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Sparx · 29-08-2018, 07:10

Me thinks I will take a crack at knitting a "not quite right" watch cap. Fits the rest of me.

Snore · 29-08-2018, 10:56

You can’t find good cold weather gear in FL—— But a few years ago I was in Portland for a conference and went shopping. At an old school army-navy store I got a Belgium Army sweater. It is 100% wool, pullover with a 8” next zipper down is the front. It is so warm I only wear it on VERY cold nights. It is my last layer on, under my jacket. Cost me $25 about 7 years ago.

For a hat I found a few 100% wool dense knitted watch hats. I like them long by so I can roll the ends up. I find the cheap wool and manmade hats to be not as warm as the densely knitted wool ones.

I am not a knitter- but I can find bargains.

**JPA Cate** · 29-08-2018, 14:49

Yes, and although this thread is 9 yrs old, still, people like *stuff* to help keep them warm. On the recommendation of Seaworthy Lass, I bought a machine washable merino wool thermal underwear top, here in Oz. It is very warm, light weight, and comfortable.

As to the sweaters from thrift shops, get some proper wool soap, and soak the sweater in the solution overnight, finish washing early in the morning. Block out the garment, and dry it out of the sun, where there is good air circulation. If it was stained, try waterless hand cleaner on it before you wash it in Woolite or whatever "soap" you use.

Some people who knit "harvest" wool sweaters, unravel them, wash the wool, then knit something different from the wool.

Ann

JohnHutchins · 29-08-2018, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Yes, and although this thread is 9 yrs old, still, people like *stuff* to help keep them warm. On the recommendation of Seaworthy Lass, I bought a machine washable merino wool thermal underwear top, here in Oz. It is very warm, light weight, and comfortable.

As to the sweaters from thrift shops, get some proper wool soap, and soak the sweater in the solution overnight, finish washing early in the morning. Block out the garment, and dry it out of the sun, where there is good air circulation. If it was stained, try waterless hand cleaner on it before you wash it in Woolite or whatever "soap" you use.

Some people who knit "harvest" wool sweaters, unravel them, wash the wool, then knit something different from the wool.

Ann

In that spirit, I'll contribute my two cents to this old thread.

I'm not inherently anti-synthetic, but they are never quite as breathable, waterproof, or durable as one would like or their manufacturers claim. And natural fibers aren't as terrible as people pretended at the dawn of the technical synthetic garment. Wool and linen (used in very different places!) I think are still as nearly miracle fibers as any synthetic out there. They, too, have their limits. Everything does.

I'm not a big fan of synthetic base layers. They do often develop a stink after not very long and I think they feel icky. Obviously "icky" is not the sort of thing it's easy to have a thoughtful informed argument about so it won't surprise me if I can't prove to everyone reading this that they do, but they do. There are some companies producing merino wool base layers that are wonderful. Ibex was one and I and many others here were thrown into a very gloomy mood when they stopped production. But smartwool also makes some fine things and seem to be everywhere. As one moves away from base layers, the case for wool gets weaker, not because it isn't warm -- it is -- but it gets so very heavy when wet although it does stay warm. But if wet isn't a problem, Filson makes nice things but they are astoundingly expensive. I have some medium/heavy weight german army pants I got at a surplus store that are a good, cheap, alternative.

As far as sweaters, I did see some extremely heavy, lanolin rich sweaters in a mill outlet in the hebrides but still don't know where to find such a thing on the internet. But probably the warmest, readily obtainable sweater available today and for the last several decades has been the Dachstein. It's the sort of thing I'd want to have on under a drysuit when it's really bad out. Definitely expensive: https://www.sweaterchalet.com/dachst...ct-11823943131.

But you can sometimes (in limited sizes) find versions made for the Austrian army on ebay for very little given how truly remarkable these sweaters are. If you know of a warmer sweater, then please share that information with me.

When it's hot, linen is the fabric of the gods and that's all there is to be said.

Mirage35 · 30-08-2018, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Training Wheels

This has to be a record, over 9 years!

And it was Cap’t Anon’s one and only post.

sveinung · 30-08-2018, 17:14

Devold Islander, that'll keep you warm!

For next to skin wool, you can't beat the Brynje. Unbeatable insulation, durability, my oldest is ten years old.

