Aquarius | One-of-a-Kind Fish Spirit Hat (2023)

I created Aquarius in 2023, shortly after I moved into my studio at Union Street Gallery in Chicago Heights. The concept began as a playful suggestion from a friend, and evolved into a symbolic fish spirit form.

The brim forms ocean waves. The structured lattice body represents scales, each space filled with hand-crocheted sari silk that reflects light like water. At the crown, a Seussian silk tail completes the illusion of a magical fish diving into the sea.

This piece is highly structured, almost helmet-like, holding form while remaining wearable. It captures movement, color, and transformation — a moment suspended between surface and depth.

Visit KristiYapp-woolalchemist.com

MATERIALS

Handspun and commercial wool yarn

Reclaimed sari silk

Mixed fiber yarn blends

Hand-crocheted lattice structure

WEIGHT AND DIMENSIONS

Head size: 23.5 inches

Fit: Structured, sits above the ear

Form: Helmet-like sculptural structure

SYMBOLISM

Fish – intuition, subconscious movement, transformation

Waves – emotional current, change, flow

Scales – protection, layered identity

Dive – transition between worlds, inner descent

Color spectrum – life force, vitality, creative energy

Tarot resonance:

Aquarius aligns with The Star — guidance after darkness, inner clarity, renewal through self-trust, movement toward authentic self.