Teach me about Wool Blankets

[v-ness]

As the title says, I'd like to know more about the difference in Wool blankets.

I'm looking to stock the car with some decent blankets for the coming winter- just in case....

I've look on ebay etc and there is a huge variety of wool blankets for sale.

Tartan Rugs
British, Polish and Russian Army Blankets
Vintage Wool Blankets

Any one know which ones will be the warmest?

Or best price for the product?

Best supplier?

Thank You
Ness

 

[Shewie]

The dutch army superweight ones from Endicotts are about the warmest I've ever had, they're huge and heavy but well worth buying if you don't plan on hiking with it

http://www.endicotts.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1872

 

[Toddy]

The heavy weight ones sold by Endicott's are superb

Thing is though, if it's for the car and the kids, just in case, then a couple of single bed quilts fitted into cushion covers would be ready at hand when needed and just as warm as the wool.

Good tartan rugs are lovely, especially the merino, lambswool or cashmere ones, but expensive. Vintage wool blankets can be a bit hit or miss; fine if they come from family or family friends, but I'm really, really fussy They're probably the cheapest option though and 'can' be very, very good indeed.

Fleece isn't warm enough if you're stuck in a cold car, but ex army down sleeping bags pack small and they're warm for the children and you too. The smell of down isn't something I'm fond of though, and in the car just sitting, they can get foosty smelling. They need aired pretty often. The wool blanket and the quilts are fine just kicking about, but not as warm and snug as the bag.

Best of luck with it
By the way, Fabric Bazaar has a beatiful warm, thick, soft wool, dark brown, for under £7 a metre just now, 60" wide too Just hem the ends and it'd be very comfortable

cheers,
Mary

 

[v-ness]

Endicotts is always sold out

Where is the Fabric Bazaar Toddy?
Might get to put my new Sewing machine to good use

Cheers
Ness

 

[Toddy]

It's in the London Road in Glasgow, but if you phone them they're very helpful and they post
Tell them you were recommended by me or the site and they'll be even more helpful

I know Lorna said they were on facebook now too, so might be worth a look ?

The brown wool was lovely, I was in last week and saw it then; if I had had a use for it right now, I'd have had it
Very practical colour too, which helps with kids and muddy boots
They also had a beautiful camel coloured one for the same price.

Maz got a load of outdoor fabrics in recently and they're taking up shelf space so they're going cheaply

cheers,
M

 

[plastic-ninja]

If you are like me and needle-phobic TKMaxx is always worth a look for blankets.
My Jeep is currently equipped with blankets in Alpaca (Bunny-soft luxury!) and in Lambswool and Cashmere
blend (warmer but not quite so soft).I think they were around £15 each from TKM.Job done.
Cheers , Simon

 

[Mastino]

Check this site for a nice video about sleeping out in a blanket: http://www.nwwoodsman.com/Videos/VideosSG.html.

Thje quality of the dutch blankets is superb, that's also the material used for the Mastino bushshirt

 

[para106]

These are excellent - brand new & VERY warm:

http://www.militarymart.co.uk/Belgian-Army-Blanket/prod_880.html

No connection etc

Cheers

 

[fourtogaraffia]

Don't forget the US style poncho liners which aren't bad and have a bit more versatility.

 

[Corso]

The italian ones are good too

 

[Toddy]

Y'know what's handy to keep in the car ? Those wee two for a pound silvery survival blankets.
If you have to get out and wait for help they're not only good to keep you warm but they're waterproof too and shed the rain.
Weigh only grammes and about the size of a pocket pack of wipes.

cheers,
M

 

[v-ness]

Some good links there- cheers

So is there much difference in warmth between the blankets?

We've got some of those survival blankets in the car, for emergencies. They dont give you the same psychological boost as a real blanket does in the cold . There is just something about wool blankets that makes you feel warmer just by looking at it....rambling now

Toddy: is that fabric shop big? I feel a shopping trip to Glasgow coming on!

Cheers
Ness

 

[Toddy]

Eh, well it's not huge, but it's very much worth a ramble through
Cheapest place I've ever found for threads, zips, etc., etc., and incredibly helpful people, and such a wide range of fabrics. I've found everything from pure silk and linen to the bolts of cloth that the fancy clothing at House of Bruar is made from, there.
There's Mandors and John Lewis too, but they're three times the price

I agree about the wool blankets and the silvery things. Denise swears that the blanket and then the foil over the whole thing is absolutely brilliant regardless of the weather.

cheers,
M

 

[British Red]

Some good links there- cheers

So is there much difference in warmth between the blankets?
Cheers
Ness

Oh hell yes. I have Dutch ones and Belgian Army ones (more felted and better finished). They are warmer than many a duvet. Really thick and very heavy. I would choose a Dutch one over a three season sleeping bag for car carry (and I have ).

I reckon my Belgian one is warmer than three fleece blankets combined. Very heavy and bulky - but toasty warm

 

[Toddy]

No disagreement there; but wee kids .....y'know, muddy, sticky, spilt juice, 'ick.....if you shove one of those blankets into the washing machine you end up with a woolly brick

cheers,
M

 

[v-ness]

Dutch Army ones it is then

I can always throw the wool brick at the kids for getting the blanket dirty
or give them a cheapo fleece blanket? hmmm maybe not....

 

[British Red]

wee kids .....y'know, muddy, sticky, spilt juice, 'ick

Yep best solution is to put the Kids in the washing machine....on a boil wash

 

[Toddy]

Yep best solution is to put the Kids in the washing machine....on a boil wash

You old softie, you
Bet you couldn't eat a whole one

cheers,
M

 

[Leonidas]

Dutch Army ones it is then

I can always throw the wool brick at the kids for getting the blanket dirty
or give them a cheapo fleece blanket? hmmm maybe not....

'In new condition' dutch wool blankets available here
(No affiliation whatsoever, might give them a try myself)

 

[v-ness]

What about Polish ones?

Are they any good?
How about this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230674208459

Cheers
Ness