Blankets

For the first time ever, hand-knit afghans, handmade blankets painstakingly and lovingly created by a group of underprivileged women in Armenia are available for sale in the US. Through the “Armenian Knitting Ladies” Program of Tufenkian Carpets, women in Armenia have the opportunity to overcome severe financial hardship due to the limited employment options available in the country for them. Sold through Tufenkian Carpets and its carpet dealers throughout the country, these 100% Merino Wool handmade blankets are each individually crafted by more than 400 women in the program. Buy blankets online or in stores and they are especially popular during the winter holiday season. Started in December 2000, the Armenian Knitting Ladies program was a vision of James Tufenkian, to have handmade blankets for sale via a unique opportunity for skilled knitters to earn money and gain financial security in this economically unstable, newly independent country. It was originally intended simply to provide desperately needed employment for a small handful of women during the Christmas season, but it has since evolved into a coveted “career” for hundreds. Each woman is given yarn and size specifications and is then free to create handmade blankets with textures, patterns and colorings of her choice. The wool is bought from sheep farmers in the Armenian mountains, spun by hand and then dyed in clay pots to give the afghans a unique shading and texture. Therefore, each throw is a one-of-a-kind creation. These Afghan handmade blankets are comprised of either one or two colors, and are available in two sizes, 5’ x 6’ and 5’ x 7’. Though difficult economic circumstances are what brought these women to the knitting program, they have turned their hardships into a source of pride and courage resulting in a life-changing independence. Unknown to many, Tufenkian gives you the opportunity to buy blankets made with one of the most precious fibers on the planet. Originally produced in Europe for Armani Home Stores, Ra-khu is the downy wool (known in the West as cashmere or pashmina) next to the skin of winter coats of Tibetan mountain-goats. Ra-khu different from other handmade blankets cashmere throws in the market? The selection process of the mountain goat is painstakingly meticulous. Ra-khu uses wool that comes from goats living above 5,000 meters (most cashmere wool comes from animals living above 2,000 meters). Lab tests have proven that Ra-khu quality is the most superior in the world. It takes 634 hours to manufacture one square meter of Ra-khu handmade blankes. Each person can only spin 18-20 grams per day, making the Ra-khu products very exclusive. Our handmade blankets for sale weigh approximately 1.3 kg. And is made with natural colors only. Shop both our hand knitted Afghans and the luxurious Ra-khu in our Blankets Collection.