How to wear a wool blanket

How to wear an army issue wool blanket

[@genetrumbo]

Thank you for the demonstration. I have watched Grimbo's video also. I can see advantages to both approaches. With Grimbo, you could make two ponchos from one blanket. Your method keeps the blanket dual purpose, which would minimize the equipment necessary. Your hood is a good idea because the blood flow through the brain is 5 times what flows through the rest of the body. The head should always be covered when it is cold.

[@seanmulhall]

@Ockall It only separates the strands of the weave. Once the pin is removed the hole simply closes back around. Its does not cut the blanket.

[@SpiritBear12]

Find a small smooth-ish stone, gather the edges of the blanket under your chin as you did for a hood. Put the edges of the blanket together, now place the stone about 2 inches away from the edge and wrap the blanket around the stone and then wrap a thong, or string around the blanket behind the stone and tie it off like a head and neck in a fashion so you can easily untie it when you want to. It would look like a fabric covered knobby button off to the side. If you want a smoother look, hold the edges of the blanket in front and over lap them by a few inches. Put the stone behind the blanket by your throat or near the top of your breast bone and push the stone forward away from you and smooth the blanket over the stone and wrap the string around the stone like a head and a neck. Tie off in a fashion so you can undo the string easily when you want to. Now it looks like a button in the front rather than off to the side. You can use a marble too if you have one. Now you wont need to poke holes in your expensive wool blankets at all.

[@fefek1]

Meanwhile me: How freaking long is a inch

[@seanmulhall]

I do not have any traditional cloak pins but it is something I intend to get when I find some for sale. I have since made the stick pins from antler and braid.

[@seanmulhall]

Great Idea. Ive seen that idea for tying plastic and tarp but would not have thought about that for the wool blanket. I'll try that next time I'm out. Thanks Sean

[@seanmulhall]

@SickestDentalPlan I have used a hammock down to -6c. I always keep my hammock low to the ground and peg my tarp to the ground on the windward side. This reduces the amount of airflow under my hammock. I good sleep mat is important. Many people talk about the under blankets but I have never used one or found that I have needed one. I to find my self warmer on the ground with proper insulation.

[@s9TeeN]

I don't know if you have seen this video already or not but you should check it out. Wall2rockclimbers video does the same style of wearing the blanket as you do although he keeps from poking the stick through the blanket keeping it solid. He uses stones/marbles as tying points. Good for not making holes in your blanket!

[@kxd2591]

Thanks so much for posting, very good video. My question: If you are going to poke a hole in your blanket, why not use a cloak pin? I can somewhat understand the wood if it is Field Expedient ( and here I would prefer, if possible, two small rocks or stones captured with string and bound with cord) but I surely don't want to damage the blanket if at all possible. Thank you so very much for taking the time to post. And may I ask, what were the shots in the background? I thought this was the UK, and the good people of said land had been rendered into WATERSHIP DOWN farmer's rabbits.

[@hydrogaming9939]

Johann W. Coltrane lol im too lazy ill just use a huge black cli0

[@wyldewares]

a thought Sean, if you dont want to drive big holes in your blankets/Cloak , instead of using a stick (although easy) get or make a Cloak pin, , its a 2 - 3 inch ring cut on a side, making a "C" about 1" space between ends, then a piece of round brass or steel bent/twist one side around ring, makes sliding pin. then hammer down ends of "C" so pin doesn't fall off... push pin in wool, set open side of C over pin, twist C to lock cloth on pin. ends up looking like a Q Re-enactors use them

[@mrcifcif]

This is definatley the best bushcraft/outdoor channel on youtube. The information is specially useful as it applies to the British outdoorsman, unlike most American ones where its all about guns and alcohol!

[@seanmulhall]

In my opinion it would make an excellent camo suit. Especially if you put it on and then roll on the floor. The wool will pick up lots of loose material from the floor. These blankets are so cheap to buy you could afford to cut one to the size you require. Better still make one into a smock coat.

[@lettersquash]

Don't forget, not only is wool flame resistant when sitting round the camp fire, dressing this way is also very useful for reciting monty python until it's time for bed. Funniest video I've seen in weeks. Call me optimistic, but I reckon if you give someone a wool blanket and put them somewhere cold, they'll figure out how to wear it. Or if they don't it's called natural selection.

[@RedheadCobweb]

Very cool, thanks sean. I bought a blanket/cloak pin off of evilbay, it works a treat and you aren't damaging the blanket with larger sticks, the pin just pushed the weave apart, it was only a couple of quid, just search for: "cloak pin larp" and your set to go :)

[@DonMilligan]

Really good video showing proper way to wear wool blanket. Thanks.

