This is a jacket to coordinate with the Judge Dredd helmet I created:
Judge Dredd’s Helmet

This shall have multiple components:

Jacket

• Navy blue zip-up cardigan with gold zipper

• Gold eagle shoulder plate (detachable)

• Gold corrugated shoulder plate (detachable)

• Golden shield badge - to have the name Dredd “embossed” (detachable)

• 7 chain links made using i-chord fit around shower curtain rings (detachable)

The accessories shall be fitted with clear press studs so that the cardigan can be washed and worn separately should the recipient wish to wear it.

Part 1: Golden Eagle shoulder pad

I’ve made the head, body, wings and beak. My crochet skills are still elementary too say the least, so my tension (guage) is a bit inconsistent, but I don’t mind. Hook used: 5mm (I crochet very tight as I am still a novice).

Instead of making the feet with wire insert as per the pattern I plan to use i-chord and improvise the legs to look closer to the stylised eagle on the shoulder pad

Finished 1st attempt on 22/04/2018 not happy with wing texture so shall have to rethink this.

Removed wings and added a reinforced seam from body to each corner of shoulder to emphasise wings ARE the shoulder plate*

Each shoulder plate shall have padding (five large concealed fabric shoulder pads sewn together to give the knitted sector the lift needed.

Update 29/10/2018
The shoulder pad needs to be enlarged by about 1/3 original size as currently needs to be stretched to fit on shoulder, which distorts the shaping. To redesign the top of shoulder to include a double-knitted layer to maintain flat shape.

Eagle to be redesigned so that head is incorporated with the flat part of the shoulder plate. Body needs to be rounder. Redesign tail to be solid rather than lacy in texture - looks odd otherwise

Used i-chord bind off to reinforce the edging to reinforce structure.

Part 2: 7 chain links
Separately I made 7 i-chord rings to cover clear shower curtain rings. Each link is left with a gap so they can be independently maintained. The links shall join the zipper to the shield badge worn on the left front.

The Jacket

John, whom I am making this for wants the jacket to be navy blue.

Cast on date: 4th Aug 2018

Making this in size XL so it has plenty of room

Back
Rib and change needles as per instructions.
St-st for 138 rows before shape for arm hopes.

Shape armholes (18 rows)
Continue in stocking stitch for another 64 rows
Shape shoulders

Both fronts completed

Making 2 sleeves at a time - about to shape armholes and approx 30 rows to go until binding off 29/10/2018

shield badge
Several drafts of how to get the texture and maintain recognisable shield details have been plotted.
Current plan to knit a backing layer in black to help maintain shape of the badge and provide structure. Front of badge to be knitted in gold, with purling to create texture. To duplicate stitch or cross stitch the detail to provide 3D effect and then sew onto backing layer of badge.