Which wools do we use to make our wool throws?

Which wools do we use to make our wool throws? Helping you to choose your perfect wool throw.

Choosing a wool throw can be a daunting task. There are so many types of wool throws and blankets on the market, and knowing which is a perfect match for you and your needs can be tricky and often involves trial and error. To help you decide, I have put together this guide to help you choose the perfect wool throw for your needs.

All wool is natural, biodegradable, insulating and breathable. The softness and thickness of a wool blanket or wool throw depend on the wool used to make the product.

People also use a few key phrases and terms when describing wool throws and blankets, such as lambswool and pure new wool. Put, lambswool is wool shorn from sheep under a year old. It is the wool from the first shearing. This wool is soft and silky with a fine finish. Lambswool is regarded as a high-grade textile.

Pure new wool is a term used to describe wool shorn from a sheep after its first shearing. It is its second and subsequent shearing. Pure new wool is graded to ensure no other fibres, such as recycled wool, have been added. Pure new wool refers to the quality of the wool. This wool can be mixed with many breeds of sheep. It is soft, but not as smooth as lambswool.

Swedish Wool

Swedish wool originates from farms in Southern Sweden. The wool is entirely natural and without any chemical additives. This wool is versatile and Swedish wool throws are perfect as a throw for the bed, a chair, sofas or around the home. Our Swedish wool throws are made of Swedish lambswool. These throws are thick, fluffy, warm and versatile. They are available in a wide range of colours and patterns.

Our Swedish wool throws are made from Klippan lambswool. These throws are thick, fluffy and soft. They are also incredibly versatile.

Recycled Wool

Country Mouse recycled wool throws fall into four categories. Our random recycled wool throws, British recycled wool blankets, Swedish recycled wool blankets, and merino recycled wool throws

Recycled wool is made from discarded and leftover wool from the production of our other wool throws. The recycled wool is used and collected from our production. It can be anything from wool fibres from the carding machine to wool yarn from the looms.

Our random recycled wool throws and British recycled wool throws are slightly coarser than our other ones; however, they are versatile. They retain all the benefits of wool but cost less than our other wool throws. We have no control over the colours of our random wool throws. These recycled throws are versatile; use them in your home, garden, or as a picnic blanket.

Our Swedish recycled wool throws are woven using recycled Swedish wool and Swedish lambswool. The fibres are relatively short when the recycled wool is shredded before weaving. Blending them with new wool creates a softer wool throw. These Swedish recycled wool throws are popular and are available in a wide range of colours and patterns. These throws are thick, soft and cosy.

The third recycled wool throw that Country Mouse stocks is the recycled merino wool throw in a classic herringbone pattern. These throws are made from 100% merino wool, but 50% is recycled merino and the other 50% is merino lambswool. These throws are soft and slightly thicker than our Scottish merino throws. However, they are lighter weight than our Swedish wool throws.

Our final recycled wool collection consists of wool throws woven in Yorkshire. These wool throws are woven from discarded and leftover wool from manufacturing our other wool blankets. Instead of being random and slightly smaller than our random wool throws, these are full-size wool blankets. 

Each wool blanket is woven in a herringbone or checked pattern. The colour of these throws is available in various shades of green, blue, orange, red and many other colours.  

 Country Mouse recycled wool throws are available in three different types of wool: random recycled, which is slightly coarse. British wool blankets are also slightly rougher and are more like Shetland wool. Swedish is softer, fluffier and thicker than merino, which is smooth and lightweight. All of our recycled wool throws retain all the benefits of wool but with added eco-friendly credentials. 

Merino wool

Merino wool is wool which comes from the merino sheep. Merino sheep are a fantastic breed bred specifically for their wool. The merino wool used to make our throws and blankets is sourced from New Zealand and South African merino sheep.

Merino wool is renowned for its exceptional qualities, which include fibres that are incredibly soft and fine and have air pockets to trap air. This helps to keep you warm and cosy.

As a wool and natural fibre, it is durable, breathable, and insulating. Combine this with the exceptional softness, and you are well on your way to the best fibre. Merino wool throws are lightweight, drapey and soft. Perfect for those who don’t like a thick, heavy blanket. Merino is thinner than other blankets, but thanks to its amazing properties, it's also very warm. Pure merino wool, like Cashmere, can be worn next to the skin. Due to its fantastic properties, Merino wool is often used in sports clothing as a technical base layer.

Merino lambswool is one of the best wool throws that you can have. These are soft and cosy. Merino wool sheep can produce this incredible fibre used for clothing, bedding, soft furnishings, socks and wool blankets.

Merino wool throws are soft, fine and lightweight. Perfect for draping over a chair or sofa. Merino is also really warm. 

Gotland wool

Gotland wool comes from the Gotland sheep. This is an ancient breed that has existed since the Viking age. Gotland sheep are initially from the Swedish island of Gotland. This wool is luxurious, full of lustre, silky and shiny. Our Gotland wool throws are thick and versatile.

Gotland wool throws are silky, soft, fluffy and lightweight.

As you can see, each wool has its own characteristics and qualities, and at Country Mouse, we love them all.  Ready to buy your perfect wool throw?