I Dressed in Viking Clothes in the Freezing Cold!
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- Опубликовано: 15 дек 2022
- The Vikings lived in a place that is notoriously cold and wet during the winter months: northern Europe! As a northern European, and seeing as it's currently below freezing here in the UK, I decided to wear as much of my wool clothing as I could, to see how my "standard Viking age" clothes hold up to freezing cold and icy conditions.
This is my first video for a while. I hope I remember how it all works! :S
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About the shoes: As a swedish sami I know the vikings did trading with the sami in the north. And the sami made (and still make) really warm winter shoes made of raindeer-skin with the hairs still on it, with the hairs to the outside. Inside we put a special grass to keep the feet extra warm and dry. Not long ago farmers in the north still bought this from the sami, becauce it was (and still is) the warmest shoes you could find. Your thin shoes seems more like summer shoes really. :)
Cool!
JIMMY I MISSED YOU. I'm so sorry about your dad. I can't imagine. Literally. You're my favourite and I'm glad to see your face again
I think a lot of people in the modern world underestimate just how awesome wool clothing is in all sorts of weather - there's a reason so many people throughout history wore the stuff.
And my condolences on the loss of your father. Losing a loved one sucks.
I wear traditional mens wear, in -30 weather and +30 weather. Most people don't know how uncomfortable their fast fashion polyester clothes are.
Wool clothing and skirts. I went Out with friends earlier this month during a cold snap and my friend's jaw almost Fell Off when she saw i was wearing a skirt. A 50s circle skirt. More than knee length. She asked me If i wanted to freeze to death.
I pointed Out that tights exist and that that skirt is actually warmer than all of my skin tight Jeans (cuz Jeans are actually terrible Winter clothing). If i Had added a petticoat, i would have been to warm INSIDE the Pub we later went to. And it took me 26 years to figure that out because of the stupid "skirts arent practical" stuff i grew up with.
@@annabeinglazy5580 And you can layer so many extra skirts! So many more than pants.
I wore a wool hood for a larp event last August(character costume reasons meant i wasnt supposed to have my human features on show), everyone kept checking to see if I was OK, but I was happy as a clam, the boiled wool kept the sun off my face and shoulders during the day, and kept my head lovely and toasty in the cold nights, it was great!
I agree, I bought a lot of lambswool jumpers these past few years and when I'm on our boat in the colder months I don't notice the draughts as much, I notice wool also seems to trap less BO than modern artificial fabrics seem to do, more breathable and naturally odour resistant.
This reminds me of a similar video by Karolina Żebrowska of her capering about in wool layers in the snow. She was so much warmer than her sister, who was in modern clothes.
Deepest condolences on the death of your father. What a shock. Take care. Best wishes from Czechia.
Karolina is amazing--I love her channel!
I thought about that video too.
In Norwegian we have a saying that wool is gold. It sounds cooler in Norwegian, because it rhymes: "Ull er gull"!
Layers of natural fibres will trap air in between which will do a great job of insulating you.
I would invite you to my part of the fjords, but we have basically the same climate as you have in York, so it doesn't make much of a difference :)
But, should you ever come to Bergen, you have to check out the Bryggen museum and look at the fantastic medieval findings they have there! I promise, it's cool!
And we have the best cinnamon buns!
That is an awesome saying. I grew up in the Midwestern USA where it gets pretty cold and windy, and my mom absolutely swore by wool. Pretty sure we were some of the only kids on the schoolyard wearing wool, but we were also some of the only kids who didn't actually mind going outside for recess in the wintertime.
Also: beautiful natural features, a neat museum, AND delicious cinnamon buns? Definitely need to visit your part of the world some day 😀
Just found out that winter here is officially starting with a high of 0F (-18C) and a low of -23F (-31C). Need to get sheepy layers!
In rhymes in Danish too; Uld er guld.
Seeing as it's -11 (Cel) currently, I wholeheartedly concur.
Ull for the ull god!
Ull er Gull, same spelling in Icelandic, also rimes… but sounds different with that double LL that sounds more like TL ( t͡ɬ )… almost Welsh 😮😊
I studied to be an outdoor activities guide (kayaking, skiing, hiking and such) in Norway last year, and approximately half of all conversations between October and April were about how wool was the perfect material.
Absolutely true. I prefer wool in winter over modern technical fabrics. Wool stays dry, because the snow doesn't melt on the surface, and it resists damage from sparks!
As a Norwegian, can confirm.
As a part time mountaineer, also can confirm. My mid weight wool socks stayed warm when wet. The finer merino stuff I wear doesn't get as smelly as the tech ones.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Jimmy. A few years ago I also lost my father without any warning, and it was devastating. You're absolutely right about it leaving a man sized hole. I know that right now this may sound like empty platitudes, but I can tell you from experience that it does get better. If I may offer you a single piece of advice, it is a simple reminder to be gentle with yourself. Grief isn't linear. It ebbs and flows, and sometimes it straight up sucker punches you. Allow yourself to grieve, and know that even if it doesn't feel like it now it really does get easier. Much love.
