Stewarton Bonnets

The knitted woollen bonnet first appeared in Scotland during the 16th century. Important centres of manufacture developed on both the east and west coasts but Kilmarnock came to dominated this trade and so the name "kilmarnock Bonnet" came into being. In more recent years the Ayrshire Burgh of Stewarton has taken the lead in the manufacture of this product, turning it from a cottage industry into a mechanised, factory based enterprise. It may now be more appropriate to call this distinctive Scottish head gear the "Stewarton Bonnet".