed instructions for making 25 unique designs. They also cover various techniques for handling cat hair. Additionally, their book “Cats In Hats” is available for purchase on Amazon.

Cat wearing a tiny hat made by Umatan and Rojiman

#5

Cat wearing a tiny hat made by Umatan and Rojiman

According to Umatan, she enjoys creating hats that are related to different seasons and events. Her creations include Santa Claus hats for Christmas and witch hats for Halloween, which she wears with her cats to celebrate these occasions. As anime is quite popular in Japan, she also makes wigs of famous anime characters, which both she and her followers find enjoyable.

Cat wearing a tiny hat made by Umatan and Rojiman

#7

Cat wearing a tiny hat made by Umatan and Rojiman

It usually takes around 20 minutes to create a simple cup design, while more intricate designs can take up to 2 to 3 hours. Umatan revealed that the most time-consuming project she worked on was a recreation of the well-known Japanese robot animation called “MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM,” which took her three days to complete due to the meticulous kneading of the hair. What do you think about these charming designs? You’re welcome to express your thoughts in the comments below!

Cat wearing a tiny hat made by Umatan and Rojiman

#9

Cat wearing a tiny hat made by Umatan and Rojiman

#10

Cat wearing a tiny hat made by Umatan and Rojiman

#11

Cat wearing a tiny hat made by Umatan and Rojiman

#12

Cat wearing a tiny hat made by Umatan and Rojiman

#13