Wonderful advice. From another to all who have lost, much sympathy and love
I guess I was wrong sorry about your dad
i lost my mom partially to cancer (she was passing away from it) and partially from just unknown circumstances (she was at the hospital and they didnt understand how she passed) so i never really thought at the loss in that way, but omfg it makes so much sense. and now im crying again.
I usually lurk, but this episode made me reach out for several reasons. A) I am a weaver and I lurrrrve wool, too, and my nerdy little heart sings every time you talk about twills and inkle looms ,etc; B) I moved this year too, and moving just blows, and C) I also lost my dad when I was working on my PhD and it was really tough. Please be kind to yourself--it’s hard to do any type of work when you are grieving, but creative work is exceptionally hard.
"It's almost like it's WINTER AGAIN" 💜💜💜 Thank you for the laughs today - wishing you the peace to do whatever feels right in the moment 💜💜💜 You've got this
Years ago, I saw a study of Viking clothing on the open northern sea compared to modern high trek wear. The northern peoples knew what they were doing. It is high performance clothing done naturally.
Hey, could you maybe send me the link? I work for a trail databank website and would love to do an article on this.
Wool! It's almost like it was designed to keep mammals warm! Magic! 😂 Once I learned how to knit perfectly-fitting wool socks for myself, I never looked back. Cosy warm woolly toes in cheerful colours? Heck yes!
Good to see you back here. PhDs are hard. Moving house is hard. Bereavement is fucking hard. I'm so sorry 💜
YESSS! I’m there with you! I’ve been knitting well-fitting wool socks for my now-retired rural mail carrier husband and myself (we live in the central plains of the U.S. where we just had below zero Fahrenheit air temps and wind chill- 🥶), and they’re the best! 😍 I also knit other woolen cold weather garments, which I wouldn’t go without. People just don’t know how great hand-knit wool socks are for cold!
I'm sorry about your dad. I lost mine at 15 in a car accident, so I completely get the unexpected aspect.
The thing that kept going through my head during this was wondering if anyone thought they were seeing a historical ghost through the fog while you were trudging along and made me giggle.
Welcome back, Jimmy! So sorry to hear about your loss.
You’re right, wool is the best.
Unstoppable sheep clothes
My deepest RUclips desire is for you two to do a video together.
@@TheWelshViking As a Norwegian working in the cold, Army, wool is all I use in the winter.
My sincere condolences Jimmy. I lost mine 4 years ago. All I can say time will heal that wound but never entirely. Stay strong.
I’m so sorry you lost your dad, he was such fun when we got to see him on the channel.
I agree, he did seem like a lovely chap. Very sorry for your loss, Jimmy.
You’re so right about the cold! After you get below zero, cold just feels cold. The temperature is just a way to measure the danger after that. Minnesota has taught me that!
In fairness damp cold regardless of degrees feels colder than dry cold because there is more moisture to evaporate off your skin making a cooling effect. So Jimmy in the fog in the wind will be bloody cold, ( technical term ) as apposition to its a bit nippy out there ( another technical term. Long time dweller of somewhere damp and cold who always wondered why when I went to places much colder but dry I did not feel so cold. So I found out 🙃
Oh Jimmy, I am so sorry to hear about your dad, and your struggles. I have missed your content so much. Glad to have you back but we are happy with slow and steady while you put yourself first. Much hugs.
As someone who has lived in various Canadian climbs: cold is cold. Anywhere. The bigger differences are centered around the humidity and wind, which is still COLD. I love the outfit! Makes me so jealous! Condolences and best wishes to you right now, happy to see you back and relatively well.
I’m in the U.K. are housing stock is in parts, cheap and nasty. And heating is prohibitive. So you bet I’ll complain about the temperature. I’m sure I’d be fine at -30 if I had good heating and a well insulated house. I hope that the houses you’ve lived in in Canada are better than we can manage.
@@dees3179 Generally we do at least know how to insulate... unless the contractor that built your place said they were going to insulate and then took the money and ran... so I always wear double socks all winter and have an assortment of house coats and warm skirts and fuzzy pj pants and things like that for when the stupid expensive-to-run electric baseboard heaters I'm stuck with can't keep up (my electric bill during the coldest months is usually close to $300, a friend who has gas heating has a $75 monthly electric bill and I think it was a $35 gas bill at that time of year).
@@bunhelsingslegacy3549 I want to live at your friends house. Mine is £153 a month combined and that is with no heating, showering twice a week only Andy as little electric as I can manage. Until the prices went silly it was £54 and I could have some heat two or three hours a day. Do you think your friend might have room for both of us?....
Im from York - I now live in Bulgaria. The cold in the Uk is horrific, its so humid the cold seeps into your bones and steals the heat.
