207 Kinsale Cloak

One size for men and women (finished length from center back neckline to hemline is 55"/139cm). Rural Irish Folk costume for centuries wore voluminous full-length woolen cloaks of ancient origins.  Handwoven in a straight twill tweed, these heavy cloaks took their color from the native black sheep, whose wool provides a natural water repellent.  The social changes wrought by the Potato Famine of 1846 saw a decline in the cloak's popularity; however, lined with black linen, silk, or satin, it may still be seen in West County Cork today. Our Kinsale Cloak is ankle length on a 5'7" person.  Lined and hand gathered into a wide collar, it falls in small unpressed pleats to a gracefully curved hem.  The Cloak fastens at the neck with a large hook and eye. Our version offers an optional detachable hood for women that buttons to the Cloak under the collar.  It may be worn down over the shoulders as an overcape, or pulled up and fitted over the head with ties as a loosely fitted hood.  Without the hood, the Cloak still looks dashing on men as it did in centuries past. Our pattern includes fascinating historical lore, notes for hand weavers, and instructions for finishing touches. This is the paper pattern. For the PDF pattern, click here. For the children's pattern, go click here. Suggested fabrics: Handwoven wool, wool, velvet, corduroy, poplin, denim, chintz, or weather-treated fabrics. Yardage chart (.pdf)