Let’s not mince words — wool is the king of cold-weather textiles. The product of shearing an animal, cleaning the coat, carding it into slivers and spinning it into yarn, wool is simple enough. But wool is high-tech, too: the cuticle of wool fiber is hydrophobic, meaning it dispels water quickly, and because those same fibers aren’t straight, you end up with air pockets that trap heat. Wool even wicks moisture and prevents the kind of bacteria build-up that usually leads to odors.
These attributes make wool the perfect material for blankets and throws. Get one to drape over the arm of your favorite chair, or simply keep it in the trunk of your car to safeguard against emergencies. Here are 10 fall-ready options below.
Avoca Donegal Wool Cobble Throw
These days, Avoca sells ceramics, cookbooks and clothes but its bread and butter will always be blankets, which it’s sold since the 1700s. This Donegal new wool throw is woven with three different colors of yarn and comes in two sizes. It’s also affordable, as far as 100-percent wool blankets go.
L.L. Bean Washable Wool Blanket
Washing a wool blanket in a washing machine (and drying it in a dryer) sounds like sacrilege. Yet somehow L.L.Bean made it possible with its machine-washable 100-percent cool blanket. The retailer tapped the legendary Pendleton Woolen Mills for this wool blanket, and it shows. It’s supremely soft, available in a universally loved herringbone design.
Woolrich Rough Rider Iconic Buffalo Check Blanket
Woolrich may have closed its last US plant in 2018, but it remains one of America’s most storied makers. The Rough Rider blanket is decked out in the brand’s iconic buffalo check, a staple print you’ll find in log cabins and camping sites across the world. Toss it over your shoulders around a campfire.
Pendleton Harding Jacquard Blanket
Thomas Kay founded Pendleton, but it was his grandsons who infused the legendary company with Native American influence. Its Jacquard loomed new wool blankets are among its most popular designs ever, and it’s pretty easy to see why: They’re gorgeous.
Best Made Axe Stripe Blanket
Best Made’s Axe Stripe blanket is made at the legendary Pendleton Woolen Mills. Instead of riffing on Pendleton’s iconic Native American-inspired prints, however, Best Made took a more whimsical approach. The wool-cotton blend blanket comes in a multi-striped colorway, making for a nice statement piece to a sofa or bed.
Brooklinen Color Field Wool Throw Blanket
Brooklinen is known for its bed sheets, but don’t knock down its other linens and textiles. Its Color Field Wool Throw is made in Germany at a family mill that’s been around for a century. The throw’s muted colors still add a pop of flair to wherever you throw it.
Faribault Woolen Mill Co. Cabin Wool Throw
In operation since 1865, Faribault is one of the biggest names in American wool. The Cabin Wool throw is a 100-percent merino wool masterclass in how to make a soft and warm blanket. Dry clean only, please.
The Citizenry Cascada Alpaca Throw
The Citizenry is a home goods store that partners with local artisans across the globe to bring a worldly selection to its inventory. Its Cascada Alpaca Throw is made in partnership with Weavers Of Huancavelica, a Peru-based workshop that’s a family ordeal. Because alpaca wool is hypoallergenic, this material is good for those who have allergies or sensitive skin.
Avocado Alpaca Wool Blanket
Avocado is more known for its organic mattresses than anything else, but it brings its environmentally friendly outlook to its wool blanket, too. The brand, which is actually carbon negative in that it offsets more carbon emissions than it emits, ethically sources its alpaca wool for a blanket that does good as much as it feels good.
Tekla Pure New Wool Blanket
Copenhagen-based Tekla was founded in 2017 by Charlie Hedin, who also co-founded the fashion brand Eytys – which can probably explain why there’s so much cool-kid cred behind the textiles brand. Its wool blanket is made of 100-percent virgin wool, and it’s the perfect complement for your already-cozy lifestyle.
Will Price
Assistant Editor, Home and Design Will Price is Gear Patrol’s home and drinks editor.
Tyler Chin
Tyler Chin is Gear Patrol’s Associate Staff Writer.
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