My Ruana Cloak Dimensions

[@skyler2131]

Estimations: Cloak width: 3ft and 6 or 9in Length: 5ft 4in (He is reported to be 5ft 7in) The slit that comes down the center of the cloak measures about 3ft long. I have a hard time retaining spoken information so I thought this might be useful to others.

[@warb_of_fire]

Also the website of the seller says it's 38 inches long if that helps.

[@skyler2131]

@@warb_of_fire I don't think that's length if he's saying his is 5ft 4in

[@warb_of_fire]

@@skyler2131 He said his own height was 5 foot 7 in which case the cloak would go down to his ankles. I think that 5 foot 4 length is the total length from front to back, and then thefunctional length when folded over the body is about half of that.

[@skyler2131]

@@warb_of_fire ah okay I was interpreting what you said as being about the full length lol 😆

[@solus5635]

Thanks!

[@paganprepper13]

I just made one out of a military surplus blanket, and it is perfect for a ranger cloak! I also found by playing around with it, that you can use one of the front "sleeve" folds as a hood. You just pull it over your head, and throw the other one around your shoulder. It rests super comfortable, when secured by a broach it is super secure, and I even tested it in a rain/snowstorm this last weekend and it worked beautifully!

[@wolf1066]

I was thinking that you could possibly use one of the front bits as a hood, nice to hear it confirmed by someone who has one.

[@Shid_idk]

Soldier cloak.

[@nataliejames9956]

Thanks for confirming this, I was wondering the same. Could you show/describe this a little further? I'm struggling to visualise it.

[@TheGirthGoblin]

Girth was thinking about making his woobie into a cloak. Any tips?

[@paganprepper13]

@@TheGirthGoblin Just make sure you sew/hem up your cuts. I think one made from a woobie sounds fantastic!

[@ericbeall7675]

Literally exactly what I was hoping to see today. I am going to buy fabric today to make my own.

[@christianthompson24]

How did it go?

[@ericbeall7675]

@@christianthompson24 I got some of the faux suede and while the fit is almost spot on, the drape doesn't look quite as nice as I was hoping, since the suede is a little stiff. Will be trying again with a different material.

[@Seiaeka]

@@ericbeall7675 I recommend a sweater knit if you're looking for similar draping. It's a poly blend, but it works really well for my outer tunics. I've had one since 2004 and I wear it all the time. I recently went to replace it and what I thought was a stretch wool like he described, turns out it was a sweater knit. :3 good luck.

[@ericbeall7675]

@@Seiaeka thanks! Much appreciated, I will give that a shot

[@jonathandaniel-hegg6466]

any idea on where to buy materials

[@keonkobra]

Yes its a rabbithole but its a very commonly encountered rabbithole. Scarves Cloaks headwraps turbans, hoods Who doesnt like to have a mastery of how to drape fabric on themselves? You could probably have a weekly show about just this topic. Scarf looks, I google them often. brooches, cloak pins. its a daunting thing to feel like a master of medieval style.

[@LuxisAlukard]

We need this guy in new Middle Earth series. Just because.

[@barbaragordon7381]

I totally agree

[@the_st3poff861]

Aged like fine wine

[@myrmix4242]

For non-imperial units those measurements will be 110x160cm with a 90cm cut for a 170cm person (rounded because it's weekend and I don't do decimals on weekends). My personal ruana is from felting wool I had left over. Measurements still in progress.

[@gormauslander]

Thank you sir

[@SingingSealRiana]

hihihi, thanks, rounded is perfectly suficient

[@kombatace7971]

"rounded because its weekend and I don't do decimals on weekends" - Myrmix 42, the Great Mathimagician, 2022

[@snazzypazzy]

Not al heroes wear capes. Some wear ruanas!

[@wolf1066]

I don't do decimals *any* day of the week. If decimals are required, I get my computer to do the bloody things.

[@aroundthefiremedia]

I made one of these out of linen. I took two yards of fabric and then put the cut in it. I frayed the edges and am going to weather it here soon. I am super happy with it. Thanks for your videos!

[@gormauslander]

How do you plan to weather it?

[@aroundthefiremedia]

@@gormauslander I larp on the weekends. General wear and tear will come with time.

[@gormauslander]

@@aroundthefiremedia very cool very cool

[@Michael-es4dt]

Do you still have it? I'm making one with linen now (:

[@aroundthefiremedia]

@@Michael-es4dt yep! I still love it.

[@MrMaxBoivin]

If you want the front and the back to be the same length, you have to make the slit a little pass the middle as the slit encompass the front AND the top. People often forget that they are not 2d characters.

