I have made two hooded wool pull over jackets - similar to Boreal Shirts - from a pattern I made up a couple years ago. One was of very heavy wool and one was a medium heavy. I originally made them with the idea of canoeing in cold and drizzle weather, but have a couple times been hesitant to bring them because even the lighter of the two is heavy and takes up a lot of space.

For about a year I have been hoping to find a lighter weight wool that was still a very tight weave. Finally I found the ideal wool! I wandered into the local Pendleton Outlet and scouted out their blankets. They were not quite right, but a very helpful employ directed me to their website where - though it is hard to find - they sold many of their fabrics by the yard. Another helpful employ at the Pendleton Woolen Mill Store helped me find their "Melton" fabric and sent me 5 color swatches. IT WAS PERFECT! And a great buy at $35 a yard. I bought 3 but really could have made it with two.

My new hooded wool pullover is lighter and packs smaller than either of my others that are really for winter use, but it has plenty of warmth and protection against wind and light rain. I finished my new one just in time for my September 20 day Wabakimi trip, where weather was cool, damp, and windy most every day.

This is just an excellent piece of gear for cold and wet weather paddling. If you every wanted to try to make one, do give Pendleton a try. It is not found on their regular website - its here on their bulk fabric website.

Here is an old thread of mine where I posted a bit more about my pullover/anorak.

Looks like you did a great job. I bring my Lester River Boreal pullover on every Oct trip to the BWCA. As you mentioned the only downside is the weight. I would be interested in how yours holds up over the years to come. It's pretty nice to be sitting around the camp fire and not worry about the errant spark like I have to with synthetics.

Jaywalker - I admire this garb so much. Thank you for sharing it in such detail. I especially like the photo of the old sewing machine. Really special work.

This looks awesome!

jillpine: "Jaywalker - I admire this garb so much. Thank you for sharing it in such detail. I especially like the photo of the old sewing machine. Really special work. "

Thanks, and that old Singer was a real find. I got if for $20 on Craigslist from someone who makes confirmation dresses. She said if no one wanted it, she was going to junk it. Unlike modern machines, it only does two stitches - forward and backward - but it handles everything from Cordura to Silnylon to moose hide and beaver fur. It was made in I think 1954.

MidwestFirecraft: "Looks like you did a great job. I bring my Lester River Boreal pullover on every Oct trip to the BWCA. As you mentioned the only downside is the weight. I would be interested in how yours holds up over the years to come. It's pretty nice to be sitting around the camp fire and not worry about the errant spark like I have to with synthetics. "

I'm not worried about the durability having made two others. I was on the first one - especially that the seams might give since you really can't to a flat felled seam, but I have really put my first two through their paces with no sign of giving anywhere. And the nice, tight weave of this Pendleton wool should do even better.