Napping Blanket Fold — Made Just For U

Fold blankets so they can easily be pulled over your legs. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

Napping Blanket Fold

We are getting ready for another winter storm with much rain followed by ice and snow. And lots of traffic accidents because people don’t slow down when weather conditions change. The forecasters have been careful with snow accumulation predictions so far except to say at least 4 inches. Where I live in the US Midwest, that’s a call to go grocery shopping, and to stay home if you have the luxury of doing so.

I like winter storms. I like what they do for gardens, adding back moisture and stratifying wildflower seeds. It’s also a good excuse to recharge batteries so besides getting groceries, I like to check my blankets for napping readiness. There are few things more fun to do in the middle of a winter storm than curl up with a book, a cat, and a warm blanket that entices one to a nap.

For years I have kept lap quilts and throws at the foot of beds. I used to fold them once in the middle, then once again before settling them. However, when I was ready to take a nap, it was hard to pull them over my legs so I developed a new folding technique.

Etta Girl almost gets lost in the folds of this equally gray fake fur throw. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

First, the fake fur throw in the photo was purchased at a local thrift store for the two kittens I found abandoned on a county road in 2020. The idea was the throw would give them a sense of having Mom around. They didn’t spend much time on it as little kitten nuggets but they sure like it now that they are teenage cats. Especially on cold, winter days.

James A Mess likes to curl up on mama throw in the mornings. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

So back to the original topic, the idea is to make it easier to pull the throw at the foot of the bed over your legs when all you want to do is nap.

I tweaked the approach a little, starting with turning the open end of the fold towards the pillow.

Reverse the blanket folds so the opening is towards pillows. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

That worked for a while but I was still getting my legs caught up in the blanket as it unfolded.

Then I started folding the throw in thirds, leaving the open top end facing the bed pillows. That’s what creates the fold facing bed pillows.

That way once you fall, or crawl, into bed, all you have to do is tug the top end of the throw to pull it over yourself.

Fold the blanket in thirds instead of fourths. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

If you have a cat sleeping on the throw, it’s also a more gentle way to move the cat towards you with the least disturbance.

It may take a couple of tries to get the idea but once you can easily move the cat, take a nap and cover yourself, you won’t go back folding your lap quilts and throws any other way.