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Image: Design Soda

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It’s staring to get really cold around here, hats and scarfs are necessary, the heating is ramped up, a few Christmas traditions have already been started, and I think this may be the perfect moment/excuse to go window shopping for blankets!  I’m off to the preview of Craft Central as a part of the winter Made in Clerkenwell this week and I’m sure to come back with memories of several stunning weaves I can’t stop thinking about, so in anticipation of this I thought I’d narrow down a few of my current favourites.  I am pretty hopelessly incapable of not falling in love with just about any well designed patterned knit. This can be a costly downfall as I’m forever loosing my heart to some designer pattern or other that I can’t afford, I swear I’m still dreaming about this Arne Jacobsen one I saw 6 months ago. My idea of heaven may well contain copious amounts of woven patterned wool, both my wardrobe and my home are prided on a fabulous selection of it during winter. This rundown is now a yearly tradition on the blog and as you can see from the pictures,  I’ve amassed quite a few in the Design Soda home along the way. 

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Image: Design Soda

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The blankets pictured in the images above are some of the blankets I have bought over the last 5 years, they range from tried and tested high street faves like IKEA & John Lewis to good old British brands like Tweedmill and the odd giddy indulgence from Anthropologie or Missoni. But there are others not pictured, like this Ferm Living one which is one of my very favourites ever, and a National Trust one I can’t find an online link to, which was a total bargain. Blankets are a brilliant way of layering up texture for coziness in the home during winter, knitted cushions have the same effect on sofas. I’m not really one for sheepskin and the like but I do believe in good textures within a scheme. And nothing says cosy or inviting as much to me, when I shut the door to a cold winters evening, than a beautiful blanket to snuggle with.

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My Top 5 Blankets – clockwise from top: Hollys House Berber blanket, Future Kept mustard chevron, Eleanor Pritchard for The Tate, SMUG exclusive blue and white blanket and ISH no2 blanket, full links below.

So here’s my run-down of favourite blankets currently on the market. Which are your favourites? 1. First up is one of my favourite things this year from Fulham store Holly’s House (and there is so much I covet from this store). This basalt Berber throw is just perfect for a hint of either Scandinavian, tribal or boho in your scheme. I think we often verge on all three in the Design Soda house so it’s ticking all the boxes for me. Priced at £65, get it here 2. I’ve got a massive soft spot for this store which stocks beautiful, locally-sourced home and lifestyle products run by brilliant fellow blogger Jeska Hearne of Lobster & Swan. I’m also always a huge fan of chevron knits, the beautiful mustard colour of this one is what gets its special place on my list. Priced at £49, it should be back in stock here soon 3. When knitted textile extraordinaire Eleanor Pritchard collaborates with The Tate for a new exclusive range you know it will be special and this collection truly doesn’t disappoint. Launching soon through Tate stores, if I can’t have this rug then I must get the cushion from this range, so fresh, bags of mid-century class and so pretty. Not available yet but you can view it on the news section of Eleanor’s site here 4. Now I may have mentioned this once or twice before, ok if you read my blog regularly, you know I definitely have. I love SMUG store and this is a perfect example of the owner Lizzie’s great eye for collaborations, I love the pattern and the colourway, most of all I love the finishing touch of the Lizzie designed hamster, how perfect on a blanket. Bags of style for £49 here 5. This blanket, the ISH blanket no2, is so exquisite, it actually makes my heart stop. It’s pricey, but if I had the cash it definitely wouldn’t burn a hole in my pocket for long, so intricate and layered. And all is not lost if you’re on a budget like me, as you can buy the exact same design in teatowel form (which I did during the summer sales) it has texture too, just not the beautiful wools, but sure to brighten any kitchen. The blanket is £285 and available here.