Thousands of Monmouth caps were made, but their relatively low cost, and the ease with which the knitting could unravel, means that few remain.Įast German fisherman in 1963 wearing a knit cap The distance from the centre to the hem in this example varies between 5 and 6 inches (150 mm). Įach hat was made weatherproof by felting, a process which reduced its size. The cast on loops were picked up, and a 3 needle bind-off worked to finish and join the inner brim to the outer cap, ending with a little loop. The doubled brim was formed by picking up stitches inside the body of the cap, and worked down to the original cast on. The yarn tail was wrapped around just below the castoff stitches to gather them, leaving the little lump commonly, but inexactly, referred to as a button. The crown consists of a classic rounded top, with the last remaining stitches cast off. The cap was made by casting on at the lower edge and knitting in the round towards the top. The earliest surviving example of a ' Monmouth cap' is held by Monmouth Museum and was knitted from coarse 2 ply wool. This version can be worn as a neck-warmer with the draw-string loose and open, or as a hat with the draw-string pulled tight and closed.ĭating from the 15th century, the earliest type of knitted wool cap was produced in the Welsh town of Monmouth. Some modern variants are constructed as a parallel sided tube, with a draw-string closure at one end. A special type of cap called a balaclava folds down over the head with openings for just the face or for the eyes or mouth only.

A South American tradition from the Andes Mountains is for the cap to have ear flaps, with strings for tying under the chin. Knit caps may have a folded brim, or none, and may be worn tightly fitting the head or loose on top. They are sometimes topped with a pom-pom or loose tassels.

The stretch of the knitting itself hugs the head, keeping the cap secure. The only known example of an original ' Monmouth cap', dating from the 16th century

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