Beautiful, colourful wool blankets that are not only suitable for the open air.
Beautiful, colourful wool blankets that are not only suitable for the open air. Thanks to their tight weave and higher weight, they are an invaluable companion for all lovers of outdoor life.
Rainbow blankets are suitable for both indoor and especially outdoor use. If you drape them over the sofa in the living room, their colours are destined to become its dominant feature. However, they are particularly well suited to the outdoors, thanks to the fact that they are woven tightly and smoothly. This makes them durable and at the same time, they do not pick up dirt so easily, even if the blanket is spread out in the grass, for example. They have a higher grammage, so they are really warm blankets, also suitable for winter. These blankets are very popular with those who like to camp and sleep in the open air, in a tent or teepee. They use them as a full-fledged and period-authentic alternative to sleeping bags. That is why these blankets have a slightly atypical size of 165 x 230 cm, which ensures that even the largest sleeper can easily wrap himself in them. The Rainbow is the only one of our blankets (along with the Gergana blankets) that uses cotton as the warp. This makes up to 10% of the material, while 90% is wool weft. After the weaving, their production continues with a water bath, in which they are shrunk to the desired size, and then pressing and carding (combing), where the blanket is stretched between two carding plates of a giant press to obtain its final volume and thickness.
During our existence we have sold thousands of blankets of this series, which is in itself a convincing proof of their quality. What makes us even more pleased is that Rainbow blankets have a loyal fans who return for them time and time again.
The history of the blankets we collectively refer to as "Rainbow" is equally interesting and is linked to the colonization of North America and trade with the Natives. Trade letters show that wool blankets were an important currency as early as the early 17th century. Along with firearms, metal utensils and game traps, they were one of the main and most sought-after items in trade with the native peoples of North America. This was a trade in which goods were paid for with furs. Blankets were highly valued by the Natives. They were used primarily as clothing or sleeping bags. The qualities of the wool blanket made it much more comfortable and practical than the earlier leather garments.
Contrary to popular belief, Natives were far from being taken for a ride in this trade. They were said to be better versed in the quality of blankets than anyone else, and the tradesmen must have raced to offer first-class goods. During the 400 years of the fur trade, the blankets changed according to the taste and demand of the Natives. At first, most of the white blankets were imported in smaller sizes, bordered with a coloured stripe at the edges. Different tribes favoured different colours. Prairie Natives, for example, bought mainly white blankets so as not to be conspicuous on the plains in winter.
The size of the blankets varied according to the purpose for which the blanket was bought, whether it was to be a baby sack, a coat, or to serve as a sleeping bag. The size of the blanket was indicated by the so-called points, or lines at the edge of the blanket. This system evolved gradually and continued to change. Generally, however, the more lines, the bigger the blanket and the more fur it cost. It is often said that a stripe is the price of one beaver pelt. However, this was not a 'fixed rate' and the stripes thus tell us primarily about the size and then the price of the blankets. There were more companies involved in the Native trade and competition was fierce. Blankets were initially made in both France and England. Gradually company HBC and production in England gained the upper hand, with the Witney manufactory achieving the greatest notoriety.
We offer you a selection of well-known and lesser-known designs of Native five-stripe blankets. You will find among them not only classic colour combinations but also our original creations.
Wash cold or at a maximum of 30 °C, preferably on a wool programme, preferably using a wool detergent containing lanolin. If you are not sure whether your washing machine can wash wool products sensitively, we recommend hand washing. Even coarser blankets will soften somewhat after washing. Do not bleach or tumble dry the blankets. They can be dry-cleaned and ironed, but the temperature of the iron must not exceed 110 °C. In general, it is not recommended to wash woollen products too often, as wool gradually loses its natural properties and abilities during washing. It is recommended to air out wool blankets and carpets frequently in the fresh air, which both restores the natural qualities of the wool fibre and prevents moths. If you are unsure how to maintain your wool product, please contact us at info@balkanova.eco.
