I had hoped by now to have some pics wearing my kit in a more natural setting but alas plans don't always pan out. Still working on that part of it though. So before yet another weekend passed by if figured I better get something posted.
Kudos to Taurinor for the inspiration with the numbering system (http://ranger.budgetauthenticity.org/fo ... =27&t=2997). Well done friend!
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/00_Urthgard_Soft_Kit_zps615syhtw.jpg)
1 Hat
2 Small Silk Bandana
3 Large Silk Bandana
4 Green Tunic
5 Brown Tunic
6 Wool Socks (not shown)
7 Pants
8 Brain tanned Elk Leggins
9 Buskin Style Boots
10 Calfskin Fingerless Gloves
11 Leather Gauntlets
12 Leather Bracer
13 Medieval Purse
14 Belt
15 Small Pouch
16 Large Pouch
17 Haversack/Forage Bag
18 Wool Cloak
Soft Kit Details
1 Hat
Don't let looks fool ya, it's not a beret. It's made of 100% fur felt and is a dome-shaped, cloche-like hat. I typically wear it smushed down on one side "beret style" in warm weather but I can pull it down over my ears in the evenings or cooler weather. Either way it fits nicely under my cloak hood and has the added advantage of helping to keep the cloak hood from "slopping" around. I've used it as a forage/collecting bag and, being felt, it holds water very well and has seen use as a bucket. (Definitely real felt because that bucket smells like wet dog.)
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/01a_Urthgard_%20Hat_zpss3hw0nh4.jpg)
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/01b_Urthgard_Hat_zpse1y5uo0r.jpg)
2 Small silk Bandana.
Typically worn loosely around my neck or as a face mask. Multitude of camp & first aid uses. (Pot holder, water filter, Bandages/Compression Bandages, Cravats, Threads as suture material, etc.)
3 Large Silk Bandana.
Yard square and again a multitude of uses including medical. Typically worn "pirate style" under my hat.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/02_Urthgard%20_Banadanas_zpsopudbzgq.jpg)
4 Green Tunic
No specific pattern used here. Just the most reasonably deduced generic cut after researching several extant patterns (Herfjolfsnes, Skjoldehamn, Bockstien, St. Louis, etc.). The collar, which is somewhat atypical of this style, was added as a touch of elven influence and serves as a bit of protection from straps (quiver, haversack and other stuff that gets slung over one shoulder)
that like to migrate and dig into the neck. The mottled pattern was intentional. I just stuck the shirt in a bucket of dye without worrying about uniform coverage. As long as it all got some dye I was happy. (The small bright white spots are sweat stains.) I wasn't concerned with some areas being a shade or two darker than others. I like the uneven appearance.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/04a_Urthgard_Green_tunic_zpsnzvd0qgg.jpg)
The sleeve forearms are laced together with linen string.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/04b_Urthgard_Green_%20Tunic_sleeve_zpsws1nqwdt.jpg)
The collar was at one time fastened with a sterling silver catch, the hook of which has long broken off, but is now fastened with a simple hook and eye closure hidden behind the silver catch.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/04c_Urthgard_%20Green_Tunic_Collar_zpsijl29opj.jpg)
5 Brown Tunic
Made of a slightly heavier linen that the green tunic. The pattern is the same basic tunic pattern as the shirt but with a double-wrap front, slightly Mongol style but not quite. The wrap front allows for easy temperature adjustments: loose and open when warm or tied up for cooler weather. Also, I miss my old hunting frock from my longhunter days. It's wrap front provided a nice pocket for quick stash items. Same dye technique as tunic only in brown. Same sleeve closures as the tunic.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/05a_Urthgard_Brown_Tunic_zpsww8uuyq2.jpg)
Again, collar added as an elven touch and for more neck protection from straps.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/05b_Urthgard_Brown_Tunic_Collar_zpsiecvghok.jpg)
Here I've ripped up the back and pulled some threads to use for a field repair of a sleeve seam.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/05c_Urthgard_Brown_Tunic-pulled_threads_zpsh96i9ld1.jpg)
6 Wool Socks (not shown)
Not much to add here. Just wool socks that I failed to get into the picture.
