What to look for when buying a wool throw blanket

A wool throw is one of those purchases that either lasts twenty years or pills and flattens within a season. The difference usually comes down to three things: the breed of sheep, the weight of the weave, and whether the mill is finishing the cloth or just selling it. We've been carrying wool textiles since 2018 and have a few opinions.

Wool breed matters more than the label ¶

Most blankets sold in the US are labeled simply 'wool' without specifying the breed. Merino is the most common, and it's soft and fine, but it's not always the most durable for a throw that gets daily use. Churro wool, from the Churra sheep breed brought to the Southwest by Spanish settlers, is coarser but significantly more resilient. It holds its structure after washing and doesn't pill the way fine merino can.

The throw we carry from the Columbia River region mill uses churro wool sourced from a cooperative in New Mexico. It's heavier than most throws on the market. 60 by 72 inches and substantial enough to use as a bed layer in autumn.

Weight and weave ¶

A throw under 400 grams is decorative. It looks good on a sofa arm but won't keep you warm. For actual use, look for something in the 600 to 900 gram range. The twill weave we carry sits at the heavier end of that range, which is why it drapes the way it does.

Twill is a more durable weave structure than plain weave for this application. The diagonal interlacing gives the cloth more flexibility and means it recovers its shape after being folded or compressed.

Washing and long-term care ¶

Wool throws should be washed cold, on a gentle cycle, and laid flat to dry. Never put wool in a hot dryer. The heat causes the fibers to felt. A process that is irreversible. If you're nervous about machine washing, a cold hand-wash in a bathtub works well. Use a small amount of wool wash or a very mild soap.

Pilling, if it happens, can be removed with a fabric shaver. It's not a sign of poor quality. It's a sign of friction, usually from a rough sofa surface. A throw used on a leather sofa will pill faster than one used on upholstered fabric.

The rust colorway we waited on since March is finally in. Come and feel it before you decide. Wool is one of those things that reads differently in person than in a photograph.