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Home » Mixing Colours and Neutrals: Layering The Best Canadian Wool Blankets

Mixing Colours and Neutrals: Layering The Best Canadian Wool Blankets

Danielle · September 28, 2021 ·

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Canadian wool blankets are a great way to add cozy layers for fall, as well as mixing colours and neutrals. I’m sharing about our MacAusland’s wool blankets, including our trip to the woollen mill and some wool care FAQs.

A welsh terrier lays on a bed with a dark gray Canadian wool blanket laid messily on the bed and a vintage book about a dog

Note: I have no connection with MacAusland’s Woollen Mill – I just love their blankets and promoting Canadian businesses.

Mixing Colours and Neutral Decor

I love decorating with colour, and I have so many favourite colours that it’s hard to choose just one. Often I use several colours in a room, like in our bedroom below. Our walls are Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue, and we have a lot of wood – our wood floors, headboard, and bedside tables. Then there are a lot of accent colours in the art, in the quilt on the bed, and on the shelves off to the left (which I haven’t shown you in full yet).

A dark grey wool blanket with stripes is folded across the end of a bed with a colourful quilt on it, wood headboard, colourful art

In order to balance out the colour, I like to incorporate a lot of neutrals. The shelves, ceiling, wardrobes, bench and rug are all neutral, and it gives the eye room to rest so that the colours are not overwhelming.

But now that it’s fall, I am feeling the need to be cozier, and it’s a great time to add in lots of neutral textures. My favourite way to do that is by adding Canadian wool blankets made at MacAusland’s woollen mill.

Our First Canadian Wool Blanket

We made a big road trip to three Atlantic Canada provinces in 2015, with just a couple days on Prince Edward Island (PEI). In a tourist shop at Peakes Quay, in Charlottetown, we found a wool blanket that we liked. It was a second, meaning it had some slight imperfections, and therefore no label on it. But we didn’t care.

A welsh terrier lays on a bed with a colourful quilt and a dark grey wool blanket with stripes
Side note: I’ve recently started trying to get Oliver to pose for treats for some photos, but usually working for a treat means intense eye contact until he knows he’s earned the treat. So I’m going to have to work on letting him relax first, because all he would give me is awkward body language and an intense stare at the treat 🙂

We used that wool blanket as a much-loved extra layer on our bed in the winter for a few years.

Then in 2018, we made a longer trip to PEI. When I was researching our itinerary, I stumbled across the MacAusland Woollen Mill, where our blanket had been made. And lucky us, we were able to tour the mill. I was excited to add that into our itinerary.

You can see a living mood board from our bedroom with both neutrals and colour in the post, Feels Like Home Book Review.

MacAusland’s Woollen Mill – Canadian Wool Blankets

MacAusland’s Woollen Mill is located in Bloomfield PEI, and it is open to the public – except during the pandemic so check before you go.

Exterior of MacAusland's Woollen Mill who makes Canadian wool blankets

According to their website, they are “the only mill in Atlantic Canada still producing traditional blankets of 100% virgin wool”. MacAusland’s is a sixth generation family business that has been making wool blankets since 1932 (although the mill was originally a sawmill and gristmill before that). They suffered a fire in 1949 that left them with only one original piece of machinery, but they use other machines that are quite old as well, and it is charming!

You can read more about the process MacAusland’s uses to produce wool blankets here.

We loved touring the factory. Here was the large room where the wool arrives from all over Canada and the United States. We loved seeing a really large bag marked from Rosetown, SK near where we grew up.

A warehouse part of the mill where very large bags of wool arrive that will be turned into Canadian wool blankets

I believe that in this room the wool is washed and carded in giant machines. (All the machinery is enormous!)

The washing and carding room of the woollen mill with large piles of raw wool and giant fans

Inside, the wool is spun into yarn (which they also sell), and then woven into blankets.

Large machines in the woollen mill with strands of yarn up overhead
A really large piece of industrial equipment in the woollen mill
Industrial style carts in the woollen mill full of bobbins of wool
A worker is working on a large machine using hanks of green yarn

They have a shop area where they sell yarn and handmade items.

Shelves full of wool yarn for sale at the woollen mill in all sorts of colours

They also sell wool for felting.

An aisle in the mill that has wool for felting for sale in large bags on shelves

And there are their famous blankets. They have a lot of lap blankets, as well as Queen and Double/Full. They have a larger selection available on their website than what is shown here.

Shelves of Canadian wool blankets in lap size for sale in the mill in a variety of colours

To read more about our trip to PEI, check out Barn Quilts, or Meaningful Souvenirs.

Where to Buy MacAusland’s Canadian Wool Blankets

You can order by phone directly from MacAusland’s, and you can even order custom blankets. As well, you can order them from a local shop here in Ottawa, Maker House Company.

