9 free antique knit and crochet patterns for Edwardian & WW1 tam o’shanter hats!

‘It is often difficult to know what Christmas presents to give […] A warm hat is always serviceable.’ (Marin Journal, 1902)

The Edwardian tam o’shanter or tam hat – a soft knitted or crocheted wool hat – was the everday hat of Edwardian girls and sports hat of Edwardian women. ‘A small woollen cap […] which only needs two hairpins to keep it in place, is extremely becoming, and suitable either for summer or winter.’ (Every Woman’s Encyclopaedia, 1910-2) Edwardian women and girls wore tam o’shanters for golfing, fishing, camping, hockey, tobogganing and snowshoe walks. Here are two antique Edwardian tams: a hand-knitted white wool tam o’shanter at the V&A and a knitted grey wool wool tam o’shanter at The Met.

More picture of Edwardian tam o’shanter hats on my pinterest boards: 1900s hats & 1900s sportswear

The Edwardian fisherwoman is ‘attired in a short, heavy woolen dress to keep out the cold on foggy mornings, her hair securely knotted and tucked away under a tam o’shanter, booted and prepared for all exigencies of weather’ (San Francisco Call, 1909).

‘Sweaters and tams lend to the golfing girl the appearance of being perfectly equipped […] These accessories are usually worn in matching shades of worsted, the cap set jauntily upon a coiffure guiltless of alien puffs and curls‘ (Los Angeles Herald, June 1908).

 

Edwardian Tam O’Shanter Hats – Free Knit & Crochet Patterns

Edwardian Ladies’ Star Stitch Crochet Tam-O’-Shanter (The Columbia Book Of Yarns, 1908)

Material:

• 2 1/2 hanks 4 fold Columbia Germantown
• 1 bone or amber crochet hook no. 5

‘Commence in the centre of crown, make a chain of 8 and join.

The body of the cap is all in star stitch.

First Round — Chain 3, make 8 stars in the ring, join the last one to the first.

Second Round — * make a star over a star, then 2 stars over the next one. Repeat from * around, join the last one to the first. Work round and round, widening often enough to make the work lie flat, until 10 rows of stars are made. Then 5 rows without widening, then 1 row, narrowing every 6th star (work 1 star over 2), a row, narrowing every 5th star, and a row, narrowing every 4th star.

For the band make a Sg. C in the eye of the star and 1 Sg. C on top each star, work round in Sg. C, taking the stitch through both loops of the Sg. C beneath, until the band is 2 1/2 inches wide. Turn the lower edge of the band up to the upper edge on the inside and fasten, making the work double.

Make a pompon for the top of the tam-o’-shanter.’

 

Edwardian Misses’ Knit & Crochet Tam-O’-Shanter (The Columbia Book Of Yarns, 1908)

Material:

• 25 balls Columbia angora wool
• 1 bone or amber crochet hook no. 2
• 4 steel knitting needles no. 12

‘Commence in the centre of the crown, chain 3, join to a ring.

First Round — 7 Sg. C in the ring, join.

Second Round — 2 Sg. C in every stitch (taking the back stitch or loop). Continue increasing where it is necessary in order to keep the work perfectly flat, work until the entire crown measures 15 inches all around.

Work 2 rounds, decreasing 1 stitch every 15th stitch.

Work 1 round without decreasing, then 2 rounds, decreasing 1 stitch every 15th stitch, 1 round without decreasing, 2 rounds decreasing and 1 round without. Continue like before, 2 rounds decreasing and 1 round without, until there are 90 Sg. C in the round.

With steel knitting needle pick up the back of the Sg. C.. Knit 1 and purl 1 for 1 1/2 inches, knit 1 round plain, and increase 1 stitch every 10th stitch, then knit 1 and purl 1 for 1 1/2 inches more. Bind off loosely.

POMPON — Chain 8, join.

First Round — Insert hook in 1st chain stitch, * pass yarn over the hook and around the forefinger of left hand 3 times, pass yarn up and around hook, draw all 4 loops through, there will be 5 loops on hook, yarn over hook, draw through all, insert hook in next stitch. Repeat from * around, join.

Second Round — Like 1st round.

Then one round of Sg. C increasing in every other stitch, make 2 more rounds like 1st, break off yarn. Sew carefull to centre of crown.’

 

Edwardian Spool Knit Tam O’Shanter (Spool Knitting, 1909)

Materials:

• spool knit round web

Related: How To Spool Knit

‘Measure the […] head and make the top of the crown twice the diameter of the head. It is sewed in the same way as the circular mat. When the desired width of crown is obtained, begin the under side of the crown by narrowing off – that is, taking two stitches in the crown and sewing them into one stitch in the web. Continue until the desired opening for the head is obtained. Two rows of web will complete the headband. Finish with a pompon on top.’

 

Edwardian Child’s Crochet Tam O’Shanter (Marin Journal, 1902)

Material:

• 3 oz. white Berlin wool
• 1 bone crochet needle size 10

‘For an older child’s Tam O’Shanter commence to crochet at center of crown with 6 chain, join to form a ring, into it work 12 double crochet, next 4 rounds of d. c., always working 2 into each alternate stitch and always taking both top loops of each stitch.

