A good wool throw is one of the hardest-working things in a country house. It warms the sofa on a November evening, goes over a knee in the car, keeps the spare room comfortable for guests and ends up on the grass for a picnic in May. Choose well and it will be in use for decades. Choose badly and it will sit in a cupboard because it is too small, too scratchy or the wrong colour for every room.
This guide takes you through each decision in turn: where the throw will live, what size it needs to be, which fibre suits you, how heavy it should be, how the weave and finish affect it, and how to choose a colour that works with the rest of the house. At the end there is a short checklist you can use in a shop or on a product page.
Start with where it will live
Before you look at a single pattern, decide where the throw will spend most of its time. It sounds obvious, but this one decision settles size, weight and even colour.
- Over the back of the sofa. Needs to be large enough to cover two people's knees at once, and attractive enough to be seen all day.
- On a single armchair. A smaller throw works better here. Anything too large swamps the chair and ends up on the floor.
- At the foot of the bed. Should roughly match the width of the mattress, or fold neatly to that width.
- In the car or the boot room. Needs to be tough, easy to shake out and not too precious.
- Outdoors. For picnics, bonfires and cold evenings on the terrace, a dense, robust throw is best.
If you only buy one, buy for the sofa. A sofa-sized throw can do every other job reasonably well; an armchair-sized one cannot.
What size do you need?
Sizes vary between makers, but these are useful starting points:
- Armchair or reading chair: around 130 x 170cm.
- Two- or three-seater sofa: 140 x 190cm or larger.
- Single bed: around 150 x 200cm laid flat, or larger folded in half across the foot.
- Double or king bed: 200cm wide or more to lie flat; otherwise fold a sofa-sized throw in thirds across the end.
Always check the size on the product page. Product photographs flatter a throw by folding it, and it is easy to be surprised by something smaller than you expected. When you are torn between two sizes, choose the larger: a big throw can be folded; a small one cannot be stretched.
Choosing the fibre
Wool is the classic choice for a throw, and for good reason. Its fibres are naturally crimped, which traps air and makes it warm for its weight. It breathes, so you don't feel clammy under it. It resists odour and dirt better than most fabrics, and it is naturally slow to catch fire. But not all wool is the same.
Pure new wool
Wool spun directly from fleece. It is warm, hard-wearing and has the classic, slightly springy handle most people associate with a blanket. Some pure wools can feel a little coarse on bare skin.
Merino
Merino sheep have very fine fleece. Finer fibres bend more easily when they touch the skin, which is why merino feels soft rather than prickly. A merino throw is the gentlest choice for bare shoulders, children and anyone who usually finds wool itchy. British merino is still relatively rare. Our Harriet's Amber British Merino Wool Throw, in terracotta with a cream fringe, is a good example.
Recycled wool
Recycled wool is made by breaking reclaimed wool, from offcuts and old garments, back down into fibre and spinning it again. It keeps the warmth and breathability of wool while making use of material that already exists. Recycled wool throws are often dense, with a reassuring weight and a slightly textured handle that suits tartans and checks well. They are usually more affordable, which makes them a good first throw or a generous gift. See the Thomson Camel and Buchanan Blue recycled wool tartan blankets.
Blends
Some throws mix wool with cotton, acrylic or other fibres to bring the price down or change the feel. Blends can be perfectly good, but check the label: the more wool, the more of wool's benefits you get.
How heavy should it be?
Weight is often overlooked, but it changes how a throw feels and how you use it.
- Lightweight throws drape softly and are easy to fold and carry. They are ideal for spring and summer evenings, and for layering on a bed.
- Mid-weight throws are the most versatile. They are warm enough for a cold sitting room in winter and light enough to take outside.
- Heavyweight blankets feel substantial and comforting, and are excellent in cold houses, but they take up more space and are harder to wash and dry.
If you live in an old, draughty house, go heavier. If your home is well heated, a mid-weight throw will be used far more.