Buying More Canadian Wool Blankets

While we were at the mill in person, it was fun to pick out three more blankets. We also got some wool dryer balls.

Label on green wool blanket - MacAusland's which makes Canadian wool blankets on PEI

We got two small throw sizes in a pale green tweed and a pale blue tweed.

A welsh terrier lays on a green couch with a blue striped wool blanket draped nearby

As well, we got another Queen size tweed blanket in a pale grey with stripes. I just think they are so classic and timeless. I love to layer them on the bed with my colourful handmade flannel-backed quilts in the fall and winter.

One of our Canadian wool blankets in a pale grey striped tweed lays folded across the end of a bed with a colourful quilt.

In the coldest parts of the winter, we often add in a duvet, but for much of it we do just fine with a few layers of quilts and a wool blanket.I often keep them folded at the end of the bed and then we just pull it up as needed when it’s time for bed.

I love using natural fibres in our clothing and decor as much as possible, including cotton, linen, and wool. And I enjoy the combination of the colourful quilt I handmade myself and the wool blanket that was made in Canada, as well as the contrast between the textures and colours.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wool and Wool Care

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure for more information.

What is virgin wool?

Virgin wool is wool that has not been processed or woven previously, or wool taken from a lamb’s first shearing. It is softer and stronger, and more resistant to wrinkling than recycled wool.

Are the blankets scratchy?

Wool is naturally more scratchy than a synthetic fleece or faux fur blanket, but these wool blankets are soft and cozy. Speaking for myself, I like to keep other blankets layered and avoid pulling the wool blanket right up under my chin.

What are the benefits of wool?

Wool is naturally insulating, which means it will keep you both warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. Wool is also naturally flame resistant, burning at a slow rate and can even self-extinguish. This makes it a great choice for bedding. In addition, wool is very breathable, and its fibres make it very strong and durable.

How long do wool blankets last?

If they are taken care of properly, wool blankets can last years or decades, making them a good investment. There is a reason you often see vintage wool blankets for sale.

Can I wash a wool blanket?

Yes you can! MacAusland’s recommends washing on a gentle cycle or by hand with a mild detergent or wool rinse. Then lay it flat to dry or hang it up. The most important thing is to NOT put the blanket in the dryer.

Why can’t wool go in the dryer?

The heat from the dryer will cause the fibres to shrink and weaken, resulting in a much smaller blanket (or an unwearable piece of clothing).

What detergent should I use to wash my wool blanket or clothes?

Choose mild detergents, or ones specifically manufactured for wool. Avoid using detergents with enzymes as they will break down the wool fibres.
The detergent that I use on my wool products is Kookaburra Wash, and I find that it works very well and has a pleasant scent.

In addition, the Woolmark website has a list of recommended wool-safe detergents available by continent.

How often should I wash my wool blankets?

Not often. Washing wool too often dries out the fibres and eventually wears away the lanolin, or the substance in sheep’s wool that protects it from moisture and bacteria.

The Woolmark website has some great tips for taking care of wool blankets, including airing outside, brushing, and treating stains.

Layering Canadian Wool Blankets for Neutral, Cozy Texture

I’m happy to support a long-running Canadian family business that makes such great products. And I love being able to pull our wool blankets off the shelf as soon as the weather gets a little chilly.

Layering Canadian Wool Blankets Pinterest Graphic - welsh terrier on a wool blanket on the bed

I want to hear from you. Do you like using wool products in your home? Are Canadian wool blankets (or any kind) something that makes you feel cozy? Do you find wool products hard to care for? Let me know in the comments below.

All the best,

Danielle

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emma says

    October 22, 2021 at 1:35 am

    Oliver looks so cute! Reading this post and looking at the pictures I swear I could *feel* the wool! I want one of these!

    • Danielle says

      October 22, 2021 at 10:54 am

      Thanks Emma! You should order one – Miles would love it too.

  2. Laura Burroughs says

    September 30, 2021 at 4:07 pm

    I want to touch all those blankets and that wool! You made this look so inviting. These blankets look so cozy, and I appreciate how you talk about how to care for them, too. These are truly heirloom pieces!

    • Danielle says

      September 30, 2021 at 4:09 pm

      Thank you so much Laura! That’s one of the best things about wool is the texture they provide. I do hope we can take care of them so they do become heirlooms.

  3. Kanyi says

    September 30, 2021 at 1:13 pm

    I loved the post. Thank you for including the photographs of the mill too!

    • Danielle says

      September 30, 2021 at 2:28 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the post Kanyi 🙂

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Danielle of Mix Measure Make

I’m so happy you’re here! I’m a wife, educator, sewist, and artist. I adore all things vintage and colourful, and am always dreaming up my next DIY or craft project. You can get to know me better, and find out what Mix Measure Make is all about here.

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