Pendleton Blankets: What's behind this famous functional art

Pendleton blankets are top quality in every waydirects the operations. There are now eight
and oh so soft and beautiful. When you snugglefacilities and many Pendleton stores. Even today,
under a Pendleton product, you can see and feelNative American designs are created in blankets
the quality. Using 100% pure virgin wool, thesewoven by Pendleton but many other beautiful,
blankets are lightweight yet soft and warm.soft and cozy blankets are also part of the
For over 140 years this family-owned businessPendleton line. Anyone who owns a Pendleton
has been producing products in the Northwest; formade blanket is proud of their fine blanket,
the past 96 years, Pendleton has been known forwhether it be a vintage collector's item or a new
weaving world class wool. The Pendleton blanketblanket with modern styling. Let's look at some of
comes from a long tradition.a blankets made today by the renowned
In 1863, Thomas Kay, a young English weaverPendleton factories more closely.
made a four-month trip down the AtlanticPendleton's Textured Weave Summer Dreams
seaboard, through the Isthmus of Panama byBlanket is made of Merino wool, the finest wool
burro and up the Pacific coast by sailing vessel. Heavailable. This wool has the most loft and creates
was headed to a place where the conditions fora blanket that is cool enough for spring and
raising the best wool-producing sheep were justsummer use. The 100% virgin Merino wool feels
right ? Oregon. The moderate weather and readysoft, smooth and silky against your skin when
supply of water were perfect for obtaining theyou need a light blanket. The Pendleton selection is
best wool available in the emerging Northwest ofavailable in awning stripe, plaid and eight colors.
America.This blanket by Pendleton must be dry cleaned;
Thomas Kay organized a second woolen mill in theyou'll only want the best treatment for your fine
Oregon town of Brownsville, where he supervisedblanket.
the weaving operation and later becamePendleton Solid Easy Care Blanket is a great
supervisor of the company. In 1889, he chosechoice because it is made of 100% virgin wool
Salem, Oregon to open a mill of his own. His storythat is machine washable! Yes, laundering this
is truly a story of the American dream comeblanket by Pendleton is simple and easy. The hand
true.of this blanket is particularly lush and with six solid
Thomas Kay's oldest daughter, Fannie, assistedcolors to choose from, you'll find one just right to
her father and learned every aspect of the millblend with your bedding.
operation. She married C.P. Bishop who was anThe All Season Blanket is Pendleton's mid-weight
expert with merchandising and manufacturing,100% virgin wool blanket woven in basket weave
firming a solid foundation for what was toto add texture. The small waffled pockets
become Pendleton Woolen Mills. Their three sonsresulting from the basket weave causes air to be
grew into this heritage and, in 1909, with thetrapped in winter, keeping you toasty warm. You'll
support of the family and town, the Bishop sonsfind yourself pulling this Pendleton wool blanket out
restarted an idle mill in Pendleton, Oregon. Locatedas soon as the crispy fall air begins to cool.
at a major railhead, the town was a wool centerAvailable colors are green, white and tan and this
for the sheep growers in the region. The Bishopsblanket must be dry cleaned.
constructed a more efficient mill building and inFrom the Native American collection, Pendleton
September of 1909, the first products left thepresents the Courting Robe blanket. Designed by
finishing department. This is the saga of theLaurie Jacobie and based on an original drawing
tradition of quality that is available only frommade by a Kiowa warrior, this blanket captures
Pendleton.the courting custom of the Plains Indians. A young
Pendleton produced quality Indian blankets usingbrave would wrap a young woman in a blanket
the distinctive designs and colors of theand spend hours talking together are their courting
Southwest Native Americans. These vivid colorsritual. Red, yellow, green, black, brown and camel
and intricate patterns included in the blanketsmake this 82% virgin wool / 18% cotton blanket
made by Pendleton became sought after. Tradebeautiful. The blanket measures 80 X 64 inches
included the Nez Perce nation, expanding to includeand should be dry cleaned.
the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni nations.There are many other blankets in the Pendleton
Used as wearing apparel, the Pendleton madecollection. Blankets for your bed in classic styles,
blankets became the standard for trading amongnovelty throws and many Native American
the Native Americans and they were highly prizeddesigns are produced today, using the same top
for tribal ceremonial use. Today, these ceremonialquality that began with Thomas Kay's daughter
blankets by Pendleton are highly covetedand her husband back in 1909. You'll love these
collector's items.blankets so much, you'll want to be the proud
Pendleton thrives today and the Bishop family stillowner of several, both vintage and modern.