While you have a perfectly good blanket that does its job in the bedroom if you've done any shopping around for another one you may have come across 'throws' and 'afghans'. What are they and how do they differ from blankets? Read on to find out more.
Blankets
Blankets are usually formed of one fabric piece by machine and to a standard bed size (king, queen, double, single, etc.). Commonly made of cotton or fleece there are more types of fabrics being inorporated into modern blankets.
Blankets are designed larger than their particular bed size so that the excess blanket can be tucked underneath the foot of your mattress. Cotton, wool, flannels, thermal weaves, and fleece are common materials and the edges are tightly-woven so as to avoid fraying. They differ from throws and afghans as they mainly are for practical use over decorative purposes.
9KG Anti Anxiety Weighted Blanket Double Size Grey
Blue 142cm x 105cm Kids Weighted Printed Blanket
Double Fitted 450 GSM Fleecy Electric Blanket
Dusty Pink 11kgs Weighted Blanket
Throws
Throws can be made from machine or by hand. Following the same concepts of blankets with exception to their size you can think of them as miniature blankets. Find them draped over the edges of beds or armchairs and sofas for that quick heat.
While they have function their form also has merit as they can come in vibrant colours coupled with a diverse range of designs limited only by the designers themselves. In any room they can instantly change a room's appeal and flavour; able to act as an accent piece or be part of a room's decor.
320GSM 220cm x 240cm Mink Throw Black
320GSM Mink Blanket Warm Throw Aubergine 220cm x 240cm
Teal 320GSM 220cm x 160cm Mink Blanket Warm Throw
320GSM Mink Blanket Warm Throw 220cm x 160cm Mink
Afghans
Usually created by hand Afghans are knitted blankets basically. The sizing of them don't follow the usual blanket conventions (king, queen, single, etc.) and are like throws in that they are versatile in nature.
Their creation stems from stitching together smaller pieces of yarn to form a larger piece of colourful and vibrant fabric. With this their main feature is the texture that results from knit or crochet stiches.
The term 'Afghans' is from the late 1700's for the Pashtuns of eastern and southern Afghanistan with their vibrant and diverse range of textiles and colourful carpets. In the mid 1800's it turned into 'Afghan shawl', and then back into 'Afghan' that would be applied to any colourful piece of handmade fabric.
Conclusion
Blankets, throws, and afghans have the same form and function; they're pieces of fabric of various sizes made of different materials. But if you can differentiate one from another and why you would choose one over the other for a particular purpose, you'll find there's more than meets the eye.
References
Baskeyfield, T., 2016. What's The Difference Between A Throw And A Blanket? | Terrys Fabrics. [online] Terrysfabrics.co.uk. Available at: https://www.terrysfabrics.co.uk/blogs/throws-buying-guide/difference-between-a-throw-and-blanket
Burch, J., n.d. The Difference Between Throws, Blankets And Afghans. [online] Hunker. Available at: https://www.hunker.com/12003407/the-difference-between-throws-blankets-and-afghans
Kittelson, K., n.d. Knitted Afghan Patterns: What's The Difference Between Afghans, Blankets, And Throws?. [online] All Free Knitting. Available at: https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knit-Afghans-and-Blankets/Knitted-Afghan-Patterns-Whats-Difference-Between-Afghans-Blankets-Throws
O'Keefe, F., 2012. Afghans For Afghans: Crafting A Cultural Connection - Green Prophet. [online] Green Prophet. Available at: https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/08/afghans-roots/
Rexroat, T., 2016. How To Modify Afghan Crochet Patterns To Any Size. [online] Interweave. Available at: https://www.interweave.com/article/crochet/customizing-crochet-afghan-patterns/
Springtextile.com. 2017. The Difference Between A Blanket And A Throw | Spring Hometextile Blog. [online] Available at: https://www.springtextile.com/blogs/the-difference-between-a-blanket-and-a-throw.html
Thorogood, A., n.d. The Difference Between Throws, Blankets And Afghans. [online] Home Guides | SF Gate. Available at: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/difference-between-throws-blankets-afghans-96197.html
SwankyDen.com. n.d. What Is A Throw Blanket, All You Need To Know. [online] Available at: https://swankyden.com/what-is-a-throw-blanket/
