How to Knit a WW1 Trench Cap

A white man with shoulder-length brown hair and a brown beard wears a tan knitted hat. The hat is mostly 2 by 2 ribbing with a folded brim.

I have always had a penchant for historical dress. While this has often resulted in costume, I've recently started to do some research on historical knitting and crochet.

I stumbled upon the Khaki knitting book (Allied Special Aid, 1917) which you can page through in the embedded version below or access here on the Internet Archives. This book is an interesting page out of history (pun intended) for a few reasons.

First and most obvious, this book was published a mere 6 months after the USA joined the Great War. Second, it includes a wide variety of knitting patterns which are unusual for the time period. That is, it includes many patterns for men.

Most historical knitting books or patterns are items for women and children. While they do often include common items for men such as night caps or socks, it's unusual to find a book with such a variety of patterns designed to fit men. I do find it interesting, however, that even though the patterns in the book were intended to be made and sent to the boys on the front line, the Khaki Knitting Book still includes several patterns for woman and a good number of patterns for children. To me, this says something about who was expected to wear handmade items at the time (women and children).

The pattern I chose to reproduce (the first of several, I think) is the Men's Trench Caps (courtesy of Mrs. Horace Leeds) on page 27. I chose the pattern because it's simple, practical, and doesn't have any odd bits that need historical to modern translations. Unfortunately, the original pattern does not include a photo.

Modern knitted hats are not dissimilar to to the Trench Cap pattern. Many hats begin with 2x2 ribbing and then move into a decreasing section towards the crown. A notable difference is that the decreasing section of the trench cap pattern is done in only 3 sections where many modern patterns prefer to use 5 or 6 which creates a rounder cap and a quicker decrease.

A white man with shoulder-length brown hair and a brown beard wears a tan knitted hat. The hat is mostly 2 by 2 ribbing with a folded brim. This photo was taken from the back and slightly above, so the 3 decreasing sections on the top are clear. There is a slight pucker in the center at the top of the head.

At some point, I want to also make the Seamen's Helmet shown on page 24 for obvious reasons and also because it looks like it would be warm for winter walks.

A photo of the Seamen's Helmet from the Khaki Knitting Book. A white man with a small mustache wears a fully knitted helmet, similar to a coif made of chainmail in its shape. The hat extends down over the ears, then around the chin, going down the neck fully and splitting into a front chest and back panel once it reaches the shoulders.

Knit Your Bit: Knitting During WW1

For every war there is propaganda. Wars beginning in the 19th century onward often included a care package aspect for those remaining on the home front. This trend has continued into the modern age - charities such as the Eagle's Watch Foundation and Operation Gratitude are some examples (see a list of modern reputable charities here).

A soldier in a WW1 trench reads a letter from home. The soldier wears a full length coat and uniform. On his head is a fabric hat with the brim rolled up slightly in the front.

Source: The Atlantic via Netherlands Nationaal Archief

Historically, supporting the war effort from home meant rationing food and goods, and sending comfort items to the troops abroad. Commonly sent items were letters, trinkets, photos, and handmade clothing such as socks, hats, and mittens.

In the photo to the left, you can see a soldier in the trenches reading a letter from home. Note that he wears a cloth cap similar to the trench cap pattern.

ladyslaw Benda Encourages Home Front Knitting. Wladyslaw Theodore Benda, a leading magazine illustrator, depicted this serene knitter who joins the ranks of the many beautiful women who populated his illustrative work. During World War I, many Americans on the home front did their part for the war effort by knitting. The American Red Cross coordinated much of this work, providing patterns and requesting sweaters, scarves, wristlets (fingerless gloves), and socks. Warm socks were especially important to the soldiers in the trenches. Benda, a naturalized American, was born in Poland in 1873.

Source: Library of Congress, 1918

The concept of supporting the war(s) from afar lead to home front propaganda campaigns. While there were many posters urging young men to enlist in the service and others urging women to enter the workforce in their absence, there were also those that encouraged women to "knit your bit."

The Khaki Knitting Book is an example of this. A side note that the book also includes some crochet patterns, but I guess "crochet your way" wasn't catchy enough.

The trend of supporting the troops with handmade items continued strongly through WW1 and into WW2 as the men continued to need warm socks, hats, and mittens that the army struggled to supply.

Soldiers in the trenches on the southern section of Gallipoli Peninsula during World War I. The men belong to the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

Ernest Brooks, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

There are many images in various archives of troops wearing hats similar to the ones included in the Khaki Knitting Book - the one shown here depicts soldiers of the Royal Irish Fusiliers in the trenches on the southern section of Gallipoli Peninsula during World War I. There is a man 3 soldiers back who has removed his helmet, showing the knit hat underneath. Trench caps were an important article of clothing and made wearing the hard helmets more comfortable. Do also note the shape of his cap - it has fewer decreasing sections than a modern knit design, resulting in a paper bag type of shape.