7 Pants
I have dubbed these pants as "Ironic Pants". Ironic because they are a project that I have spent a ridiculous amount of time on yet are the least visible item of clothing that I wear. These pants are in no way period or historical, as far as I know they did not exist. Early Jodhpurs come close but that pattern and it's measurements is more complex. I wanted something beyond a pair of "pajama" pants and something that would solve some problems that I have encountered over the years. They are my attempt at designing something practical by combining features from different cultures and eras while still staying within the boundaries of realism and the spirit, feasibility and technology of middle-earth. Because these are "experimental" they are made from cotton material that was very inexpensive from, say it with me, the thrift store. Final product will probably be linen or light wool. For now, the pattern, cut, seam strength, comfort and utility is what is important at this stage.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/07a_%20Urthgard_Pants_zpswvkpgjr5.jpg)
They are very high-waisted which keeps my belt and sword belt from riding up (or pants riding down) when crouching, riding, squatting or sitting. Trying to adjust or pull up a pair of pants that are buried under a belt, a sword belt and 2 to 3 layers of clothing can be a pain when active. The waistband itself is rather wide and very adjustable via laces in the back and closes with two pewter buttons in the front. The waistband is patterned after those typically seen on colonial breeches. The fly is simply a generous overlap of fabric with no fasteners.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/07b_Urthgard_Pants_Waistband_Back_zpsuba4of5l.jpg)
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/07c_%20Urthgard_Pants_Waitband_Front_zpsv39cwqsw.jpg)
Like the whole pattern, the upper leg pattern is a simple use of fabric. This section is modeled after ancient Salwar style pants but with far less bagginess but still roomy enough for excellent freedom of movement when running, fighting, kicking, climbing, etc. The gusseted crotch is modeled after martial arts style pants for even more freedom of movement. Also, this shot shows the linen cordage with points for attaching the leggins.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/07d_Urthgard_Pants_Upper_Leg_zpsk9mkztdl.jpg)
The lower legs taper close, but not tight, down the calf and terminate into stirrups for the feet. No tucking, cramming, folding or otherwise manipulating excess fabric into boot tops. Once in, legs stay in and cause no bunching and binding around lower legs. Lower legs were inspired by medieval hose, pantaloons and early Jodhpurs.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/07e_Urthgard_Pants_Stirrup_zps7hcgxu7h.jpg)
Overall things seem to be holding up nicely. Time and use will tell. I will be adding a secure but accessible pocket strictly for the types of items that we must deal with in our modern age (I.D., Permits, Licenses, etc.) so I get them out of the way but accessible and not have to worry about them falling out of a pouch. If nothing else it's been interesting researching the history of an item as common as pants.
8 Leggins
Formerly a pair of eastern style Leggins made of elk that I brain tanned and stitched together with deer sinew. Worn tucked into boots.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/08a_Urthgard_Leggins_zpsbdoec0gy.jpg)
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/08b_Urthgard_Leggins_Closeup_zpszkthaufk.jpg)
9 Boots
A pair of buskin type boots made from some light "desert-boot" style shoes - with good ankle support - that I added some extensions to. The extensions are made from some scraps from the local leather store and are a virtual match to the existing leather of the shoes. These boots do however have modern soles. I like that. In the past I've slipped and fell on dew covered grass too many times with smooth soled period style footwear. I'm getting old. Concessions must be made.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/09a_Urthgard_Buskins_Front_zpshk9cc0gs.jpg)
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/09b_Urthgard_Buskins_Side_zpsk6ndk5lj.jpg)
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/09c_Urthgard_Buskins_Back_zps6abju5pu.jpg)
10 Fingerless gloves
An old pair of my cowhide work gloves dyed & converted for ranger use. Currently in the process of being re-stitched by hand as time and temperament allow. No hurry.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/10_Urthgard_Gloves_zpszmtyesaw.jpg)
11 Gauntlets
A pair of gauntlets to protect tunic sleeves from excessive wear. The left one I made with a veg-tan leather patch that serves as an archer's arm guard.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/11_Urthgard_Gauntlets_zpsvqmx5zic.jpg)
12 Arm Guard/Bracer
Can be worn a couple of different ways depending on whether or not I wear the Gauntlets. Worn on my left arm with buckles outward in it serves as an archers arm guard. Worn on my right arm with buckles inward it serves as a bracer. I have no idea how or when that cut happened.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/12a_Urthgard%20_Bracer_zpsbk12ldhj.jpg)
