The Different ways of Wearing the Knitted Kippot

A kippot is a head covering used by Jews which is shaped as a dome or small bowl. Usually about 5 – 6 inches in diameter, but it can differ according to style and size. Worn to show respect to God, it was more to identify the different sectors of Jews such as the Orthodox, Religious, Conservative and so on with the material used for the Kippot also changing according to the sector. A kippot can be in any color or material with the knitted kippot being the most common out of the lot.

Many different fabrics such as suede, velvet and satin are used to make the elaborate kippots worn for weddings and Bar Mitzvah’s although the brightly patterned knitted kippot worn by the modern orthodox men are said to be the more traditional type. It is said that the Religious Jews normally wear a large black velvet kippot to distinguish them from other sectors.

Being widely available and not very expensive, kippots are given out at occasions such as a wedding or bar mitzvah to the attendees to be taken away as souvenirs of the event. Kippots made for such specific occasions are sometimes inscribed on the inside with the dates and names of the persons who were involved in the event.

Although the kippot is regarded mainly as a head covering for a Jewish male, more and more Conservative and Reformed Jewish women have started wearing a kippot instead of other types of head gear to the synagogue. These kippots are much different to the traditional knit kippot and are made of expensive material in decorative designs embellished with beads and crystals to make them look more stylish.

It is a common sight to see young girls knitting their boy friend’s a kippot or embroiders their name on one as a sign of friendship. In modern times of course children take everything more lightly, even religion and prefer to knit images of the Mickey Mouse or any other Disney Character and at times even that of a Rock Star on a kippot. Although it is not done with any disrespect, elders tend to frown on this type of attitude which they consider as frivolous and uncalled for.

The way the kippot is worn also signifies the different characteristics of a person. The knitted kippot is usually worn in many different ways with some wearing it at the very back of the head symbolizing his embarrassment at having to wear it, on the forehead and slightly off to a side to show his flair for fashion even with a religious symbol, or way up front in the traditional manner.