My wife likes a heavy weight blanket pressing on her when she sleeps.
Is Alpaca or Wool the best choice?

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 12 Dec 2005 15:42 PST

Sheep's wool is typically heavier than alpaca, since alpaca is a
semi-hollow fiber. Here you'll find some interesting info:

http://www.guidetooregon.com/html/article-biz2.html

Are there any considerations other than weight?

In addition to Pinkfreud's explanation of the difference between
alpaca and sheep's wool, it might be mentioned that the weight of a
blanket depends on the weave and tightness of the spin of the yarn. 
The insulation quality of a blanket comes from the amount of air it
traps, so a soft, fluffy lighter blanket may be warmer than one that
is heavier but thinner, like army blankets.  Most producers pride
themselves on making lighter blankets, but one like a traditional
Hudson Bay Blanket is probably heavier.

You may want to try looking at double sided "Mink Blanket" from Korea.
I love mine. I have Solid Dark Brown on one side & Tan on the other
side. The heaviest & warmest blanket I've ever had. The way the are
displayed on the net doesn't do them justice. I have not personally
seen any of the patterned mink blankets ... but me and my solid minkie
are inseparable.
Please note that they are acrylic.

I googled "mink blanket" korea two ply
I googled "mink blanket" korea two sided

http://furrugs.com/minkblanketssolids.asp
http://furrugs.com/asccustompages/97.html

Good Luck

Genuine alpaca blankets are very difficult to find in the US market,
most of the "so called" alpaca blankets are actually made of an alpaca
composition including wool and/or acrylic. I recommend you buy it from
a genuine source if you are looking for a 100% alpaca blanket. I could
recommend Mitchell, IncaTops, Alpaca 111 or Prosur. Expect to pay a
minimum of $150 for a double bed size since it sells for $100
wholesale in Peru prior to taxes, shipping, duties, etc. Despite what
you can read elsehwere, the alpaca fiber IS lighter than sheep wool.
It is also softer, finer, and more resistant. It comes in 22 natural
colors.

>> Despite what you can read elsehwere, the alpaca fiber 
>> IS lighter than sheep wool.

Note that I essentially said the same thing in my remark above. I said
"sheep's wool is typically heavier than alpaca." That means, of
course, that alpaca is lighter. The reason I phrased my remark in the
way I did is because the customer was specifically seeking heavy
blankets.

Well, it is NOT typical but is ALWAYS the case. Your information could
lead to misleading interpretation. Quite frankly, unless knitted
extremely tight (which you will never see for alpaca blanket), alpaca
is not a good choice for heavy blankets. Goose is probably the best
choice.