Note the mismatched buckles. They were all that I had at the time I was making it but what the heck, they work.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/12b_Urthgard_Bracer_under_zpspiktsh9j.jpg)
The inscribed pattern was inspired by a corner section of a Numenorean textile drawing done by Tolkien himself and was published in The Silmarillion Calendar for 1978. I changed it slightly so as not to be an exact copy.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/12c_Urthgard_Bracer_pattern_zpspzajxrt2.jpg)
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/12d_Numenorean_textile_corner_zpssirzrcso.jpg)
13 Medieval Purse
A tri-panel cloth bag worn on my belt. Well built and made by the very talented Mary Powell of Magpie Urban Designs. See the Hard Kit section for contents of this and the other pouches mentioned here.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/13_Urthgard_Purse_zpsdwdxegls.jpg)
14 Leather Belt
This belt holds only knives and pouches while a separate belt carries my sword. Only the buckle and chape of this belt are recycled. Because of the length I actually had to buy something new. 1" wide by 56" long.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/14_Urthgard_belt_pouches_zpskemuqlxp.jpg)
15 Small Belt Pouch
Dedicated pouch that holds nothing but my flint and steel kit. Made from an old purse.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/15_%20FS_Pouch_zpswyyptpyj.jpg)
16 Large Belt Pouch
Formerly a blackpowder shooting bag, this double pocket pouch holds stuff that isn't a flint and steel kit.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/16_Urthgard_Longkinife_and_pouch_zpssfsdvs1l.jpg)
17 Haversack/Forage Bag
These days I find it more useful as a big convenient pocket or forage bag for collecting useful stuff along the trail rather than packing any gear in it, although I do carry one days worth of travel rations in it (See hard kit for contents). Hand stitched and made of heavy linen with my crude embroidery work on the flap.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/17_Urthgard_Haversack_zpsq97lcv0w.jpg)
18 Cloak
Summer weight all wool with a relatively loose weave. No rain protection here. Oilcloth takes care of that if need be. Made from a thin blanket that I cut lengthways into three triangular pieces. (Piecing together garments in the middle ages was rather common.) The bottom is left unhemmed. Originally a peach color it has been dyed three successive times: tan, forest green, then gray using the same dye technique as my tunics. Wool takes dye wonderfully! Size-wise it's not a full wrap style (less than half circle) which has worked out for freedom of arm and shoulder movement. For sleeping I typically invert it - bottom covering upper torso, feet in the hood. The loose weave really comes into play as an additional insulation layer while sleeping. Lots of cells for dead air space.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/18a_Urthgard_Cloak_zpswu994wu5.jpg)
The hood is pieced together from three rectangular pieces left over from cutting the blanket to length. I tried experiementing with hood ties like those found on an excavated Skjoldehamn hood but I never could really get them to work quite well enough to be useful. I'm convinced that the ties were/are only useful when used on the closer fitting hoods typical of the time, rather than the fuller hood of a cloak. Instead I've gone to two braided leather cords placed lirepipe fashion. They are long enough that I can wrap them around my head and secure them in back. By thus keeping the hood in place I can turn my head and the hood turns with me, plus I can make adjustments for better peripheral vision. Of course it's only relevant when I want to use the hood for camouflage or to keep it place in the wind.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/18b_Urthgard_Cloak_Hood_Ties_zpsba93lk8u.jpg)
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/18c_Skjoldehamn_hood_zpserss1jdl.jpg)
The neck closure is two overlapping tabs of the same wool fabric, the left one buttons under the right side of cloak, and the right one lays over the left and is held in place with a brooch at my left shoulder. I say "a" brooch because I don't always wear the Dunedain Star Brooch. My belief is that it was a somewhat secretive device that was not meant to be "flashed around". (My theory is that Grey Company displayed their star brooches because it was simply time to do so.) Because of Sauron's hatred of Numenoreans, and thus their descendants, the star brooch could easily identify a ranger as a Dunedain. In certain scenarios this could be a bad thing especially at times when he would rather be "incognito". It would bring undo attention to the wearer and could even potentially get a solitary ranger killed, or worse.
Anyway, to get back on topic, the overlap system works surprisingly well, by having the tension of the closure pulling across the shoulders rather than hanging from the neck.
![Image](http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b453/Urthgard/MERF_Soft_Kit/18d_Urthgard_Cloak_closure_zps3pfbwzav.jpg)
The total weight of everything listed here, including blades and pouch contents, adds up 13lbs.
Now, off to work on the Hard Kit section.