The Difference Between Throw and Blanket

What is the difference between a blanket and a throw? 

We get this question a lot. You may be familiar with what a throw is, however, you may not know they have different meanings in different contexts. In short, a throw is a type of blanket but smaller in size than your average blanket. Technically all throws are blanket but not all blankets are throws, confused? Yeah, we were too until we did some digging.

In short, The main function of most blankets is to keep you warm and a throw is mostly decorative but also great to keep you warm on those cold winter nights and they are great for picnic blankets on summer days. However, there is more to the story than just that. Let’s take a deeper dive to find out what truly differentiates a throw from a blanket and vice versa. You’ll be amazed. Keep on reading. 

A collection of throws from Thula Tula

1. Cashmere: Cashmere comes from Cashmere goats and is primarily produced in Tibet, India, and Pakistan. Cashmere throws are exceptionally soft but are also very expensive and delicate and require extreme care and attention to keep the throw looking good. Although Cashmere is beautiful and luxurious it is not recommended as an everyday throw and is not great for the outdoors as they require dry clean only. 
2. Cotton: The strands from the cotton plant offer a delicate, breathable, and durable texture, even after numerous washes. This cotton texture won’t trap in the air, which means you will remain at a comfortable temperature. A lot of people pick cotton throws because unlike cashmere cotton is long-lasting and very easy to clean.
3. Fleece: Fleece blankets are delicate to the touch yet durable, lightweight, and exceptionally warm. Fleece is made out of acrylic fibers. Fleece is also very cozy which makes it the perfect fabric for year-round comfort.
4. Alternative Mink: Faux Mink is shiny fur-like material that is produced using manufactured microfilaments that are made to look like the delicate and smooth surface of Mink fur.
5. Microplush: This is an ultra-soft, thick, and non-pilling fabric. Microplush is a perfect material and is cheap and easy to clean.
6. Berber fleece: Berber fleece is a high-performance fabric that is extremely warm, soft, and lightweight. With a curly, slightly nubby texture and subtly flecked appearance, it has a plush sweater-knit backing. Comparable in softness and insulating properties to natural fur, it has a high warmth-to-weight ratio. Berber fleece wicks moisture from the body making it warm even in the dampest conditions.
7. Down: Traditionally Down fabric is loaded up with goose or duck quills. to make the sweeping thick and fleecy; It is one of the best insulators it is also breathable and helps keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. 

Today, most down throws are made of microfiber, cotton, linen, and even bamboo. If you can think of fabric, you'll probably find a throw made from it. Today, microfiber throws are very popular because they're very inexpensive and come in a wide variety of colors and designs Down throws are not recommended for people who suffer from respiratory problems.

• Twin: 66 x 90 in
• Double: 80 x 90 in
• Queen: 90 x 90 to 100 in
• King: 108 in x 90 to 100 in

Rather than decoration, blankets are used as bed primarily as covers and to add warmth. Blankets come in all varieties of construction and style.

Below are just a few of the construction types you might find in a blanket.

• Comforter: One of the most popular types of blankets. They are great bed toppers for winter because they can retain lots of heat being lightweight by themselves.
• Throw: As we have mentioned all throws are technically blankets but not all throws are blankets, due to their size. 
• Chenille:  They add a vintage and retro look to your bed. Highly decorative and very warm type. Chenille is a type of yarn The chenille yarn is manufactured by placing short lengths of yarn, called the "pile", between two "core yarns" and then twisting the yarn together. The edges of these piles then stand at right angles to the yarn's core, giving chenille both its softness and its characteristic look. 
• Cotton: Cotton blankets are mostly woven blankets made from a single piece of 100% pure cotton. They are highly breathable and hypoallergenic and very easy to clean.
• Knit: Wollen knit blankets come in different styles and designs. They often contain ridges that create a design such as chunky knit. They can be used on small couches or on large king-sized beds.
• Vellux: Vellux blankets are 100% polyester. They are composed of two layers of polyurethane foam sandwiched between fabric made from millions of high-tech nylon fibers. Vellux blankets have a soft, velvety feel almost like a plush blanket that gets softer wash after wash. They can be used underneath the comforter for extra heat. 
• Wool blankets: Wool has always been a favorite pick for blankets for centuries. Their tiny pockets trap air which helps to keep us warm, and cold air out. They are often woven or knit and edges are often done with a fringe to reduce fraying.

There are many types of blanket constructions to give a touch of beauty to your home.

Now you have a better understanding of what makes a blanket, a blanket, and what makes a throw, a throw. Did you know there is also the Afghan that can come in both blanket and throw size?

Afghan: The Merriam Webster states an Afghan is a blanket or shawl of colored yarn knitted or crocheted in strips or squares. An afghan can easily be distinguished because of its unique pattern. It is recognizable as being hand-sewed, stitched, or weaved and frequently in geometrical designs with intentional openings in the examples. Afghans were first crafted in Afghanistan. Presented from the locale known the world over its handmade and beautiful textiles and carpets, the term “Afghan” as it is used now to describe a shawl or handcrafted multicolored cover. It became popular in America during the mid-1880s.

As we previously mentioned, all throws are blanket but not all blankets are throw. The blanket itself has subgroups. Blanket and throw are two different bedding accessories that are often confused on thought interchangeable but they are not the same. 

Blanket and a throw, both have a specific purpose, design, pattern, and also materials. So now you have gotten yourself familiar with the terminology, and you can get yourself what you exactly want. You can purchase a blanket and a throw from Thula Tula here.