[@charlesstanford1310]

After watching your older video about cloaks I made my own Ruana by cutting a military surplus blanket down the middle. It's stiffer but warm, and I love it.

[@emilyrobinson6080]

Since my last comment on your earlier cloak video, I went ahead and made my wool army blanket into a ruana by cutting longways to the midpoint and adding a slight radius to the inner terminus of the cut so it goes around my neck slightly more comfortably. I still need to blanket stitch along the cut expanse to stop it from fraying, and still plan on sewing some buttonholes for the versatility and being able to toggle it back together into a blanket or add it to a bedroll, but overall I am very happy with it. This is one of the old ww2/korean war era all wool blankets that is a bit worn around the edges but still in good shape overall, but fairly broken in. I dont know if the percentage of wool is different in more modern examples of the same sort of blanket or how they drape when new out of the box, but mine while stiffer than yours seems to drape very nicely over my shoulders and at a fairly tall 5'10, its all i could want. it comes down around mid thigh and is very comfortable, the shade of green really looks good out in the trees and brush here, and Im waiting on a coal order so I can forge a new penannular broch and take this thing for a stroll out in the NC mountains sometime soon. Thank you again for putting me onto the idea of these cloaks and this follow up, lookng forward to future videos.

[@mitchel8522]

Just when i was thinking about your cloak video, specifically the Ruana cloak. This gem of a video shows up. Thanks Kramer! We need cloaks back in ''Fashion'' from today.

[@gormauslander]

We need a boy cloak magazine

[@texasbeast239]

I was just reading about D&D dark elf ranger Drizzt Do'Urden and human assassin Artemis Entreri, and each was described as being completely enveloped in their cloaks, then pulling the material back behind the weapons sheathed on their hips. So this video drops with wonderful timing! Something else to consider is that these characters travel through radically different climactic regions, so they used different kinds of cloaks at different times. Sometimes they would wear lightweight cloaks that draped well over their bodies and which would not restrict their body movements while fighting, running, hiding, etc. But in cooler climes, they are described as opting for heavy, fur-lined cloaks. And when the temperatures REALLY dropped it like it wasn't hot, they added more layers of furs. So modularity in one's garb is also a good thing.

[@thefightingknight]

Perfect, something to help pass the time at work.

[@kentario1610]

Ah, seeing yours have multiple layers has prompted an idea: if I have characters travelling over vast distances and terrains, having two different coloured sides would help with different camouflage; a dark green would do well in a line forest, but not so much in a birch forest or snow, or even tundra! I'm gonna pursue this real quick.

[@Seiaeka]

The fabric, by your description, is probably a sweater knit and is very likely a poly if it's stretchy. I recently went to remake my tunic (had it since 2004 and it's dying now), looking for a stretchy wool-like material that was the same as what I had, and it turns out that it's a sweater knit--which is basically just t-shirt material that is a little thicker. Your looks the same or at least very very similar. :3

[@raganor_ashborn]

I've been wanting to add one to my fantasy warrior outfit for a while, now I know what I need. I have a cloak that is usually seen with adventures, but like you said in your video about cloaks for adventures, it gets in the way when using a sword.

[@aakansh45yearsago83]

same.

[@nolankingmusic9761]

I just finished making a ruana out of a wool blanket a couple weeks ago. It's very warm, and indeed is stiff enough at least right now it drapes a little differently. The piece that's thrown over the shoulder doesn't stay well without a brooch. It's perfect for a winter cloak-in fact, I've now been asked to make more for others-but I'll certainly want one out of linen or much lighter wool for next year

[@SuperSonic68]

I just made a Ruana cloak and, disappointingly, it appears that the material used makes a HUGE difference in terms of how it sits and how it drapes. It is imperative that the cloak be made from a stretchy material. Something tightly-knit and inflexible can make it bulky and awkward-feeling. Here in the States, Joann Fabrics unfortunately doesn't seem to have many offerings that check all of the boxes needed for a perfect Ruana cloak... We warned...

[@rebd00mer93]

Yay a new video!! I was actually just watching some of your videos right now as you posted this

[@catherinec9331]

Hi!! Short(er?) person here! I'm 5'3" and got a yard and a half of fleece, cut exactly halfway up so back and front were the same length. I could've stood to go a bit longer but it is a very good length for me as is. I also picked up a nicer wool (which was expensive so I didn't want any more fabric than I had to get) to cut once I knew the fleece mock-up worked out. Now I have a good wool one for outdoors adventures and a nice fleece blanket/cloak to wear around the house (often belted like a tunic) when I want to be cozy and warm

[@Wirrn]

