How to wear cloth as a cloak

You're at a larp, and it's getting cold; you need a cloak but only have blankets to hand. That's not a problem. Allow me to introduce Keith from Ceolred Monger. He's a dark ages specialist and supplier of historical replicas, and he also knows how to accomplish this.
Rob met up with Keith at Curious Pastimes, where he was selling blankets so that people could use them as cloaks. Also super-warm on the bed. Keith was good enough to show us how to put this style of a cloak.
Also, this isn't a new idea; it is how some people wore cloaks in the past. So this is not just a good idea; it has historical merit.
So watch the vid and learn how to pull your cloak on.
If you want to know more about Ceolred Monger, take a look at:
ceolredmonger.co.uk/
/ ceolredmonger

[@markthurst9751]

note to self. get cloak pin.

[@stephanieyee9784]

I was just thinking that very thing.

[@simonwinwood]

@@stephanieyee9784❤ same

[@kendra_t]

Reminder to get your cloak pin if you haven't yet

[@K.Dre_is_Undead]

Lol, saw the title and thought “hmm this is for sure for me”

[@crabbyalthegrump641]

You might be able to use a short piece of cord much like a shoelace or one found in the hood of a jumper and then use "sheetbend" hitches on both sides of the cloth.

[@a-bird-lover]

what's so interesting and cool about old-fashioned clothing (and a lot of clothing from cultures outside europe, too!) is just HOW many designs can be made from just rectangular bits of cloth!

[@kip4393]

Do tell! Not trolling, I really want to know. You got links?

[@elizabethmichels8250]

@@kip4393same!!! I need this knowledge in my life 🤩

[@a-bird-lover]

@@kip4393 aw man unfortunately I don't really have anything, I just remember a few bits and pieces. Like one of the traditional indian clothes being a massive sheet that's ornately and specifically folded, a kilt someone made that's just a plaited rectangle, a lot of the possibly early roman? designs if I remember correctly, and some ren fest clothes I was trying to mimic and found they were just basically pinned scarves

[@eqqx1108]

Origami kind of shit

[@AdamBechtol]

Aye@@kip4393

[@phild8095]

I will do this with a wool blanket this winter while walking my dog. Thank you. And I've saved this to my list to watch in the winter. My wife is not going to be amused.

[@gildahobbs8829]

I'm saving this in my list to show to my boyfriend, hoping he'll do this when walking the dog in winter!

[@phild8095]

@@gildahobbs8829 Five bucks says he's not amused.

[@Alex-zw7sr]

Your comment has opened my eyes. I thought this video looked fun but didn't intend to try it. I have a wool blanket. I have a dog. Thank you.

[@jogiff]

Do you have a 7-foot blanket?

[@phild8095]

@@jogiff seven and a half by five and a half.

[@epicnamepwns1242]

Perfect for dressing children in a Christmas skit. Just vary the colors and textures of the fabric and use appropriate props and you've pretty much taken care of the whole cast.

[@phantomsdeadinside5391]

No no you misunderstand this technique is for men, warriors, disciples of the blade.

[@jamiecurran3544]

@@gabriellahsdancingheart8808 depends on the size of the child I guess!😂

[@SungazerDNB]

​@@gabriellahsdancingheart8808I fit them all in one big one and weighed it down before throwing the package into the Thames.

[@db5094]

​@@phantomsdeadinside5391no, it's for everyone who's bloody cold

[@XXCaptainXFalconXX]

@@phantomsdeadinside5391bro larping in the comments too

[@michaelvaughn7137]

Do that with a waxed cloth and you'll stay dry and would even be able to make a tent at night in the rain .

[@mightywookiee6633]

And puncture a hole in the waxed/oil cloth every time you want to wear it? That would compromise the cloth's ability to repel water. Water will penetrate though the holes you make. Just buy a oil cloth poncho, you can wear it and use it as a tarp for a shelter without having to put holes through it.

