How do texture and warmth differ? A blanket comparison

A warm blanket is essential in winter. Whether you're cozying up at home or heading out for a picnic or some outdoor time, a blanket is something you can always rely on—the kind of item you want to have several of on hand. ZUTTO carries a number of blanket brands, each with its own characteristics in material, texture, and pattern. As the season for gift-giving approaches, we'd like to help you choose a blanket that's just right. 

Blanket Sizes

The word "blanket" covers a range of products, and their names and uses vary depending on size. To help you find your favorite blanket, let's first check which size will be easiest for you to use.

Mini: Lap blanket size (approx. 65×100 cm)

Convenient to carry around, this size is great for outdoor activities and watching sports. If you sit sideways on the sofa with your feet up, your feet may end up peeking out from underneath. 

Approx. 65×90 cm　Baby Throw Rumba Rose / KLIPPAN

Approx. 65×90 cm　Mini Blanket Polar Bear Navy / KLIPPAN

Approx. 81×112 cm　Blanket Chief Joseph Muchacho Blankets Ivory / PENDLETON

This measures approx. 186×68 cm, but when folded in half, it becomes mini-sized.

[Special Order] Blanket DANAJA 0155 with linen / Silkeborg Plaids

Half: An oversized lap blanket (approx. 90×130 cm)

When used by just one person, the half size is neither too big nor too small—the easiest to use. It can accommodate two adults sitting side by side, though it may feel a bit snug in that case. Keep one in the car, and you can use it while driving or pull it out quickly whenever you're out and about.

Approx. 90×approx. 130 cm　Half Blanket Sheep Beige / KLIPPAN

Approx. 100×130 cm　Half Throw Sjaunsund Cross / KLIPPAN

Single: A blanket that doubles as a duvet (approx. 130×180 cm)

This size fully covers your legs when you sit on the sofa with your knees drawn up and the blanket draped over your shoulders. It's large enough to use as a substitute for a duvet on a single bed, and at this size, two adults can use it together without feeling cramped. 

Approx. 195×132 cm　 Blanket IDA 6600 BLACK / Silkeborg Plaids

Approx. 180×approx. 130 cm 　Blanket CHEVRON VISUAL Coral / MANTECAS

Approx. 130×approx. 180 cm　Single Blanket LAKE IN THE VALLEY Navy / KLIPPAN

Throw: An oversized blanket that doubles as interior décor (approx. 130×200 cm)

The throw is the largest size among the blankets we carry at ZUTTO. It's a bit too large for one person to use on the sofa as is, so it's best folded for extra warmth, draped from the backrest to the seat of a sofa, or even used as a bed cover. If you use it on a bed, rather than placing it inside the duvet, draping it over the top of the duvet will provide even better insulation.

Approx. 130×approx. 200 cm　Throw Ines Yellow / KLIPPAN

A view of the approx. 130×approx. 200 cm​ size folded in half. Throw Quilt Beige / KLIPPAN

Blanket Materials

Wool, the classic warm material

Wool is known as a natural material with excellent moisture-regulating properties. The cuticles on the surface of animal fibers open and close to absorb moisture in humid conditions and release it when dry, helping to regulate the moisture in the air. Wool in particular is said to be able to absorb over 30% of its weight in moisture, and the comfort it offers—something synthetic fibers can't replicate—comes from this natural function. This means wool actually maintains a pleasant, consistent level of humidity even when used year-round.

What's more, an oil component called lanolin helps repel moisture, so even if you spill water on a wool fabric, quickly blotting it with a dry towel will keep most of it from soaking in—making wool an ideal material for a blanket you might use every day on the sofa with a drink in hand.

Even among wool blankets, texture can vary depending on the type of wool and how it's woven, so please use the differences described below as a reference.

KLIPPAN

KLIPPAN's wool blankets, which ZUTTO carries in a wide range, are made from lambswool that has been felted. The half blankets described above have a firm body, with a thick feel and tightly packed fibers. You won't notice much when touching them with the palm of your hand, but they can feel slightly prickly against the arm. That said, the thickness gives them exceptional warmth.

Even among KLIPPAN blankets, the larger sizes—such as the single size and throws—are made somewhat thinner. The fabric has a softness to it rather than a firm body, making it a good choice for those who like to drape a blanket over their shoulders. If you love wool blankets but aren't fond of that prickly feeling, we recommend going with a KLIPPAN single or throw.  

