Figure 1.--This portrait shows an unidentified American boy ready for winter. He is wearing a stocking cap, coat and leggings. He has a knitted stocking cap with a tassel, a short double breasted coat, and leggings. The photographer is Wade in Columbus, Ohio. The portrait is undated, but we would guess was taken about 1905. It easily could have been taken in the 189s, but the matte suggests the early 20th century. Note the ringlet curls.

Knitted stocking caps are popular cold-weather headwear for both boys and girls in America. They were also widely worn in other countries, mostly Canada an northern Europe. There were several other names used such as ski and watch caps, although therewere style and color characteristics associated with these variants. The knitted stocking cap was a very popular cap for American children. It was highly seasonal. The stocking cap was popular both because it was warm, but also because it was realtively easy to knit or was inexpensive to purchase. We see many American children wearing stocking caps once temperatures turn cool. Both boys and girls wear them, although colors and styles vary. It was worn by a wide cross section of American children. It was a very popular style for younger children of all social classes. Older boys from affluent families were more likely to wear other caps like flat caps. We notice them being worn in the late-19th century and yhtoughout the 20th century. Girls and younger boys might wear stocking caps with poms. A good example id the Bennett children in the 1910s.

Terminology

There were several other names used for stocking caps such as ski and watch caps, although therewere style and color characteristics associated with these variants.

Chronology

The knitted stocking cap was a very popular cap for American children. We are not precisely sure when these caps became popular. We notice stocking caps being worn in the late-19th century and thtoughout the 20th century.

Seasonality

It was highly seasonal. We see many American children wearing stocking caps once temperatures turn cool.

Gender

Knitted stocking caps are popular cold-weather headwear for both boys and girls in America. Both boys and girls of all ages wear sticking caps, although colors and styles vary for bots and girls.

Social Class

The stocking cap was worn by a wide cross section of American children. It was a very popular style for younger children of all social classes. Older boys from affluent families were more likely to wear other caps like flat caps.

Cost

The stocking cap was popular both because it was warm, but also because it was realtively easy to knit or was inexpensive to purchase.

Poms and Tassels

Girls and younger boys might wear stocking caps with poms. A good example id the Bennett childtren in the 1910s.

Colors and Patterns

We note very colorful stocking caps with elaborate patterns in the 20th century. We are not yet sure about the 19th century. We do note tassles in the 19th century. They were worn by both boys and girls. We note some gender variation, mostly concerning color in the 20th century. Again we are less sure about the 19th century.

Created: 11:19 PM 3/9/2008
Last updated: 11:19 PM 3/9/2008