Yahoo Finance Best wool blankets: from recycled to pure wool and wool blend, the beautiful throws to buy right now
It won’t be long before frosty temperatures are here. The question is, are you ready?
With months of winter to endure, you may have taken the plunge and invested in a brand new winter duvet or cashed in all your cool points for the toasty warmth of an electric blanket (seriously, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it).
Perhaps you’ve read our roundup of the best personal heaters or electric heaters and added them to your online basket to ensure you’ll be toasty all through the winter.
BUT there’s one essential you may be missing: a wool blanket or throw. It’s exactly what you’ll be reaching for when curling up in front of the telly, or using as an extra layer on bracing winter walks.
Woolly Benefits
There are different types of wool blankets, but one thing they all share is that they’re durable and superb at keeping you warm, even when it’s cold and wet out.
While they’ll protect you against the elements, their moisture-wicking qualities will stop you getting sweaty and feeling clammy – a major plus if you’re planning a box set marathon or want a comfy nap.
One of the key benefits is that wool is biodegradable and sustainable. It decomposes in soil and seawater easily, in a way that many manmade textiles won’t. According to the Campaign for Wool, once it’s returned to the earth, it also releases ‘valuable nitrogen-based nutrients into the ground/ocean’.
That said, with proper care and storage, a wool blanket can become an heirloom piece, passed down from generation to generation.
Prices for Wool Blankets
Cost-wise, the more pure wool that is found within the blanket, the more expensive it’s going to be. Occasionally, producers will blend wool with another textile like cotton or acrylic to bring down the RRP a little.
But on the other end of the scale, blending with expensive wool like cashmere will see you paying full whack for a superior blanket.
It’s worth noting that as a raw, natural material, all pure wool is a little scratchy. For some, it’s all part of the rustic charm and it will soften over time with use. If you don’t like the idea, or you suffer from allergies, a blended wool blanket may be a wiser investment for your bank balance as well as your sinuses.
Washing and Storing Wool Blankets
To get the most from your blanket, you need to keep it in good shape. That means following the care instructions to the letter, no deviations. Some require Dry Clean Only, while others can be added to your regular washing load on a low temperature to avoid shrinking.
If in doubt, take your wool blanket to a professional, and always wash and air dry before your first use.
From cashmere to merino, our roundup of the best wool blankets for winter will have you looking forward to the next chilly night.
See our favourites below
ZigZagZurich Mythos One Wool Blanket by George Greaves
Bringing together art with textiles, this beautiful blanket has been crafted using 1.4kg of New Zealand's finest wool into an ancient Greek theme.
It measures 140 x 200cm, which should be enough to keep most people tucked in from shoulders to toe but we would rather drape it over our shoulders to wear out and about; this gorgeous design deserves to be seen.
To clean, hand wash with cold water or better yet, have the blanket dry cleaned.
Shop the full range of unique artisan wool branks from ZigZagZurich.
Large British Unique Recycled All Wool Blanket/Picnic Rug by Tweedmill
Made in the UK from recycled wool, this large blanket (150cm x 183cm) gives you a warm extra layer to place over your bed or use as a sofa throw, lending cottagecore vibes to your space.
As they are recycled, no two blankets will carry the same pattern; so while it means you can’t choose a colour, it also means your blanket will be one-off. Besides that’s a small price to pay for a high-quality, eco-friendly blanket that will last you for many years.
If you have pets you may find their favourite new spot is anywhere you place this blanket. Cats and dogs love the feel of natural wool and have been known to become quite possessive over the blankets, so it might be worth investing in a smaller version for them too.
Alpaca Loca Double Plaid Ocher & Natural Alpaca Wool Throw
Feel wrapped in golden sunshine in this beautiful throw which uses alpaca wool to add a warming layer when you need it most. The handmade blanket has been crafted by a wool-weaving community nestled deep in the Andes, so you can be reassured its a genuine piece with fairtrade credentials. Layer it on top of your winter duvet for an extra cosy sleep - perfect when Jack Frost comes nipping at your windows.
