The blanket was a gift. It had been used by a friend who "retired" from rendezvous years back. I've slept on it for a few years myself. I had this red capote made from a cheap imported blanket several years ago. Nothing wrong with it at all. My boys in the photo need capotes, the youngest has outgrown his and the taller son is wearing a borrowed capote.
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The Hudson Bay blanket is thicker and warmer than my Whitney blankets and it had a couple of small stains as well. Those were the deciding factors. I purchased a Missouri River pattern but decided I didn't like the way the sleeves were attached on it. I took the red capote apart and used it as the pattern. The sleeve openings are cut round and more comfortably fitted.
I've been told to tear the blanket instead of cutting it and the edges won't unravel. Let me tell you, that blanket was spread out on the floor with the pattern laid out for quite some time.
Finally, and after one pot of coffee I made the first snip and tore it. As I had been told the blanket tore straight and easily. All the straight edges I tore, and the curves I cut.
When I had all the pieces torn and cut, I stitched the red capote back together with matching yarn using a blanket stitch. I used the cape from the red capote as the pattern for the coyote pelts.
The practice I got from putting the red capote back together really helped when I stitched up the Hudson Bay capote. By tearing the blanket the only seams that need a blanket stitch to stop raveling are the hidden seams. I'm glad I did it that way.
So I now have a warmer capote to wear and one of my boys will get the red hand-me-down.