Its about -3 here today - I put washing out to dry
@@dees3179 portable oil filled radiators and electric throws are the cheapest heating available just now. Use the minimum when you need it. And those tartan wool picnic blankets your granny probably had - she knew their real value over her knees.
I've worked outside in -40, and frankly I have no idea how people survived living in those conditions. However, I think that "furs" is the simplest answer. I suspect that fur lined footwear would have made a world of difference. However, if you are only dealing with -5 C, then your clothes made complete sense and it's clear why they were popular! Brilliant!
Undoubtedly. Ask any Russian.
Sheepskin would be good too. The earliest prototype of the Ugg boot, and the only one I'd consider wearing.
Yes, furs. And it would be shearling sheepskin. In really cold weather, I wear a mink coat and hat I inherited, and shearling mitts. I have a new pair of custom-made shin-high moccasins made from thick buffalo (American bison) hide, and in below freezing weather, they were fine outside. They have felted wool insoles, which are very insulative, and thin-ish Vibram soles. Where I live, right now it’s below 0 degrees F., with -30 + wind chill, and I haven’t tried them. It’s too freakin’ cold to go outside!!
When it gets cold cold, say -15F/-26C, i put wool into my shoes. Specifically the wool that we can't use for other things but we do still wash it and try to pick out any obnoxious vegitation. I go from toes being uncomfortably cold to not really noticing the cold.
Something that would help is if we didn't go from extremes. Say 70F/21C to extremely cold by just going outside. Where i live, i start wearing winter clothes when it gets down to 50F/10C but after the first really cold snap i'm out in a very light jacket when it's near freezing because i see that as warm.
So sorry to hear about your dad. I lost my father last summer, and it was devastating. Going through my father's things, I found his really bad 1980s druid costume, and that was the jumping off point for me getting into reenactment, and reenactment became part of my grieving process.
Its good to see you back making videos again. I hope you can find some peace, comfort, and closure as you process the loss of your father.
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad, Jimmy. That must have been a really terrible blow. My therapist says that, in her experience, almost any death that comes unexpectedly is a lot harder on those left behind than one you get to prepare yourself for… I’m inclined to agree with her. Give yourself all the time you need to grieve. The only way through it is to go through it, unfortunately. If making videos helps, then we’re very happy to help distract you! But if you need to just take time for yourself, please do that too. Whatever you need, my friend. Sending you all the love from the US! ❤
I agree with your therapist. When you lose someone suddenly, you have no way to prepare yourself for it. For example, watching my dad suffer through the illness that killed him over several years was really rough, but when he died, it was almost merciful in a way. One of my best friends died all of a sudden earlier this year and because it was so sudden and unexpected, none of us were able to prepare for it in any way, and we are still trying to put ourselves back together.
I am so sorry about your loss of your father. My mother passed in 2020 without any warning so I understand what that man shaped hole feels like right now. You are so strong for being able to come back already. Much respect.
Wool is magic and I'll never get tired of hearing about it. 🐑
Missed you. My condolences, my father died when I was about your age. Keep feeding us with vids!
Good to see you again!
As someone who lost their dad four years ago, I really feel you, I hope you are okay and have loving people around you. The pain will become more bearable with time. Thank you so much for coming back and sharing with us.
I'm sorry to hear about your dad. As a Canadian living in cold weather, this has been a fantastic video! Thank you for all the work you do!
I aspire to look like an evil wizard on my walks. Very inspirational.
So sorry to hear about your dad, sending love!
Man, I was so happy to see you back, but so sorry about your dad. Out of everyone in my life, my dad was my favorite person. The only one I felt always loved me unconditionally, no matter what. And, I dunno, life feels different without them there.. Like there's no one to catch you when you fall now, and you're an acrobat performing without a net. For me, it always takes awhile to sink in and fully realize the loss. I dunno, I guess because I don't like to talk about my feelings, or show emotion. I'm very cynical. But it makes the grieving process take a long time. I hate thinking about anyone else having to deal with that. I hope you're alright. If you need anything, you should ask us and don't feel bad about it. You have a lot of fans, and you've given us awesome content over the years. And good historical content is hard to find. All I do all day is look through stuff trying to figure out how a normal person lived back then. You really have to dig. I've really appreciated your research. Well, I'm babbling now, trying to find words that'll make everything better. Sorry for the novel. ❤️
The best thing about medieval clothes is how long they are! In modern clothing you might wear a warm jacket and your torso is fine, but your legs are cold because you only wear a pair of jeans. But with medieval clothes you wear woollen pants, you wear leg wraps, and you wear long tunics that cover thighs, so your legs are warm as well, and that does so much for your overall comfort!
