 While working in the Drents Museum and visits to the Archeon I saw several caps that were replica’s of bronze age caps. I thought I would give it a try. |
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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) |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.. |
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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.. |
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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. |
