Winter has settled in, and it's time for hot cocoa, good books and snuggling up in our favorite reading nooks. There is nothing better than finding that perfect cozy blanket to wrap yourself in as the days grow colder.
Finding the perfect blanket can be difficult, especially if you're not familiar with the fundamentals of heat retaining properties of certain materials. Some fabrics are warmer than others, but knitting is also important in determining warmth. Although it may be counter intuitive, loosely woven textile are warmer than tightly knit textiles. This is because the holes and spaces between the yarn fibers trap the warmth of your body. It takes a while for the heat to escape and it builds up inside the blanket next to your body creating superior warmth. So when you're shopping for winter throws, look for loose knits and waffling for the greatest heat retaining quality.
1. Goose Down: Down has the highest level of heat retention of any natural substance. It can also be heavy and bulky to carry around the house, so these blankets are usually relegated to the bedroom.
2. Qivuit: This natural fiber comes from the soft downy undercoat of the Muskox, which is a very old species that has been around since the time of the woolly mammoth. Qivuit yarn is extremely expensive because it is one of the lightest, softest and warmest of all the natural fibers. It is 8 times warmer than regular wool.
3. Angora: Shorn from rabbits, this luxury fiber is light, fluffy, soft and 7 times warmer than regular wool.
4. Alpaca: The fine lustrous fur from the undercoat of an Alpaca, which is a type of camel, retains heat like angora, but it's not as fluffy or soft.
5. Cashmere: Known as the fabric of kings, this textile comes from the undercoat hair of the Kashmir goat. The material is commonly worn as winter sweaters and scarves and is roughly 4 times warmer than regular wool.
6. Wool: This is the working horse of warm fabrics. It's affordable and abundant and despite it's more luxurious counterparts, it will keep you toasty during the winter months.
7. Silk: This is a hypoallergenic fabric well known for its draping ability and its luster, but it also absorbs moisture and reduces humidity, making it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
8. Synthetic Fleece: A lightweight durable fabric that is made using polyester fibers that can retain heat similar to wool.
9. Flannel: Modern flannel is usually a mixture of synthetic fiber and loosely spun wool. Since most flannel is not 100% wool, it is not as warm as the real thing, but it is softer than wool making it better suited for close contact with the skin.
10. Cotton: This familiar fabric is warmest in thick weaves like herringbone, mesh, waffle and basket. It will retain some heat but it is mainly a breathable affordable fabric that is best in a warmer climate where you don't want to be overheated.
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Much as I love winter, it's not that season yet. It's fl=all. After Thanksgiving it becomes winter, at least in my mind.
I love fake fur with velvet-like material on the other side. It's so luxurious. Here's one of mine http://thefirstapartment.blogspot.com/2011/01/50-dollar-fix-couch.html
~Katy
though it's not very winter-y, the throw in the photo is beautiful!
my first choice, though, would always be to have throws and blankets made by various members of my family. whether knit, crocheted or sewn, those items warm my heart as well as my "tookus". :)
I wonder if making blankets is becoming a lost art. I know how to knit, but I can't knit very well and my attempts are always uneven. I have friends who can knit, but it takes them a long time to make a whole blanket, so they usually don't do anything that big.
Hello, picture from my all-time favorite AT house tour.
My mom is a master knitter, so I have been spoiled my whole life with an abundance of handmade blankets. She made a college graduation present afghan for every cousin in my family, and I love going into their apartments and houses around the country over the years and seeing those blankets in use.
Alpacas are not a type of camel; they're a camelid. Calling them a type of camel is like calling sheep a type of cow (they're both bovids).
I shudder to think how much a qiviut throw would cost, given that scarves can be a few hundred dollars. Great tips on what to look for in terms of weaves.
Where can I get that clock? I love it!
I'm with you, art is necessary. I have a bunch of throws (I have a bit of a problem...) that look nice and go with my decor, but my favorite is one that I "stole" from my dad - it's a quilt my great-grandma made for him when he was a boy. It's a hideous red-white-blue thing, but it's gigantic and warm and I've loved it since I was a kid. It warms my body and my heart!