[@michaelvaughn7137]

@@mightywookiee6633 a hole near the edges . So this is why your childless ?! You throw the baby out with the bath water ?!!!!

[@NigelTolley]

You don't really need to worry - unless it is torrential rain, you'll be fine under the cloth as body heat will slowly dry it.

[@kip4393]

@@mightywookiee6633I just snorted milk out my nose reading this, that's so funny

[@eqqx1108]

​@@mightywookiee6633you can also Just wrap a Stone and twist it inside the cloth then tie instead of using a pin

[@sanseijedi]

Brilliant. Someone from long ago is wondering how we would ever lose the knack of something so simple. Many thanks for the demonstration!

[@eloquentsloth6080]

Like girding up the loins while wearing a tunic

[@Alacritous]

We invented better. But if you're going to dress period, then this'll do.

[@comradecameron3726]

@@AlacritousBetter how? We have jackets yeah. But that can’t double as a blanket and stuff.

[@Alacritous]

@@comradecameron3726 ever seen a long coat?

[@epic321123]

A person from back then could never imagine the comfortable lives we live today and the lack of need for such skills

[@morefiction3264]

My boys wore blankets around the house as cloaks as long as I could remember. They set it up more or less like that but just throw the long part over their shoulder where it just holds with friction.

[@spritelysprite]

Yep, I was going to say just throw over shoulder, no pin holes. That's how I do it too!

[@overratedprogrammer]

I don't understand tbh haha

[@jpmiller7922]

​@overratedprogrammer put a blanket or large towel across your back horizontally. Take one side and wrap it around your front and put it over the opposite shoulder, then bring the other side over that shoulder and it will hold in place if you don't do any wild movements.

[@user6122]

are you indian?

[@spritelysprite]

@@user6122 First: To whom is your comment directed? Next: Please define Indian…

[@adamcichon6957]

In a pinch, one can secure cloak with use of small, rounded stone from a river and a leather strap or string. Stone goes inside the first fold, over the right shoulder. Than, stick a hand inside the fold of other side of a cloak, witch was wrapped around the body, and grab the stone, wrapping it with material. So, the stone will be wrapped with only two layers of cloth. To secure it, just tie a string below the stone wrapped with cloth, making it unable to slip off of the stone.

[@SolDizZo]

Thank you! This is basically like learning how to free yourself from a Chinese finger trap, but anyway you've managed to double the lesson I got from the video.

[@adamcichon6957]

@@SolDizZo as a bonus, the wrapped stone tied with the string do not make holes in the cloak like the needle of the brooch.

[@MafiaCatNyoshi]

You can also use this technique to tie down a tarp

[@stanleystove]

Thank you Socrates for this knowledge in fashion.

[@kaydavis6752]

The thing with a cloak this size is that you can make a hammock, a ground sheet, a draught excluder, hang it over a doorway, wrap around your kidneys for warmth, make a skirt and cover yourself for camouflage in certain situations. If push came to shove you can use some threads for starting a fire and even use the fabric to sieve water. Invaluable.

[@Ggdivhjkjl]

Drawing weapons while larping is always important.

[@jamiecurran3544]

Lol😂👍

[@Dranok1]

Drawing a pint while/after LARPing is more important.

[@vickigsolomon1241]

This is FABulous! I always wondered how people thought cloak pins were useful. I guess I've just never seen one used correctly.

[@vickigonya9432]

Remember diaper pins? That would work too

[@stewmiller778]

Best, simplest cloak design I've found yet. Thanks.

[@LARPBook]

Huge thanks to all our commentors. A common quesition is the length of the cloak or the size needed for a child. Here's a comment from our star cloak maker in response to child sizes "A span wide should do it - standing with arms outstretched to the sides holding the cloth or measure hand to hand for width. If possible use the full width for the length, folding to adjust for height. It may be useful to switch the width (often 54") and cut for the height + a foldover hood). If the cloth is cut along it's length it may need a hem." For the length try measuring from the top of your shoulders down to the length you want, but then increase this to accomodate the size of hood you need.