Wander4Wonder · 31-03-2021, 09:25

Duluth Trading Company has some nice cable knit irish style sweaters without the cost

Here are my clothing provider links, some for nicer attire, some for sailing, some general non-sailing focused clothing.

https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_us/me...ailing-jackets
https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/...s-hats-beanies
https://www.kuhl.com/kuhl/mens/sun-protective-shirts/
www.knotresponsible.com
https://castawayclothing.com/
Www.henrilloyd.com
https://www.duluthtrading.com/
https://www.carhartt.com/
https://www.napapijri.com/

LittleWing77 · 31-03-2021, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amgine

I picked up knitting after a sail with a particularly crusty sailor.

There I was, in my shiny new foulies, fleeces, and hi-tech fabrics - shivering through the night watch.

He was sitting scrunched up under the dodger wearing a sweater and watchcap, knitting wool socks. I asked him why he did it and he said he couldn't afford to buy good wool socks, or sweaters, or hats designed for sailing. As to whether knitting is femmy, he pointed out most people that haven't the balls to sail at night in a gale, and that one shouldn't offend a guy with pointed metal sticks in his hands during night watch.

LOL!

I just found this website:
North Sea Clothing
https://northseaclothing.com/collections/wool-knitwear

The various items in this collection look exactly like what you're describing - but then... the prices!

265 Pounds Sterling for a wool sweater? Yowza!

But yes, I also knit and a sweater does take about a month (depending how big a guy it's for) and the yarn about 160-200 USD.

The consolation is, I am STILL wearing a Irish Wool sweater that was handknit for my Da in the 1950's and passed down to me. Other than an occasional bit of darning, the sweater still is exceptionally warm and naturally breathable - just as displayed by Mr. Pointy Needles in the example above...

Maybe you should send me your measurements Capt M and forward the yarn and I'll just knit you one...

LittleWing77

LittleWing77 · 31-03-2021, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill_Giles

Traditionally men were the knitters, so get to it you male sailors (sadly I cannot [knit] despite my mum teaching me).

You might like this story then, Bill:

A very famous knitter here in North America Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (Torontonian + Sailor) [www.yarnharlot.com] - tells the story of sitting in a hospital waiting area years ago, kntting to pass the time. She was approached and engaged in conversation with a white-coated woman with stethoscope who enquired about how long Steph had been kntting, how did she learn, was it hard to learn, etc. - typical questions we knitters regularly encounter when knitting in public.

After conversing, watching Steph knit (I'll admit that watching Steph knit is pretty daunting... she knits like the bloody wind) the doctor sigh and declared, "I could never do that."

Stephanie then looked up and saw the doctor's nametag: "Dr. [Name] NeuroSurgeon".

requiem · 31-03-2021, 10:43

Since the thread's been resurrected again, my first thought for an old school woolen pullover would be these guys: https://arthurbeale.co.uk/collections/pullovers

At £105 the price is a bit better than 265, and if the yarn prices are high...

rbk · 31-03-2021, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt.m.anon

hi there

I was wondering if any of you people could recommend to me where I could get real good thick nautical clothing for out at sea or at port.
i mean the sort of basic traditional, no logos etc dark navy sailors jumper/sweater made from lush wool.
there is a website/store called nauticalica, but they are very expensive.
i just want the normal/traditional dark navy sweater.
i'm asking if someone could give me several links of websites where they sell nice thick basic nautical clothing, not the modern hyper-fleece etc but the real casual organic stuff. i know you can just go to an army surplus store or fashonable store, but often the clothing is old, impractical and dingy
also a online store which sells practical things like underwear(white etc) and like shirts and practical/traditional fleece/wool red blankets etc

thank you!
i live in australia, but any online store is great.

Sweaters, caps etc:
https://pollensweaters.com/

Base layers:
https://www.icebreaker.com/en-ca/hom...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Blankets:
https://www.pendleton.ca/

Lake-Effect · 31-03-2021, 10:59

I have an army surplus green wool sweater with the epaulets and shoulder & elbow patches. Makes me feel all "Guns of Navarone" when I wear it. It does a decent job but it could be a bit longer in the body.

silkie · 31-03-2021, 14:16

Traditional woollen socks, made in Australia. I have a few pairs, they are awesome. I hand wash in Softly & dry in the sun & wind.https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...OC4lnhd-t1RxFy

Wander4Wonder · 01-04-2021, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by silkie

Traditional woollen socks, made in Australia. I have a few pairs, they are awesome. I hand wash in Softly & dry in the sun & wind.https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...OC4lnhd-t1RxFy