where to buy a cashmere bonnet?

[LoE]

I ask the veterans where is a place to buy cashmere bonnets?

Not cheap wool. Not undersized berets. Those are everywhere. I'm talking about full-sized tam's with an excess of wool. I can't find them. They've got to be out there.

[ShaunMaxwell]

I’ve never heard of a cashmere bonnet before, but if a proper Balmoral is what you’re after, you’ll do no better than a Robert Mackie bonnet.

You can find them here at a very good price: https://www.jhiggins.net/balmorals/

Cheers,

SM

P:S. If you’re looking for something that looks more like a costume bonnet, something like this might appeal to you: https://www.etsy.com/listing/2720099...0268e44417fa9b

[Bruce Scott]

Here's one:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/372798738216

[LoE]

Thanks for the links. Here's another I found.

She knits these to order. Custom dimensions. Think I'll try one out.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LordandTaf...on_id=27149474

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LordandTaf...on_id=16727138

[gsmacleod]

Thanks for the links. Here's another I found.

She knits these to order. Custom dimensions. Think I'll try one out.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LordandTaf...on_id=27149474

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LordandTaf...on_id=16727138

Those appear to be unfelted which I don't think would have the look you are aiming for. I assume you're looking for a bonnet that doesn't have obvious stitches?

Something like this:



Shane

[LoE]

That's a nice looking bonnet. Good pic.

I already own a cashmere beret with no obvious stitches. But it's only 9" in diameter when laid flat. It looks modern. Like something you'd see in modern army uniforms.
I want something floppy, like you'd see in Outlander characters.

She offers a 12.5" version, which should have a lot more flop to it. She also offers 11". Either version is better than what I've got for the look I'm trying to get.

I want this:



Or this:

[gsmacleod]

In my opinion, even if you're after a big floppy bonnet, having a felted one will look far superior to one that is unfelted (with visible stiches).

However, if you want to felt the bonnet, it needs to be significantly bigger prior to felting so even the 12.5" would be much too small after felting (I'd guess).

For example, the bonnet in the picture looked like this prior to felting:



Shane

[LoE]

How does one felt a stitched bonnet? I have no knowledge of this.

You changed the look of that fabric noticeably.

[gsmacleod]

You knit the bonnet with fairly big, loose stitches, much larger than the end product based on how much the wool will shrink.

Then, hot water and agitation to shrink the wool to felt it. Everything shrinks and the stitch definition disappears.

Shane

[LoE]

Now that's an easy answer. Even I can do that.

If you find someone selling a bonnet > 12.5 inches in diameter before felting (in quality wool) then please let me know. Until then, this knitter in London is the best option I've found. I won't be purchasing until next month at least.

I still have 4 yards of HoE Hebridean MacLeod to buy (great kilt), along with 4 yards of Lochcarron Weathered MacLeod to buy (great kilt), along with 6 yards of HoE muted to buy (small kilt). Acquiring these will be spread over multiple months. If not, I won't be posting anymore, because my wife will have killed me.