If you want your cloak to drape awesomely you want something heavy and flexible: so wool or wool blend that's got weight to it but isn't too stiff. It doesn't need to be too tightly woven if all you want is the look, and it doesn't need to be pure wool, but be aware wind might cut right through it. Be aware that wool(even blends), or any other fabric heavy enough to drape well is..well...heavy. And if that weight is on your shoulders all day you will feel it. This pattern of cloak is a good one I think for weight, if you're going for more of a cape for dramatic swooshing then it can get a lot worse - I have an Anakin style Cape for a Jedi outfit which has to be tied under the arms/behind my back to stay on, GoT style with hidden ties. It's six meters of wool blend so it drapes and swooshes fantastically but it can leave bruises on me from the ties! (We suffer for our art) Oh on which note, if it's at all a stretchy material and is a heavy one, you might find it gradually gets longer. My first cosplay was time lord robes madenoutbof a fleece blanket with sleeves. Worked well but I had to keep rehemming as the kept stretching out to a longer length! (Probably didn't help that I just folded and iron webbed the hem rather than cutting the weight off) Heavy velvets, silks, etc can all make for specific looks, I would advise an authentic *look* to the material, but modern synthetics can absolutely be used because who has money for that. The trick is to get stuff that is passable appearance and drape wise as the real thing, not because authenticity is a goal in and of itself (it can be but that's personal preference) but because using the proper materials will look a lot more *real* while obviously modern ones will set off fancy dress vibes, even subconsciously. If you want it warm then a tighter, thicker knit will keep the warmth in better, you can ultimately go I think for any thick blanket. Wool is again the best here, pure wool better than a blend, but other thick fabrics that shield you from wind or trap alarm air in a layer near your body will work. If you want it waterproof your options are a) a modern waterproof material, but that probably won't look good. B) wool with lanolin still in it - the more unprocessed and the tighter the knit the better. (Any wool or even blend that is mostly wool will be surprisingly waterproof if it's a tight knit, but if its got the natural sheep oils on it it will keep the water out better. The more natural/raw it is the more lanolin is on it and the more waterproof it will be. Either way you will likely stay dry yourself, but it's one of those things where if it does get properly soaked past its water resistance it will get VERY heavy and take forever to dry. C) a waterproofing spray. You can use lanolin sprays or a modern one, the modern one will probably smell better. can't speak personally to how well they really work, but have been told they're good. Side note though, I'm British so I'm thinking about larp events where it is torrential rain that causes a river running through the camp, and you're going to be running from tent to tent. You want something there that will shed water but ideally not get TOO soaked too quickly so it will actually dry overnight. If you're just expecting a drizzle you can be less concerned! Whatever you do don't put your cloak away damp and leave it in a bag for six months, you will regret it. Speaking of smells campfire smoke will absolutely cling to them, more so I think depending on fabric (I think wool will pick it up a LOT. I'm okay with he smell so I dont mind, but be aware) Things to avoid: thin polyesters, crushed velvets (see above, they're so popular with cheap fancy dress that it instantly gives your kit that vibe even if it's actually well made. Also won't hang right and have zero warmth). I would personally avoid just getting a fur skin and drapig it over your shoulders, it can look kinda cool but it's also very fantasy barbarian. If that's what you're going for it can work, personally I like to go realism even in fantasy, because I started with reenactment and have an interest in the history side. Practically speaking it's a pain to keep clean, pain to make it sit still, and it's heavy and not comfy. And o don't think it provides as much warmth. If the fantasy barbarian look suits your purposes though then go for it, don't let history nerds tell you off! (Assuming it fits whatever you're going to, a larp event and a reenactment event have different purposes after all) Fur trim or lining of a cloak is good for the more realistic options, but obviously requires sewing. If you're somewhere warm you want a light thin cloak. Silk or faux silk is good, if you go linen make it a very flexible one not a stiff one - and linen creases easily so you won't look like Gandalf in it. A lot of places will do samples for free or for very cheap, these don't show you drape very well because they're too small, but you can get a feel for texture, you can stick it under a tap to see how it reacts to water, etc. This post has been extremely rambly as I try to think of advice for people :D Edit: oh and don't make it too long if you are expecting mud at your event! It looks cool right up until it gets caked in mud and you have to lug that weight around. Trust me it can make a difference :D also it will get caught on branches, and generally get in the way. Edit: the waterproofing stuff is on the assumption you want a classic style cloak first that will keep you dry, if you expect to be stuck outside without shelter in pouring rain then you may want to sacrifice looks and go for an actual rain cloak.as other comments have said you want a properly waterproof material like waxed canvas. You probably want a poncho style cut with that though.

[@Lillyluri]

Your love of this cloak cost me a decent amount of money, sir! 😁 Thank you, and good luck on your adventures!

