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Open a new image 350 x 350 transparent background. Add a new layer and set your foreground and background colour to #c00000. Using your preset shape tool, preset shape, elipse (be sure you select the elipse under preset shapes and not the one that is offered as quick step). Retain style un checked, anti alias checked, create as vector checked. In the middle of your image draw an oval. Click your object selection tool,properties, and uncheck visible. This way you can see your nodes as you alter and move them. With your pen tool on edit mode, play with your nodes and move them around, adding some if need be to make what appears to be a hat outline. See my sample.
Go to your object selection tool, properties and check visibility. Now you should see your hat in red. Add a new layer and change your foreground layer to grey. I used grey because it is easier to see. I will change it to white later. Using your preset shape set on elipse same as before, draw an elipse on the point of the hat. This will be a pom pom. Add a new layer and draw an elipse same as above but on the edge of the hat. This will be the fur trim.
Go to your pom pom layer and convert it to raster layer. Use your selection tool and select an area around the pom pom then click the pom pom to make sure it is selected. Flood fill it with white then using your airbrush tool set at: size 40-50 hardness 5 step 10 opacity 25 density 50 colour grey Lightly spray around the edge of the pom pom. Go to your fur trim layer and do all the same steps.
Go back to your pom pom layer and open Eye Candy 5 textures. Using the following settings: Filter set to Animal Fur Pattern = original image draw outside random seed 333 Hairs main direction =263 length=15 wave strength=100 spacing=50 stiffness=92 edge=100 Lighting direction =20 inclination=45 brightness=100 size=100 shadow=20 Click ok Go to your fur trim layer and apply the same settings. You should have something like this.
Go to your hat layer and convert to raster layer. Set your foreground to dark red and your background to light red. Set your airbrush tool as above but change the size to 75 and the density to 100. Lightly spray some shadow around the edges of the hat. Add a new layer and Using your selection tool set to elipse. Draw an elipse in the crease of the hat and gently shade it.
Your hat is done and you can decorate it by adding tubes such as bells or Christmas flowers etc. You can also modify this tutorial and change the colours to make an elf hat if you wish.

Holiday Hat