Live in Canada….hahaha…. I’ve wrapped my head in a large triangular open weave scarf (over head, across face, around neck, tied in front, then stuck a wool hat trimmed in fur on my head and gone out in -36c with 15 windchill (aka -50C) in Calgary. Nadda problem. Because yes, our ancestors knew what they were doing!!! And now, on the BC west coast, I put wool under leather because wool for warmth and leather to cut the wind. Again, SMART ancestors. Great video. Enjoyed seeing u back.
And heartfelt condolences. 😢
I am sorry to hear about PhD stress and your father. Great test of the clothes. Wool is just amazing.
Glad to have you back, Jimmy! My deepest condolences about your father passing away. I lost my dad in 2014 very suddenly as well, he was a sprightly old man and the next day he was gone. Loosing him hit me like a truck and it's a wound that will never truly heal. So I know exactly how you must feel.
On brighter things, I'd love to do a winter walk in my 17th century cassock as well, only hindrance is that I have to sew it first lol
Oh Jimmy, my heart broke when you said you lost your dad unexpectedly. My deepest condolences to you and your family. I've missed your wit and charm, and I'm glad your feeling up to posting again. If I had the money, I would gladly pay for you to come test your cold weather gear here in northern Florida. We are currently experiencing a cold snap it didn't get over 65 here today.
Pfft. 65 isn't a "cold snap". That's the temperature I usually keep my indoor temps in my house... Sure, I wear a sweater if I'm not doing anything physical, but big deal. To folks who do Celsius, that's 18 degrees. Practically T-shirt weather for some folks.
@@DrachenGothik666 lol
I am so very sorry to hear about your Dad. Hugs to you. You are in my thoughts.
Welcome back xx big hugs. We used your tunic pattern (again) to make my son another Viking tunic a month ago (he grew out of the old one)! And you have inspired me to start a PhD next year. Lots of well-wishing for overcoming any hurdles in your PhD. If you listen carefully, you will hear your Dad speaking to your heart (from experience).
Welcome back! You could always test those here - we've had snow since Halloween and today it managed to completely "eat" our picnic table. Maaaa, hiss, meow, quack and honk - the critters wanted to welcome you back too.
My sincere condolences on the loss of your father. May his memory be a blessing.
Go well into 2023 young man. Remember it is your fragility that makes you human, embrace it. Looking forward to you increasing my education in the coming years.
Wool is the best! I'm so much warmer in the winter with a wool rectangle cloak and wool hooded shawl on top than I have ever been in modern outerwear. Hard not to feel snuggly and cozy when you've basically wrapped yourself in a blanket to go outside. I also love how many layers I can have under a cloak, as opposed to a coat where there's only so much room in the arms. My record is -9°f
I'd be interested to hear how the cloak is in terms of doing daily activities. They also seem fun to me, but then falling off your arm or draping in your way all the time.
@April Driesslein cloak pin! It stays in place well and I pin my cloak by my right shoulder so my right arm is pretty free
@@aprildriesslein5034 i have a ruana not a cloak but a belt works well for that, with the side effect of making you look like a jedi. i second the recommendation of a cloak pin also
Hi, I’m curious about something: I agree, wool is a miraculous fiber (I spin and knit with wool). Where I live, in Nebraska, wind is always a weather factor, particularly in winter. Any idea how wind-proof a wool cloak and the layers underneath are? Right now, 12/23/2022, we have a wind chill warning. Air temperature is -6 Fahrenheit, and wind chill is in the -30s F. When it’s this cold, I don’t go outside, or I wear furs. Is any part of your woolen outer clothing fulled?
It’s so great to see you back with a new video! I’m in the patreon discord and since hearing about your dad there I’ve had you in my thoughts. I can’t imagine how rough that’s been.
Being part of the patreon discord community actually gave me the push to get some wool fabric for a cloak and got a very simple penannular brooch, as well as a replica Rømersdal thors hammer. Simple start to something I’ve wanted to do for so long. Thank you for all your videos and the amazing group of people you’ve helped gather together.
“What ever else healthy people do outside” - Jimmy 2:06 🤣 ………..Also, my deepest sympathy for your loss sir…it will feel different with time (maybe not “better” but definitely different)❤️
I'm so sorry for your loss, praying for you and yours. I know what the loss of a father is like, and the honest truth is it doesn't get better but it does get easier. Take the time you need, but give the community tab an update now and again so we know you are still around, just busy, please.
Hey Jimmy, nice to see you again. I'm very sorry you lost your dad. I hope, you are getting better and life is nice to you! Love the content, you put out.
For a second there I thought you were going to say “sponsored by wool!” 😂 Sending love to you and your family, hoping you are managing to take yourself through this hard time. 💕💕
In my personal worldview, when a good parent passes, every time their child makes someone smile, teaches someone something new, comforts them and similar...it's like the child is the heartbeat and every person they touch is another breath. I can see the goodness of your father in your face and hear it in your voice. And hear it in my son's laughter every time he hears you make a silly pun. Maybe I'm overstepping here and I don't want to diminish your grief but just wanted to say thanks for the opportunity to take another breath for your dad's memory. He did well. You're the proof. Be well. I will bombard you with my questions about viking music another time.
