Example

The womens caps found in Denmark were taken as example for to cap I wanted to make. This picture was all I had until I found a description of a replica like this in Tine Abrahamsson’s book on prang. (Sprang, een oude vlechttechniek, Dutch title)

The description

The description in Tine Abrahamsson’s book is based on 90 (pairs of) threads of about 25 centimeter (10 inch) with a total of 60 grams. I tend to say: “make it 30 centimeter” but I have been told I have a big head. In the book the cap is made by combining sprang with cardweaving.

The Net

First you make the net that will cover the hair. witch is basically a square plane of 25 cm high and 90 pairs of treads wide. When using thick wool you use lesser pairs of treads and using thin wool you use a few more. you can make the net with or without using different patterns.

The band

When the net is finished a band is attached on the front. A little colour or pattern woven into this decorative band makes the cap more attractive. In the bronze age they may have used a simple cord instead of a woven band, but this is prettier..

Pattern

When the net is finished a band is attached on the front. A little colour or pattern woven into this decorative band makes the cap more attractive. In the bronze age they may have used a simple cord instead of a woven band, but this is prettier..

Variation

A cap like this almost cries for a little decorative pattern. Because the cap will stretch the patterns used will really show itself, especially higher on the head. Different people have different tastes but I find that people with fair hair look best when wearing a dark coloured cap and people with dark hair with a light coloured cap because of the contrast it creates.