Olle's Brother Merino Wool Gray Beanie

Product description

Olle's Brother – Our Exact Remanufacture of the Original Now in Gray Color

This model was developed as a very high-quality reproduction of the popular Olle's Brother. It is made of 100% extra fine merino wool (of course, mulesing-free) and knitted in Sweden, and finally sewn in Poland. Olle's Brother, which was used by the Swedish military, went through minor variations in color and knitting pattern during its 40 years in production. Through meticulous collection of several originals of Olle's Brother from different time periods and through multiple test knittings and adjustments in stitches, knitting techniques, and materials, we have created an optimal remanufacture of this iconic hat (phased out by the military in the early 90s). The gray color was the first for Olle's Brother before the green one came. The gray shade has varied over time and different productions for the military, and we have chosen this particular shade as a faithful original color but also adapted to our more modern view of what is the most beautiful gray shade.

We have placed great emphasis on recreating Olle's Brother in its original form, where knitting technique and material selection play an important role. Olle's Brother is unique, as most users know; it should be light and airy enough to be packed into a pocket when not in use but at the same time not compromise on the functional features. Through extra fine merino wool, we believe we have perfected these unique features and you won't experience the itching that the original, sometimes called "the ant hill," could cause.

Manufacturing and Design

The knitting process was a meticulous one, and the expertise of the Swedish knitting company was certainly put to the test. Olle's Brother has several very special knitting and seam assemblies with sewing thread, whose use hat manufacturers have otherwise stopped in favor of more rational processes. But with this Olle's Brother, you have the special original knitting at the top, the knit seam along the long side, and the classic finish at the bottom. We chose the sewing thread color from one of the originals we had, which we think suited the hat best and partly represented the sum of all the original threads we looked at.

Features of Olle's Brother

• The extra fine 100% merino wool effectively wicks moisture away from the head and keeps warm even when wet.
• Olle's Brother is made with sufficiently thin yarn and fine knitting to be stored in a pocket.
• Roll it or fold it up to suit the task or desired appearance. Rolled up may be more stylishly trendy, rolled down for a quick nap or something of all the golden in-between modes that we Swedes love so much.
• In terms of color, it blends excellently with our Swedish nature and only gets better with use.

The Background of the Name "Olle's Brother"

When Olle's Brother was introduced to the military in the winter of 1954, many soldiers and officers already had extensive experience with the Sweater M/1885, a thick wool sweater with long sleeves that gymnastics captain Gustaf Adolf Ohlson introduced to the military in the late 1800s as a warm functional garment, and the sweater was quickly well-received, spreading widely. By 1903 it was documented that the term "Olle" had become an accepted term for the sweater both by the inspectors of apparel and within the wider military. Olle was a thick wool sweater worn over the head and buttoned at the top, not buttoned all the way down. By the turn of the century 1800/1900, Olle was born. Now we move to the winter of 1954 when the Knit Cap m/1954 was to be issued to the troops during the cold January nights. A wool reinforcement garment in the same shade as the sweater and with distinctive knitting, keeping both the cold and the Cold War at a comfortable distance, what was more natural than for the new cap to gain the nickname Olle's Brother after the popular wool sweater that had kept soldiers warm for more than half a century? As naturally as Olle got his brother, it also came that Gustaf Adolf Ohlson, now a major and deceased, somewhat sentimentally received the nickname, or perhaps honorary title, "Father of the Olles."

Olle's Brother - Knit Cap m/1954

The rib-knitted knit cap was an immediate success and the appreciation has not ceased among the soldiers who used it, and unsurprisingly, several examples have also found their way out beyond the watchful supply personnel of the regiments. For many, it was the perfect outdoor cap with excellent function and also thin enough to be easily crumpled into a pocket when the warmth regained victory over the cold. The distinctive appearance and popularity of Olle's Brother among soldiers have made it a symbol for Sweden's military during the Cold War. Olle's Brother was used both as a cap and as helmet lining, providing both warmth and some cushioning, which was not bad at all when the heavy steel helmets had to be carried around. Originally Olle's Brother was this grayish color, though it varied quite a bit in shade, from almost blue/steel blue to light gray. In 1985, it was also established in a green variant with the M-number M7346-711000-6. The gray shade remained with M-number M7346-711000.

Why the Hat Disappeared from the Military

Years went by and even Olle's Brother, like its father the major, aged. The 1990s marked the end of the Cold War, disarmament, and rational changes. Olle's Brother was replaced by Helmet Liner 90, also made of wool and certainly much more rational, but an icon is not something easily replaced. And Helmet Liner 90 could not match the style of the little knit hat that had trained soldiers during the heyday of the modern Swedish army. For many, both civilian and military, there was a void when Olle's Brother was rationalized away during the 1990s.

Olle's Brother – The Best Outdoor Cap?

Olle's Brother stands in a class of its own as the best outdoor cap, at least if you ask us. With its thin and light construction, made of 100% extra fine merino wool, it is both warming and comfortable during all types of outdoor activities. The moisture-wicking wool ensures you stay dry and warm, even if the cap gets wet. The cap's versatility allows it to be rolled up or folded down, making it perfectly adaptable for everything from hiking and camping to quick rest breaks or even during hunting. Thanks to its compact design, it is easy to pack into a pocket, and the merino wool does not itch, making it a better choice than many other traditional wool garments. Olle's Brother has long been a favorite among soldiers and outdoor enthusiasts, and its authentic, functional design continues to impress. Time does not take its toll on Olle's Brother; in 50 years, it will be as popular in the woods and fields.

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