Heal's Merino & Cashmere Herringbone Throw
Woven in Ireland with a 95 per cent merino and cashmere blend, this luxe blanket will keep you perfectly warm whatever you have planned for the day ahead.
Measuring 180 x 136cm the contemporary-looking piece is super soft and is finished with a fun tasselled edge - making it perfect for the bedroom, lounge or even draped over your outerwear for extra warmth on a particularly chilly day. More colourways are also available.
The White Company Luxury Wool-Cashmere Throw
Designed to regulate your body temperature so that you’ll never feel too hot or too cold, this blanket combines wool (80 per cent) with luxurious cashmere (20 per cent) for an extra soft touch.
It’s woven in a classic herringbone pattern and finished with fringing on opposing edges to add a touch of style to the design. Available in a choice of light and dark grey, it will look lovely dressed across your duvet as a bed spread or stashed in the car for an extra layer when it’s particularly harsh out.
Woolmark Pure New Wool Blanket
Available in a choice of colours and sizes (this one is 75 x 100cm), this all wool blanket is edged with a thick polyamide satin ribbon with reinforced seams to ensure it lasts longer.
If you’ve got your central heating on a timer and don’t want to risk waking up cold in the middle of the night, this blanket is the perfect in-between. Dry clean only.
John Atkinson by Hainsworth Monarch Pure Wool Blanket, Winter White
Cuddle up in this baby soft white wool blanket but be warned: the danger is you may never want to leave the super soft cocoon. Measuring 230 x 230cm, it will make a superb additional layer over your regular bedding.
Made in the UK, gently hand wash the blanket when you want to clean it and air dry.
See all wool blankets from John Lewis here.
Simple Things Natural Wool Throw
Made with sumptuously-soft wool, this 180 x 130cm blanket has a wonderful versatility you won’t find with other blankets – wear it as a cape or settle in for movie night with it as a cover. It’s hand-finished with fringed edges, and as it’s 100 per cent wool, this item is dry clean only.
The Tartan Blanket Co. Check Lambswool Blanket
The weather may be dull, but it doesn't mean your blankets have to match. Add a splash of autumnal hues to your interiors with this lambswool blanket from The Tartan Blanket Co. Made with lambswool fibres in the brand's Edinburgh studio, the piece has been brushed to create an ultra-soft finish. We think it would look particularly handsome draped over a leather armchair by the fire, hot toddy waiting.
Heating & Plumbing London Super Fluffy Pure New Wool Blanket
London-based brand Heating & Plumbing is one of our favourite places to pick up springtime picnic blankets - and it turns out, they're an excellent source of wool blankets too. This 200 x 130cm version has been made with pure new wool and comes with its own storage bag to keep fresh when you're not using it. That said, with such a pretty colourway, we're sure we'd be enjoying it all winter long.
Crochet Merino Wool Throw Blanket
One of the more surprising fashion trends this summer was crochet. Now you can keep the look going at home all through winter with this colourful and incredibly soft merino wool throw, handcrafted in the same style. Blended with acrylic fibres, it's a dry clean only situation but with proper care, should give you decades of soothing warmth.
Verdict
As well as a useful extra layer to help keep you warm at night, a blanket is an easy way to add style into your space. Of all the ones featured in our edit, the ZigZagZurich Mythos One Wool Blanket is the most striking. Everything from the quality to the fact that no harmful chemicals or synthetics were used during its creation makes it a winner for us.
From a sustainability point of view, Tweedmill's recycled wool blankets deserve kudos. They're all made in the UK and upcycle unwanted fabrics in a charmingly rustic way that will work for most settings and occasions.
Read More
Best electric fireplaces: Top heaters for your home
Best alternative advent calendars: weird and wonderful countdowns to Christmas 2021
Best winter duvets 2021: high tog duvets to keep you toasty
Best mattresses 2021: memory foam, pocket sprung, hybrid and deals
Best ergonomic office chairs for home from budget to professional
Best weighted blankets of 2021: Calming weighted blankets to order in the UK
