The French Russian wool blankets arrived yesterday. They are destined to become a cloak.  They are in the washing machine, getting the funny mothball smell out, and hopefully getting the last of their felting over with. I have three of them, and they are very heavy and wonderfully warm.  I bet they’re even heavier wet.  I got a chance to try out wool’s ability to resist rain today, in my favorite sweater, which did rather well in a downpour.  Hmm – I may be okay after all with this plan. Update: After laundering, they are nicely drapey, but not exactly … Continue reading WOOL!

UPDATE (8/10/09):  I'm leaving this up, but grudgingly.  Knitted objects show up in the fourteenth century, but mostly in Knitting Madonnas, and I haven't seen evidence to support a knitted chaperone yet.  So I'd have to come down on the side of PERIOD-ISH for this guy.  And since I've discovered I'm not into 14thc any more, it's out of persona for me.  But hey, it's an intermediate design, and it works to stay warm, and a kid would probably enjoy it. (This is my own pattern for a knitted hooded mantle, or chaperon, as seen below, and guessed at from … Continue reading Chaperon Pattern

I’m concerned about being wet and cold at Gulf Wars, so I’m reading up about cloak construction. I’d gotten a recommendation for an oilcloth cloak – but I know I don’t want to use modern vinyl oilcloth – yuck.  I read here on what is apparently a weaver’s bulletin board, that reconstructing period oilcloth isn’t a good idea… On the other hand, you do not want to make an oilcloth cloak. Oilcloth is a serious fire hazard, quite apart from the oil migrating into whatever you are wearing underneath the cloak and ruining in. Instead, she recommends a felted wool … Continue reading Weather-resistant cloaks

I bought yarn for this fall’s cold weather knitting project, Roam by Rowan.  Doesn’t it look rather medieval?  Sort of a jerkin.  It has a hood, which I’d like to make long and pointy – with the practical aspect of having more room for my hair.  I got a better yarn than that boring brown, though.  It’s ‘Country’, in 652 Willow. Think that’ll look nice with my Gothic Fitted Dress fabric (hint – it’s the plaid I put on the banner above)? Continue reading Cool weather gear

Greet’sHeadgear:  Learn to net – net a Snood  Hungarian cap with stuffed braid covers Underwear:  Basic smock – still needs hemming, embroidery? Dress:  Gothic fitted dress in woven plaid – need help fitting pattern  Sideless surcoat in a fancier winter fabric for Twelfth Night (Handboke, page 53)  Flemish Working Dress – no idea of fabrics yet  Mary of Hapsburg gown? Footwear:  Anna Socks from Rowan   Must find/make appropriate shoes – man, I miss those driving moccasins I had about ten years ago, they’d be perfect. Daan’sHeadgear:  Tailed hood that can be coiled into a hat (Handboke, page 55) Underwear:  … Continue reading Garb Wishlist