National Park Wool Blanket Series By Pendleton
National Park Blanket Series by Pendleton
The National Park Blanket Series by Pendleton has a new blanket to add to the list this year - the Yellowstone Park Blanket.
The Pendleton National Park Blankets are a collectible series of blankets that honor what Pendleton termed 'national treasures' - our national parks.
The Pendleton Mills have been in business for 100 years now and while the company is known for many products as noted below, they began their history making blankets. Pendleton garments are made in plants around the world but almost all of the 100% virgin wool is collected in the USA.
Photo Credit: Google Images labeled for commercial use
The History of Pendleton National Park Blankets
The first National Park Blanket made by Pendleton was made in the 1900s and it commemorated Glacier National Park. It was created in 1916 and presented to James Hill, founder of the Great Northern Railroad, who decided he wanted to have something to sell to his guests while staying at the Glacier Park lodges. Thus started a great tradition of honoring our national parks.
Pendleton wool blanket manufacturing began in 1909 after the plant, which had been originally constructed to be a wool-scouring plant turned towards the production of Indian blankets and robes. The Bishop family together turned a rundown mill into a profitable business that flourishes today.
The blankets were originally used for trade with the Indians and through many collaborations with the Native American tribes, Pendleton developed their many interesting patterns. These patterns meant something to the tribes that created them and the blankets throughout Indian history have been used for celebrations, births, marriages, and even death - some wrap the deceased in a blanket and send him or her on their final journey.
Through the early 1900s, after the first National Park Blanket found its way to Glacier National Park, Pendleton blankets began showing up on railroad cars, at the Olympic Games, and even as toboggan coats. Still later, Pendleton Mills manufactured wool blankets for the armed services. My husband in fact brought back 2 wool blankets from Vietnam and we had these for 30 years.
The intricate designs of the blankets are unrivaled and besides the National Park Blankets made by Pendleton, they also turn out new designs every year. Most of the blankets are collectibles and even though on the pricey side, they will last a lifetime.
NATIONAL PARK BLANKET SERIES BY PENDLETON
- Glacier
- Grand Canyon
- Yellowstone (Newest)
- Rainier
- Acadia
- Crater Lake
- Yosemite
- Anniversary blanket for 100 years - Glacier
More About Pendleton Products
PERSONALIZING BLANKETS
You can personalize Pendleton blankets in the following ways:
- Monogramming
- Embroidery
- Add hanging tabs - use the Pendleton as a wall decoration
Most Pendleton blankets are dry clean only but they last a lifetime and are easily cared for.
BLANKET SIZES BY PENDLETON
While the National Park Blanket Series by Pendleton do not come in King size, here are the sizes for most of their blankets
- Twin: 66 x 90
- Queen: 90 x 90
- King: 108 x 90
OTHER PRODUCTS BY PENDLETON MILLS
- Solid and plaid blankets
- Woven style blankets
- Baby blankets
- Throws
- Native American bed blankets
- Pillows
- Dishes, glasses and plates
- Table linens
- Decorative pillows and accessories for the bed and bedroom
- Spa towels and accessories for the bathroom
- Purses and luggage
- Rugs
- Curtains
- Clothing for men and women
- Clothing for children and babies - including moccasins
- Boots and belts
- Furniture and lamps
- Fabric
- Numerous gift items from teddy bears to National Park flasks
For more information and their beautiful on-line catalog, visit their website.
Contest for Pendleton Park Blankets - Closing November 1st
Guinness Record for Longest Jacquard Blanket
Summing Up National Park Blanket Series by Pendleton
Pendleton is a US company who has been around for 100 years now. That is stupendous in and of itself. Their dedication to Native American heritage has made them famous but it has also enriched our culture and our lives. Many of the Pendleton blankets are heirlooms or collector's items because of their beauty and their incredible patterns.
We personally have 4 blankets - 2 are stadium style which is a twin size. They can be used on a bed, taken with you for a cozy wraparound at a game, or used together to cover a king-sized bed.
We have 2 others - a queen and a king - which we use on beds almost year round. When summer is at its hottest, we put them in their plastic bags but then get them out again as soon as fall arrives. They are a wonderful source of warmth and again, the longevity of these blankets is unsurpassed.
Check out some of the beautiful patterns that Pendleton offers - for the seamstress at heart, they have beautiful fabric that you can purchase to make your own treasures.
You can find the blankets on Ebay and on Amazon both - as well as in their many stores around the country. Check on line to see where they are located. I found the 2 stadium blankets noted above on sale at REI and you can find many fine Pendleton products in many stores.
I love giving the nod to a company who is truly what America is all about and who has survived for 100 years in the business of making products people can actually use. The quality of their product has also never wavered and for that alone, I think they deserve a lot of credit.
If you are looking for quality merchandise, buy Pendleton products. They are well worth the investment as again, they will last you a lifetime.
Don't forget to enter the contest shown on the video on youtube below - closing date is November 1, 2010. The lucky winner can win the entire collection of blankets!
Have You Been To A National Park?
Comments
Audrey Kirchner (author) from Washington on February 06, 2012:
Hi Dolores - Indeed! We've gotten some over the years on sale and just love them....
Dolores Monet from East Coast, United States on February 06, 2012:
Hi, Audrey - here is one hub where the Amazon products actually help inform the reader. Those beautiful blankets, being such warm wool and a part of our history would be wonderful to own.
