Multi-Functional Hankies
By Jenn | June 30, 2009
I went hiking with a friend last weekend, and among the gear I usually bring along is a trusty bandana. They’re so useful out on the trail– napkin, washcloth, tourniquet, sweat-rag, neck-protector, hairband– the uses they fill are varied and important.
But this time, instead of grabbing a big bandana I selected a hankie from my pile of vintage ones, folded it neatly into my back pocket and walked out the door. And I really enjoyed using it during the hike! Instead of an unwieldy huge cloth flapping all over the place, I had a smaller and prettier cloth with which to mop my very sweaty brow, and to use during our lunchbreak on the top of a peak.
I was pretty excited to repurpose these pretty cloths, and not have to wait until I’m sick to appreciate their cuteness and usefulness. It was sort of an ah-hah! moment, I guess. This morning, I tucked one into my back pocket as I headed out the door on my bike commute to work, and it came in very handy after the steep ascent of the Williamsburg Bridge. It’s a little daintier (and much more efficient) to wipe the beads of sweat away with a pretty printed hankie rather than the backs of my grimy hands.
What are some of the varied uses you put your handkerchiefs to?
[Image by Ms.Lume via Creative Commons]
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Topics: General |
I’ve been collecting vintage embroided hankies recently. Gorgeous! Much nicer than tissues! I love using somthing that i know someone else has made and loved.
You are bringing back memories! I always carry a handkerchief everywhere, usually using them for wiping up baby nephew slobber or tying around a cold water bottle or other icy beverage. I used my best hankie on a hike in Glacier. I have photos of me going up the mountain with the hankie tied to my belt loop. It was beautiful. I even crossed paths with a grizzly bear on that hike! But guess what was missing the next day. Yup, my special, favorite hankie. I sent my BFF a photo where she could see the corner of the hankie. She went back to the shop I bought it at in San Francisco and found it for me again! I was *thrilled.* So yes, hankies are great for hiking! they are also colorful in the event you need to use it as an emergency signal.
ps - one could also carry a cloth napkin around for the same purposes! That’s what I do for things like swimming trips or big hikes where I will probably need something a little more than a small hankie.
Last year I bought a supply of hankies from Vermont Country Store, and try to remember to use them. I keep getting better about that. Yesterday, though, my hanky became an impromptu mask against concrete dust from road work. Thank Gods I had it handy!
It was a bandana and not a hanky, but I used it as an impromptu hiking bag. I forgot to bring a day pack on a trip, and one day we planned to take an afternoon hike. I took my bandana and filled it with lip balm, my phone, and snacks, then tied two opposite corners together and then the two other corners through a belt loop on my pants. It bounced around a little but was way comfier than stuffing everything in my pants pockets!
When I performed as a noble at The Ohio Renaissance Festival I used a hanky to wipe the sweat from my face and forehead. I’d wet it down and drape it around my neck when I started to get really hot (I had to wear 3 layers of period clothing as part of my costume) so I wouldn’t overheat during the summer. My hanky was also a useful prop when doing impromptu acting bits with other characters.
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