Weave, texture and finish
The way a throw is woven affects how it looks, feels and wears.
- Twill weaves, recognisable by their fine diagonal lines, are strong and drape well. Most tartans are woven as twills.
- Herringbone is a broken twill that forms a zigzag pattern. It looks smart and hides wear well.
- Brushed finishes raise the surface fibres for a softer, fluffier feel. Lovely to touch, but they can pill more in the early months.
- Fringed edges are traditional and suit sofas and chairs. Bound or hemmed edges are neater and better for throws that go in the car or outdoors.
A fringed plaid such as Ivy's Highland Tartan Plaid Throw has a relaxed, lived-in look that suits a reading chair or the end of a sofa.
Choosing colour and pattern
The right colour makes a throw look as though it has always belonged in the room. Start by looking at what is already there: the floor, the wood, the walls and the sofa.
- Oak, leather and brass sit well with camel, rust, mustard, moss green and brown.
- Stone, grey and painted walls suit navy, blue, charcoal and soft greens.
- White or cream rooms can take almost anything, but warm terracottas and camels stop them feeling cold in winter.
A useful rule is to choose a throw that contains one colour already in the room and one that is new. The familiar colour ties it in; the new one gives the room a lift.
Tartan, check or plain?
Tartans and checks hide marks, dog hair and creases, which makes them practical as well as handsome. They suit country rooms especially well. Muted tartans, in browns, greens and greys, are easier to live with than bright ones. A plain throw in a single strong colour looks more contemporary and is easier to combine with patterned cushions and rugs.
Throws for particular needs
For dog owners
Choose a dense recycled wool or a tartan that hides hair, and a throw you are happy to wash more often. Dogs love to sleep on wool, so it is worth having a throw that is theirs.
For anyone sensitive to wool
Choose merino, and look for a smooth finish rather than a brushed one.
For a gift
A muted tartan or a single warm colour is the safest choice, as it suits almost any room. Recycled wool tartans are an affordable gift that still feels generous; a British merino throw makes a gift to remember.
Looking after your throw
Wool rarely needs washing. Air it outside on a dry, breezy day, brush off any bits, and deal with spills straight away. When it does need a wash, follow the label exactly. Our guide to washing and caring for a wool throw covers washing, drying, pilling and keeping moths away.
How to style it
Avoid perfect, shop-style folds. A throw should look as if someone has just been using it. On a sofa, fold it lengthways in thirds and lay it over one arm, or drape it loosely over the back so a corner falls onto the seat. On an armchair, hang it over the back so it falls to the seat. At the foot of the bed, fold it in thirds across the end.
Pair wool with other natural textures, such as linen cushions, a rattan basket and a brass lamp, for a room that feels warm and collected. A large basket such as the Family Rattan Basket keeps spare throws within reach.
Frequently asked questions
Is wool too warm for summer?
No. Wool breathes and regulates temperature well, so a light wool throw is comfortable on a cool summer evening or in an air-conditioned room.
Will a wool throw itch?
Coarser wools can feel scratchy on bare skin. Merino is the softest option. Most people find any wool throw comfortable over clothes.
Why is my new throw shedding or pilling?
Loose fibres and small bobbles are normal in the first weeks, especially on brushed finishes. Shake the throw outside and remove pills with a wool comb. It settles down with time.
How long should a wool throw last?
With sensible care, many decades. Wool is remarkably durable, and many families still use blankets bought by their grandparents.
A quick checklist
- Where will it live?
- Is it large enough for that place?
- Which fibre suits you: pure wool, merino or recycled wool?
- Lightweight, mid-weight or heavyweight?
- Fringed or hemmed edge?
- Does it contain a colour already in the room?
- What does the care label say?
Answer those and you will choose a throw you use every day for years. Browse our throws, including the Amber British Merino, Ivy's Highland Tartan and the Thomson Camel blanket.