PENDLETON

PENDLETON blankets have short pile with little raised nap, so they aren't very prickly. The brand insists on using only high-quality 100% virgin wool. Drawing on long-cultivated relationships with sheep farmers, PENDLETON sources high-quality wool and screens it against strict standards for fineness, crimp, length, strength, and color. This dedication to wool results in the smooth, refined touch that the brand is known for.  

A fluffy touch: mohair

Mohair refers to the hair of the Angora goat, a material that has long been prized for its warmth. It has a beautiful sheen unlike any other material, and when blended with wool, it's designed to add warmth and resilience.

The pleasantly fluffy, brushed feel combined with a firm, springy texture is unique to mohair. Compared to wool, it's much less prickly, giving a bouncy, fluffy sensation.

MANTAS EZCARAY

The mohair blankets from MANTAS EZCARAY feature long-pile mohair that creates a beautiful gradation. The vividness of the colors is unrivaled, making for a truly striking appearance. If you're not used to it, the texture of the long mohair pile might feel a bit unusual at first, but since each individual strand is soft, the finish is gentle on the skin. And above all, the fabric's surface has enough thickness to reliably block out cold air, giving a reassuring sense of warmth.  

Cotton, for every season

Cotton, with its crisp and refreshing image, might seem like something meant for summer, but of course it can be used in winter as well. Its smooth, sleek touch feels pleasant, and it offers solid warmth, making it easy to use in slightly chilly spaces. Its gentle feel against the skin is also appealing for children and babies.

KLIPPAN

KLIPPAN's chenille blankets use what's known as chenille yarn—yarn that has been twisted and then had the small protruding fibers on its surface cut, creating a mole-like texture. The touch is like velour: fluffy and smooth. Wool wins out in terms of warmth, but many people will find themselves drawn to this gentle texture. It's a great option for those who simply can't stand the prickliness of wool.  

PENDLETON

PENDLETON's towel blankets are also 100% cotton. They're thick and warm, with a velour-like touch on the surface—much like KLIPPAN's chenille blankets—while the back features a loop pile, letting you enjoy two different textures in one blanket.  

Blanket colors and patterns

Blankets and throws cover a large surface area, so depending on how they're placed or displayed, their color and pattern can have a real effect on the interior of a room. Put another way, simply changing your blanket can change the whole feel of a space. In the Nordic countries, for instance, it's said that bright, cheerful, colorful blankets are commonly incorporated into daily life to help lift people's spirits through the long, cold winter. Even something as small as color or pattern can have a big impact on how we feel.

Personal taste, the mood of a room, compatibility with furniture—there are many factors to consider, but the ability to casually bring in bright, playful colors and patterns is one of the unique charms of a blanket.

Throw Ines Bordeaux / KLIPPAN

With its warm tones based around bordeaux, just one of these blankets can instantly give a room a wintery feel. The combination of 3 weft colors and 4 warp colors creates 12 differently expressed squares. It's colorful yet has a subdued quality, which makes it easy to bring into any space.  

Blanket Chief Joseph Muchacho Blankets Khaki / PENDLETON

A Native American-inspired pattern in warm, heart-warming tones can add just the right spice to a room. The Chief Joseph pattern is one of the oldest designs created by PENDLETON, dating back to the 1920s. Its name, Muchacho, means "boy" in Spanish. With relatively calm coloring, it's a design loved by all.

Blanket PIED DE POULE Bordeaux/Black / MANTECAS

The PIED DE POULE series of blankets, with its striking large-scale houndstooth pattern and bordeaux check, is characterized by a fluffy, three-dimensional weave. Thanks to its bold pattern, it pairs easily with natural interiors as well as modern atmospheres, and its wintry red creates a space that suits the season perfectly.

If the smell of the wool bothers you

Some people may find the smell of a wool blanket noticeable when they first start using it. The distinctive smell of sheep's wool tends to become less noticeable over time as it's exposed to air through use, but if it bothers you, air it out in a well-ventilated, shaded spot before you begin using it.​

Warm to the touch and often delightful to look at, blankets make a perfect winter gift. For those who cherish time at home, the versatile half size is ideal; for those who are always on the go, the mini size is easy to carry along. For women who love bright colors, for men with particular tastes—please take the time to find a blanket that matches the preferences and lifestyle of someone special to you.

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