Jimmy you have been so missed 🖤
So sorry to hear about your dad, sending you a big warm hug 🫂
You lifted my spirits today and I thank you truly 🙏🖤
We do the same thing in north america! It's almost like winter comes every year and yet we're all always surprised for some reason. Someday I will have to make/obtain some winter kit of my own and test it over here. So glad to see you back but I am also glad you took the time away that you needed. I've also had A Bit Of A Time this fall and know how important it is to step back for a minute when necessary.
So good to see you again, Jimmy. I may have shouted your name in delight and frightened my dog. And thank you for demonstrating to your viewers how it's perfectly appropriate to take some time off in hard times.
We just moved recently after I lost my father suddenly in January. It's almost been a year and there's still a hole. It will get better, but it is a process, and never a quick one. Take care of yourself and remember that there are people that care about you. I just found this channel today (someone in a Discord I'm in posted the Mari Lwyd video from last year) and decided I should watch this due to being fascinated with old clothing, and your update about your life just made me feel you may need to hear that people care, you are not alone, and continue to heal in your own way. I will look forward to any new videos you post!
I'm glad to see a video from you again. My condolences to your loss. What I learned from losing my father 18 years ago when I was 11 and writing my bachelor thesis about grief atm is, that you'll find a new place for your dad in your life. He'll always be with you, just in a different way. Give yourself the time you need. Sending you many hugs!
Welcome back! So sorry for your loss. On the subject of the video, as someone who is chronically cold, finding historical RUclips and understanding the importance of fiber content has been a game changer.. layering and wool for the win for this cold blooded gal!
I'm so sorry to hear about your father. Gyda phob cydymdeimlad yn eich profedigaeth. I lost my mother twelve years ago, and I miss her every day. I am so glad to see you still doing videos. It is so important to do the things you love, and we love watching them. My family and I did a similar experiment in the USA during lockdown, when we couldn't meet with our reenactment group, and we all were suffering from "reenactment withdrawl." We went camping overnight in Early spring in our kit. It was so much fun, and I am determined to do it again soon. Keep up the good work, and as my mother would say, hangest thou in there. You mean a great deal to a whole kit and kaboodle of strangers you'll probably never meet, including this band of oddities in Maryland, USA.
My sister and I (U.S. Americans,) when we were young teenagers, made some leather moccasins. Our uncle, who was an eclectic craftsman with no children of his own, gave us the tools and supplies to do this.
When you were describing your experience of walking on the tarmac with the shoes you made, I felt that. I’ve been there. This kind of shoe was TOTALLY fashioned for use on natural ground, grassy, preferably.❤️😃
So good to see you back after all that time. My condolances for the loss of your dad, that's awful.
You are as marvelous as ever, Jimmy. My heart goes out to you and your family on the loss of your Dad. I'm glad that you have wonderful wool garments to keep you toasty in the minus temperatures. Take care.
Thank you so much, Nancy
Jimmy, we love you too. Greatest sympathy for your whole family for your loss.
We are delighted to be your outlet, but never feel you owe us anything.
I need Viking clothes. It’s nine degrees in my house, that’s pigging cold for a desk job.
“If water is freezing, it’s cold.” Agreed, from a Texan with no cold tolerance. Very sorry for your loss. Glad to see you back.
SOOOO good to see you again. My heart goes out to you in the loss of your father. I’m very sorry for your enormous loss.
The emotional rollercoaster in the first minute of this video is worse than Up, so glad to see you back, so sorry to hear of your awful news, may your father feast in Valhalla (this may be somewhat inaccurate but heartfelt and genuine sentiments). I lost my best friend very suddenly 2 years ago (not from covid) and I'm still reeling in many ways, know that your not alone and dont forget to breathe.
You are right. Wool is amazing. Even damp wool keeps you warm. I can’t handle wool next to my skin, but that’s what linen underclothing is for.
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Lovely video. Wool is the best.
Great to see that your amazing sense of humour was not affected by the difficult times. It is different for everyone but I went through something similar few years ago and I can only say that for me yes, it was difficult, but with time it does get better. And now I am going to wear a second pair of woolen socks because it is freezing here too😊. Take care dear!
Aww, Jimmy, I am so sorry about the loss of your father. Sorry to say, but it really doesn’t get easier and especially at this time of year. Glad to see you are back. Wishing you and your family a good holiday season and hope to see more of you in the future.
glad youre back! Sorry for your loss. Greetings from germany!
GAA!! I've been offline for a coupla weeks (am between ISP's) - It's been so long - so very good to see you again!! I was so worried about you... I'm very happy to see you are doing just quite well and good... freakin' *awesome*!! ^_^
Yes, it's me, the Indigenous Canadian/Scandiwegian dude, who lives in Japan, again! Helooooooo!! LOL
I am, truly, very sorry for your loss - may your dad's memory be a continued blessing ❤
I hope you know we all appreciate these videos... it's good to see another someone who appreciates WOOL in the winter outdoors! We "NDNs" totally understand this too, and love our Hudson's Bay trade blankets, and Pendelton wool blankets, as many of us make capotes from them (a sort of hooded long coat).