[@seanmulhall]

@squathacker This is a Dutch army blanket. Its a wool mix. Its not 100% wool. I have slept in just below freezing in mine with a decent fire and with my clothes on. The British blanket in thinner and is quite itchy where as the dutch is soft to the touch.

[@Nancytoday]

What an excellent thing to do with a blanket! I'm going to get one out of the closet and start using it! Wonderful idea. Thanks a million. I wish I'd known all this when my boys were in scouting and cut holes in the center of the blankets like everyone else did!

[@atoddtoa]

Great video. I was so clueless about this until I watched your tutorial. I almost cut a hole in my USMC poncho liner!

[@winterskyshadow35]

I use a large button attached to a Hair elastic. the button is wrapped inside the layers and the elastic wraps around two or more times to secure the layers. I can carry them in pockets or use them to tie my hair back. they also loop around belt loops on my pants.

[@The_Gallowglass]

If you pleat the mid section, wrap it round your waist with a belt and then over your shoulder with a pin, line, or broach, you have yourself a belted plaid (kilt).

[@stuartw12345612]

hey, isn't it nice that you take the time to try and teach us all about things we may need to know one day, between this and your gadget show that you do you really help people with information, cheers john see ya

[@phubans]

This guy is badass, I'd want to have him with me in a post apocalyptic scenario.

[@jennyjackson7536]

Nice idea I remember when I was a child when it had gotten cold in the winter Mom would fix our blankets around us. Length wise to the ground, then draped across the shoulder, with the top two feet or so folded over to form the cowel, or hood. A sash was wrapped about the waist and tied. I recall this to be quite warm and having worn it to bed as is with the feet end tucked under.

[@Ashurbanipal7446]

I already knew how to make them but that trick to stop the blanket from dragging on the ground really helped. Thanksz

[@iscay666]

Yeah i was thinking about it before and i though maybe do a what they do with ghillie suits that is put netting on it and weave Hesian *potato sack* stips throught it make sure the wool and hesian are karke and diffrent shades and you got yaself a ghillie cloak it would be lighter to run with and alot cooler if you have it as a cape. thanks for the tip.

[@seanmulhall]

I agree a home made gille would be lighter and cooler to wear. Wool is warm but a wool blanket is an instant camo suit. So its up to you. Just consider time and cost.

[@BatmanProject777]

Very cool ! Old fashion style ! I just had an idea how to bring up some length so it won't drag, if ya don't like the bundle up front when tying the corners. Reach down behind ya, grab a handful, and tuck it under a loop of cord around your waist. Or, tie a loop over top the blanket, round your waist, and pull up and 'blouse' the blanket...like tucking in a shirt tail.

[@NotQuiteLucid]

Nonono you don't need to poke a hole through it either, just grab the ends once it's over your head, cross them in hand and bring them behind your neck and tie them off! It's like tying off a keffiyeh, even less effort and supplies needed and it's faster to do, you can't always find a branch but don't ever forget to bring a towel ;D Your second part tying it off around the hips is really cool tho, didn't know about that one.

[@seanmulhall]

The song is society by Eddie Vedder. Its at the beginning of the video.

[@Kenny5o5]

you could also use a cleat hitch to tie the cord around the stick it is very secure and easy to undo with a minimal amount of cordage

[@hfortenberry]

That is so cool! I had no idea you could wear a wool blanket in all those ways and puncture a stick through it without harming it! I've got to get me one! Thank you! Fyi, David Canterbury sells a nice blanket pin on his pathfinder website. It's easier to use than your stick method and looks very cool and has multiple uses as well. You should check it out.

[@seanmulhall]

Hand wash with pure soap flakes or anything suitable for wool. Otherwise dry cleaning. You may be able to use your washing machine on a cool wool wash but I cannot guarantee it wont shrink.

[@IanBillen]

@ianbillen Utilizing the blanket to keep you covered, as this video shows, is considerably better than simply wearing it as a cape or wrapping it around you. All these little things add up to give you a working angle against mother nature and to greatly increase your chance of survival, or extending your survivability time frame. .Sure it's just a simple blanket... but every object you use should be utilized to the fullest in a survival situation. This is why the video is helpfully informative.

[@bestevez32]

One thing that I found that works well, if you want to avoid poking a hole in your blanket is to place marbles under the blanket at the two tie off points. Tie the marbles in place with heavy duty string, and use another piece of string to secure the front

[@Oksendal5]

Sean, I take it that the stick goes through the weave of the material and there is no small hole cut in the blanket. It may be obvious but I'd just like it confirmed. Thank you. Paul.

[@fishrgirl5980]

I Love those wool blankies😊good video.