[@ashurean]

I remember when I first learned how to make a proper towel skirt by rolling the top over itself. You don't think about it much but these can be surprisingly useful things to know. I think aside from the towel skirt technique, garbage bag ponchos are the weird trick I use most often. It's less dignified but still useful in a pinch.

[@kaydavis6752]

And they come in a variety of lengths and colours 😀

[@crabbyalthegrump641]

I keep three garbage bags under every drivers seat of every car i own ... You never know when you will want to wade in a river, have to reach into sewer water, or like you said, have a poncho on hand for rain. The only thing i dont use garbage bags for is garbage, i incinerate all i can and recycle/compost the rest, throwing a useful garbage bag away ... Thats a waste to me ...

[@ashurean]

@@crabbyalthegrump641 I'm of the same mind, I stockpile my plastic bag. I mean, they're just so useful in a pinch. If they're gonna be around for hundreds of years, we might as well get as much use as humanly possible out of them in the meantime, yeah? At a certain point, if the pile gets too big, I'll find one of those bins put out specifically for that plastic bag recycling program, so they have the best chance of not just being landfilled. It's the best I can do for now.

[@bramsanjanssan4908]

I love this, and I know nothing about larping. very inspiring! If I was standing there he would have sold me some cloth.

[@The_Unknown_Wanderer]

Thanks! I'm glad I accidentally stumbled on this because cold weather has already hit hard and I get cold extremely easily. I'll probably need to use something shorter because I'm a short fellow.

[@StarPlatinum7912]

Instructions unclear- I am now going on a quest to save the world with fantastical creatures as sidekicks

[@LARPBook]

Good luck in your quest. Any way that we can improve this ?

[@Duvbott]

Now I’m walking around my apartment feeling badass and extremely comfy. Thanks!! ✨👍

[@LARPBook]

Perfect!

[@ryanjohnson3615]

Yes! Who didn't go try this right away and immediately wonder how they never learned it before? "Snuggie" can immediately go away. I'm in the market for a big safety pin now though a small pair of vice grips could be handy in other uses.

[@hlibushok]

This video reminded me that LARPing is an actual hobby and also an art in of itself, not the thing angry Twitter people do.

[@SilverDragonJay]

so I don't larp and have no intention of doing so but this looks cozy as heck. I think I might have to just do this casually in every day life.

[@stoned_kitty]

Bro, i always love to hangout with old folks. They always give me unique ideas from the past.

[@ghadabadawyinspiredtoinspi8729]

I love how the guy in green is dressed

[@fly_8659]

I was freezing my butt off! Thankyou, I am less cold now!

[@KeyClavis]

I use a similar method for my shawls. They're shorter. More like1.9 meters by 0.6 meters, but the draping is almost identical. I do it without the extra overlap to use as a hood, and the "neck hole" is larger so I can bring up the neck edge onto my head. It looks nice, it's warm, and lets both arms be used.

[@healeyfam]

I didn't notice the width dimension mentioned. Nor can I make out the ratio from the video. He never holds the entire cloth within frame.

[@k.w.6304]

This is why wearing a blanket seems so safe and natural, it's what our ancestors did. 😄👍🏻

[@CreateHarmony]

That.... that isn't how genes work. They also painted there face with lead paint, but that's neither safe or natural....

[@Rynewulf]

We've been evolutionarily selected to seek comfy blankeys

[@Rynewulf]

We've been evolutionarily selected to seek comfy blankeys

[@deepsea5348]

I have a pretty plaid blanket I do this with, it turns into a beautiful shawl so quickly!

[@nobodyshekatonchires7981]

Cloaks need to make a comeback

[@RyanBarnes]

So glad that Worm Tongue found a skill/profession that adds entertainment rather than weaving lies!

