Soda/Beer Can Hats?

Does anyone besides me remember these form the 70s?  You cut and flattened out cans and then punched holes around the aluminum. You then crocheted through the holes to crochet the aluminum cans together for a really colorful and…um..unique (?) hat.  I am not sure I want to make one, but for some reason I thought about them today and wondered if anyone else remembered them.

I’ve never heard of beer can hats, but I just had to Google them because they sounded so crazy! I found one blog with quite a few examples that are just hilarious! The Museum of Kitschy Stitches: A Gallery of Notorious Knits by Stitchy McYarnpants (14 Sept. 2004)

And, in case you wanted to make a matching purse, here is a crafting forum post that has photos, pattern and instructions: Pop Can Purse With Tutorial. Actually, it would be a pretty unique idea for kids as a 4-H or FFA project, now that I think about it!

If you decide to make one, be sure to post pictures of it!

Amy, the sad thing is that I can remember all of those patterns….when they were new and way cool. 

I had never seen the purse/tote bag though.  We don’t drink beer but I think my oldest would love one with Dr. Pepper cans!  Those are great.  Thanks for posting the link.

The creativity of some people continues to amaze me! I don’t know if I’d serious wear a beer can hat, but a Diet Pepsi purse might be just the thing for a fun night on the town! Plus, it would give me some “justification” as to why I’ve been unsuccessful at kicking the caffeine habit. Soda is necessary when it’s truly a craft supply!

Dana, that is too funny.  I do think that a soda can bag would be adorable.  After all, did you see the koolaid bags and vests and things that people were making with koolaid packets?  I really like to tote bag idea.  We don’t drink beer or soft drinks though…. too bad!

My great grandma made me a beer can hat when I was 8. I am pretty sure my mom threw it away as soon as we got home from visiting her.

She also was known for making us really ugly, uncomfortable crocheted slippers. The knots were always at the bottom, causing them to hurt your feet and she was color-blind but also very creative, so she would combine all her leftover bits of yarn into things like purple, orange and lime green slippers.

I don’t remember what color my hat was, but I am pretty sure the beer was Miller.

Sounds like a great way to use bits and pieces of yarn to make fun gifts. :->

Hmmm, I’m not sure I’d consider that a gift for anyone I actually liked.

I remember them well. Not only were they ugly, it appears that there was no way to fully eliminate the odor of beer from the cans. I never wore one, but it seems to me that a bunch of lumpy yarn and pieces of aluminum on ones head would not be comfortable and the smell of beer cloying. Do you think the metal would attract lightening strikes?

Oh my goodness, I remember having a soda can bank with a crochet cover. I know that this is not quite the same thing that you are talking about but it was a similar craft. The crochet cover was a little creature with googly eyes and curled yarn arms and legs. The creature’s body was a sleeve that the can fit into. A little hat fit over the top of the can. I loved that bank. I should make one for my little girl! The soda can bank would actually be a good kids craft project. Thanks for reminding me of this.

Adrienne