CNET Crave writer Amanda Kooser takes a hands-on try at following an Instructable for making an Ewok hat for her cats.
Amanda Kooser
Freelance writer Amanda C. Kooser covers gadgets and tech news with a twist for CNET. When not wallowing in weird gear and iPad apps for cats, she can be found tinkering with her 1956 DeSoto.
CNET test cat Delia tries on the handmade Ewok hat built from an Instructables project. The fit is good, but she's not amused and takes it off right away.
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Basic supplies for a cat Ewok hat
The leather for my Ewok cat hat came from an old chamois used for car windshields. It has the perfect combination of softness and a worn-in look that matches the Ewok aesthetic. Unfortunately, I didn't plan the design very well and the blue marker ended up showing on the finished product.
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Cats are fascinated by Ewok hats
CNET test cat Archer watches the creation of the Ewok cat hat with great interest. The cats were much more into the wiggly bits of leather and strings than they were the actual hat.
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You're going to need a leather punch
It took about 20 minutes to construct the cat Ewok hat from a design by Instructables user carlsonbryant. It requires cutting out three pieces of leather, punching holes, and tying it all together. The most difficult part is getting the sizing and ear holes right.
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Finished Ewok cat hat
The finished Ewok cat hat could use some improvements, which is more a testament to my lack of skill than to the instructions provided by Instructables user carlsonbryant. Next time, I would take more care with creating the outline on the chamois.
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Dashiell enjoys looking like an Ewok
CNET test cat Dashiell seemed pretty pleased with the Ewok cat hat. Unlike the the other two test cats, he purred, laid down, and chilled like an Ewok on its day off. If he were a smooshy-faced cat, then the Ewok effect would be even more pronounced.
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Dashiel purrs and poses
Getting a cat to hold still for a photo shoot while wearing a homemade Ewok cat hat is challenging. CNET test cat Dashiell was happy to model the hat, but he found the scraps of leather and string left over from the construction to be much more interesting than his modeling gig.