[@tuzden]

Glad to see this, was thinking of making myself one recently and didn't know where to begin for dimensions

[@zacharyharwell351]

I bet using a more water-resistant material as a third central layer sandwiched between the two outer layers would be both very warm and very good for keeping dry even as simple as a good bit of canvas fabric

[@Devin_Stromgren]

Do like they did with the original trench coats and use oiled silk maybe?

[@Wirrn]

It will but I would be aware of a) how this affects the way the fabric bends and drapes, most waterproof material won't drape in a way that looks right and b) if the top layer gets soaked and there's a bit of a gap before the next waterproof layer you might find it a pain in the arse to dry (and the top layer will get heavy when wet if it's wool) Both of these may be perfectly acceptable if your primary goal is keeping yourself dry

[@davidrautert]

Icelandic wool ought to do the trick

[@gormauslander]

I would think I'd want the waterproof layer on the outermost side. If any water enters, it gets heavier, and collects dirt and debris

[@Devin_Stromgren]

@@gormauslander That would be my first instinct as well, but historical garments HAVE been made with the waterproof layer in between the inner and outer layers. WW1 era trench coats had a layer of oiled silk between a wool outer shell and a cotton lining.

[@bigbadwolfstudios1]

Literally just what I needed today! Awesome timing, and of course another great video!!!

[@traveling47]

I'm gonna need to make a light one for larping/summer use and a heavier one for fall/winter. Thanks for the video.

[@Chainmale75]

I've done medieval reenactment some years ago, and I used duck cloth ? I believe it's called, for my surcoat. Looks like a heavy linen but definitely water proof. Note* it is fairly stiff at first, but washing and normal wear will soften it quite a bit while retaining it's water resistance.

[@rileyernst9086]

Sounds like a really easy cool project that is disproportionately useful. I'll have to give it a try.

[@timschommer8548]

In terms of materials, if you don't care about historical accuracy (not sure how historical this is or isn't) and you want something that will perform better in outdoor weather (to clarify, I was looking at a bit of holding off water and primarily cold weather. I was aiming for something that could handle Minnesota winters, what I found will do that if it is thick enough or layered) what my research lead me to as the most viable option is Melton wool. Pros: Handles weather (including cold weather) really well. Easy to work, like most wool. Cons: Is not machine washable. Must be very carefully hand-washed or dry-cleaned. (Although, as it is outdoor wear, it might not need to be cleaned that often) Expensive. Not too surprising to see the heavier weights going for about $30 ish USD per yard from the fabric bolt, though you can find both more and less expensive. Prone to shrinkage (like all wool). If you plan on working it yourself, it is recommended that you pre-shrink it. As for the question of how thick the fabric should be, I was looking for something that would work in a Minnesota winter, and the only reference I could find mentioned the coat they use in Chicago winters being made from 32oz (presumably per yard) Melton wool. However, the places I can find to buy the material from don't go anywhere near that heavy, if you want something of comparable weight, you will need to layer it.

[@whoahanant]

I was looking into fabrics for winters too (I plan on making 2) because I wanted to make one that would be good for Michigan weather. Cold winters and rainy weather all the time in winter, fall and spring.

[@KedricVarangia]

As far as accuracy, I don't know about in Europe, but the Ruana is a historical cloak here in Colombia, worn since pre-colonization times and still used today. Usually alpaca or sheep wool, with the natural oils left in for rain repellance.

[@dren2543]

I was thinking about adding a cloak like this to my Halloween costume, so this came right on time.

[@bkanderson2659]

OK, between your previous cloak video and now this, I'm convinced I need to make myself one of these for Halloween and for the dungeon crawl I'm putting together for my nieces and nephews. Thanks for the additional info!

[@melatonin6811]

Cant wait to finish my crochet merino. Just finished the first part of my hood. I love it can't wait for winter.

[@gormauslander]

The one I jumped up and made in 60 seconds after I watched your previous video was a cheap 7'6"x5'2" ultra light and thin polyester felt blanket I had somehow obtained over time and had lying around. I can confirm that it makes an excellent house shawl and I wear it often, but offers little to no protection from scrapes or wind. Gotta find me a wool sheet dealer

[@VictorianTimeTraveler]

Thanks again man. I made mine out of tartan plaid in my family colors. It looks very cool.

[@LivingAnachronism]

Awesome!

[@thesevendeadlysins578]

Hey!! Perfect! I was wondering about this. Cool! Yeah, I want to stay warm and dry in the winter/wet weather.