[@Ka666Boom]

the stick will still leave big holes in your blanket..your in the UK im sure you can buy kilt pins quiet easy, use one of those insted.

[@seanmulhall]

The title song is 'Eddie Vedder' Society. As for survival spears its not really my thing. Although I could make a video and its something I am not likely to need in the UK. Please watch Wilderness Outfitters channel. He has a couple of videos on this subject. Thanks Sean,

[@thanson77]

That's a pretty brilliant idea. Mad props.

[@seanmulhall]

You can sleep in a wool blanket and wrap your whole body. A wool coat wont cover your feet as well. Other than that as long as its wool your sorted.

[@LunasCraincloud]

Cloak they were worn for 100's of years I still wear one all the time there great and easy.

[@LaoSoftware]

I love your English accent. Very high class.

[@seanmulhall]

@maximus97100 This blanket is the Dutch soft one. I have not seen the Dutch 100% one, but if they are like the Italian wool one then they will be much better at keeping the wind out.

[@krillco]

Good lesson. You can also use what is called a 'blanket pin' to do the same thing, makes less of a hole than the stick does.

[@seanmulhall]

I agree but with wool it will still kepp you warm even when wet. I have been informed by a friend of mine, of a way of waterproofing wool using lanolin.

[@LibertyTreeBud]

Love the simplicity, thanks.

[@autoaimcfg]

@IWFJK I did the same thing. I never thought that I'd actually need instructions on how to wear a blanket but.... DAMN.... lol, I did learn a lot from this. Cheers. =D

[@chrisl1512]

How big/heavy is your blanket - I ask because I also bought a blanket from Endicotts (Dutch Army) and the quality is fantastic, but it seems thicker than yours ansd much bigger - too big if anything but and I am reluctant to cut it and waste the material, so guidance on an optimum size would be really helpful

[@WanderingBeast]

you should have given a link for daves videos, its almost the same, plus he uses the blanket pin, others may find useful

[@FAITHHOPELOVE121]

If you push it through you put a hole in the blanket. Use a rock, hold it on one side of the two sides of your wool blanket. Push it through and wrap the "string" around the impression of the rock and both layers of blanket and tie it off. No hole! Nice and snug.

[@seanmulhall]

I am currently collecting items to make a couple of different designs of blanket pins. I'll post once they are made. I will have a look for design ideas though. Thank you.

[@siypic]

This is the sort of stuff that one day ...just one day might save yer butt.....enjoy all the vids. nice one!..... and great Jedi Night impression.....lol

[@Godverdommes]

What a great video!I wonder if you can make one on wearing a beach towel?

[@johncoyote7455]

That was a great video brother. I learned from you tonight.

[@helentucker6407]

That's a well good idea, I too can't bear to cut a hole in my beloved wool blanket! Going to do this to wear in bed, cold house. Thanks for this ❤

[@seanmulhall]

Excellent suggestion. I'll give that a try and see how it performs. Thanks for the tip.

[@astrialkil]

Lanolin is inflammable. If u use it for water proofing then you run the risk of catching fire, wool don't melt tho, so its still better then synthetic.

[@radikewl70]

Excellent vid Sean, thank you for posting.

[@erikvdhil]

Nice video! is a blanket like this actually warmer than a jacket ?

[@pigwigpa]

See, That never would have dawned of me. To wear it medieval style. I was look more to the American south west and Mexico with the wool poncho. Surplus army blankets are cheap :)

[@baytownbert2]

Excellent advice and thanks for sharing! 5 stars!

[@maximus97100]

hey sean do u know your blanket is it the dutch soft army blanket or the 100% wool dutch army blanket because i live in wales and the military mart just buy liverpool sells them which one is yours ? thanks very much

[@HBC258]

What is the best way to clean a wool blanket?

[@sc00ny]

Good vid bud; from blanket, to cloak to shawl to tunic. Good way to keep in your body heat, especially at the head. You seem so relaxed in front of the camera now as well. Obi-Wan Mulhall... he he Toga parties! You yuppie! Bravo

[@branni6538]

cool ideas.........but ......little holes turn into big holes. Just scrunch the blankets and tie em together or use a small round stone and tie a knot round the blankets.

[@thegooch7206]

2 little rocks on the inside of the blanket then on the outside of the rock in the blanket you could tie the sting and you can do that on both side instead of ripping a hole in it with the piece of twig. oh and by the way you can check out "wall2rockclimber"'s video on how to do it

[@IanBillen]

@erikvdhil In most cases, when a similar material is used ... no. The blanket will not be warmer than a jacket with the same material that has a hood. HOWEVER, (and this is a big however) ... the blanket CAN help save your life if it is cold and hypothermia is a risk factor. It definitely will take the edge off, and it WILL keep you a few levels warmer. These few levels of warmth can mean the difference between life and death, or being productive in your survival quest. It'll make a difference.

