noun
lap blanket; lap rug
A small blanket or throw placed over the lap for warmth, often used while sitting at a desk, in a wheelchair, or on a sofa.
寒いので、ひざ掛けをかけてテレビを見た。
It was cold, so I put a lap blanket over my knees and watched TV.
オフィスでは、冬になるとひざ掛けを使う人が多い。
In the office, many people use lap blankets in winter.
Variant with okurigana かけ instead of 掛け.
Abbreviated mixed spelling; less common.
Abbreviated kanji spelling; less common.
毛布 is a general blanket for sleeping or covering the whole body, while 膝掛け is specifically a small blanket for the lap.
Compound of 膝 (ひざ, 'knee, lap') and 掛け (かけ, continuative form of 掛ける 'to hang, cover'). Literally 'lap cover'.