[@daveh7720]

All this time I thought a cloak was a blanket with a hood. Thanks for explaining!

[@xxxzinkoxxx774]

Most of them are

[@Blitzkrieg_Wolf]

My fantasies of being a Hobbit are now closer to coming true

[@gbcardo4544]

When he put the hood on I knew this was the correct guide

[@sparshgongale1943]

Every super hero before designing their costume:

[@leal536]

I have a large length of gold wool that I have wanted to make or use for my re-enactments - this is perfect!

[@user-sm4sf4ff2i]

Cheer~~~an outdoor overgarment, typically sleeveless, that hangs loosely from the shoulders.😊

[@Alice_Walker]

I have no idea how the algorithm would know I'd love this but I did and I just successfully (ish) tried it with my couch blanket and a giant bulldog clip. Awesome trick!

[@Chr.U.Cas2216]

👍👌👏 Oh WOW, simply fantastic! Children in kindergarden/schools should definitely learn this effective method. Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and especially health to all involved people.

[@laya8880]

Wow, I didn't know I needed to know this, but I indeed, did need to know this. The more you know.

[@gooel]

I don't know if a travelling cloak would be anyone's first choice for a blanket, considering how dirty it would get just from being out and about. But certainly a good piece of kit in a pinch.

[@matt92hun]

Perfect for moving from the bed to the sofa.

[@ThePettyCelebrity]

I have the two metres or so woollen cloth and an annular pin bought at a Viking kaupang (market). Cheers.🎄🇧🇻

[@Willisoutforblood]

Definitely trying this with my extra kilt pins. They've just been sitting sadly on my desk XD

[@_burningshadow_8010]

It looks so simple yet I'm 100% confident I'd find a way to f$ck it up

[@morrislouiseeagle7161]

Thank you for sharing this with us I have been searching all over for a simple blanket cloak with a hood now have found the answer much appreciated

[@depressoespresso5904]

MY DREAAAAMMMSS MY DREAMS BEING FULFILLED

[@sumbinge]

Bro has unlocked the SECRETS of blankie-mode 🤯

[@rohiko4433]

That is absolutely incredible! I never knew you could do all that with a blanket, thanks you for showing me!

[@grammy279]

Would come in handy to know if a power outage, or give to homeless shelter. Fascinating

[@iamthebatsy]

This helps so much for an upcoming cosplay i’m working on! thank you!

[@gutterpeach3145]

Thank you! Easiest tutorial I’ve found. Excellent for quick Halloween clothing.

[@marianblair1262]

I love this! I realize I have been trying to do it the wrong way, and your way is perfect! Thanks so much!

[@halisidrysdale]

The most rewarding and informative video in the past month... awesome!! Thank you for sharing :)

[@paulaneary7877]

Thank you so much for the useful demonstration, I appreciate it.

[@mikepovey4919]

That is simply brilliant, thanks for sharing 👍👍

[@BeingAHumanToday]

This is amazing!!! We were looking for a way to have a cloak with minimal sewing and these exceeds by far!

[@suricate2964]

This video brought a smile to my face, and I don't exactly know why ! Thank you !

[@ghadabadawyinspiredtoinspi8729]

Amazing and original!

[@Palaeosinensis]

Watching this was like watching a magic trick.

[@miraf.3878]

This is amazing! Now I can crochet a simple blanket and don't have to worry about the proportions or if it will fit me. Thank you so much!

[@Anneleblonrj]

Exactly (perfect) ... what I was looking for... thank you very much 🌹

[@LARPBook]

You're welcome 😊

[@57thorns]

This video came in very handy as it is a bit cold inside now. I tried following your instructions and it did work out really well.

[@terribelle3]

Thank you!! ❤ This is info I've actually been looking for!

[@AzmatAli-ht1rz]

Uncle, simply extraordinary looks like a warrior, reminds me of my late father.Regards from Pakistan.

