Knitted Chain Mail

#1

…in homage to PHM, and any knitter who has knit just about everything, and is looking for something “different”. Hint: these would be great foundations to kids’ hallowe’en costumes!

Knitted Chainmail Patterns

These include two patterns for braies (aka pants), a cowl, a skirt, a hood, sleeves, and a tunic with sleeves.

Ideas for construction:

-knit in whatever gauge you’re trying to approximate in metal. Overly large rings will not provide good protection, but too small and it no longer looks like chain mail.

-knitting with a rust colored (dyed?) cotton cording, later spray painted silver, will yield an awesome effect, and appear more realistic at paces.

-shoot for a smooth cording over a yarn that looks fuzzy or could pill later, but take care to choose a fiber that can take dye or paint well.

-Just say no to nylon rope - if it catches fire the wearer will be in a world of hurt. Can you say Holocaust Cloak from Princess Bride? I knew you could.

Good luck, and post pics if you attempt any of these!

#2

:roflhard: :roflhard:

(( :heart: Wynnie :heart: ))

I saw some awesome cotton twine at the hardware store today… my boys will be getting hoods or tunics for Halloween this year!! :wink:

:thinking:[size=2] hmmm… maybe sleeveless tunics? with gauntlets??[/size]

#3

So sad…no pics!! :frowning:

#4

I guess we’ll just have to knit them and take photos then, eh Kel?

#5

The funny thing is that making chainmail (with real metal) is also called knitting. I used to be very active in the Society for Creative Anachronism and it was funny to see the guys knitting away at their chainmail and the ladies knitting away on their woolens!

#6

When my kids were smaller we saw several presentations by the local chapter of the SFCA (don’t want to type it all out). The loved it. My son wanted to grow up to be a knight for the longest time, and my oldest daughter goes to every medieval festival she can find. She even has a boobilicious top to wear. :wink: If I had known I could knit this stuff up, they would have been in heaven!

#7

Ah, the days of the boobilicious top…

I have one of those tapestry rencorset thingys… I’m saving it for the day that I reach my goal weight. Then I’m going to surprise the DH with it. Woo. :happydance:

Hope he isn’t wearing chain mail that day. :lol:

#8

:rofling: :rofling:

#9

:roflhard:
DH always asked me why I didn’t get one of those things… :rollseyes:
I can’t wait for next year, when the PA Ren Fair starts up… we missed it completely this year, which is only the second time in eight years that we haven’t gone to one :frowning: but we’ll make up for it next year… I’m going to try and talk DH into going to the one in Michigan, too!!! :thumbsup: