Oia Snowflake Cotton Christmas Throw - Red

This is a woven Christmas throw in red, patterned with rows of snowflakes and bands of fine stripes, and finished at each end with a deep fringe of knotted tassels. It measures 160cm long and 130cm wide, a generous size that wraps around your shoulders or lies across your knees with plenty to spare. The snowflakes and stripes are woven into the cloth rather than printed on top, so the pattern shows on both faces and the reverse carries its own version of the design. The yarn is mostly cotton, 59% of it, blended with 21% polyester, 9% acrylic and 11% other fibres. Cotton is soft and breathes well, which is why a cotton-rich throw sits so comfortably against the skin.

We see it doing most of its work through the Christmas months: folded over the arm of the sofa, spread across an armchair near the tree, or laid at the foot of the bed in a spare room ready for visiting family. It suits anyone who wants a festive touch that is gentler than tinsel and baubles, and it makes a thoughtful present for a friend who loves a cosy night in. Because the motif is snowflakes rather than anything more literal, it does not look out of place once the decorations come down, so it can stay out through January and February while the evenings are still dark.

Care is straightforward. It goes in the washing machine at 40 degrees, can be tumble dried on a low setting and takes a medium iron if you want to smooth out the folds, so it can come out for every gathering and go back in the wash afterwards. At 1.1KG it has a pleasing weight over the knees. For styling, fold it lengthways into thirds and hang it over one arm of a plain sofa so the tassels fall free, then let the snowflakes do the rest.

What is the throw made of?

It is a woven blend of 59% cotton, 21% polyester, 9% acrylic and 11% other fibres, so cotton makes up most of the yarn.

How big is the throw?

It is 160cm long and 130cm wide, large enough to wrap around your shoulders on the sofa or lay across the foot of a bed.

Can I put it in the washing machine?

Yes. It can be machine washed at 40 degrees, tumble dried on a low setting and ironed on a medium heat when you want to smooth it.

Is the snowflake pattern printed or woven?

The snowflakes and stripes are woven into the cloth, so the design shows on both sides of the throw, with its own version of the pattern on the reverse.

How heavy is the throw?

It weighs 1.1KG, enough to feel substantial when it is spread over your knees on a winter evening.

Does it have tassels at both ends?

Yes. Both ends finish in a fringe of knotted tassels, which hang nicely when the throw is draped over the arm of a sofa or chair.