New Tam from Historical Caps

**Benning Boy** · 21st May 14, 01:12 PM

In today's mail found a new tam from Historical Caps. http://www.historicalcaps.net/index.htm It was ordered 8 May. I received notice a few days ago it was on it's way. To my mind for a bespoke item that's pretty darned fast service. It's knit of natural Herdwick sheep wool, a medium gray shade and heavily felted. It's very dense. I covered my face with it and looked toward a bright light. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness I could just barely make out spots where light was coming through. It was much like looking at very faint and tiny stars in the night sky. It will be warm, and nice for wear on wet days.

There will be pictures, but I want to shape it first. I don't care for the Pillsbury Dough Boy look. I figure I'll treat it like an Army beret, soak it in lukewarm water, wring it out, put it on, shape it and wear it until dry. Do you have better advice? This is my first bonnet.

**sydnie7** · 21st May 14, 01:23 PM

There's a process known here as "Jocking a bonnet" (original thread courtesy of Jock Scot). Search on that term and you'll find several related threads showing various rabble's attempts.

**StevieR** · 21st May 14, 01:53 PM

I'm just about to pull the trigger on a purchase of one of these bonnets, so I'll be very interested in some pictures. My only concern is that the diameter might be a bit big. What do you think?

**Benning Boy** · 21st May 14, 02:53 PM

I asked for a diameter of roughly 10.75 inches, about the diameter of the initial issue of US Army black berets. It came out at 11.5. However, I don't consider this too large, if it's properly shaped. In the as finished shape it looks flat and to my eye a little clownish, but that's not Gloria's fault, that's just the way a handmade thing turned out. Knitting and fullering aren't precision processes. I can make it suit me, and expected to have to do some shaping from the beginning. It is really heavy for a knit cap.

**KSmedic** · 21st May 14, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Benning Boy

In today's mail found a new tam from Historical Caps. http://www.historicalcaps.net/index.htm... I figure I'll treat it like an Army beret, soak it in lukewarm water, wring it out, put it on, shape it and wear it until dry.

I REALLY didn't need to know about that site. It's bad enough I'm kicking around the idea of ordering a phillabeg, now I have to deal with historically accurate headgear to go with it! As far as a proper break in, that seems similar to the process we used in the Marine Corps for our soft covers. Assuming, that is, that you haven't got a 5 ton handy to drive over it with.

**Benning Boy** · 21st May 14, 09:45 PM

Gee. Medic, if I'd known the consternation it would cause, I wouldn't have posted the link.

I just recently signed on as a member of the rabble, but I've been reading the fora for years. I think I bookmarked it when someone else mentioned Historical Caps some time ago. It's funny out these things just sorta ripple through the Internet.

**Mudge** · 22nd May 14, 08:33 AM

Click image for larger version.

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Here is the Kilmernock Bonnet I made for myself last year. I have changed out the pin for my clan crest.

**ChuckTN** · 22nd May 14, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Benning Boy

In today's mail found a new tam from Historical Caps. http://www.historicalcaps.net/index.htm It was ordered 8 May.

I got one of her Scots Blue Bonnets and really like how well made it is!

**Benning Boy** · 22nd May 14, 01:17 PM

Wish I had the skill and patience to knit a bonnet. I've read some of the threads about jocking a bonnet, and found similarities in technique. Basically I just soaked mine a while, rolled it in a dry towel to squeeze out the excess water, put it on and shaped it. I wore it for hours, planning to wear it until dry, however the coarse wool got to be too scratchy so I took it off. and carefully set it out to finish drying. It's doing well. Thump it and it sounds a little like cardboard. This is one tough bonnet.

I shaped the back mostly by feel. Did the front looking into a mirror. If you decide to jock a bonnet I suggest it might be worth while to have someone else help smooth out the back and push out any unsightly ripples. The felted wool can be stretched and pinched to get an exact shape. I'm pretty satisfied with the way mine turned out, but may get the girl friend to help refine the shape next time she's here.