Please keep healthy and safe, through the New Year - I hope you had a great Yule, and my the New Year be good to you!
Boed eich nosweithiau'n gynnes, eich dyddiau'n heulog, a'ch llwyth gwaith fod yn ysgafn! And MTFBWYA! 🙂
Condolences my sweet. Mine passed 3 year ago suddenly, not saying I feel exactly what you do but we're here. I've heard it described as a "ghastly shock" and I agree. Despite all the trials you're still gorgeous and genius and generous and loved. You've taught me loads and I'm old enough to be your mum. 🫂
My sincerest condolences about you Dad 🙏😇 I it's really good to see & hear from you again, despite all you have been through over the last year. Stay strong & never worry about the time you need to take care of you, physically & mentally. We love you & will always be here for you, when you are ready to post a video ❤️🤗 The clothes actually look warm & the materials were usually made of wool. (I'm Cymreag, but grew up in the U.S. w/an English Gran) She had lots of wool clothes. My sister & I wore wool stockings, hats & mittens to church. Every single blanket in the house was also made from wool, so we were always warm & toasty in the N.E. Pennsylvania winters ❄️ I hope you have a Merry Christmas 🎄 & Happy New Year 🎉.
So sorry to hear about your loss Jimmy; I'm so glad you're back. You bring so much joy and knowledge into our lives
First, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad's sudden passing.
Second, wool is great. I have wool socks that I purchased for overnight hiking and now that's all I wear for socks. They're so comfortable and keep my toes perfectly warm.
I love it--if water freezes it is cold! Any colder is just uncomfortable sooner. And it is -20C here right now. Yes, wool is the best!!
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, friend. You remain entertaining and educational as hel, and I look forward to seeing more from you if that brings you joy! (But do what you've got to for your own health!)
On another note: I made myself a full armour kit (fantasy, but still full plate). As we got some snow here, I decided to be crazy enough to have my daughter take some pics of it in the snow. I fully expected to have to hurry and freeze myself to death with that much metal on me. However, it really was not bad. I have some layers in this costume (it is Mandalorian costume armour with medieval rigging technology behind), it really was okay. Although I cannot wear anything made of animal fibre - so no nice, cosy woolen cloak, but just a meager cotton one, I felt very comfortable and we got some nice, fun pictures of mum in that funny getup. I think layering is also very essential when you go out in cold weather. Any maybe also not staying too long at one spot.
Hood off: ears cold. Hood up: ears warm up. Extremely useful information as usual! Missed your humor. My condolences, Jimmy.
I lost my Mom in 2019. I still miss her so much everyday. I send much love and condolences to you and your family. So sorry for your loss.
very glad to see you back and speaking about/doing the things you enjoy! i've told some friends in my D&D groups about your channel and totally converted them to Viking Jimmy watchers, so you've got some new fans. absolutely loved this video - i don't have a lot of wool clothing (mostly cotton) but this video inspired me to go thrifting for some nice pieces in the near future.
sending hugs 🫂 never let the stress and grief stop you from knowing you are so loved and adored and supported by so many.
I wear my pillbox cap with my thin skjoldehamn hood to work since I work outdoors. Combined with wool leggings and tshirt and a wool sweater, jeans and a fleece vest. I was completely comfortable at -8 celcius as long as I didn't stand still for too long, while my colleagues in their more normal clothes and synthetic jackets were shivering. Wool is the best.
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Take care of yourself.
So sorry for the the loss of your farther. May he rest in peace 🕊️. from UK 🇬🇧👍👍
Firstly: Love you, Jimmy! Your down-to-earth, no bullshit, sarky and caring personality always lifts me up and, frankly, is the main reason I watch your channel. (..other than the top quality information you present, obviously!)
Secondly: As someone who also lost a parent, I know how profoundly it can effect you and I am truly sorry. I have hope and faith that you will endure the pain and grief and that you will not have to do so alone. In the future, it may produce some good things as well, even if it might take time, and I want to say that that is okay and a part of life. There is no evil that doesn't bring with it some good (as we say in Sweden). Treasure your memories, but treasure the present and future too. ❤
Thirdly: Speaking of the shoes being quite thin and soft - have you ever tried or thought of trying pattens over the turnshoes? I'm rather curious as to how they would be to walk in both on tarmac and uneven terrains. I would imagine they are basically the same as clogs, but I wonder if there are differences. They would definitely keep you warmer and drier than just the turnshoes though!
