You Can Never Have Too Many Vintage Picnic Blankets!

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I love vintage blankets. All kinds. Wool ones, crocheted ones, flannel ones, all of them. Even when they’re in terrible shape, I grab them up at the thrift store because they make great pet blankets. So, it goes without saying that my picnic blanket is vintage. 

It may not be a traditional picnic blanket, but I chose it for a few reasons, some of which are factors you should consider if you’re in the market for a vintage for a vintage picnic blanket. 

First, is the material it’s made of. This one may look like cotton or wool, but it’s actually acrylic yarn. I love natural fibers, but acrylic washes well and the colors stay vibrant, so for rougher use, acrylic is a smart choice. 

I love wool blankets, and I have several. Truthfully, wool would be the ideal choice if it’s an option. There’s a reason army blankets and trapper blankets are made from wool, it’s tough, and it’s naturally water wicking, which means it dries very quickly. And did you know wool blankets actually sort of self- clean? Yeah, they shed dirt. Pretty amazing. 

That said, they can also be worth a pretty penny. My personal favorite, this gorgeous Swedish wool blanket is worth like $300. Did I pay that? No way. I got it for $4 at the thrift store, but no matter how practical and tough it is, I’m not throwing on the ground. It stays in my living room and the dogs aren’t even allowed to lay on it. 

As opposed to this adorable acrylic blanket that’s worth about $30. So, up to you. Is a wool Hudson Bay Trapper blanket a great picnic blanket? Of course! Would I use it as one? No way! But, if you’re bougie like that, go for it, they’re actually pretty practical. 

And one more recommendation  before you even lay out your blanket, consider saving yourself some trouble by doubling up the layers. I was lucky enough to find the neatest thing the other day at the thrift store - a Neat Sheet - with 101 uses! It’s just a water repellent sheet meant to be used outdoors. 

So, I’ll lay it under my cute blanket to keep it clean and stay dry. If you’re lucky enough find something like this, awesome! If not, you have options. 

Painter’s Tarps, the fabric kind are great. They aren’t water proof, but they keep dirt away and add some cushion. And they’re super cheap. I think I got this one for like $9 at Harbor Freight. I use it for everything. If you’re feeling crafty, you can make it waterproof by painting it with a beeswax blend, but it adds a lot of protection just as is. 

So, that’s my strategy. Use a cheap, easy to wash blanket, then layer it with a water resistant material to keep things neat. What are your thoughts? Would you use an expensive wool blanket? Or opt for something less tough, but cheaper to replace?  

IT BELONGS IN YOUR KITCHEN

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