[@stephanieyee9784]

Thank you for this great informative video. A similar principle could be used in the summertime with a sarong and cloak pin.

[@MawoDuffer]

I do this with wool. If you open it up for both of your arms and belt it at the waist, it is a warm coat

[@Waluigi164]

Pin it over a martial arts dummy and cut off the extra. And you’ve started a fashion company

[@gerardjagroo]

Also embroider the edge in gold or silver Arabesque/Greek/Celtic scrollwork. Accessorize with a silver or gold brooch/cloak fastener with the sigil of your House on it.

[@Pabloto-dq3sx]

@@gerardjagroohohoho! Now we’re cooking.

[@montithered4741]

Brilliant! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@faro_inc]

My next winter outfit will have a blanket unapologetically.

[@someguardsman]

Great tutorial! Love it

[@blackjam2683]

Me: *(Goes out my room covered in my black bedsheets)*, My GF: "O_O...Please spare the cat."

[@troubledhappysad1234]

I do not know when I will need this, but I saved it to my "Important" watch list to for just an occasion. Also I now know how all those people put those things on, thank you.

[@BelloBudo007]

Excellent!! So simple & yet so practical. I love it. Thank you very much.

[@LARPBook]

You're very welcome!

[@vickigonya9432]

Best one I have seen yet!!!❤

[@SeniorAdrian]

Always wanted to know about this. Thank you.

[@AngelSBolander]

This was just the sweetest video.

[@mindmonk7176]

Lovely ❤️ thanks!

[@24kam48]

My larp game bought to go crazy

[@ErnstGewahrer]

Great one! Ill start wearing it casually.

[@deaterk]

That was SUPER COOL!!!

[@dansv1]

Very useful information.

[@TheColleenDabeanShow]

So comfy!

[@pigeon1923]

I've been doing this with blankets ever since i was a kid. I would sew a button on one side and a loop on the other, sometimes i would just do a slit instead.

[@CrystalClearSQL]

That was awesome!

[@caravanrose]

Good show!

[@mr.blueshyguy3408]

Thank You!

[@jakescorpion1]

Simply amazing

[@michaelneumann5943]

Finally I can be unknown and mysterious at all times

[@awitness4jehovah]

I wish this was around 5 years ago. I decided to crochet a ripple blanket to turn into a cloak. I can't read patterns and just freehanded it. I simply sewed 2 edges together to leave a slot for my head then added a hood. It hugs annoyingly and the gap between to hood clasp and cloak constantly bugs me. But, it does its job. I only wear it when it's under 40 F because it gets too warm 😅 I'll try this method if I ever make another!!! Thank you

[@thatoneguywalking]

This is awesome. Reminds me of Panchos.

[@jamiecurran3544]

I did this as teenager when I was on a scouts camp, I got some funny looks though as my blanket was bright pink!😂, it kept me warm though whilst everyone else was walking round with their teeth chattering!😂👍

[@John-de5bg]

Aah ... that was so informative ☺Thanks for this video 👍

[@bluenovacorgi8230]

This is amazing ! So glad this exsist thank you!❤

[@AtomkeySinclair]

What a neat video - thanks for the content.

[@DarkSoulx7]

Fantastic.

[@MaffiLu]

This is fantastic, thank you :D

[@mysticmeadowshomestead6209]

The video I didn't know that I needed, thank you.

[@user-fo5ej2tg5k]

Perfect! it was getting cold and I had a small blanket lying around. Managed to get a very comfy cloak!

[@oddoutdoors]

The original cloaks were literally just blankets. You can make a cloak pin ot brooch out of just about anything. A green twig wrapped around itself in a circle with a sharpened stick for a pin works great in a pinch and can add a bit of ranger or fey aesthetic to a costume.

[@juanduque7983]

....why did i not know this earlier!?!? thank you for the advice

[@puddin94]

😊👍. Great idea. Never saw this before. Thank you 😊😊