Welsh Blankets
Welsh Blanket Patterns
Welsh Blankets
The traditional Welsh blanket patterns are usually associated with Welsh tapestry blankets, which are the icon of the Welsh woollen industry. Our range of Welsh tapestry blankets is called "Hiraeth" - Hiraeth is a Welsh concept of longing for home, which can be loosely translated as 'nostalgia', or, more commonly, 'homesickness'. Nothing says “hiraeth” more than an iconic Welsh tapestry blanket.
Welsh Blank Patterns Names - Caernarfon, Dyffryn and Pennsylvania
The Caernarfon (or Portcullis) pattern is in many of our blankets and is among the most iconic of all Welsh blanket patterns names. If you think of a Welsh tapestry pattern, then this Caernarfon pattern is likely to be the most familiar thanks to its mass production in the 1950s and ‘60s. There are some experts that believe the classic Welsh patterns were the precursor of many of the North American folk art textile traditions, largely as a result of widespread Welsh emigration during the 1790s onward. In areas such as Pennsylvania, where the Welsh settled in significant numbers, the quilts and blankets of the neighbouring Amish are almost identical to Welsh tapestry blankets.
The other classic patterns are the Dyffryn and Pennsylvania patterns (also Anglicised as Duffryn) which are much rarer than the Caernarfon pattern.
Caernarfon Portcullis Pattern
The Caernarfon (or Portcullis) pattern is one of the most iconic and traditional Welsh blanket patterns. It is a geometric design that features a series of interlocking portcullises, a heraldic symbol of authority. The pattern is typically woven in two to four colours, with the portcullises in one colour and the background in another.
Modern Day Hand Woven Welsh Blankets
Welsh tapestry blankets are very popular, and the demand is greater than can be hand woven. As a result, there are a number of smaller tapestry style blankets available all with the iconic Welsh blanket patterns. In our online store we have a range of these Welsh blankets for sale, all hand woven in Wales in a truncated version of the Caernarfon pattern. All are approximately 180 x 140 cms [70 x 55 inches] and are generally softer to touch and smaller than the traditional Welsh tapestry blankets.
About FelinFach
Located in Pembrokeshire Wales, our ethos is defined in the three words...
NATURAL TRADITIONAL HANDMADE.
- Hand woven iconic Welsh blankets.
- Hand dyed yarn, dyed with natural dyes only - no exceptions!
- Handmade candles, candle accessories, Candle Making Workshops and soapery.
- Natural Dyeing Craft courses.
- Yarn shop, yarn bowls, project bags, tools and accessories for knitters and crafters.
- Welsh Gifts, souvenirs, made in Wales, handmade in Wales.
We are a proud supporter of Americymru, the Campaign for Wool, Global Welsh and Red Dragon America.
Last updated 29th July 2024