Riflemen Andrew and Grigg (center)—British troops from London—during the Christmas Truce with Saxons of the 104th and 106th Regiments of the Imperial German Army.

Source: Smithsonian Magazine

The final image I will share of the troops is this one from the Christmas Truce which features British and German soldiers together. The man on the center left is wearing a knit balaclava similar to the Seaman's Helmet I mentioned above. While it does not go over his face like a modern balaclava, it would cushion his helmet while also keeping warm his ears and neck with no gaps between the cap and his coat.

Mr. J. Leon Phillips holding yarn for his wife as she knits for the war effort in Palm Beach, Florida.

Source: Library of Congress, 1917 March 21

These campaigns were very successful. Too successful, some said. An interesting article by Gertrude S. Matthews was published in the September 1917 issue of Good Housekeeping, "Tell Them to Knit," includes some quotes from people who bemoan the amount of knitting being sent overseas. The article does conclude that socks are still most wanted by soldiers, but to be sure that they are well made and you know how to knit them so as to not inadvertently cause blistered heels with twisted stitches.

Photograph shows women in Berlin, Germany, knitting for soldiers during World War I.

c. 1914-1915

Source: Flickr Commons project, 2012, via Library of Congress.

Everyone was encouraged to knit (and crochet) for the troops - everyone. Women, children, even men who were unable to enlist. And they did, in droves, on all fronts, including those of the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria, Hungary, and their allies). In the image to the left you can see an early war effort in Berlin as a room packed full of people knit fervently for the war effort.

Photograph shows woman teaching soldiers how to knit at Lafayette House, a convalescent home for veteran soldiers and sailors at 112 West 59th Street (Central Park South), New York City. It opened in October 1918 in the former Deutscher Verein house.

c.1917-1920

Source: Flickr Commons project, 2016, via Library of Congress.

Men who were wounded and sent home were taught the craft in convalescent homes, thus continuing their contributions to the war effort. This particular photo was taken at Lafayette House in New York City.

As a result of these (successful) campaigns, many pattern books like the Khaki Knitting Book were produced and many people learned the craft.

For me, knitting historical patterns (something I hope to do more regularly) provides a connection to those people who are no longer with us and a connection to a time period about which I was taught little. The war itself may have driven the social dynamics of the time, but the social history is so much larger than the battles that were fought.

Trench Cap Knitting Pattern in Modern Terms

The original pattern is quite simple, but does not include a gauge, which I have added, and could be a tad clearer on method, which I have also added. The pattern is mostly done in 2x2 ribbing which allows the hat to stretch to fit the wearer. The gauge I ended up with below will stretch to fit a large head (mine is 23 inches in circumference). A note from the future, it also fits my toddler's head very well, so really the sizing is extremely flexible due to the ribbing.

Note that the historical pattern uses double pointed needles (dpns), but there is no reason this couldn't be worked with magic loop method. To use magic loop, simply divide the stitches onto two needles (48 sts each) and place a marker every 32 sts to align with the 3 dpns used in the pattern.

Abbreviations

CO - cast on

k - knit

p - purl

k2tog - knit 2 together

sts - stitches

Gauge

12 sts = 2 inches in stockinette

Vertical gauge is unimportant.

Materials

Worsted weight yarn in gray or khaki
- I used Wool of the Andes in Mink Heather from Knit Picks - 1 skein was enough
4 dpns, size US 4 (3.5 mm) or whatever size is needed to meet the gauge
Tapestry needle
Snips

Pattern

CO 96 sts and divide onto 3 dpns (32 sts each).

K2, p2 around until the cap measures 8 1/2 inches from the CO.

Decrease: [p1, k2tog, k to end of needle] on each needle around.

Repeat the decrease round until 6 sts remain on each needle (18 sts total).

DO NOT BIND OFF.

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Using a tapestry needle, pass the yarn through the loops of all remaining stitches. Remove the needles from the stitches and pull tight to close.

Pass the needle through the center to the inside of the cap. Weave in all ends.

A finished tan trench cap, unworn, sitting on a wooden table.

Handspun cream yarn being knit into a small swatch.

That's all for now, friends! Thank you for joining me this week as we explored a bit of knitting history!

If you make this pattern, remember to tag me in your photos @Craftematics on Instagram and Facebook - I love to see what you create!

Be sure to like and comment on the post and remember you can follow me here by filling out the form at the bottom of the page and tag/follow me @craftematics on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook! Until next time!

Originally published September 3, 2021.

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