And lastly: NO WAY, you painted that cabinet?!?! It looks AMAZING!! I thought it was an 18th century antique tiled stove or something!! Just wow!! I love it! 😍❤
Big hugs and welcome back, bestest Jimmy! 🤗❤
So sorry to hear about your dad Jimmy. It's great to see you back. I've been watching through some of your old videos the last few days and it's really getting me inspired to get into reenacting. Your videos are a great starting point for those of us who are just starting out, learning what to look for and how to research. Your work here is greatly appreciated! Thank you for doing what you do!
Dear sweet Jimmy. I am so sorry. Thank goodness you have returned to us in your time of pain. You are not just a sight for sore eyes, but have been dearly missed.
I agree with you that cold is cold. It's a fact. Also Thank you for pointing out that women's gear is a little more unwieldy to sort.
Bless you sweet Jimmy, from across the pond. Gentle hugs.
Wool is not only the best when you're cold. It's also surprisingly wonderful in warm weather, too.
I LOVE my wool socks, year round. I used to have awful problems with my feet getting too sweaty in cotton socks, or even nylons, and wearing shoes without SOME layer of cloth just meant sweating AND chafing. With woolen socks, my feet don't sweat, nor do they chafe.
Ever since my sister took up knitting, I have worn woolen socks, year round. I LOVE my socks, and she knows I love my socks, so I keep getting more, which is FANTASTIC!!!!
And the best part is that if you choose the right blend of wool, you can even wash them in a washing machine, without shrinkage. Felting actually makes them warmer. DO NOT PUT THEM THROUGH THE DRYER! Use the machine to wash, and then hang them to dry. That's simple enough that even I can remember to manage it.
Seriously, wool all the way! If you want to add bamboo, or linen, for their properties, you can. But make sure you at least 60% wool! Merino is my favorite.
But spring for the high quality wool. I got some 100% wool (for cheap) at Hobby Lobby, and it had SPLINTERS in it! I don't know how it was processed, but they did a lousy job of it. Even spinning in the grease shouldn't leave you with SPLINTERS. Chips of straw, maybe, but not actual splinters! I mean, WHAT were they doing in that spinning mill, I'd like to know?
Of course, the best is when you take the wool, and comb it yourself. COMB, not brush. When you comb it, it's not only wonderful warm wool, but it has a shiny sheen to it, just like a healthy head of straight hair, because all the strands are parallel, and they catch the light that way. Lovely!
For extra fun, clean the wool, comb it, dye it in a multiple colors that look good together, like green and blue, or red and purple, and then comb those together, so the colors blend, but are also separate on the fibers, and distinct, rather than muddied, or turning into another blended color, entirely. For example, red and yellow would make bits of red and bits of yellow, rather than orange. Comb them out, nice and parallel, and spin them, then weave or knit or crochet or what-have-you, and make your clothes from that. Sure, it takes a long time, but you will LOVE the result.
Ooooooh! Will you please do something about Viking style of weaving and their looms? What kind of looms did they usually use? Did they do card weaving, at all? Did they use standing looms, or hanging looms, or did they prefer to just knit everything? I'd love to see that!
Guess who just got a loom? Sure, it's just a tiny one for the table, but, hey, if you sew the strips together, you can make a cool quilt-like thingamy, and that can be wonderful, if you don't give a hoot about what's actually in fashion right now, and have the confidence to wear weird stuff, just because YOU LIKE IT.
Rewarching this as I sit on a rainy September afternoon in 2023, working on repairs for my various kits, I am struck by your intro. My own losses can'tever be fixed, but I'm doing better.
I lost my little brother in June of 2019, right before his 19th bday. A new job, moving to a new town, and financial stress all made this even worse.
Reenactment (particularly the SCA) may not have been the best coping mechanism, but the community, common interests, love, and friendship, got me through some rough patches. I hope four years from now, you are able to feel as healed and capable as you can be.
I know it's late, but from Oregon, USA, I see you Jimmy, and I hope you're doing okay.❤
I'm so sorry for your loss. As someone who also lost my dad very suddenly and without any warning, I know that no words in the world can make up for your loss. However. I want to share a notion that comforted me when I lost my dad: just because someone is dead, it does not mean that they are not with us anymore. They still live in us, in the things we learned from them, in the memories we have of them, and in the love we feel for them. You can still talk to your dad, and bring him on adventures and stuff, because he lives in your heart. I bring my dad with me every time I go birdwatching. It took some time before I could manage doing so (it was too painful at first, because I only felt his absence), but now it's something that only makes me feel closer and more connected to him. You never really get over the loss of a parent, but you find ways to live with the pain. It will get easier to breathe eventually, and the world will have colour and sound again. Things will never be the same, but they will be okay. Hang in there ❤
As someone wearing the 100% sheep's wool jumper they just finished crocheting, I have to agree, wool is the best!!!
First of all, glad to have you back and sorry for your loss!
