Norwegian Heritage Wool Beanie
85.00
- Hand knit over the course of 4 hours.
- 80% sheep wool.
- Knit in Norway.








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85.00
Keeping with the four centuries old tradition of Norwegian hand knitting, we knit every piece with patience and attention to detail. Our family have done so since grandma began knitting in 1932.
We are here to share with you the experience of growing up with hand knit wool, right off the needles. No gimmicks, just the wool, the honed skill, and the patience.
Our Southlander was an attempt to hone in on simplicity and create a classic. Norwegian culture’s deeply rooted love for the outdoors is seen in us naming our beanies after the four winds.
The Southlander is round and mellow, just like the South Coast of Norway, where it also happens to be made. It is knit using a classic knitting technique with alternating right and wrong stitches, resulting in a simple, timeless pattern, that makes for a very stretchy one-size beanie.
Norwegians already knit for pleasure, in their own houses, and we used this existing culture, to offer a secondary income for passionate knitters. We don’t employ anyone, but pay per beanie.
The Norwegian yarn mill that supplies us has been around since 1888, and are outspoken and detailed about their care for animals and humans along the entire line of production, whether its imported raw wool, or from Norway.
Leftover yarn from knits is gathered, and used first for Mom’s Market custom knits, then the final leftover stubs are used for pillow stuffing.
"Beautiful handcraft that is made to last." Aleks Grey, Norwegian Artist & Southlander Owner | @aleksgrey
"This traditionally handcrafted knit cap is a true gem!" Sebastian Cronholm, Denim x Vintage Connoisseur & Southlander Owner | @swe_denim
"I’ve owned my Red Southlander for a bit more than two years now, and the longer I have it, the more I fall in love with it." Ethan Thompson, Foodie, Barber & Southlander Owner | @dontstopbeliethan
No minimum order value
You only pay for return shipping
Patch it rather than discarding it
The Southlander is a hand knit wool beanie, knit the old fashioned way, with two knitting needles and a whole lot of patience. It is knit in Norway, on the South Coast, by a variety of knitters. No matter which knitter, each beanie goes trough the same quality control, and each knitter is selected through a few (paid) test knits. Each Southlander comes with signed Certificate of Authenticity, signed by the knitter of your particular beanie.
We knit with wool, the Southlander being 80% sheep wool. Sheep wool is by far the most common knitting material in Norway, historically and in modern times alike. The 20% other percent are nylon, which strengthens the thread, and makes the Southlander an all-round beanie, as opposed to the thickness of pure wool, which produces more of a pure winter beanie.
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.
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.
Yes we do. We ship for free worldwide with tracking.
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 fun way to maintain the beanie as long as possible, making it a keepsake.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Beautiful hand knit beanie that expands to fit your head. Can’t recommend more and communication was fantastic.
I am looking for this hat for a long time, finally i found it here! So great hat!
The hat is pretty great, the fit is what you would expect from this style, that it is not so easy to find online.
I wish it would’ve been made 1oo% of wool, rather than just 8o%.
The only negative aspect is the long delivery time for international orders, as postal service is used and import duties are applicable.
Response from Red Hat Factory
Thank you for the review! I am happy to say that we have now moved our entire storage over to Sweden to offer better shipping times, and tracking on all shipping, including free.
This is the only beanie you’ll ever need! I’ve used mine a lot – and its quality is impeccable! Beautiful handcraft that is made to last<3
I ordered the red southlander; stylish, warm, comfortable, high quality and love the fact that it’s traditionally handcrafted what really makes it a bonus!
Have been using it almost every day now, especially with my outdoor activities (hiking, camping, …) but it goes perfectly in the city as well.
Just love how the red color stands out 🙂
It looks small when you first see it but it stretches to a comfortable fit with no itching after a while.
Definitely will get another in a different color!
I expected this to be a good quality hat when I ordered it. But it is so much more! When it first arrived I was worried it would be too small (I have a really big head). But it fits perfectly (so long as you understand this is an on-top-the-ears hat). The color is fantastic – I got the yellow/orange, and the yarn is vibrant and beautiful. The knitting is extremely well done, and it’s a tight enough knit pattern that when it stretches, it not only keeps a good form, but it also stays really warm. I’ve been wearing it every day for two weeks now, there are no stitches out of line, and it’s gotten more comfortable with every wear. Can’t recommend these hats enough!
Awesome toque, I have a lot of different toques but this one is very comfortable, looks good, feels awesome, Even my wife likes it on me
The moment you feel the hat you know that it is a high quality piece of gear. It looks small when you first see it but stretches to comfortably fit your head and keeps your head warm the entire time you are outdoors. I couldn’t be more pleased with the purchase.
Stylish and comfy!
I have Southlander blue hat and I like it. It’s well made, stylish, cosy and very warm. Probably will get another one in different colour!
In a perfect world, my own mother would have knitted this hat for me, but none of the hats I have gotten from her has had this style and look (don’t tell her that). To be able to buy a hat, this good looking, that someone elses mother has hand-knitted, is as close to perfect as I can get. No itching, perfect size and shape, it only looks better with use, and of course the beautiful red color! (Yes, you need to get the red one first!)
I love this cosy hat, really comfortable and warm. And of course it’s an added bonus that I look like a character from the life aquatic!
Hands down my fav. I personally own 4 of this model. Which says a lot about the product. The only way to get your hands on a hat of this quality, is to find yourself a Norwegian grandmother or just buy for RHF. Seriously the best.
This traditionally handcrafted knit cap is a true gem! The red color provides a nice pop of color and goes very well with everything from raw denim to outdoorsy clothing. And what I personally like very much with this particular model is it’s small size, which is perfect for us with quite small heads 😏.
Highly recommended!
Stylish, classic. Iconic
I got one southlander, as well as a custom knit beanie in merino wool and dyed with tumeric from mom’s market. I love them both, though they do have a very different feel. The yellow merino wool one feels like a looser knit and the yard is a bit thinner, which is honestly nicer in slightly warmer northern california days. The regular is a bit thicker and not quite as loose a knit. When I got them I was suprised, they’re a little looser knit than other hats of the same style that I’ve gotten and also seemingly a little smaller, but they stretch and look great. They’re a bit pricey, but I totally get that they’re handmade, which I think is great and is worth the knowledge that real people are actually making them.
I’ve owned my Red Southlander for a bit more than two years now, and the longer I have it, the more I fall in love with it.
Not to say I didn’t love it immediately, cause that would be a lie, but the more I wear it, the more it just feels like an extension of myself. The way it fits perfectly to my head is unlike any other beanie I’ve ever owned, I sometimes even forget it’s up there!
I’ve realized this hat only gets better with time and is versatile like no other. My favorite memories while wearing it range from days spent in the mountains to cutting hair at the barber shop I work at and some hearty urban exploring. It’s meant for every adventure.
If I haven’t said enough yet, my friends really like it too 🙂
The Southlander has a great shape, it is not too thick, yet still warm. Mine is still a bit tight, but I expect it to expand the more I use it. Would have liked it to be a bit longer because I like to have it over my ears, while now it is just partly covering. True to color on website (I have Olive color).
This was a gift, and absolutely loved the feel and look of it. Would definitely get more in other colors.
This has become my go-to beanie. Super comfy, keeps my head warm (obviously) and as a photographer, it’s great for making my subjects pop and stand out in the photos.