PAVILIA Microfiber Fleece Sherpa Blanket

Long ago, staying warm during the cold winter months required animal skins — usually the skin of sheep, known as shearling. A shearling’s skin has suede material on one side and soft wool on the other.

But today’s man-made fabrics can accomplish the same results without using animals. Sherpa fabric is made from polyester, acrylic or cotton and manufactured in a way that makes it very similar to shearling skin. Sherpa, named for wool-lined clothing worn by Nepal’s Sherpa population, is often combined with other fabrics to create a warm, soft inner lining and a tough, weather-resistant outer shell.

Sherpa blankets follow the same basic premise of a sheepskin blanket: One side is a smooth, suede-like material while the other side looks and feels like sheep’s wool. The material is perfect for throw blankets to use in your living room or bedroom because one side is attractive and suede-like while the other side is soft and cozy.

And there are plenty of blankets that play on the Sherpa design. You’ll find some made mostly from polyester that offer the softness you expect from a Sherpa throw while having a more uniform look on both sides. It all comes down to personal preference.

• The quality of blankets is often measured in GSM. This stands for grams per square meter, referring to the amount of fiber used in the manufacturing of the blanket. The higher the GSM count, the thicker and warmer it will be.
• Sherpa blankets come in a variety of sizes. If you’re looking for a throw to use while watching TV at night, one that’s 50 inches to 65 inches in length and width should do. But for a king-size bed, you’ll need one nearly double that size if you want it to stretch the full length and width of your mattress. Blankets designed to be used on a bed are typically labeled for the bed size that they fit.
• Machine washability can vary from one blanket to another. While most of them will let you wash with cold water and tumble dry, for best results, hang your throw to dry after washing it.
• If you plan to wash and dry your blanket, shrinking can be a problem. Look for a blanket that’s shrink-resistant.