In the summer I always ride Freedom with a fly bonnet. But I’d always thought of these crocheted ear protectors as functional, rather than fashionable.
How wrong was I! Custom fly bonnets are gaining in popularity on the show circuit. Not only do these bonnets give you the chance to co-ordinate your show colors, but they provide another opportunity for bling, decorated with crystals and braid.
Some of the ones I’ve seen are pretty fancy and they carry a price tag that screams custom. They run from about $50 to $150 depending on the company and the complexity of the design.
For those of us who like to crochet (there’s something about winter that makes me go all crafty), this would be a good time to break out the cotton yarn and start studying the $10 variety from the tack store. I have several in varying states of
disrepair in my tackroom. Who knows? They’re not very large and if I get cracking I might have a couple ready to give as Christmas presents. If not, I have until the spring to perfect my technique. One thing about the ones featured here — the craftsmanship looks very high.
For those of you who find the idea of crocheting hopelessly old fashioned or have found that you’re all thumbs, here are a few places that do lovely custom work.
Oooh! Good idea! Do you know if there are instructions to make these online at all?
Thanks!
That would be handy! I’ve bee using one on Mom’s girl I’ve been working with. If there’s any wind at all she starts shaking her head. Her ears are super sensitive, and we think it’s just hair tickling the inside tof her ears. However, removing the hair would be a bad option for her, because anything else (bugs!) getting in her ears is an issue. The bonnet seems to be helping, as I’ve ridden her in significant wind with zero reaction from her since getting it!
This is such a cool report on bonnets! Thanks for including ours in your story!
Where did you find the pattern?