[@Celestyal22]

I saw your cloak video as my intro to your channel. I had no idea what a Ruana cloak was. I happy to say that one is sitting next me on the couch now. I finished hand sewing it from some scrap wool a few days ago and I LOVE it! Winter has just appeared here and it keeps me very warm. Thank you for talking about it in the first place. :) I might add a lining at some point, we'll see.

[@Gunlicker]

I really appreciate these videos i like survival/ bushcraft and cloaks i feel are still pretty useful today for surival like a gun slinger cloak keeping things light but also warm and also cool depending on the fabric used because they do make a upf 50 fabric wich i will be using to make a summer time cloak im glad i found the video on this style of cloak

[@sarahg6932]

This video couldn't be more perfectly timed! I bought a ruana second-hand after seeing your cloaks video but it's Gandalf sized on me and too big really to wear outside, although super cosy for indoors. I will attempt to make my own using the info here, thanks!

[@caitmacanliss6432]

Helpful! I'm weaving fabric for a similar one (and maybe doing a run for etsy of handwoven ones) but I am making it a bit wider- I like more like 2.5' in width for each panel.

[@Topher7527]

I made one just the other day after seeing the prior video on cloaks. Bought an EKTOS 90% wool military style blanket that was 66"x90". Slit it half way through. It's... large. I'm 5' 10" and the back hangs maybe 4 or 5 inches off the ground so I may shorten it by an inch or two. The front flaps are almost long enough to trip on when using stairs so those will get shortened too. Width is about spot on though. It wraps nicely. Any blanket that is at least 50% wool should be fairly water resistant. The higher the percentage, the better. I "tested" mine when I accidentally spilled some soda on myself. It beaded off nicely. I also bought some wooden toggles so I can button up the front and also retain use as a blanket. We'll see how that goes. It do be thicc tho.

[@gormauslander]

I showed my friend that if you lay it over you, cut side down, each leg has it's own blanket. It looks bonkers and we had a good time of it. So that's an option 😂

[@Designsy-wl9nr]

Thank you for the extra few seconds at the end so I can like the video! Some youtubers end immediately and I cant pause to comment or like it =).

[@pemo2676]

Thanks to you i know about the ruana cloak, and i genuinely love it. i definitely want to make a huge one like gandalf has making a separate hood is also a goal

[@gormauslander]

There's a lot of good stuff here on KZbin about medieval mantles and hoods. It turns out, there's a lot of historical precedent for hoods as a separate piece from the cloaks and tunics, more so I would say than a cloak with an attached hood

[@elisabethm9655]

Best make your own: go to the thrift store - find a blanket with the right fabric required for the drape, heaviness etc that you want. Take a pair of scissors and make it yours.😊

[@thewombat8039]

Townsends, Burnely & Towbridge, William booth draper all sell woolens and linens.

[@Fizzbann]

Wet weather I would prefer duck canvas tbh. Especially if you actually intend to use it in real life as it can be waterproofed for longer periods similar to that of a western duster as I've always called them. Can line it with wool also for those colder climates and the duck canvas is more durable.

[@Devin_Stromgren]

I think you're underestimating wool in the right weave's ability to shed water by itself, and I say this as a big fan of waxed canvas.

[@Fizzbann]

@@Devin_Stromgren no sir, I use a Swiss wool blanket while camping. It works great, but wool isn't the ideal material in all climates.

[@Wirrn]

@@Fizzbann wool that's got a tight weave and natural oils will keep you dry in a light shower or rushing from one tent to the other. If you're going to have to stand in the pouring rain for a while then yeah go for waxed canvas or something like that. Doesn't look anywhere near as good when it's dry but you won't be a drowned rat crippled under the weight of a ton of water soaked into your cloak that will never dry :D

[@Fizzbann]

@@Wirrn I have an old military blanket, the old style that's huge, it stays some what dry in a pouring down southern rain. I use it, but my preference is due to my wife not liking wool per she can't stand the feel of it. Haha

[@MrZylix-6]

This is greatly informative, I’ll be soon working on my outfit for medieval style clothing and will definitely add this to the list of projects!

[@DowntheRabbitHole0]

Just got my Topman Ruana cloak like yours, Kramer, I am one very happy guy!

[@abandonedotter4270]

Surplus army blanket liner with wax canvas outer. Easy to make both. To make wax canvas use a thinner canvas 50% beezwax 50% parrafin mix. Oil skin is different and a little more complicated. It will sit well and fold anyway you want to wear it

[@timwarneka5681]

That sounds heavy?

[@dawsonehlke1290]

I didn’t even have to wait til Saturday! God be Praised!

[@LivingAnachronism]

And there will be another video saturday anyway!

[@dawsonehlke1290]

@@LivingAnachronism you love to see it

[@EvoWatches]

Cool I plan on making one tonight

[@Joshuajbai]

Great timing I was just about to make my own.

