HBC Blankets

Hudson Bay wool blankets are Canadian classics.  For over 200 years, the Hudson's Bay Company point blanket has been a familiar item in Canada and around the world.  It is enjoyed as much today as when it was first introduced into the fur trade in 1780.

Although these blankets had been a staple of the fur trade to the natives and company men before 1780, it was not until the first shipment to Fort Albany in the spring of that year that they were shipped to the posts on a regular basis.

The "point" system had been invented by French weavers in the mid-18th century to indicate the finished overall size of a blanket, because then, as now, blankets were shrunk or felted as part of the manufacturing process.  Later, the material in the blankets was also used to fashion coats.  Coats were not made after the year 2000.

Right now, I have a 6-point (queen-sized) HBC blanket on my bed.  The 8-point (king-sized) is the largest size made.  Mine goes on my bed every winter.  There's nothing more comforting than a heavy, warm blanket when the snow is swirling outside.