Top Ten Gifts of 2012: Number 6

Our number 6 gift is really special. Made from 100% Baby Alpaca, this Kimsa Woven Throw Blanket ($460) is incredibly soft and comforting. It uses Oeko-Tex certified organic dyes that compliment its rich undulating patterns made to mimic lines of sand in the desert. We love this non-traditional take on weaving, and combined with the luxurious softness of Alpaca, this blanket is sure to become a quick favorite.

Wonderful Wool

We've built our store around the idea that nature knows best, and one fantastic representation of this idea is wool. Wool is at once tough and delicate, soft and strong. Not only is wool super versatile, ranging from lambswool and mohair to angora, cashmere and alpaca, it has a number of properties that make it one of our favorite textiles to sell. Here's a taste of what makes wool so great:

Hand-woven blanket - $400

Wool is hypoallergenic. Dust mites don't live in wool, which are a major cause of allergens.

Wool is mildew resistant. The fibers in wool have a natural wicking property, keeping water from lingering in the fabric. Wool is also anti-microbial because its course fibers aren't attractive to bacteria. 

Wool is temperature regulating. Because of its moisture-wicking properties that keep sweat off the body, and its natural ability to keep your body warm in cold and cool in the heat, wool is a great temperature regulator in both clothing and bedding.


 

One of our beds. Hand-knitted alpaca throw - $800 / Handmade wool blanket - $395 / Military-inspired wool blanket - $150

Mohair throw - $275

Wool resists wrinkles and holds its shape.  The complex internal structure of wool makes it incredibly resilient. Wool fibers are also stronger by weight than cotton and more resistant to natural dirt and wear than most synthetics, which means that its long-lasting and super durable.

Wool is naturally fire resistant. This is a great trait to have in bedding, especially in baby and children's bedding.

Wool is a sustainable, eco-friendly fiber. When sheared from pesticide-free sheep, wool is a relatively low impact and incredibly sustainable fiber.

100% Merino Wool blanket - $790

Cross lambswool blanket - $440

It's easy to see why we endorse wool in so many forms: as a pillow stuffing or mattress topper, as a luxurious cashmere blanket or hardy lambswool comforter. Check out our wide wool selection; we know you'll love it as much as we do.

Meanwhile, here's a gorgeous video we found about the time-honored process of turning sheep's wool into a usable fiber.

shearing, washing and spinning from Christien Meindertsma on Vimeo.