[@ghostcraft9343]

This has helped me a tone, as I have been going down the fabric rabbit hole and it has been a nightmare.

[@oreothecat1192]

yay new video

[@winterknightwarden8543]

I'm 6'7" and I'm using 3 yards of fabric because I want it to be a bit longer than most might be. I will also use the full width of the fabric due to my fairly large body frame size. Initially I'll use it as a top tunic (wrapped and belted) to be over another smaller piece of fabric to be used as a shoulder mantle of a different color.

[@gormauslander]

You are a giant

[@Aarzu]

After seeing your video on cloaks, I went and looked and found one. It's a tweed cloak, so it's a little itchy because of the wool. But I have no doubt that after it gets broken in real good, that'll improve!

[@gormauslander]

I'd recommend getting a linen inner lining. We have a scarf passed down from my great grandfather and it's still the most itchy piece of fabric I've ever touched

[@marasmiusgoldcrow6746]

I made mine out of black Turkish wool or hide I should say because it's not woven. It's skinned!. And on the other side I used white leather for wind and rain proofing. It's a little heavy but it's multi purpose so I don't have to bring other stuff with me so it's weight makes up for that. Other than a cloak it's a tarp/pad to lay or sit on. It's reversible so black for camo at night and white for snow camo. It's also used as a blanket. Almost every thing I where is either silk or wool while out camping so layer upon layers keeps a man cozy. Great videos BTW

[@ttfoley8127]

Like the colour of that black

[@mansfieldtime]

In the words of Bruce Lee "Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, add what is essentially your own." a Philosophy that I not only enjoy but take pride in.

[@LivingAnachronism]

Definitely agree with his philosophy. Very similar to Miyamoto Musashi in the 5 Rings

[@beksc9209]

I have an old, dull sky-blue Army blanket my aunt gave me. I won't be buying wool for a cloak anytime in the near future, and am tired of waiting. I am turning the Army blanket into a Ruana!

[@whoahanant]

I'm getting fabric to make one so this is helpful for sure

[@davidwelsh2692]

Some textile info you may find useful if you are making a cloak. In my experience after making a few cloaks a cotton moleskin is the best. Wool can get a bit smelly when it's been in the rain. Moleskin is a bit better. A heavy linen works well too. If you want a lighter cloak go with linen. For a heavy cloak to keep you warm make a cotton lined moleskin cloak. It should be ok in light rain but itl soak through eventually. Hope this useful.

[@SingingSealRiana]

moleskin has con too though, cotten simply does not have the same capacity to hold on to heat and feels damp and cold very quickly given a certain humidity in the air where wool can take way more moisture without feeling demp and even then still keep warm. Another con is that moleskin is stiffer and does not drape as wool does, even a woven and then felted wool still molds around curves. It really depends on what you value, which pros outweight which cons. With washability moleskin wins, with way less need of washing for it is selfclensing wool wins. Wool tends to be way warmer, moleskin is very robust and to our modern sensibilities more practical/less complicated.

[@eliciashe-her4802]

Thank you so much! Super helpful.

[@Nero.Valentine]

Finally a new video :D

[@IQVGustavo]

Amazing! Thanks a lot! Greeting from Brazil =)

[@TheDisplacerBeast]

1:45 if you mean Topman, they just arent a physical store anymore. You can find them under asos, which bought them after arcadia group went under.

[@santiagodiazsanchez7387]

would be awesome a video about the history of the ruana cloack, i have been researching a bit and i couldnt find much, im from colombia and here is a type of poncho made out of wool that is called ruana and the name comes from the chibcha word ruana that means the land of Blankets in rare ocations these poncho style garments have a slit down the middle especially in old photos and paintings

[@TripleBarrel06]

I made one, brown linen with a grey-blue cotton lining. Anachronistic, but it's warm enough for an Australian winter. The hardest part is sewing the neck, but that part is pretty hidden so it doesn't matter so much if you mess it up.

[@CreepyMF]

Great video and its nice to see a follow up from the previous cloak video. On the topic of medieval clothing, ive been wondering what sort of medieval/fantasy hats you could wear in the cold season or if you could make something on your own.

