Iconic American Pendleton Wool Blankets
Pendleton Woolen Mills offers various Made in USA products in its online store. Items include throws, shams, and, of course, iconic American Pendleton wool blankets.
Unlike Nordstrom (see Buying American at Nordstrom), Pendleton’s search no longer allows you to search for “Made in USA.” Instead, click Blankets & Throws, find a design you like, and look for the Made in USA label. Most Pendleton wool blankets (view all) are Made in USA while cotton blankets may be, interestingly, Made in Germany. For example, check out the lighter Plaid 5th Avenue Throw in colorful plaids. NOTE: Cotton and wool blend blankets may bear the “Imported” label, so be warned.
Iconic Collectible Blankets: From Native American Art to Star Wars
Pendleton offers several Made in USA wool blanket series sure to please any tastes. That is, as long as you aren’t allergic to wool! We highlight a few of those collections below. Honestly, there are too many blanket designs to include in this review. So, spend some time to find that perfect blanket to complement your decor.
- National Parks — These designs include some of the earliest Pendleton blankets traded for furs in the early 1900s. Named national park blankets include a badge at the bottom signifying the park, as shown below in the zoomed in Yellowstone National Park Blanket.
American Pendleton Wool Blankets: Glacier National Park Blanket
Yellowstone National Park Blanket (Zoomed in on Badge)
- Native American Artists — These designs feature the work of Native American artists. For example, Chippewa-Cree artist Jesse Henderson designed the Chief’s Road Crib Blanket below. His design depicts constellations in the Milky Way (the Chief’s Road, that is). See also Southwestern Patterned Wool Blankets.
Chief’s Road Crib Blanket
Pendleton Wool Blankets: San Miguel
- Collaboration Blankets — From time to time, Pendleton collaborates with big brands. In the past, we’ve seen Star Wars and even Harry Potter. This year’s (2020) blankets feature the U.S. Army, along with limited edition blankets with artist Dale Chihuly.
Even More American Pendleton Wool Blankets
- American Indian College Fund — purchases benefit the American Indian College Fund
- Camping Blankets — some with wipe-clean backing meant to be rolled
- Legendary Series — yearly collector’s edition featuring Native American legends and motifs
- Washable Wool Blankets — sustainably made and machine washable Eco-Wise blankets
A Bit of Pendleton History
According to this marvelous article, A Kaleidoscope of Color: American Indian Trade Blankets, the Pendleton Woolen Mills incorporated in 1895. By 1896, Pendleton had gotten into the Indian Trade Blanket game, producing designs meant to appeal to Native American customers via trade. However, the mill ran into trouble and had to be rescued by the Bishop family in 1909. Even so:
Oregon’s Pendleton Woolen Mills is the sole surviving producer of the trade blankets that are a fixture throughout Indian Country and the American West.
To this day, Pendleton Woolen Mills is still a family business. In 2009, Pendleton Woolen Mills celebrated “100 years of weaving America’s spirit” including their iconic American Pendleton wool blankets. See the Centennial Celebration video below.
More Made in USA for your Home & Office
Do you need furniture to match your Pendleton wool blankets? If so, check out the Home & Office category of the Made in USA List.
