As Pennsic is upon us and I’m digging through my wardrobe I begin to realize that I don’t have one basic item that most people should have in their inventory: a hood. Now there are all kinds of hoods throughout our time period but I have been on this kick lately of actually trying to complete an entire outfit. What a novel thought!
My choice was pretty much made for me when I saw my friend’s pattern for a 3-piece Viking hood. Geometric shapes and only 3 pieces? What a piece of cake! I had this golden yellow wool that I had found on a remnants table at a local sewing shop which I thought would do the trick nicely. So I began my search online for something to give me a hint at dimensions for this. This was probably the step that took me the longest time, to tell you the truth. I happened to fall upon this particular article in Adventures in Reconstructing History by Lady Kate.
I followed her measurements and made a rectangle of 14 inches x 52 inches and two squares of 14 inches x 14 inches. It’s a fairly easy sewing project and I was able to whip it up in 30 minutes or so. The fit on me (5’9″ , 47″ chest, broader than average shoulders for a woman) is a touch snug but not unwearable. The head part of the hood is plenty spacious though and I’m quite pleased with it overall. I plan on making a linen one…after Pennsic and I will probably make that one 15.5 inches to give me a bit more room.
In the mean time I’m looking for images of Huginn and Muninn (Ravens of thought and memory) that I would like to embroider on the front of the hood. Pictures forth coming!