Audrey Kirchner (author) from Washington on July 16, 2011:
Thanks for the read, Matt - and I totally agree~
Matt on July 16, 2011:
Great hub, the company did a good thing wth the native products for more than 100 years, great..
Audrey Kirchner (author) from Washington on August 25, 2010:
Thanks for the read, Katie - and they are gorgeous blankets. I'm going to try to enter the contest and hope to win the 7!
Katie McMurray from Ohio on August 24, 2010:
How amazingly beautiful, thank you so much for bringing this wonderful story of National Park Blanket Series by Pendleton. The blankets are just beautiful.
Audrey Kirchner (author) from Washington on August 22, 2010:
Thanks Dallas for the read -they make a lot of neat stuff!
Dallas W Thompson from Bakersfield, CA on August 22, 2010:
Pendleton makes a great shirt. One of my favorites... Thanks for great hub.
Audrey Kirchner (author) from Washington on August 21, 2010:
HH - I probably wouldn't have known about them either except that my husband had the 2 from overseas and we do live here in the Northwest so Pendleton is pretty well known....thanks for the read!
Hello, hello, from London, UK on August 21, 2010:
Thank you, Audrey, for showing these beautiful products. I also never heard or saw any of them.
Audrey Kirchner (author) from Washington on August 21, 2010:
CM - You should try and do the video and win the contest then! You could win all 7 blankets in one fell swoop.
carolina muscle from Charlotte, North Carolina on August 20, 2010:
wow... what a cool concept. I'd love a coupla of those!!
Audrey Kirchner (author) from Washington on August 20, 2010:
Thank you for the read, Prasetio. They are wonderful blankets to own.
prasetio30 from malang-indonesia on August 20, 2010:
Good information from you. I want to have one of this product. It look comfortable. Thanks for share with us. Good work, my friend.
Audrey Kirchner (author) from Washington on August 20, 2010:
Thanks so much for commenting RunAbstract - love Pendleton clothes as well - that is a whole other article!
MSorensson - Thanks so much for commenting - I know what you mean....we had Bob's 2 blankets for about 25 or 30 years and finally parted with them after all that time. But we bought new ones!
msorensson on August 20, 2010:
No wonder I love Pendleton blankets. I had no idea the company is that old!!..
I have had one which I refuse to part with under any circumstance..ha ha ha for the last 25 years. It was a gift from my ex mother in law..
These are wonderful gift ideas. Thanks!!
RunAbstract from USA on August 20, 2010:
I have been in LOVE with Pendleton blankets for a very long time. I also have an old Pendleton wool coat. It has seen it's better days, and is no longer "fashionable", but is still SOOOOO WARM in the winter!
This was a great article! Thanks for bringing these beautiful blankets to the attention of your readers! Long live National Parks! And long live Pendleton!
Audrey Kirchner (author) from Washington on August 20, 2010:
Well, Dim - Now you have and you know what (else) to have on a cold winter night!
De Greek from UK on August 20, 2010:
Being just a poor peasant, Ihave never heard of this :-)
Audrey Kirchner (author) from Washington on August 19, 2010:
BJ - So far only those 7 - and I was trying to research why only those specific parks. Kinda surprised me that I had been to as many as I have been so they must all be out more west - except for Acadia. Just looking at Acadia, I want to be there! Oh it looks lovely. Dream date - Northeast at leaf time followed by a trip to Acadia - and many nights at a B&B where I can relax!
Zooming back to the reality of it all - No they do not have anything (yet) for the Everglades but by gosh - why not? I actually have an email out to them about more information on other things Pendleton so will have to ask how they select the park and all that. I also wanted to know if there was some monetary gain for the national parks, which there must be - hence the contest in the video....so this is good!
Of course the way the economy is going, I may only be able to afford the flask - but then that is killing 2 birds with one stone, eh? (hiccup - ha ha) Gonna need a flask when I hit the snow with that sled!
drbj and sherry from south Florida on August 19, 2010:
Audrey - What a sheltered life I've led - never to have discovered national park blankets before. Thanks for the education. Living in Florida, of course, may have had just a little to do with it. Is there one for the Everglades?
Audrey Kirchner (author) from Washington on August 19, 2010:
Jess - Exactly - it is a nice momento to have although they do have other 'tourist' type things such as flasks and coffee cups. I prefer the blankets!
Crewman6 - Too funny - I'm always hot as well but Bob just keeps his blankets on and stays nice and warm and I don't but love the Pendleton as they are just the right warmth and weight when I finally get back to cold! In the winter here they are wonderful!!
Lilly - I really didn't notice them either because we have some of the other kinds/styles but then I got to thinking about how totally cool they are because my husband LOVES national parks! We actually gave all of our children (adults) a blanket a few years ago as a keepsake for their lives and our oldest boy hung his up as a wall hanging - gosh they have some gorgeous blankets! All their stuff truly is lovely - a little pricey but if you can catch it on sale or on Ebay, etc...not too bad!
Lori J Latimer from Central Oregon on August 19, 2010:
Woah! I didn't realize they had National Park blankets. Where have I been? Thank you!
Crewman6 on August 19, 2010:
Great subject matter- I love blankets! Usually electric; Monique's always too hot, and even in midsummer I'm always chilled. I keep them close to hand all over the house! Very thorough 'coverage'!
Jess Killmenow from Nowheresville, Eastern United States on August 19, 2010:
These are beautiful! And if you have been to a national park, what warmer thing to wrap oneself in than the memory of going there?
