Looking for the perfect gift this winter? Something to keep you cozy? Something you can cuddle up with on your own, or with someone else? Look no further than a wool blanket! This article will take you through the benefits of a different wool blankets, the benefits of all, and what to look for when buying one.
Different Types of Wool Blankets
The first thing you need to decide when deciding to purchase a wool blanket is which one you’re going to purchase. This can be a difficult decision, as there are many different varieties. The first is a synthetic wool blanket. Synthetic blankets are generally lighter than other types of wool blankets, making them a perfect option for people who overheat easily but still want a cozy blanket. They generally run a little cheaper than wool blankets, making them a great entry item, or the perfect blanket for someone on a budget.
The next type of blanket is a natural wool blanket. These tend to be a little pricier, as they are often handmade and considered luxury products. The wool in these blankets tend to be super fine, which makes them perfect for people who find thicker wool blankets itchy or irritating on their skin. They also tend to be lightweight, making them perfect for anyone who overheats easily.
We move on now to llama wool blankets. These can be a little more difficult to find, which makes them more expensive than alpaca or synthetic wool blankets, though still usually cheaper than natural wool blankets. Llama fur is thicker than other types of blankets, making llama wool blankets the perfect choice for someone who wants a really thick blanket, although they could cause skin irritation.
A good alternative for people with more sensitive skin is an alpaca wool blanket. Alpaca fur is thinner, making for a blanket that many people find significantly less itchy than thicker blankets. There are two different types of alpacas used for these blankets (the Suri and the Huacaya), and together, their fur comes in 22 colors, leading to a great deal of variety with these blankets.
The final type of wool blankets are merino wool blankets. These are made from the fur of merino sheep, which is super fine and great for people with sensitive skin. It’s also thinner and softer than regular wool, making them very comfortable. Unfortunately, this also makes them much pricier (about double the price of llama or alpaca wool blankets), though they still come in at less than natural wool blankets. Overall, when deciding what type of blanket is right for you, there are many factors to consider.
Which Type of Blanket is the Best?
When looking online, the most popular type of wool blanket seems to be the merino wool blankets. This makes sense, as merino blankets are very high quality and are middle of the range in terms of the average price of wool blankets.
Merino wool boasts being able to regulate body temperature and cancel out odor, making them the perfect blanket to take on hiking trips or outdoor excursions. In addition, merino wool is super soft, making it perfect even for someone who isn’t an outdoor enthusiast. They’re perfect for people with sensitive skin, and allergy resistant. An overall crowd pleaser.
Benefits of Wool Blankets
There are many benefits of sleeping with wool blankets. Unlike some blankets, which may be too rough on your skin, wool blankets tend to be incredibly soft and incredibly comfortable. Their thickness leads not only to their durability, but their ability to trap heat and keep you warm, even in the coldest winter. They’re also all natural, and an allergy to wool is incredibly rare, making them the perfect gift for just about anyone.
Wool also is naturally water-repellent. The top layer of the wool is water resistant and repels moisture, whereas the interior layer can absorb a huge amount of liquid (up to 30% of its weight). This is great for a blanket, as it will absorb any sweat and leave the person sleeping with it feeling cool and comfortable all night long.
Wool is also flame-resistant. If a wool blanket does catch fire, it chars and burns out rather than melting or spreading the flames to other objects. Wool is the required choice for firemen’s uniforms and army blankets. Wool is basically the Superman of fabrics, when it comes to blankets.
What to Keep in Mind When Buying a Wool Blanket
There are many factors to keep in mind when considering which wool blanket to buy, and they mainly come down to personal preference. Perhaps the most important thing to think about is what type of material you’d like your blanket to be. If you have a problem with wool irritating your skin, your best bet would be fine material, such as synthetic wool, natural wool, or merino wool. For those who are looking to save a little money and don’t care/aren’t affected by skin irritation caused by wool blankets, their best bet would be a llama wool blanket.
The style of each is also something to consider. Usually bright colors are found in alpaca wool, whereas more natural colors can be found in natural wool blankets. The type of aesthetic could impact your decision in the type of material you want, which is another factor to consider when looking into which blanket is right for you.
You’ll also want to consider which size you want. Do you want something to cover your entire bed, or are you just looking for a throw blanket, or something to put in your bag while you’re hiking, or something to wrap your baby in? Remember to check the dimensions of the blanket you’re purchasing before you place your order. Usually, the dimensions will be readily available for your viewing immediately under the product, and a helpful size guide can be found at the following link.
The last factor (and perhaps the most important to keep in mind when shopping) is the price of the blanket. The prices of wool blankets can range like crazy, with some (usually alpaca wool or synthetic wool) as cheap as $40, and some natural wool blankets going for up to $500 or $600. Remember to shop around, as you’ll often be able to find deals, and remember the amount of hard work and artistry that goes into creating some of these blankets.
A wool blanket can be a great investment, and can provide much warmth during the winters, and can even be cool to sleep under during the summer. Wool blankets are perfect for cozying under watching Netflix or watching the stars, and will make a great present for the rapidly approaching holiday season.
