Pre 1900 Tam's

[Tobus]

Yes traditional Highland bonnets, now called "Balmoral" bonnets, have always been knitted and shaped, somewhat like a beret. The Balmorals you could have bought until recently, by Robert Mackie of Scotland, were made in the traditional way.

It may not make much difference in practical terms, but I would disagree slightly on one point. Mackie bonnets are made from a woven fabric, not knitted. While they are still shaped and felted as you describe, the fabric (at least from what I see on my 4 Mackie bonnets) is actually a 1x1 plain weave of fine woollen yarns, and has a much different thickness and hand than a knitted/felted bonnet.

I wonder if historical bonnets from the period in question were all knitted, or if some were made from woven cloth. Or was the commercial construction from woven cloth something that came about later with the industrial revolution and mass production?