[@LivingAnachronism]

Not too sure about hats, as I've never been much of a hat person, but this is something I'll research and get back to everyone on, one day

[@danhurl1349]

I’m going to see if this works as a sort of wrap dress

[@erikbrock5444]

I would suggest eyelets instead of buttons. Lacing the halves together will take longer than buttoning, but, it will provide a stronger hold, let you adjust the closure, retain the ability to toss either side over your shoulder without having to worry about a button poking you, and you won't have to overlap the edges to join them, so the blanket will lay more flatly and evenly, should that be something you're concerned about. And as suggested I am of course on team blanket. Military surplus if possible as they tend to be durable and of a color that, if not historically accurate, is at least outdoorsy enough to not look out of place. However, I'm finding that more and more of those are not 100% wool, and not by a small margin either, which displeases me. >(

[@quesophobia]

i would like to share a genius version of this cloak: so if you make the cloak save (or get an extra) 1/2-3/4 of a yard (depending on how big you want the hood) when your done cutting and about to sew and hem use that 1/2 yard and line it up so its streching across your cloak along the back, line it up with the cut you made for the head and so the middle of each fabric line up. pin the 1/2 yard piece along the collar till a bit past your sholder or half way around your collar. the extra fabric that would stretch the length of your cloak should hang in front like a mini cloak. sew this up and you got yourself a nice hood/scarf that adds a bit of layering to the cloak! I think it just adds a ton more use than a normal hood and looks more natural and works with (I think) any way you can wear the cloak! saw this on tictok but dont know who sadly

[@Catbusy]

Perfect! Thank you so much for this video. Now I just need to scale it up a bit for my barbarian proportioned husband.

[@Devin_Stromgren]

If you are looking for as heavy and warm a cloak as possible, I would recommend looking online for melton wool fabric, or Italian surplus blankets if you don't mind stripes at the ends. Those are the heaviest wool fabric options I've been able to find.

[@workingmothercatlover6699]

I made one for my husband. He wanted one like Gandolf has, but brown. I got 3 1/2 yards of linen for it. I opened up the fabric and folded it the other way. I cut along the center fold to the middle of the length. I had him put it on and trimmed the length. Then, I got brown bias tape and sewed it on the cut edges so they wouldn't fray. He loves it, but when I added a fleece blanket for the inside of my gambeson, he wants me to add fleece to his cloak. I got red to go on the inside of it.

[@LivingAnachronism]

Ooh now I want fleece on the inside of my garments, good idea!

[@workingmothercatlover6699]

$3 for fleece throw at Walmart. At least, in Utah. 😀

[@devinmeacham8747]

I'd love to make a better Ruana cloak the one i have is a bit thin hopefully i can find a material similar to the one your's is made of the ways yours drapes is perfect

[@dodger1792]

Lindybeige did a video on cloaks that's worth a look,as remember is used a wool blanket.

[@sonny2593]

Thanks for that mate 👍

[@beksc9209]

Realized I basically already have a plaid Ruana cloak! Still gonna make one, though. Something more camoflauge-ful. Have some nice dark green cloth.

[@cliffordcanaday7010]

I didn't even fully read the notification 😅 I saw your channel name and Ruana cloak and immediately took a break from housework 😅 also did note I think your forgot to link Welsh Viking's channel.

[@LivingAnachronism]

It should be in there, thanks for letting me know

[@javiermartinezgoni2763]

Thanks!!

[@Gala-yp8nx]

If you want to make a wool cloak waterproof then I suggest using linseed oil (scented with something and sparingly).

[@packetpirate]

Linseed oil can catch fire really easily at temps as low as 120 degrees if on a flammable material like cloth. Probably not a good idea.

[@ogajodocenario]

Great video! Keep going

[@Ozarkwonderer]

Very cool. Im on the fence about making one of these for myself though i could see its use. But definitely plane to use the idea for a fantasy character in a story im working on

[@nellibaba]

Mission accomplished - now I got a very warm cloak and it will be perfect for long flights doubling as a blanket

[@Arno2803]

Video : talks in inches Me : *Sad Medieval French Noises*

[@LivingAnachronism]

Sorry, will take this into account in the future!

[@matj12]

Your cloak's fabric is flexible. How does the flexibility affect movement in the cloak? I'm considering making a ruana cloak of flanel, which is not flexible. I hesitate because I think that the fabric's inflexibility would restrict my movement.

[@LivingAnachronism]

I now also have one of wool, I don't think flannel will be an issue at all

[@someguy3861]

A third layer of cotton duck would be beneficial for rain gear, because the weave swells when hit by water, gaining some water-repellent properties.

[@johncarney7906]

Harbor freight wool moving blankets are great look good and waterproof

[@SebbieSaurus22]

If you want something warm and water resistant and historically adequate, use a medium to thick 100% wool lined in 100% silk (expensive, but very effective, and will give you a similar drape to Kramer's cloak). The wool will repel a lot of water, though of course not all of it, and silk is the most insulative (but still breathable) natural fiber outside of actual pelts. Adding any additional layers of fabric will also contribute to trapping heat, so if you need it to be warm but don't want to spend the money for silk, more than one layer of linen or cotton to line the wool will also help quite a bit. And because wool is a breathable natural fiber, it works even in hot weather if you use a thinner wool and line it with just one layer of light-weight linen or cotton.