Fifth Round. — Without any increase.

Sixth Round. — Two d. c. into every fourth stitch; repeat these 2 rounds 4 times. Next work 8 rounds without any increase, making 23 in all; this forms the crown of the cap.

Twenty-fourth Round. — One d. c. into each stitch of twenty-second round. Doing this forms the edge and has the appearance of cording.

The next three rounds pass over every third stitch and take back loops only of stitches. Six rounds without any increase.

Next Round. — All treble stitches, taking both top loops of each stitch in previous row. Two more rounds of treble are worked and finished.

Make a tuft for center of crown by winding the wool 100 times round two fingers, tie and cut to form a half ball. Sew to the center of crown, draw in all ends, and the “tam” is completed.’

 

WW1 Crochet Tam O’Shanter (The Sunlight Book Of Knitting And Crocheting, 1915)

Material:

• 1 skein Sunlight golf yarn
• 1 amber crochet hook no. 5

‘This cap is crocheted with golf yarn in the single crochet and trimmed with cord and tassels.

Begin in center of crown and make a chain of 2 stitches.

1st row: Make 8 single crochet in 1st stitch of the chain. Pull the yarn end tight and fasten.

2nd row: Work around, making 2 single crochet in every stitch on preceding row, always taking up in double stitch. This row will start the 8 increasing points on top of crown. To make the increase regular you must always increase in the last one of the 2 stitches at the increasing point.

3rd row: Make 1 single crochet in 1st stitch of the 1st increasing point on preceding row, then make 2 single crochet in last stitch of the 1st point. Repeat to end of row. On this row you have 1 stitch between each increasing point.

Fourth row, you will have 2 stitches between each increasing point; and so for every row there will be 1 more stitch added between the increasing points. Repeat until you have 20 rows from start.

Make 8 rows plain, that is, make 1 single crochet in every stitch on preceding row. Start 8 decreasing points on next row. Make 19 single crochet, skip next stitch (the 20th) and repeat to end of row, making the decreases above the increases. Decrease in same order as you increased, for 12 more rows.

BAND: Repeat the single crochet, making 6 rows around.

7th row: * Make 5 single crochet, then make a double crochet (loose), taking up through double stitch in 5th row below, skip 1 stitch on preceding row and repeat from * to end of row. Make 1 row in the slip stitch and that will finish the band.

CORD: Cut 6 threads of the yarn, each 2 1/2 yards in length. Put them together and twist them same way as the yarn is twisted. Stretch a little, double the string and twist the opposite way.

TASSEL: Cut a piece of cardboard 5 inches long and wind the yarn around 18 times. Thread a needle with the yarn. Use yarn double. Put needle through finished end of cord and through yarn between yarn and cardboard. Tie hank and cord together, take out the cardboard, hide the knot in the yarn and make it smooth. Wind around a few times with yarn 1/2 inch below cord and fasten. Cut even at bottom.

Put cord through loops around band. Tie a couple of loops with the cord and fasten them to cap, making the tassel come a little below band. Finish off other end of cord with a tassel.

Button: Crochet a button and sew it on to center of crown. Make a chain of 2 stitches.

1st row: Make 6 single crochet in 1st stitch of the chain (work tighter).

2nd row: Make 2 single crochet in every stitch on 1st row.

3rd row: Make 2 single crochet in every other stitch.

4th row: Make 2 single crochet in every 3rd stitch on preceding row. Make 5th row plain and skip every other stitch on 6th row.

Run a thread through edge, draw together a little, leaving a small opening in center.’

 

WW1 Misses’ Crochet Tam O’Shanter (The Columbia Book Of Yarns, 1918)

Material:

• 3 balls white
• 1 ball color
• 1 celluloid or bone crochet hook no. 4

‘With white yarn chain 3, join in a ring, chain 1.

Row 1 — 14 Sg. C. in ring.

Row 2 — 1 Sg. C. in first stitch. * 2 Sg. C. in next stitch, 1 Sg. C. in next stitch, repeat from * around, having 7 widening spaces.

Row 3 — 1 Sg. C. in each of first 2 stitches, * work 1 puff around the next Sg. C. by inserting hook in back of 3rd Sg. C. of preceding row, draw up a loop, work off as Sg. C., 1 Sg. C. in same stitch, taking up both loops, 1 Sg. C. in each of next 2 stitches, repeat from * around.

Repeat row 3, working the puff around the puff of preceding row and always having 1 more Sg. C. between each widening until work measures 13 inches in diameter, now work 2 rows without increasing, on the next row decrease 1 stitch at each of the 7 widening spaces, work 1 row plain, repeat the last 2 rows, now decrease as follows: Decrease every 6th stitch, 1 row plain, decrease every 8th stitch, 1 row plain, decrease every 10ths stitch, 1 row plains, decrease every 8th stitch, 1 row plain, decrease every 6th stitch, 1 row plain. Now work in a row of holes for the elastic as follows: 1 D. C. in first stitch, * chain 1, skip 1 stitch, 1 D. C. in next stitch, repeat from * around, work 2 rows of Sg. C.

