Hudson's Bay point blanket

Historical origins and the fur trade

The Hudson's Bay Company had been trading blankets since its incorporation in 1670, and by 1700 blankets comprised more than 60 per cent of goods exchanged in the fur trade. Wool blankets of all kinds were essential trade items, used as robes, saddle blankets, curtains, and material for clothing such as mittens, socks, and the hooded coats known as capotes. The French fur trader Germain Maugenest is credited with advising the HBC to introduce its own point blankets. In 1779, the company placed its first definite order for 500 point blankets. An order from 1798 documented the request for 30 pairs of three-point blankets to be striped with four colours red, blue, green, and yellow, manufactured in Witney, Oxfordshire. These colours, sometimes called Queen Anne colours, were fashionable and easily produced dyes of the period.

During the fur trade, point blankets functioned as a form of soft currency, with their value often measured against made beaver pelts. The point system, invented by French weavers in the mid 1700s, used short woven lines on the blanket's edge to indicate its finished size, allowing for easy identification. This system facilitated trade, as the points became a reliable pricing convention, though the number of beaver pelts required for a blanket varied widely by time and location. The blankets were integral to the economies of trading posts operated by the HBC and rivals like the North West Company. By the early 19th century, as beaver populations declined in some regions, the point blanket itself became a standard unit of trade, with the term blanket used in HBC records to denote a collection of smaller goods.

Evolution of the blanket coat

The durability and warmth of woollen point blankets made them ideal material for winter clothing. Beginning in 1706, HBC trading posts began locally assembling clothing, with each post typically employing its own tailor by the late 1700s. The origin of the mackinaw jacket is often credited to British Army Captain Charles Roberts. In 1811, facing a shortage of greatcoats at Fort St. Joseph, Roberts requisitioned HBC 3.5-point blankets from the British Indian Department. John Askin Jr., a Métis keeper of the King's stores, hired local women to manufacture 40 woollen greatcoats from these blankets.

The HBC began commercially producing factory-made point blanket coats in 1922, blending features of the mackinaw and the capote. These coats came in various colours and became so popular they were considered a form of national dress. From 1936 through the 20th century, Canadian athletes wore HBC style point jackets during the opening ceremonies of multiple Winter Olympics, cementing the stripes as an official Olympic style. The HBC last produced point blanket coats in 2000 and last dressed Canadian athletes for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, held in 2021. The design of these coats was practical, being easier to sew than hides and offering waterproof and warm qualities that were essential for Canadian winters.

The point system and blanket sizes

Points are short black lines, about four inches long, woven into the selvage of the blanket just above the bottom stripes. The term point derives from the French word empointer, meaning to make threaded stitches on cloth. This system was developed so traders could identify a blanket's size at a glance, especially since blankets shrink during manufacturing. Historically, common sizes during the fur trade era included 2.5, 3, 3.5, and 4 point blankets. Half points, measuring about two inches, were also used.

As bed sizes became standardized in the 20th century, the point system adapted to indicate modern mattress sizes. Today, Hudson's Bay blankets are commonly found in four sizes. A 3.5 point blanket corresponds to a twin bed, a 4 point to a double, a 6 point to a queen, and an 8 point to a king size. A persistent misconception is that the points originally indicated the blanket's price in beaver pelts or its weight, but this is not accurate. The thickness and quality of the wool is consistent across sizes, with larger blankets naturally weighing more. For example, a modern 3.5 point blanket weighs about five pounds, while a 4 point blanket weighs about six pounds.

Manufacturing and product lines

The blankets have always been manufactured in England. Today they are produced by John Atkinson, a sub brand of A.W. Hainsworth & Sons Ltd, using wool from Britain and New Zealand. As of 2026, they are available in multiple colours and the four standard bed sizes. The company also markets smaller and less expensive alternatives to the traditional wool point blanket. These include the Hudson's Bay Caribou Throw, a smaller wool version, as well as cotton knit throw blankets and fleece throw blankets.

Other manufacturers have produced similar striped blankets, creating a competitive market. Historic competitors include C.C. Filson, Pendleton Woolen Mills, and Faribault Woolen Mill Company. Early's of Witney in Oxfordshire manufactured point blankets for HBC for over a century before ceasing operations in 2002. Replica products, such as the Glacier National Park Blanket by Pendleton Woolen Mills, are also part of the consumer environment. The HBC began adding labels to its blankets in 1890 specifically to distinguish its genuine products from those of competitors.

Modern branding and product expansion

Throughout the 20th century, HBC point blankets were sold at Hudson's Bay department stores across Canada. In 2025, Canadian Tire Corporation acquired the HBC brand rights and related intellectual property for $30 million during the liquidation of HBC assets. The company announced the continuation of Hudson's Bay point blankets and related Hudson's Bay stripes products. These items are sold online and at over 500 Canadian Tire national outlets. A limited collection is also available through its affiliate Mark's, which has over 350 locations.

The distinctive multi stripe pattern, known as Hudson's Bay Stripes, has expanded far beyond blankets into a wide range of Canadiana themed products. This includes fashion apparel like sweaters, mittens, socks, bikinis and tote bags, home accessories such as sheets, towels, cushions, and cookware, and nostalgic items like teddy bears and ornaments. Brand partnerships have incorporated the stripes into other products, such as Langford canoes, a special edition Barbie doll with Mattel, and collaborations with Levi's, Converse, and Steam Whistle Brewing. The Summer 2026 collection, launched on May 1, 2026, included striped pickleball sets, cornhole games, and beach umbrellas, demonstrating the pattern's application in leisure and sport.

