When planning out trip to Japan we discussed with the friends we were going with how we would spot each other in a crowd. I wore a bright red jacket. Paul decided he wanted a hat in a ‘safety gear’ fluoro colour. Shopping locally turned up no hats and Paul eventually found some overseas and ordered them. But this was in December and, most likely due to Christmas, they never turned up in time.

We talked about ways we could knock together something on the last two days. I had no time for sewing, so I bought some fluoro yellow paint from Lincraft. I’d pinned this this gradient painted jumper and figured I could do something similar with a black beanie Paul already owned.

The paint looked great as it went on, then dried a dull greenish colour. And it took ages to dry. So after applying two coats, and with time running out, I had a sudden flash of inspiration. I had bought flouro nail polish for some other project. Nail polish dries fast. So I attacked the hat and this time got the effect I wanted.

After we got back from Japan I washed the hat. The supposedly waterproof original paint all washed out so there’s not so much of a ‘gradient’ effect now, but with none of the dull green the nail polish looks even brighter.

Of course, the hats Paul ordered were waiting for him when we got home.