With wrong side of work toward you and colored yarn work very loose, 1 Sg. C. in every other stitch for 1 row, then 3 rows of Sg. C., working 1 Sg. C. in each stitch, finish with a row of slip stitches.

Pompom — With colored yarn chain 4, join, work 2 D. C. in each stich of chain, on the next row increase by working 2 D. C. in every other stitch, sew pompom in place.’

 

WW1 Misses’ Crochet Tam O’Shanter (The Columbia Book Of Yarns, 1915)

Material:

• 4 hanks 8 fold Columbia Germantown
• 1 celluloid crochet hook no. 6

‘For 14 or 15 Years.

Make a chain of 4 stitches, join In a ring.

Row 1 — Work 6 Sg. C in each stitch of chain having 18 Sg. C in row.

Row 2 — 1 Sg. C in each of the next two stitches always taking up both stitches of preceding row, * 2 Sg. C in next stitch, 1 Sg. C in each of the next 2 stitches, repeat from * around. This gives you 6 sections.

Row 3 — 1 Sg. C in each of the first 3 stitches, * 2 Sg. C in next stitch, 1 Sg. C in each of the next 3 stitches, repeat from * to end of row.

Continue in this way always having 1 stitch more in each section every row until work measures 8 inches from the centre, now decrease as follows:

Row 1 — Skip 1 stitch at each widening place and 1 in the centre of each section.

Row 2 — Same as row 1.

Row 3— * work 3 Sg. C. skip 1 stitch, repeat from * around.

Row 4 — * work 2 Sg. C. skip 1 stitch, repeat from * around. Repeat in this way until cap measures 22 inches or the size of hat band, then work 10 rows without decreasing, finish with a row of slip stitch, make a pompon for the top.’

 

WW1 Child’s Crochet Tam O’Shanter (Woolco Knitting & Crocheting Manual, 1916)

Material:

• 5 skeins white or color Woolco Germantown Zephyr
• 1 crochet hook no. 4

‘Chain 4. Join with a slip stitch.

1ST ROW — 12 double crochet in ring. Join, chain 2 every round.

2D ROW — 2 double crochet in each stitch.

3D ROW — *2 double crochet in 1st stitch, 1 in next stitch. *

4TH ROW — 2 double crochet in 1st stitch, 1 in each of the next 2 stitches.

5TH ROW — Same as 3d.

6TH ROW — Same as 4th.

7TH ROW — *2 double crochet in 1st stitch, 1 in each of the next 3. *

8TH ROW — *2 double crochet in 1st stitch, 1 in each of the next 4. *

Increase this way until there are 13 stitches in each gore.

17TH ROW-Even.

18TH ROW-Decrease 1 stitch in each gore.

19TH ROW-*Make 1 stitch in each of the next 4 stitches, work the next 2 together. *

20TH AND 21ST ROWS-*Decrease in every 3d stitch.*

22D ROW-*Decrease in every 2d stitch. *

Make 5 rows of single crochet, taking both loops.’

 

WW1 Child’s Crochet Tam O’Shanter (Beehive Knitting Booklets No. 9 Woolcraft, 1915, PDF)

Material:

• 1 1/2 oz white wool
• 1/2 oz  pink wool
• 1 celluloid crochet hook no. 8

‘This is a quickly made Tam-o’-Shanter and has a smart appearance. […]

Work at a tension to produce about 6 stitches and 6 rows to the inch.

Commencing with the white wool at the centre of the Crown, make 4 ch. Join into a ring with 1 S. C.

1st round. – Mke 2 ch. To stand for the first half tr. Stitch, then work 7 more half tr. Into the ring. Work in rounds, taking up both threads throughout (do not turn or join at the end of the rounds).

2nd round. – Work 2 half tr. into the top of the 2 ch. (which commenced the previous round), * 2 half tr. in the next stitch, repeat from * until there are 8 groups each containing 2 half tr.

3rd round. – Work 2 half tr. into the first stitch, 1 half tr. in the next, * 2 half tr. in the next, repeat from * to the end of the round.

4th round. – * Work 2 half tr. into the first stitch, 1 half tr. in each of the next 2 stitches, repeat from * to the end of the round.

5th round. – * Work 2 half tr. in the first stitch, 1 half tr. in each of the next 3 stitches, repeat from * to the end of the round.

6th round. – * Work 2 half tr. in the first stitch, 1 half tr. in each of the next 4 stitches, repeat from * to the end of the round.

Continue in this manner, with 1 extra stitch between each increasing in every round, until 20 rounds have been worked. Work 2 rounds without shaping. Then work 7 more rounds, decreasing once over each of the increased points in every round. Fasten off.

THE BAND. – Using the coloured wool make 11 ch. Work backwards and forwards with 8 D.C. in each row, taking up both threads and turning with 2 ch., until 20 inches are worked. Fasten off and, with the coloured wool, sew neatly together the 2 ends of the Band.

Sew the Crown to the Band. Add a large pom pom, made from the coloured wool, to the centre of the Crown.

Take a length of the white wool and, using it double, thread 2 rows near the top of the Band. Thread 2 similar rows, but using the coloured wool, through the white fabric just above the Band.’