[@longsword1969]

You better make that cloak from florescent material sounds like its the first day of buck season in usa.

[@ernstbecker1]

Try and find an Italian military wool blanket. I purcahsed two and they had to be washed in woolite a few times; howerv, they're the best.

[@fedge9049]

At first I was shaking my head...how ridiculous is this video. Then...the tie with hoody...then it's a jacket with Johnson protection! Nice.

[@CannyNomad]

If one were proficient at sewing you could instead of poking a hole in it actually pre-attach a button on one side with a button hole on the other to make the spot close. As it would be on the edge of the blanket it shouldn't effect it's usefulness for other purposes. You could even go as far as sew on buttons all the way down the "front" like a shirt, that's my thoughts.

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

nice work mate as always great vid. please keep it up. regards moose

[@chrissylyons89]

like the idea of the stick but wouldnt it be better to carry a small carabina. Good Video

[@michalurbanful]

Nice video! (Yes, I know it's kinda old lol) BTW could you fit a backpack under that blanket?

[@kamden1980]

Very good! I never would have thought of this.

[@couchcamperTM]

thats Canterbury improved, Sean :) great video!

[@lassoe]

What is the name of the song in the beginning of the video..?? And who is the artist..?? Nice video by the way.. :-)

[@iscay666]

Would this be a good idea as a sort of camo suit for paint ball you get a karke blanket *a lot smaller couse i will be running around* do this so i can lay in the bush pull the hood over and ambush people would it be good as camo or would it stand out *need to know by march 14* any reply would be good

[@MiWilderness]

Great ideas! Thanks!

[@seanmulhall]

@AlexAvet53 By using the stick of antler tine it separates the weave and does not leave a hole.

[@Christopherellispolymath]

i have just today made a pair of copper wire brooches,thick wire, two parts to each brooch. I was think that a pin, like yours,with an attached head on cord, might do, too. Your version has the virtue of being easily made & easily replaceable.

[@44szaman]

Good patent! Thanks!

[@akyak333]

This dude is Strider ! right out of Middle Earth incredible well done , this should be basic skill taught in every school

[@miiklaa]

This is awesome, thank you for this tutorial!

[@seanmulhall]

No I have never been a scout nor have I been in the military. I have learnt my skills from TV, books, and personal experience.

[@BatmanProject777]

@erikvdhil Mostly, a blanket isn't usually windproof. Wind makes alll the difference.

[@TimmyBobinson]

At 5.47 I was expecting Sean to produce a dove from the blanket and let if fly off lol :D

[@alsatian9130]

sad but true. I own one rifle as does my wife. It isn't the highlight of our day, relationship, or life. It is there if we need it, we know how to use it, other than that, we love Sean's channel. Wish we had more of your kind here in New York. We will only hang ourselves in the end. You won't hang for our fuck-ups John Doe, because you in UK actually think, learn, prepare and as an american I am proud of your kind.

[@kempocornelius4874]

This is why I always traval with a Poncho. No fuss just wear and use as a blanket or pillow.

[@PaulBuikema]

Just caught up to this one Sean, good info mate.

[@ahgoor9164]

really great video...could you do one on how to put on your shoe ???

[@ytfp]

use two pebbles and some string and avoid making holes at all, just my thought on the subject.

[@bea14jake]

Good stuff,if you don't have a Celtic Broach .Great tips.I admire your unflinching bravery.Gunshots in the background.(:-)

[@ealing456]

Pheasant shooting, surely..

[@kjohns2001]

First, let me thank you for introducing me to the music of Eddie Vedder! Then let me thank you for all the interesting information in your videos. Please keep posting!

[@hellyw08]

you could make a bone pin - that would be smoother than a stick and cause less damage to the fabric :) basic medieval cape

[@iscay666]

Well i got till the end of march to make it basicly just sow the net on weave some hessian make a button or what you did to make the hood and keep it on you and its done easy. Just with this video when you pulled the hood over it looked like you lost alot of periphiral vision what i would do is where a baseball cap and you can see better couse it will hold the hood open.

[@owens711]

ur video's r exellent sean.. cheers gaz..

[@TimmyBobinson]

@s9TeeN Sounds like an improvement on the wooden peg idea,but if Sean is right and it does not leave a hole,then both are equally sufficient, depends on personal preference eh :)

[@TomsBackwoods]

Thanks for the vid Sean!

[@Mandalore06]

Fantastic video!

[@maximus97100]

thanks very much because im gettin my one of military mart :)