[@Death1659]

Keep in mind that I have not yet done this, so I don't know if it will work out or not, but I'm planning to make my own ruana cloak out of a wool blanket. My plan is to buy a 100% wool blanket (240x140 cm) and cut it down the middle of the long side until I get enough material to wrap myself in. I am 180 cm tall, so if I cut it to about the middle of the blanket that means that the tails and the body of the cloak will reach somewhere around my knees when simply draped over me (I have no idea if this will be inconvenient or not, but I will shorten it if necessary). I live in northern Norway on the coast, so the winters tend to be cold and wet up until the middle of December, often switching between 5°C and -5°C, making the early winters icy and slushy wet, which makes outdoor living, and camping really dangerous and difficult. The winter after new year is often more stable around -5° so it's a little easier to contend with. I'm hoping that with a thick 100% wool blanket, and my viking suit of a linen shirt, wool weave long sleeve tunic, wool and linen Andøy hood, wool weave pants, knitted wool socks, leather shoes and wool leg wrappings that I can stay relatively warm and dry on my winter trips, but we'll see. Anyways, I love your videos, and I'm looking forward to the next one!

[@Devin_Stromgren]

If you don't mind stripes at the end, I can vouch for the warmth of Italian surplus blankets. I've made myself a heavy wool overcoat from them and it keeps me warm at -30 and colder.

[@fallencorporal]

Weather wicking materials range from oil, wax, silicone, or inner liners like the poncho most often if you have something specific you'd like to fabricate it's gonna be a DIY.

[@raffaeleparise6321]

Me, a non-USA citizen: oh this should be interesting! Me 10 seconds later: what the hell is a feet?

[@marcusfridh8489]

one foot is about 33 cm, and one inch is about 2,5 cm. so hes cloakdimentions would be about 91-107 cm in width and about 152 cm. but personally i prefer the width of 108 cm and the legth of 2 meters, becourse i prefer a longer cloak lenght and i am just 5`2, 157 cm tall.

[@workingmothercatlover6699]

3 feet is a yard, which to my is close to a meter.

[@karenritter2574]

Nice

[@scottmasson3336]

Surely it has to be alpaca? Have you tried a match coat/arisaid type garment? As simple as you can get and hugely versatile

[@poozlius]

Another good watch. [Insert humorous quip here]

[@BevinEG]

I agree

[@xirensixseo]

i made a waterproof mantle style cloak and a cotton twill for my ruana cloak, i think i can add to the discussion a bit. first, look at the weather around you. does it get humid? how hot is it? does it rain alot? what exactly do you need in a cloak? normally, the best wearing cloaks are made of natural fibers such as cotton, wool, linen. If you want to waterproof your cloak against light, constant rain, try waxing your cloak. if its heavy rain like i get here with the monsoon, and you prioritize practicality over historical accuracy, use hydrophobic nylon for your outer material and give it a liner so its more comfortable and dosent stick to your skin. *sidenote; For me, when i made such a waterproof cloak, i made the mantle style so it could cover more, and only wear it in rain since it also gets very hot. If youre in a colder environment, wool is a really good material and historically accurate. take note it will stretch when rained on, and return to it's original shape when dried. having it be pretty thick would be good, similar to the one Lindybeige uses. (he made a video some time back) if youre in a warm climate, cotton twill worked well for me. if youre in an arid desert, linen. it keeps the sun off of you, you can use it as a bit of a blanket for the cold night although you'll need more, and you arent worried about the rain. when it does rain, its only for awhile anyways

[@LivingAnachronism]

Great insight, thank you!

[@xirensixseo]

im lowkey thinking of if i should start opening myself up to commissions, i'd like to make other clothing items too

[@-----REDACTED-----]

For those preferring SI units: Kramer height: 5ft 7in = 170.18cm ≈ 170cm Length: 5 ft and 4in = 162.56cm ≈ 163cm (≈96% of height) Width: 3ft and 6-9in = 106.68 - 114.3cm ≈ 107 - 114cm Length of slit: 3ft = 91.44cm ≈ 91cm (≈56% of length)

[@bu55c]

Canvas painting drop cloths dyed and treated with linseed oil and beeswax or paraffin.

[@WMfin]

I love that design and how it looks but I am reenacting viking era and I use my blanket as a cloak so it would make poor blanket if it were cut in the middle! Buttons though could do it like you said.. Maybe I'll buy another piece of fabric.