Wool blankets and wool throws

A wool blanket is made with 100% wool, a special fibre that possesses a rustic, humble charm, have naturally warming properties and extremely durable construction. A natural wool blanket or wool throw is ideal for adding cosiness to your home.

Advantages of thick wool blankets

Wool is an extremely warm fibre that actively heats in winter, while still allowing air to pass through, so is cool in summer. In other words, it’s breathable but cosy, making it ideal for use as a wool blanket or wool throw. A thick wool blanket is perfect for any room in your home.

In addition, wool is extremely strong. You needn’t worry about over-using your wool blanket or throw because wool is one of the most durable natural fibres out there, so you can guarantee your wool blanket or wool throw will last a long time. That means that you can wash, bend, throw and completely love your wool blankets without worrying if they’ll pass the test of time. Because of the material's robustness, natural wool throw blankets are also resistant to tearing and stretching out of shape. This is also thanks to the fact that wool has a slight natural elasticity.

Their durability makes them easy to care for, too. Wool blankets and wool throws can be washed in the washing machine on a wool setting, and are crinkle resistant (they never need to be ironed). Finally, wool is known to absorb harmful pollutants, to never re-emit them again. This means that using a wool throw in your interior decorating can actually help to purify your air for up to 30 years.

Affordable wool throw blankets

Despite the material’s amazing properties, wool throw blankets are very affordable because the fibre is a naturally occurring resource (that is, it’s renewable) and grows back very quickly. It is also sustainable and has a low impact on the environment because sheep are not intensively reared, so is easy to produce and harvest. Because of this, wool throw blankets are affordable and available in abundance. While it’s not a rare fibre and does not compete in the softness stakes like cashmere blankets for example, wool is a trusted material that offers extremely good value if a good-quality wool is used.

Of course, the better quality your product is, the better value it will be, because it will last longer if cared for correctly. And we absolutely guarantee that all wool blankets here at URBANARA are the highest quality, and are much cheaper than on the high street.

When purchasing a wool blanket online, make sure that…

The wool used is of high-quality. Your wool throw blanket will last much longer if they are made of 100% pure wool. The best-quality wool products are Woolmark certified, which is an internationally recognised trademark and considered the ‘global authority for quality woollen products’. It assesses the quality of wool textiles and products only using the most pure, softest, and highest-quality fibres are used. At URBANARA, many of our wool blankets and throws are Woolmark certified, so you can be sure that you’re shopping for quality items. URBANARA collections that are not Woolmark certified are nonetheless made to an excellent standard, having been sourced from wool producers, weavers and mills with generations of weaving experience, and who are considered experts in their trade. For this reason, many of URBANARA’s wool blankets are OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, which ensures that producers and manufactures adhere to strict environmental and social standards at all stages of manufacturing. The result is products of exceptional quality – so when shopping for blankets online, this is another great certificate to look for.

Pure wool blankets vs. wool blends

100% pure wool blankets are great for winter, but blends are wonderful, too. If you opt for a wool blend, ensure that the second fibre used is a natural material. This is because, despite this wonder-fibre being so long-lasting and easy to care for, synthetic fabrics still snap and stretch out of shape, leaving your blanket it a poor condition after a while.

Wool can be successfully blended with a number of fibres. Wool-cotton blends are suitable for the summertime and in general the warmer months, and can help make the product even more affordable. Wool-alpaca blends can lend a little refinement to the finished blanket, making it softer to the touch, and a little lighter, too, thanks to the light weight of the alpaca wool. For truly affordable luxury, cashmere wool blankets are delightfully soft, warm and light, easier to care for than pure cashmere, and often less expensive. If you’re looking for an affordable treat for yourself, or you want to treat someone special on a budget, a wool-cashmere blanket blend is a fantastic option.

The different types of wool blankets

Sheep’s wool is generally the one we think of when talking about ‘woolen blankets’, but there are actually two other types that also come from sheep (and excluding wool that comes from other animals, like alpacas, goats and yaks.

Indeed, sheep’s wool, depending on what type of sheep it came from and how it is or woven, can have very, very different textures and finishes. The most common types (apart from standard sheep wool) are lambswool and Merino varieties.

Lambswool blankets and throws

Sometimes referred to as ‘new wool’ or ‘virgin wool’ lambswool is slightly finer than sheep wool. It refers to the very first shearing of the animal (usually when it’s around seven months old), making it a softer, rarer fabric that requires less processing than other, standard wool. URBANARA offers a wide range of soft lambswool blankets and throws.

Merino wool blankets

Merino wool is another very desirable material for a blanket because it is just as durable and easy to care for as standard wool, but has finer fibres that feel softer against the skin. It is not quite as warm as lambswool, because it tends to be thinner. Merino wool comes from merino sheep, and there are different grades of this wool, too: fine merino wool fibres have a diameter of around 18-20 microns, which is around the same as cashmere. For those who suffer from sensitive skin and find wool to be slightly scratchy or irritating against the skin, a merino wool blanket (easy to buy online in the UK) is just the thing!

Styling wool blankets

Styling wool blankets – as with all home accessories – depends greatly on the texture and finish. Because wool is such a versatile fabric and can look and feel totally different, depending on what type of wool it is and how it’s been spun and woven, we wager that no matter what your décor style, palette, or penchant, there is bound to be a design that fits your home.

For a fluffy, ruggedly handsome finish, a twill weave or diamond weave can usually keep a little of the wool's fluffiness or pile. If you want something smoother, a jacquard weave wool blanket produces a smoother finish with less fuzz.

For a rustic, country-house look, or to add contrast in the form of texture, why not choose a knit? A knitted wool blanket displays a very chunky loop finish that would look superb on a smooth leather sofa, for example.

Aside from being practical, this simple home living textile is an easy way to update and add a little flair to your living room or bedroom. For a pop of colour, choose red, pink, yellow or blue wool blankets. To help subdue a brightly coloured or bold sofa, grey Scandinavian style wool blankets and throws work particularly well, or a plaid design in neutral or pared-down shades like beige, brown or cream. For a subtle patterned accent, you might also consider a two-toned style, like a contrasting herringbone or diamond design finished off with sweet fringing.

You can often find matching wool blankets and cushions too, which work wonders for creating a stylish and matching interior – and extra cosy and warm for the winter months!

Because wool is such a versatile fabric, it’s great news if you’re searching for a gift, too: bespoke wool blankets come in all styles and colours, are universally appealing, and are practical – so make the perfect gift for literally everyone. And don’t forget the little ones… which small person wouldn’t love kids’ blankets?

Buy wool blankets online in the UK

At URBANARA, we offer soft and warm wool blankets which are reliable, made from the best natural materials and come in bespoke, modern designs. Once you’ve chosen the colour and the type of wool you’re after, compare sizes and finishes to find the one wool blanket that’s right for whichever room you’re using it in. And remember that blankets aren’t just for sofas!

You can feel confident knowing that we’ll deliver your order free within the mainland UK, and you can take up to 14 days to fall completely in love with your new product… or your money back.