Meet Strickland Wheelock

A wool and textile expert,
5th generation mill owner,
and over 60 years in the industry

NELSON BROWN 〡 Jan 28th, 2024

The Story Behind Ibex's USA-Made Blankets: A Q&A with Strickland Wheelock

I went down to Connecticut to visit the American Woolen Company, where I met up with Strickland Wheelock, a man who knows wool like few others do. Walking through the mill with him, you could see his connection to the craft—stopping to run his hand over freshly woven fabric, nodding in approval at the hum of the looms. With over 60 years in the industry and deep roots in textile manufacturing, Strickland has spent a lifetime immersed in the world of wool. As Ibex proudly launches our new collection of USA-made wool blankets, we wanted to pull back the curtain and share the story behind these timeless pieces. Strickland’s insight into the journey from sheep to blanket brings this craftsmanship to life.

Q: Can we safely say every part of the blanket is made in the USA?

Strickland Wheelock: If you look at the full journey of the blanket, from raw wool to the final stitch, nearly every step is done right here in the United States. The wool itself originates in Canada, but everything from spinning and dyeing to weaving and finishing happens at historic American mills. It’s an entirely American process, rooted in tradition and craftsmanship that’s getting harder to find these days.

Q: You’ve been working in the textile industry for a long time. How many years exactly, and how did it all begin?

Strickland Wheelock: Let’s see, I’d say close to 60 years now. My family ran Stanley Woolen Mill in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. As a kid, I was always around the mill, and by college, I was working in different departments. I even went to the Philadelphia School of Textiles & Sciences for a while, but I knew my place was back at the mill. Eventually, I became president, but we had to shut down due to overseas competition. That was a tough time. But wool is in my blood, so I started my own blanket and fabric business to keep the tradition alive.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working with wool?

Strickland Wheelock: Wool is like a living thing—it has memory, resilience, and character. It’s not just another fiber; it breathes, it adapts. I take pride in making the finest woolen fabrics with a focus on design, quality, and the way the material feels in your hands. There’s nothing quite like it.

Q: In which town was your family’s mill located?

Strickland Wheelock: Uxbridge, Massachusetts. That town was once the heart of American woolen textiles. So much history there—generations of families working in the mills, passing down their knowledge. It’s a legacy that I’m proud to have been a part of.

Q: This might be hard to answer, but how many sets of hands are involved in making one of these blankets?

Strickland Wheelock: Oh, that’s a great question. From the rancher who raises the sheep to the last person who stitches the label on, I counted 38 hands directly involved. That’s not including the truckers moving the materials, the folks managing logistics—just the hands-on craftspeople who touch the wool itself. There’s shearing, scouring, carding, spinning, dyeing, weaving, finishing... it’s an orchestra of skilled workers, each playing their part to create something truly special.

Q: Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Stanley Woolen Mill or working in the textile industry?

Strickland Wheelock: That’s a tough one because it’s not just one memory—it’s a lifetime of moments. My family had been making woolen fabric for generations, and there was something special about carrying on that tradition. I think about the people—the skilled, hardworking folks who showed up every day, three shifts running at one point, each of them masters of their craft. No cell phones, no distractions, just a shared commitment to making something beautiful. I was always grateful to be surrounded by them, and I still keep in touch with many of their families. It was never just a job; it was a community, and that’s what made it so meaningful.

Q: Wool has been at the center of your life for decades. How has the wool industry changed over the years, and what challenges does it face today?

Strickland Wheelock: When I was growing up, it was never a question—I was going to be in the wool business. I worked in nearly every department, from sweeping floors to learning how to design and manufacture fabric from start to finish. That kind of hands-on experience is rare now. The industry has changed dramatically. At one time, there were thriving mills all over the country, but today, there are only three fully vertical woolen mills left in the U.S. Finding skilled workers is one of the biggest challenges—there just aren’t many young people learning these trades anymore. On top of that, competition from overseas makes it harder for American mills to stay in business.That said, wool still has a strong foothold in certain markets. The military, for example, requires all woolen products to be sourced and manufactured in the U.S. And there’s still demand for high-quality wool products like blankets and knitwear. It’s a challenging time, but there’s something about wool—its durability, its warmth, its connection to nature—that keeps it relevant. It’s been my life’s work, and I still believe in it as much as ever.

The Full Supply Chain:
From Sheep to Finished Blanket

The wool begins its journey with sheep raised in Canada. We purchase it through one of the last remaining wool suppliers in Massachusetts, known for carrying this rare, high-quality fiber. Before it moves forward, the wool is prewashed to remove lanolin.

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The wool is shipped to American Woolen Co. (AWC), where it undergoes carding, spinning, and weaving. A portion of the spun yarn is sent to Caledonian Dye House in Philadelphia for dyeing.

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At AWC, the fabric goes through a meticulous finishing process, including fulling, carbonizing, drying, napping, shearing, inspecting, and rolling. These steps ensure the perfect balance of softness, warmth, and durability.

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Rolls of fabric are sent to Fall River Knitting Mill in Massachusetts. Here, each blanket is measured, cut to size, and whipstitched along all four sides using the same yarn as the blanket itself. The customer’s label is sewn on, and the blankets are folded and packaged.

These beautifully crafted blankets are then shipped to Ibex, ready to find their way into homes across the country.

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Why USA-Made Matters:

Making our blankets in the USA isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about keeping a tradition of craftsmanship alive. It’s about ensuring that the skills, knowledge, and dedication of American textile workers don’t disappear. