For a limited time, Sonoma Wool Company is offering woven wool blankets and scarves. They are the first woven items offered by the company and the company is excited for the new edition. A woven wool blanket will quickly become the favorite blanket in the house. You may want to buy multiple so no one has to fight over the one wool blanket in the house. The blankets are carefully crafted, made with fine, soft Merino wool, and available in three natural fiber shades which are completely dye-free. Read more to see why Sonoma Wool Company has the best wool blankets you can buy.
Sonoma Wool Company Wool Blankets Are Made with Soft Merino Wool.
There are more than 1,000 distinct breeds of sheep in the world. Merino wool comes from the fleece of the exclusive breed of Merino sheep. Their wool is known for being very soft and fine. The breed originated in Spain and the top-quality wool has since been imported into many other countries. It is often used to make comfortable wool clothing. The quality is so high that the USA Olympic Team has used merino wool to make their team sweaters. If merino wool is used to make comfortable sweaters, socks, and t-shirts, imagine how nice it will feel to cuddle up under a merino wool blanket.
Wool Blankets Are an All-American Resource and Product
When you purchase a wool blanket from Sonoma Wool Company you are supporting ranches and mills in the United States. The 100% merino wool was sourced from multi-generational ranches
Once the wool was delivered, it was scoured, spun, woven and finished in family-owned mills in New England, the former wool textile center of the United States. Sonoma Wool Company’s tagline is, “Re-Discover the Wonders of Wool.” We say, Re-discover, because not too long ago, perhaps just a generation or two, wool was an essential fiber used in everyday products. In the 1700’s and 1800’s sheep ranching became a major agricultural sector in New England, and wool mills proliferated, producing everything from blankets to fine apparel for both men and women. After World War II, the commercial development of synthetic fibers began, and ultimately dominated the market. This led to a decline in the demand for products made with wool. This, and the cultural demand for fast fashion, with cheap imported throw-away items, has resulted in wool being an after-thought to many consumers. Today, Sonoma Wool Company is excited to be a leader in the resurgence of people’s interest in wool, as it seeks to educate and remind folks to “Re-Discover the Wonders of Wool”.
Wool Is a Sustainable and Responsible Resource The textile and fashion industry has quickly become one of over production and over consumption. Wool products are part of the solution because they work within a circular economy. The sheep, and the ranchers who tend to them, help to maintain a strong and healthy ecosystem. The wool itself is a renewable resource because it grows back each time the sheep gets a “haircut.” Wool is naturally odor and stain resistant, so less energy is used in washing the products. Wool also lasts longer than synthetic fibers. That blanket you purchase today will still be useful 20 to 30 years from now. When a wool product does finally reach the end of its long durability, it will biodegrade in the soil and add nutrients back into the environment. That nutrient rich soil helps the cycle start all over again.
Wool Blankets are Safer Than Other Blankets
Wool is a protein fiber, and is naturally fire-resistant. Generally speaking, wool smolders, rather than flames. Therefore, blankets made with wool fibers are naturally fire resistant too. In days gone by, it was common for each room in the home to have a wool blanket, not only on the bed, but also in a closet in each room. In case of a fire in the home, people could wrap themselves in the blanket to protect themselves as they exited the home. Prior to the development of synthetic materials, wool was used to make the uniforms for fire fighters. Stay tuned for a resurgence of using wool in this area as well, as today’s firefighters are now getting cancer from their uniforms made of materials treated with Forever Chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wool Blankets
Do wool blankets come in different colors?
Yes. Sonoma Wool Company blankets are available in three all-natural fiber shades. The shades are a result of blending the different fibers prior to weaving. The white blanket is the natural creamy color of a white sheep. Gray is the natural dark color of a black sheep, and Pearl is a blend of wool from both white and black sheep. All of the blankets are woven in a classic and timeless herringbone pattern, and edged with matching threads.
Do wool blankets come in different sizes?
Yes. Sonoma Wool Company offers blankets in four different sizes: Throw (45 inches X 72 inches), Queen (90 inches X 90 inches), King (106 inches X 90 inches), and Baby (45 inches X 45 inches). The throws are perfect for the back of a couch or as a decorative accent atop bedding. A wool baby blanket can be a wonderful shower gift.
How do I wash my natural wool blanket?
Wool is naturally antimicrobial and does not need to be washed very often. If you want to sanitize your wool blanket, lay it out in the sun to sanitize it. You can also bring it to a professional dry cleaner who knows how to treat natural wool fibers using non-toxic, chemical-free methods.
If you spill something on your wool blanket, you can spot clean it by using soap, water, and a clean cloth.
It is not advisable to wash your wool blanket in a typical washing machine. Wool fiber is made up of layers and layers of scales that allow it to breathe and maintain its porous yet strong structure. The agitation cycle of a washing machine causes the scales to “catch” on each other. If you have ever washed a wool sweater, you have seen first-hand how the wool shrinks and can become lumpy. The wool used in Sonoma Wool Company blankets has never been washed with anything other than plant-based soap and water. (Note that not all wool is the same. Some companies use “super-washed” wool fibers in their products. This treatment coats the wool fibers with a polymer that seals the scales of the fibers so that they no longer open and close. This treatment enables the wool to be agitated and washed without shrinking. We prefer to use all-natural wool fibers that have not been super-washed, so that the wool in our products can maintain the unique qualities of breathability, temperature regulating, fire-resistance, moisture absorbing and anti-microbrial.)
Can I Use My Wool Blanket in the Summer?
Absolutely! Wool is often associated with warm sweaters, cozy socks, and even military uniforms. Because of its association with cold weather, people do not always think to use wool products during the summer months. Wool has temperature-regulating abilities, yes, even in the summer. Blankets made from other materials often trap heat which causes us to sweat and overheat. Wool allows the transference of air so that warm air particles and cool air particles are constantly replacing each other to allow for a peaceful night of sleep.
How to store wool blankets?
A wool blanket can be used all year round because it stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer. However, if you prefer to store your wool blankets for a particular season, place them in a breathable container. Avoid plastic containers that may seal in moisture.