So...the Bird asked me to look into historical headware as a project while she's gone. Fun times. Eventually she plans on figuring out how to make a good share of them, as hatmaking has always been something she's been interested in. She told me to stay away from knitted things...but, I'm the one doing the research. So there. I'll post different hats as I get them done, and will post the whole long shabang at the end in a format you can download for your viewing pleasure. The final version will also likely have longer blurbs as I find more info.
Hat #1
Monmouth Cap
This cap is first mentioned by name in 1576 in a letter from Lord Gilbert Talbot of Goodrich Castle to his father the Earl of Shrewsbury. Monmouth itself is a Welsh town on the on the River Wye, just upriver of the international port of Bristol. A great part of the Welsh economy starting in the early fourteenth century centered around the raising of Ryeland Sheep and the exportation of their wool. Monmouth soon became a center of knitting, and their style of hat was extremely popular for over a hundred years.[1] Originally, they were worn by all classes, but later fell out of fashion, and became increasingly associated with seamen and soldiers.
The hat above is an extant garment from the Monmouth Museum dating from the sixteenth century. It is knit in a coarse two ply wool, that has then been felted, thickened and shorn. It is done in a seamless (in the round) stockinet stitch, has a ‘button’ on top for casting off, and has a double brim that is knitted together at the edge.[2] Another example can be seen at http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/7998. The brim on the hat can either be turned up or down, depending on weather.
This cap is first mentioned by name in 1576 in a letter from Lord Gilbert Talbot of Goodrich Castle to his father the Earl of Shrewsbury. Monmouth itself is a Welsh town on the on the River Wye, just upriver of the international port of Bristol. A great part of the Welsh economy starting in the early fourteenth century centered around the raising of Ryeland Sheep and the exportation of their wool. Monmouth soon became a center of knitting, and their style of hat was extremely popular for over a hundred years.[1] Originally, they were worn by all classes, but later fell out of fashion, and became increasingly associated with seamen and soldiers.
The hat above is an extant garment from the Monmouth Museum dating from the sixteenth century. It is knit in a coarse two ply wool, that has then been felted, thickened and shorn. It is done in a seamless (in the round) stockinet stitch, has a ‘button’ on top for casting off, and has a double brim that is knitted together at the edge.[2] Another example can be seen at http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/7998. The brim on the hat can either be turned up or down, depending on weather.
[1] Carlson, Jennifer L. “A Short History of the Monmouth Cap” http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~Marc-Carlson/jennifer/Monmouth.html%20June%2026, 2008
[2] “Isca Morrismen Tradition Monmouth Caps” http://www.isca-morrismen.com/monmouth.htm June 26, 2008