Now, concerning the topic at hand: I usually do historical gear tests in Germany and Norway that range down to -17 in temperature, snow and no snow. Some insights:
- insulate against the ground by using a thick layer of felted wool or an extra insole cut out of a sheep's skin inside your turnshoes
- if it's really wet, well treated leather/skin will keep away some moisture, imagine being on a ship in the wet, cold ocean spray - if you wanna go all Nordic and beyond, maybe research arctic hood types (e.g. Dan Løvlid's work on the Skjoldehamn outfit)
- use a scrap piece of wool fabric as a scarf, alternatively wear a hood that's rather tight (the Skoldehman original was really small and has straps, works really well)
- woolen headwear is absolutely key!
- snowy ground is your friend, if you get any, that means you won't get wet quickly
- wrap the lower part of your legwraps around your foot to fix your socks in place and add an extra layer to your sole
- if you think your fabrics are a little to thin for the weather, take the ones that don't fit too snuggly and try machine washing them at a little higher temperature (30-40 C) than usual to slightly felt them. Works great in windy weather!
Hope to see you out on a gear testing hike soon! :)
Losing your dad is one of the hardest things a person can experience. I really enjoyed your video, and I'm glad that you're finding joy where you can. The grief never fully goes away, but it does get easier and the tears get happier with time.
"Leave me alone, I'm bereaved!"
Same, sweetie, take care. Always love your clothing videos ❤️
Please accept my condolences on your loss. I lost my dad when I was 19 , I'm 70 now, you're right a man sized hole, not a day goes by when I don't think of him or wish he was still here! Love the channel BTW!
I’ve just found this site and got all tearful about your father. You poor man. Just know that people are thinking of you with love. Great video, just great.🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤😊
I'n sorry about your dad's passing. I hope you get to the point where the grief feels more manageable but I understand that it will never go away.
I'm very sorry for your loss, as well as all the other stressors in your life. I hope you find whatever you need that works to comfort you.
Just be aware that, although I can see by the dates that it's been about 6 months, your grief will fade quite a bit, and then, right out of nowhere, many months (or even years) down the road, it will sneak up and BAM! Really surprise you how hard it can hit, when you don't expect it. That is perfectly normal, and nothing to fear. You're not losing control or regressing, or anything like that. Grief comes in waves, and sometimes, the ocean is quiet for a good while, and then a tsunami strikes. Don't let the haters get you down, when they attack you because you didn't "just get over it, already!" like they say you should. Do NOT let them get you down. Reach out to friends and family who share the grief, or at the very least support you in it, and do what you need to do to take comfort.
Losing a parent is the sort of thing that leaves you gutted for a good long while, and then, just when you think you've moved on, some little thing sets you off, and you're gutted, all over again. BUT! Each time you're gutted, that whole in your heart feels a little bit smaller. Not because the impact of your dearly departed has lessened, but because the skin around the wound has thickened. In other words, it does get easier, and less raw. Eventually. And yes, it's OK to take YEARS to reach that point.
Take as much time as you need, as long as you're not wallowing. You may be walking through a swamp, and taking very small and slow steps, but as long as you're walking, you're doing FINE, and don't let the haters get under your skin. Even if the "hater" is yourself, telling yourself that you should be done with it, by now. Nope. You just take as long as you need. Just make sure you're making SOME forward progress, even if it's only a millimeter. Slow and steady gets you there, in the end. And "there," is a place of comfort, where you can look back at your memories with your loved one, and they don't HURT anymore. They're just warm and fuzzy, and fill your heart, and make you smile instead of cry. You'll get there, eventually, my friend.
Internet hugs to you, if you want! (((((((The Welsh Viking)))))))
BTW, your channel's theme song was a song my Dad used to sing to me, when I was a child. He sang it as a lullaby, and probably mangled the pronunciation, but I recognized it, and instead of bringing me to tears, as it would have done just five years ago, it made me smile wide, thinking about my Dad in those happy, warm and fuzzy memories. Although, I'm teary-eyed now, from typing all this, I'm also smiling, thinking of him. That's the space I hope you can reach soon. Happy tears are the best! Take those little reminders, wherever they come, and be grateful for them.
Sorry for your loss, brother. It sucks. A lot. RIP to your pops and strength and health to you and your family.
Deepest condolences on the loss of your Dad. **HUGS** Brilliant video!
As someone currently buried in snow it certainly feels like winter even when we know better. Reminds me of that shift in medieval calendar illustration.
My dear fellow, know that you are well cared for and adored by many. Be well, take care of yourself. It is always lovely to see you.
I'm sorry to hear about your dad. All my condolences. Nice video, Our ancestor wasn't that stupid, and they knew how to protect themselves from the cold.
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. My mother in law died suddenly in September. It’s a huge shock and normal life disappears for a while. Glad to see you back, we missed you ❤
Wool & furr clothes will serve you better than modern materials in -0 temperatures, period.
Worth the cost.
I LOVE OLD CRAFT WOOL!! Their work is the best!