Hodden Gray kilt fabric...where?

**figheadair** · 9th May 11, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Hothir Ethelnor

Can anyone comment on the weave and yarn. Is it a tweed? is the cloth worsted woven twill or is it felted like coat wool, or?

Worsted twill weave and yes, technically it's a tweed rather than a tartan as incidentally was the original Balmoral 'tartan'. The modern cloth is more felted than the older stuff, probably because they changed the wool type.

**English Bloke** · 9th May 11, 02:07 PM

I really want a hodden grey kilt sooooo badly.

That and a Tyneside Scottish (see this thread from Chris (Redshank) of Dunadd Trading Co.)

Never seen a hodden grey for sale anywhere and as Josh says the fabric is not generally available.

**Woodsheal** · 9th May 11, 02:42 PM

Hodden grey wool was historically a "common man's" fabric, woven of undyed dark and light yarns, and used for coarse garb such as soldiers' and sailors' coats, etc.

The twill-weave kersey "mixed grey" here would work, and at 22 oz. would make a substantial kilt:

http://www.wmboothdraper.com/store/i...roducts_id=695

**Bing** · 9th May 11, 03:10 PM

I happen to have a friend/occasional drinking mate who is a Major in the Toronto Scottish and even he won't get the fabric for me.

**English Bloke** · 9th May 11, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

... The twill-weave kersey "mixed grey" here would work, and at 22 oz. would make a substantial kilt:

I like that very much Woodsheal, but hodden grey has more of a pinkness...

Originally Posted by Bing

I happen to have a friend/occasional drinking mate who is a Major in the Toronto Scottish and even he won't get the fabric for me.

Hahahaha! There's a word for people like him... either that or he's not best mates with the QM. Have a word with him and tell him there is a hefty market out there and it would be a subtle way of boosting their Regimental welfare fund.

In all seriousness, it does seem to be very closely guarded. Probably to keep shallow idiots like me away from it. Not a bad thing really and if I'm honest, I don't mind in the least.

**Woodsheal** · 9th May 11, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

I like that very much Woodsheal, but hodden grey has more of a pinkness...

Not originally. The hodden grey soldiers' coats of the 17th/18th centuries were decidedly grey, or a brownish-grey in some instances. Latter day kilts acquired their "pinkness" from God knows where...

**NorCalPiper** · 9th May 11, 04:00 PM

Well....I've emailed both regiments last night and have not received word back. I have, however, been given a VERY good lead that might lead me straight to unused stock!!!!! I will be calling tomorrow and just can't wait. If I can score a premade tank I will be more than happy! I'll keep everyone posted on this adventure!