For the second year in a row, we are planning to run a 10K in the snow less than 24 hours after leaving the near-tropical climes our bodies are used to. So, I’m going to need a hat.

Since we’re running in a Turkey Trot and I’m going to wear a turkey tutu, I thought I should have a turkey beanie. I picked up the brown fleece hat for about $5 at the Marine Corps exchange, and got the rest of the supplies at a fabric store (although I think you could find them at most craft stores).

The project was super easy and took about 10 minutes — but the only reason it was that long is that the glue needed to set for 3-5 minutes before I pressed the fabrics together. I haven’t tried running in it yet, of course, but the glue seemed to dry well overnight and I think it looks pretty cute on! Plus, it will keep my ears from freezing off, which is always positive.

To make your own, you’ll need:
1 brown fleece beanie
1 small piece (or part of a piece) orange felt
1 small piece (or less) red felt
1 small piece (or less) yellow felt
2 googly eyes
Scissors
“OK to wash” glue

Arrange the hat so the front center is facing you. Cut an equilateral or isosceles triangle out of the orange felt for a beak (mine is about 1 1/2 inches high). Cut a sort of teardrop shape (with the top leaning to one side) out of the red felt for a wattle. Cut three feather shapes out of the orange, red and yellow felt for a total of nine feathers (mine are a little over two inches long). Arrange the felt on the hat to get an idea of where you want to place everything.

Put a layer of glue all over the back of the googly eyes and beak and wattle felt pieces, and on the bottom half of all the feather felt pieces. Allow to set for 3-5 minutes, then carefully press the wattle piece onto the hat, followed by the beak and googly eyes for the turkey’s face.

Press the feather pieces onto the hat above the seam, slightly overlapping each piece (I started with the orange feather right in the middle of the center seam, and worked out in both directions from there). You’ll want the glue side pointing down toward the turkey face, so that the feathers will stick up a bit when you’re wearing the hat.

Allow the hat to dry for 24 hours before wearing. Follow directions on the glue package for washing.