Choose your Westcoaster, or scroll down to learn more
*The Arctic Circle is about one inch longer than the Regular. Built to cover your ears when double folded.
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Shaped by the Wild Norwegian West Coast Weather, a
Chunky, Double Threaded, 100% Wool Beanie
The Westcoaster
Meet the Westcoaster
Norway made
Making you part of a 400 year old heritage
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.
The Arctic Circle
Inspired by the Coldest Winds of Norwegian West Coast Winter
The Arctic Circle variant is simply about an inch longer than the Regular.
The Regular is built for a single fold to cover the ear, and a double fold to go above the ear. The Arctic Circle covers the ears even on double fold. And it is really hot!
Uniting the locals
Old fashioned sustainability
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.
About the Westcoaster
Details
The Westcoaster is a thick hand knit wool beanie, knit the old fashioned way, with two knitting needles and a whole lot of patience. Particular to this model is that it's knit with two threads simultaneously, making it twice as thick and twice as gritty looking.
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 Westcoaster comes with signed Certificate of Authenticity, signed by the knitter of your particular beanie.
We knit with wool, the Westcoaster being 100% sheep wool. Sheep wool is by far the most common knitting material in Norway, historically and in modern times alike. 100% wool makes it warmer than wool-blends, and the double thread makes this a beanie for the outdoors in low temperatures.
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
We also dabble in other areas of handcraft, usually in collaboration with artists, such as our handcrafted caps and hand inked artwork.
- Material 100% Sheep Wool
- Optimal Wear Temperature -5–0°C (23–32°F)
- Size One-size (Arctic Circle recommended for very large heads)
- Washing Temperature 40°C (Wool Programme)
- Knitting Time 3.5–4 Hours
- Warranty 10 Years (Read More)
Frequently asked beanie questions