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Blanket

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A blanket is a large piece of soft cloth. It can cover or enfold most of your body. These cloths are thick enough to keep you warm. They work by trapping your own body heat. This heat would otherwise be lost to the air.

Lautrec in bed 1893
Lautrec in bed 1893

People use blankets for many different reasons. They might use them to sleep or stay cozy.

Many different materials make up a blanket. Wool is a very common choice for warmth. Wool blankets are also slow to burn compared to cotton. Cotton is often used when people want a light blanket. You can find blankets made of fleece or silk too. Some are even crocheted, like an afghan.

Monet dejeunersurlherbe
Monet dejeunersurlherbe

Other types include knitted polyester or mink. These different fabrics change how the blanket feels.

People have used blankets for a very long time. A traveler named Xuanzang wrote about them in the 7th century. He traveled to India between 629 and 645 CE. He mentioned a material called Kambala. This was a woolen material made from sheep or goat hair. In the Sanskrit language, Kambala means a woolen blanket.

MARCHAND DE COUVERTURES ET SON FOUGON
MARCHAND DE COUVERTURES ET SON FOUGON

It was used for both clothing and warmth.

In ancient India, blankets had many special names. One famous type was called pandu-kambala. This came from a place called Uddiyana in Gandhara. Scholars like Panini wrote about these blankets. Other names included keca-lakah and kalamitika. Some were used by farmers and herdsmen. They even spread coarse blankets on horses and elephants.

Monet dejeunersurlherbe
Monet dejeunersurlherbe

These blankets helped people and animals stay warm.

We use blankets in many parts of our lives. Militaries use a lot of woolen blankets. These are often coarse and grey with thick fibers. There are also special blankets made just for babies. Some people use a blanket as a comfort object. You can even spread one on the grass for a picnic.

MARCHAND DE COUVERTURES ET SON FOUGON
MARCHAND DE COUVERTURES ET SON FOUGON

This keeps your clothes from getting dirty in the mud.

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File:Lautrec in bed 1893.jpg
Lautrec in bed 1893.jpg
File:Monet dejeunersurlherbe.jpg
Monet dejeunersurlherbe.jpg
File:MARCHAND DE COUVERTURES ET SON FOUGON.jpg
MARCHAND DE COUVERTURES ET SON FOUGON.jpg
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