The Blanket Fund and reconciliation

The history of the point blanket is connected to Canada's colonial past, which includes controversy. Indigenous oral histories suggest that blankets and clothing distributed in the 1700s and 1800s were sometimes involved in the spread of smallpox. In recognition of this history and as part of reconciliation efforts, the Blanket Fund, also known as Oshki Wupoowane, was established in 2022 with an initial $1 million investment from the Hudson's Bay Foundation. This Indigenous charity receives 100 per cent of the net proceeds from sales of authentic Hudson's Bay Point Blankets.

After Canadian Tire acquired the brand rights, it pledged to continue supporting the fund, ensuring at least $1 million annually regardless of sales. The fund provides grants through two streams to support grassroots Indigenous led initiatives focused on cultural, artistic, and educational activities. It is important to note that not all products featuring the Bay stripes contribute to this fund. Items like the caribou multistripe throw, or blankets made of cotton, cashmere, or fleece, are for profit items and do not direct proceeds to the charity. The fund represents a direct effort to acknowledge the complex legacy of the HBC and its trade goods within Indigenous communities.

Collectibility and cultural significance

Genuine HBC point blankets are highly sought after by collectors, with value determined by age, size, colour, pattern rarity, and condition. The HBC began adding labels to its blankets in 1890 due to competition from other manufacturers. Particularly collectible items include unseparated pairs of blankets, and special edition Coronation blankets produced for the 1937 and 1953 coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. Modern collectibles include the 2006 single pink stripe on a white background made in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and the blue and green multi striped version created for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

The blankets hold significant cultural meaning for many communities. Within some Plains Indigenous groups, the early multi striped blankets were highly valued and called chief's blankets due to their rarity. Métis novelist Chelsea Vowel noted in 2017 that the blankets are still given as gifts or utilized in communal rituals today. The blankets and their stripes have become ingrained in Canadiana, symbolizing national identity and cottage culture. They are held in major museum collections, including the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg, which houses over 27,000 HBC items, the Canadian Museum of History, and the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, preserving their complex legacy as both a practical object and a cultural symbol.

Museum collections and artistic representation

Hudson's Bay point blankets and related artifacts are preserved in numerous museums across Canada and beyond. The Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg holds an extensive collection of over 27,000 HBC items, including many blankets. The Canadian Museum of History has artifacts such as blanket coats used by Canadian athletes in the 1964 Olympic Games. The Glenbow Museum collection includes items like Siksika (Blackfoot) capotes made from point blankets and photographic records documenting their use. The Tamástslikt Cultural Institute displays a large collection of HBC point blankets, highlighting their role in the history of the region.

As a result of their cultural significance, Bay stripes have been featured in the works of historic and contemporary artists. In the 21st century, home decor featuring HBC stripes themed elements has become a part of Canadiana style. HBC point blankets have become part of the Canadian identity representing a nationally shared cultural symbol. The history of these blankets is connected to Canada's colonial history, serving as a tangible symbol of an era of cultural assimilation and disease transmission.

Questions about Hudson's Bay point blanket

What do the points on a Hudson's Bay blanket mean?

The points are short black lines woven into the edge of the blanket that indicate its size. They were invented by French weavers in the 1700s as a quick way for traders to identify a blanket's dimensions. Today, the point system corresponds to standard bed sizes. A 3.5 point blanket is a twin size, a 4 point is a double, a 6 point is a queen, and an 8 point is a king size. It is a common misconception that the points originally indicated the price in beaver pelts or the blanket's weight.

Where can I buy a Hudson's Bay point blanket now?

Following the 2025 acquisition, Canadian Tire sells Hudson's Bay point blankets and related striped products. They are available online and at its over 500 national outlets. A limited collection is available through its affiliate Mark's with over 350 locations. The blankets are also available in multiple colours and four different bed sizes as of 2026.

What is the Blanket Fund?

The Blanket Fund, also known as Oshki Wupoowane, is an Indigenous charity established in 2022. It receives 100 per cent of the net proceeds from sales of authentic Hudson's Bay Point Blankets. The fund was created to acknowledge the HBC's settler colonial history and to advance truth and reconciliation. It provides grants to grassroots Indigenous organizations for cultural, artistic, and educational initiatives. Canadian Tire has pledged to continue support with a minimum annual contribution of $1 million.

What is the value of a vintage Hudson's Bay blanket?

The value of a vintage blanket depends on several factors including its age, condition, point size, and colour or pattern rarity. Prices can range from around $300 to over $1,000 for particularly sought after examples. Collectors highly prize unseparated pairs, Coronation blankets from 1937 and 1953, and special edition blankets like the 2006 pink stripe or the 2010 Olympic version. Condition is a major determinant, with blankets in pristine original state commanding the highest prices.

Are all striped Hudson's Bay products point blankets?

No, not all products featuring the multi stripe pattern are authentic wool point blankets. The retailer sells various items with the Bay stripes, including a caribou multistripe throw, and blankets made from cotton, cashmere, or fleece. These are for profit items and do not contribute to the Blanket Fund. Only the specific wool Hudson's Bay Point Blanket, identifiable by its point markings and composition, directs its net proceeds to the charity.

Where are Hudson's Bay point blankets made?

Hudson's Bay point blankets have always been made in England. They were first manufactured there for the Hudson's Bay Company in 1779. Today, they are produced by John Atkinson, a sub brand of A.W. Hainsworth & Sons Ltd. The manufacturing process uses wool sourced from both Britain and New Zealand. This longstanding production in England is a key part of the blanket's heritage.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-23.