• Retro Beanie Large
  • Retro Beanie Large
1 12
The 1997, hand knit retro wool beanie logo

Retro Leftover Yarn Beanie

The 1997

1 640 SEK
1 640 SEK
Sale Sold out
VAT included
  • Hand knit over the course of 4 hours
  • 80% sheep wool
  • Knit in Norway
  • Knit partly with leftover yarn from other knits
  • Timeless rib knit pattern
  • One size
  • No tag or seam (fold as you will)
This color is only available for pre-order. Current estimated delivery time is: 2-3.
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Color Play

Retro color schemed hand knit wool beanie

Ice Cream & Donald Duck

When we tried different color combinations for a retro beanie, this one triggered something in me.

Something about the combination brought me back to my Donald Duck magazines that I drowned myself in during the 90’s, and particularly, the ice cream ads that was targeted straight at my 6 year old mind. Clear, crisp color combinations — they clearly worked, since they linger in my mind a decade later.

Aside from that, it’s just a good looking color combination.

Multi colored hand knit wool beanie

Recycle Like It's 1997

The 1997 is a Southlander, knit with leftover yarn from our main models. It is part of my mom’s innate recycling program. She saves every thread — first to knit leftover beanies like these, then the final stubs are used as pillow stuffing.

About the 1997

Details

The 1997 is a Southlander knit with leftover yarn from our other beanies collection. It features 80% wool, like the Southlander, and a color scheme inspired by my childhood in the 90’s.

The Southlander is knit with a classic 2R 2W pattern, making it very stretchy. Many are surprised by how small it seems when they first open it, but it stretches to fit most people.

It is using wool from Uruguay, processed in a mill at the Norwegian West Coast. South American wool is softer than Norwegian wool because of the climate, and it brings this beanie’s coarseness below the itching threshold.

About Wool

Hailed by Norwegians for centuries, sheep wool is the number one choice among knitters. Along with choosing wool because of its historical significance in Norwegian knitting history, there are timeless features associated with wool.

  • Wool is great at insulating in moist conditions.
  • Wool has a rough and natural look, aside from the fact that it is natural.
  • Wool is naturally flame resistant, adding an extra layer of security around the campfire.

The raw sheep wool we use is mostly sourced from Paraguay, selected because of the softer wool that the tropical climate produces. The yarn is processed into yarn on the Norwegian West Coast, in one of Norway's oldest yarn mills.

About Red Hat Factory

Red Hat Factory is a company started by mother and son on the Norwegian South Coast. Emerging out of childhood memories of wearing hand knit goods and a love for red beanies, found in adulthood, we've built a network of knitters that can deliver the genuine hand knit experience to all beanie lovers across the world.
  • Material 80% Sheep Wool, 20% Nylon
  • Optimal Wear Temperature 0-15°C (32–59°F)
  • Size One-size
  • Washing Temperature 40°C (Wool Programme)
  • Knitting Time 4 Hours
  • Warranty 10 Years (Read More)

Frequently asked beanie questions

FABQ

Why are the beanies so small out of the box?

Many of our beanie models look very small when you unpack them. That is because of wool's nature — it's not "pre-stretched", and has to start out tight. It shapes itself around you head after little time. If you lend it to someone, and it get's stretched out too much, you can dip it in warm water, and after drying, it's back to where it started.

Is everything actually made in Norway?

We hand knit every beanie in Norway, with yarn purchased from one of Norway's oldest yarn mills. This mill offers both Norwegian and internationally sourced wool. We have purposefully selected yarn types sourced from South America and Australia, not to save money — the price points are approximately the same as for Norwegian wool — but because wool from these climates are softer, and less likely to itch. If you want genuine Norwegian wool, and are ready to risk the itch, we can provide it for the same price — but it will take more time.

Do you ship with tracking

Yes we do. We ship for free worldwide with tracking.

How does your guarantee work

If your beanie unravels under reasonable circumstances, within the first 10 years of its life, we will patch it for you for free. But you have to pay for shipping both ways. This is a way to maintain the beanie as long as possible, making it a keepsake.

Why are there loose threads in my beanie?

When a beanie is finished, the thread is attached by sowing it into the finished product several rounds. Sometimes that end thread comes poking out — most often on the inside, as we try attaching it that way. It doesn't mean it is coming loose. If it comes out on the outside, try pushing it back in — use a needle if needed. The beanie will not unravel — and if it does, please refer to our guarantee.

Why do you opt for wool?

We did not choose wool — hundreds of years of Norwegian tradition chose that for us. It is an amazing insulator, with the special feature that it pulls moisture away from your skin. Norwegians have sworn to wool both historically, and in modern day outdoors apparel. You just can't beat the natural fiber that is wool.

Does your Mom and Grandma really knit all the beanies?

It all started with my mom, then my grandma joined the team. My mother designs all the beanies (sometimes with input from me), and we recruit as many knitters as we need from around Norway. But it is always hand knit, the traditional way, and quality controlled by my mom.

How much of a pay cut does the knitter get?

We are not sharing numbers, because that would require giving you an understanding of our entire production cycle, including admin time, marketing, recruiting, packaging, shipping and so on. But every knitter is happy with the pay (otherwise they wouldn't have worked with us), and they know the brand, the website, and the final price.

Why knit by hand? Machines are faster.

Hand knitting is the genesis and the core of our company. We hand knit because we are here to honor and tell the story of our Norwegian heritage. Generations after generations hand knitting wool apparel to keep their families warm. And the tradition is still alive and well. Also hand knit beanies comes with a personal touch and history that machine-knit goods just can't match.

Why are the beanies above the ear?

Our beanies are knit without a tag, so you may fold it once, twice, or even roll it up. We personally like the twice-folded style the best, and push that look most often in our marketing. The history of the fold is, in short, that the laboring man would need some flexibility in headwear. When you need to hear, or if the sun pokes out, you fold it up. When the weather roughens, you fold it back up. It's sort of like zipping down your jacket when the sun peaks out.

Why was my package sent from Sweden?

I (the Son) actually live in Sweden, while my Mom remains in Norway and handles all the logistics over there. We ship large batches to Sweden in order to offer better shipping times and to be able to include tracking in the free shipping alternative.