PAPA NUI

“To Hell with Spain, Remember the Maine!” A battle cry on their lips! An homage from the Papa as he knits a watch cap that speaks to the century’s turn, to the birth of empire, to the beginnings of homogeny. The Maine Cap!

This 1898 U.S.N. Knit has been extensively researched from archival photos and reversed engineered by hand knit in 100% Corriedale Peruvian Worsted wool evoking the ‘seed stitch’ of yesteryear and saluting the iconic predecessor of all naval watch caps.

Stand the watch, be the pride of the fleet, wear the Maine Cap. 

Available in Havana Black in an exclusive historical release.

Papa Nui x Giggles collaboration of American Red Cross War Knits adds some fun to the bleakest of Winters.

A crazy whimsical take on the classic WWII pattern these vintage style watch caps will hold you fast this season. A beautiful single fold cap that is designed to sit above the ears and is hand knitted in a luxurious New Zealand 8 ply Perendale Wool.

Each watch cap features an original 1940’s ‘ARC’ tag as well as a vintage 30’s donor tinny. 

Available in a limited collection with a unique array of hues, this springy long staple yarn is a dense wool with a dry chalky handle and is perfect for keeping the cold at bay and the fit is superb! 

The Papa Backs the Attack one stitch at a time! Pearl Harder for victory with this beautiful handknitted watch cap. Joining forces with the talents of Sleigh Knits Montana. 
The Papa recreates a US Naval ‘pinch top’ knit from a 1910 American Red Cross pattern book that is realised in 100% peruvian worsted, an amazing mix of Merino and Corriedale for superior strength and softness.

This limited edition focuses on the use of Earth tones to create a collection that’s palette sits perfectly back with Olive Drab fatigues and utilities . One size fits most. Vintage styling which suits a high set single fold to sit just above the ears.

*Each cap comes with original 1930’s tinny badge.

Under the light of the Southern Cross at the base of the South Pacific Ocean is Ice Station Papa, Antarctic Research facility for the Navy.

In an all new release Papa Nui x @sleighknits have delved deep into the mystique of the watch cap to recreate a unique wartime variant. Reverse engineering from original product, Sonya has handknitted each cap in a limited collection that captures the Solar Orange of Polar expeditions as well as the Traditional Navy Blue of the fleet.
Pure worsted wool provides superior warmth and the added pom pom adds as a protective buffer when navigating narrow gangways and bulkheads.
Online now. Comes with optional sew on tag and cloth ditty bag.

On the campaign trail an individuals preference for weaponry, webbing and clothing prevailed above military issue. Found, captured and confiscated, stuff sent from home, it was all completely normal at the front. Looking at any period war movie and you’ll see it. 

  We often forget about these nuances but the reality was it was more common than not and fortunately this authenticity plays right into the Papa Nui ethos. At the Atoll HQ we look at these things for inspiration and take note of the details that stand apart from the general issue, we’re not about fitting in… we want to be the out crowd, it’s what makes us different. 

  Recently we knitted up some WWII watch caps in an array of beautiful colors chosen for the way they sit back with the faded tones of field-worn utilities and inspired partly by nurses in the South Pacific.  The selected hues are colors to offset your Combat Greens, the combinations original and sublime. 

  Now we have a fresh batch of these 2024 hand knits. Using patterns taken from Wartime vintage American Red Cross pattern books, our watch caps are handcrafted by Papa x Giggles and embody all the love, hope and prayer for safe passage that the originals did when sent abroad 80 years ago. 

1944 contract number USN all worsted wool watch caps

Japan machine knit to original specifications this is the one watch cap to rule them all!

Holding you tight through the darkest night and the direst winds that ever lashed the salty seas.

The Papa certainly didn’t need much encouragement to embark on this limited edition project. Being a devotee of both Jacques and The Zissou and possessing a great love of the ocean it seemed only logical to stand on the decks of the Calypso or on the bridge of the Belafonte and pay homage to the great Captains of the Deep.

In glorious Oceanographer Red the Papa delivers a painstakingly handmade knitted cap. No bond stooge promotional prop copy, this cap is pure wool and is crowned in all its glory with ' Ce'st le rouge pompon'. So join the Team Papa and prepare yourself in style for a lightning raid on Ping Island or for collecting laurels and ovations at the Loquasto Film Festival

The Z-Special watch cap-comforter is an ingenious and perplexing design to the uninitiated. It is essentially a tube of knitted wool that is sewn together at both ends. So when it is completely unfurled it is a short scarf. When one end is tucked into itself and worked through to the other end and folded over, it can be worn as a double layered knit cap. The WWII era ones were sometimes stamped with manufacturers and government property marks but all incorporated the Commonwealth Broad Arrow design as a mark of provenance as does ours.

This season we issue the Z-Special in Commando Black as well as Canadian Khaki as an homage to our Commonwealth Brothers and also to the US 10th Mountain Division who trained up on the border.

 One size

100% worsted wool

Made In Japan