Stunning Shipping Forecast blanket knitted with Geelong lambswool. Perfect accompaniment for anyone who has fallen asleep to the shipping forecast, with its familiar place names, lulled by an equally familiar soporific voice (my favourite is Neil Nunes) into a deep slumber.
A fabulous gift for the 'difficult to buy for' sailor or anyone who works alongside the sea.
The shipping forecast has been broadcast for over 150 years and moved onto the BBC in 1924. Most of us listen at 00.48 am as we either have insomnia or are late getting into bed. This life-saving essential broadcast is to most of us, of no practical help, but we listen anyway, bound to its evocative information that has an almost mystical prayer-like rhythm, recounting each of the 31 zones around the British Isles, in clockwise formation starting with Viking and finishing with Southeast Iceland. All whilst being tucked up, warm and snug under the covers whilst hearing of weather conditions far offshore.
This blanket has been created using extremely fine Merino wool with a similar micron (fineness) to cashmere. Geelong is a county in Australia that became known for breeding these sheep for their extra fine wool. The wool is spun in a different way - woollen spun, as opposed to worsted spun (which is the most usual). This spinning creates a special light, airy yarn as the fibres are not aligned, resulting in a warmer yarn to knit with.
The best-known shipping forecast zones have been designed into the iconic Union Jack.
Use anywhere you want sublime comfort & warmth. Sublimely comforting and luxuriously soft, these are very substantial lambswool blankets. This blanket weighs 1.20 kg of pure, Geelong lambswool. Because of this, the blanket has the most wonderful drape, to really envelope you. Large enough for two! Really warm and cosy.
Beautifully made to last. We have had this blanket in our home for the past 15 years. It is the most cherished of all our blankets (and we do have quite a few!) and is always on our bed. It looks fabulous but is also super practical. Ours has been washed many times (very carefully) and looks great each time. Tightly knitted, it doesn't pill and has some serious weight to it, so on the very hottest of summer nights, I sleep under it on its own. It drapes so beautifully, it is like a hug. Otherwise, it is the extra layer on top of our duvet (women seem to always be colder than men) for the rest of the year, unless some illness means a stint on the sofa - in which case this is always our go-to.
Size: 130 x 220 cm
Composition: 100% Geelong Lambswool
Made in Scotland
Care: Handwashing is recommended, in lukewarm water using a wool recommended detergent. (Do not use Biological detergents). Gently squeeze the throw but do not over-agitate or wring.
Rinse the blanket until the water runs clear. If you have a gentle spin cycle on your machine you can place the blanket in a bag and give it a gentle spin.
Dry flat and reshape the blanket while it is damp.
Also suitable for dry cleaning.