Wool Blankets from Local Sheep Available Soon

Some wool from local sheep could end up keeping you or a loved one warm this winter. That's because the Rhode Island Sheep Co-Op is about to release this year's crop of Rhody Warm Blankets, which are in the process of being woven as we speak.

They all come from wool collected by the co-op in June. Thirty-four members put in 1,437 pounds, which have been on a road trip ever since. Among the co-op members are Fred and Barbara Andrews from Cranston.

It was brought to Jamestown, South Carolina, where it was washed. It then came back to New England on Sept. 1, to the S and D Spinnery in Milford, Mass., where it was spun.

Once the wool has been weaved, it will come back to the Ocean State for fulling at Riverpoint Lace Works in West Warwick. This "makes the blanket soft," a release stated. It is also where the blankets are cut, finished and the edging is sewed on.

Prices range from $80 to $225 for lap throws to king size blankets. You're going to find a cheaper blanket at your local big box store, but nothing quite yet beats wool for beating the cold. It's what keeps the sheep warm and toasty while they're outside all winter. Civilizations got through life without central heating for thousands of years using wool. Nature knows what it's doing.

"These blankets are great for curling up on the couch or covering someone’s bed," the release stated. "The fall season is upon us and soon the cold wintery nights will be gracing the New England states. People will be stoking their fires or turning up their thermostats to keep warm, but the Rhode Island Sheep Co-Op has another solution to keep warm on those cold nights."

Last year, the blankets were dubbed "Ashland," after the lost Rhode Island village. This year's name hasn't been determined yet.

The Rhode Island Sheep Co-Op has a blanket reservation form on its website. They can also be bought from local farmers. A list of local farms is posted on the website as well.

The Co-Op was formed in 2006 to deal with the decline in the wool textile industry. Local sheep farmers had trouble selling wool due to low wool prices, leading many to use it as compost or throw it in the trash.

A complete list of farmers in the co-op:

• Barbara and Marcus Thompson, Seldom Seen Farm, Glocester
• Heather and Don Minto, Watson Farm, Jamestown
• Robin, Jeff and Taylor Meek, Bally Duff Farm, Glocester
• Sheila and Anthony Donatelli, Cedar Knoll Farm, North Scituate
• Christine Sederback, Chepachet
• Kate Malmborg, Sunny Acres Farm, Chepachet
• Shirley Moniz, East Freetown, MA
• Polly and Kevin Hopkins, Maybe Tomorrow Farm, Glocester
• Fred and Barbara Andrews, Cranston
• Susan Barrett,  Highmeadows Farm, Charlestown
• Mary Calenda, Camelot Farm, Warwick
• Gregg Cassidy, Sweet Hill Farm, Harrisville
• Jane Christopher, Foster
• Rhoda Dexter, Foster
• Jenny and Brandon Lee, Tall Oaks Acres, Greene
• URI,  Peckham Farm, Kingston
• Pat and Fritz Vohr, In The Woods Farm, Charlestown
• Barbara Donnelly, Red Horse Farm, Exeter
• Heather Place, Fenner Hill Farm, Hope Valley
• Kim, Byron and Faith Bellevoine, Leaping Lamb Farm, Chepachet
• Susan Charlwood, Lady Slipper Farm, Foster
• Linda Chrostowski, Nest Egg Farm, Rockville
• Tina Fisk-Colt, Birchwood Farm, Clayville
• Maryanne and Larry Moulton, Two Sons Farm, Warwick
• Irene Nebiker, Mistwood Farm, North Smithfield
• Devan and Mary Newton, Amour Acres, Foster
• Art, Angie and Colin Siegmund, Siegmund Family Farm, No. Grosvenordale, Conn.
• Luise Strauss,  485 Enterprises Inc., Middletown
• Linda and Bob Sutton, Jamestown
• Beverly and David Tirrell, East Meadow Farm, Foster
• Brenda Titus, Haven Hill Farm, Greene
• Kurt Van Dexter, North Kingstown
• Claire Wanebo, Windholme Farm, Bristol
• Bill Cournoyer,  Preston, CT