Blue Hen Blankets and Yarn available for purchase throughout spring

11:32 a.m., April 20, 2011--Blue Hen Blankets and Yarn, established in 2009, creates the blankets and yarn, made from wool shorn from the University of Delaware's flock of Dorset sheep at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“Blue Hen Blankets make the perfect gift for graduation, special occasions of UD alumni and friends, or keeping warm during a Fightin' Blue Hens football game,” says Tom Sims, CANR deputy dean.

Campus Stories

From graduates, faculty

As it neared time for the processional to open the University of Delaware Commencement ceremonies, graduating students and faculty members shared their feelings about what the event means to them.

Doctoral hooding

It was a day of triumph, cheers and collective relief as more than 160 students from 21 nations participated in the University of Delaware's Doctoral Hooding Convocation held Friday morning on The Green.

• Doctoral hooding
• Old Swedes
• Summer SAT, ACT prep
• 'Opus 13' pre-sale

Two blankets sizes are available: lap throws and queen sized blankets. The un-dyed natural wool blankets are edged with blue in true UD spirit. Each blanket is labeled with an individual serial number and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Profits from the sale of Blue Hen Blankets and Yarn help to support the undergraduate large animal teaching programs of the Department of Animal and Food Sciences.

The products will be available through a variety of venues this spring. Once the supply has been sold, interested customers will have to wait until next year’s sales.

During Ag Day on April 30, the Animal Science Club will have lap throws available for purchase at a cost of $100 each.  They will also be selling yarn by the skein, in natural, blue, and/or yellow, ranging from $10-$12.

Post Ag Day, lap throws and yarn (at the above cost) will be available for purchase at the UDairy Creamery store, which opens for normal business hours on May 2.

A limited number of throws and blankets with prime serial numbers (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 11) will be reserved for an online sale to occur later this spring.  Prices may vary.

UD Dorset ewes are shorn each spring before going out to summer pasture. Each ewe produces about seven to eight pounds of wool. The wool is scoured (washed) and carded (combed) and can then be spun into yarn and woven into blankets.

The lap throws each require four pounds of wool and the queen-sized blankets each require 12 pounds of wool. Wool is a natural, sustainable fiber that is strong and durable, lightweight and breathable, but warm enough for the chilliest of days. A truly renewable resource, wool is the only fiber that is naturally fire-resistant.

For more information, visit the Blue Hen Blankets and Yarn website.