The woven blanket earns its place not through sentiment, but through structure. Every inch is the result of deliberate craft — threads stretched on a loom, crossed one at a time, tension adjusted by hand. Unlike mass-produced throws, a handwoven blanket reveals the skill of its maker in the precision of its weave, the weight of its drape, and the longevity it promises. Materials matter: yak down that insulates without bulk, merino spun for softness and strength, silk that adds sheen and tensile durability. These are blankets designed to work — to warm, to endure, to integrate into daily living without fuss.
What makes them special is not ornament but utility sharpened into beauty. A woven blanket is an object of design intelligence: breathable in summer, insulating in winter, equally suited to a bed, a sofa, or the shoulders of its owner. Its value compounds with use, softening, conforming, and holding memory. In a world of disposable textiles, the woven blanket stands apart as an heirloom of craft — a piece that doesn’t just decorate a home, but improves it.
The Craft of Woven Blankets
To understand the woven blanket is to understand the loom. Warp and weft — threads stretched taut, crossed deliberately, built row by row. This technology is ancient, shared across cultures, yet still radically modern in its refusal to rush. A handwoven blanket might take days, sometimes weeks, to complete.
Norlha, based on the Tibetan plateau, embodies this ethos. In a village at 10,000 feet, artisans weave the downy undercoat of the yak — known as khullu — into textiles of remarkable softness and durability. Each blanket carries not just warmth but the story of a community: preserving traditional skills, creating sustainable livelihoods, and transforming raw material into heirloom-quality beauty.
Elsewhere, the story unfolds in different fibers and geographies: linen-blend weaves from Mourne Textiles in Northern Ireland, organic merino from Teixidors in Barcelona, bold Bauhaus-inspired palettes from Wallace Sewell in London. Each blanket is anchored in its place, its culture, its loom.
Image above: Courtesty of Norlha
The House List: Woven Blankets
NORLHA: Handspun Pebble Throw
Spun by hand over eleven days, this yak wool blanket is less accessory, more achievement. The natural white tone is understated, but the craftsmanship is anything but. Light, warm, and enduring, it’s an heirloom that carries the highland plateau into your home.
NORLHA: Overfelt Monk Throw
This isn’t a statement blanket — it’s a warm exclamation. Handwoven in Norlha’s Tibetan atelier from yak khullu, then over-felted to achieve its dense, sculptural texture, the Overfelt Throw marries ancient technique with a fearless hue. The bold orange tone feels like a sunset translated into fiber — vivid, grounding, impossible to ignore. Drape it over a sofa or wrap it around your shoulders, and you’ll carry not just warmth, but the rhythm of the loom and the handwork of the plateau.
PAULETTE ROLLO: Basketweave Throw
Designed by Paulette Rollo, this throw marries Scottish heritage with contemporary rhythm. Woven in the nation’s last vertical mill using 100 % lambswool, the Basketweave Blanket is fully reversible — no “front” or “back,” just duality in cloth. The pattern is rooted in tradition; its color transitions, inspired by stained glass, give it a modern pulse. Rollo’s signature lies in her crisp color clarity and complex weaves, and here that voice comes through in every square. Use it as a lap blanket, layer it at the foot of a bed, or let it drape over a favorite chair. It works — quietly, confidently — in rooms that respect craft and character.
LOEWE: Herringbone Wool Blanket
Loewe knows how to turn tailoring into texture. This wool herringbone blanket carries the polish of a suit but lives far more comfortably on a sofa. Soft, structured, and quietly confident, it’s the rare textile that dresses a room without trying.
NANTUCKET LOOMS: Nimbus Gray Handwoven Mohair Throw
Handwoven in Nantucket from brushed mohair, the Nimbus Gray throw feels as light as it looks. The dove-gray tone calls to mind harbor fog, while the brushed finish gives it a softness that almost floats. It’s a piece that proves understatement doesn’t have to be quiet — it can anchor an entire room.
MOURNE TEXTILES: Textured Herringbone Throw
Woven on vintage looms in Northern Ireland, this herringbone blanket is a masterclass in restraint. The graphite shade is cool and anchoring, while the raised weave adds just enough dimension. Understated, durable, and deeply tactile — it’s luxury by way of discipline.
EVANGELINE LINENS: Evangeline Merino Wool Blanket
Proof that a classic can still surprise. Woven from pure Irish merino, this blanket is smooth, warm, and edged in contrast stitching that gives it just enough bite. It’s a staple in the best sense — sharp enough to display, cozy enough to disappear under.
NORLHA: Handspun River Blanket
Altitude translated into textile. Handspun in Norlha’s Tibetan workshop from yak khullu, each thread carries the rhythm of the artisan’s hand. The natural tones are subtle, the warmth immediate, the texture honest. It’s a blanket built to outlast trends — and maybe you.
JOHNSTONS OF ELGIN: Cashmere and Silk Brushed Bouclé Blanket
Cashmere and silk in a bouclé weave: airy, tactile, and just indulgent enough. Woven in Scotland, this blanket balances refinement with ease. It’s the kind of piece that looks effortless until you touch it — and then you understand the craftsmanship behind the calm.
TEIXIDORS: The Hera Throw
Woven in Barcelona by Teixidors, the Hera throw blends merino wool with silk in a composition that feels at once refined and relaxed. The silk brings a delicate sheen; the merino ensures temperate warmth. Its color palette whispers of linen-washed earth, and the weave is precise without being rigid. Drape it over a chair or use it for a quiet evening under open windows — it is elegance without fuss, comfort without apology.
Credits:
Images courtesy of the designers and brands listed in this story.
