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Wool Blankets,
Shawls or Throws. A blanket with a field of black is known as khes
while a pattu has a white ground base; in both
cases rough hand-spun wool locally produced and
called pattanwadi is used.
Apart from blankets, Jaisalmer and Barmer prduce
shawls of quality, woven with softer and finer
wool. These are about 90 cms wide and 2.7 mtrs
long, enough to enable the wearer to drape it
comfortably over the body. As in in the case of
blankets, the designs can be confined to a woven
border or spread out over the entire shawl. Tie
and dye shawls, somewhat cheaper than those with
woven patterns, are also made.
A blanket is a type of bedding, generally
speaking a large piece of cloth, intended to keep
the user warm, especially while sleeping.
Blankets are distinguished from sheets by their
thickness and purpose; the thickest sheet is
still thinner than the lightest blanket, because
blankets are for warmth, while sheets are for
hygiene, comfort and aesthetics. Blankets are
subdivided into many types, including quilts,
duvets, and comforters, depending on their
thickness, construction and/or fill material.
Electric blankets are heated by electricity.
Blankets were traditionally made of wool because
of wool's warmth, breath ability and natural
fire-retardant properties, while sheets were made
of cotton or linen, which are less irritating to
the skin. These days, synthetic fibers are
frequently used for both. Throw blankets are
smaller blankets, often in decorative colors and
patterns, that can be used for extra warmth
outside of bed. |
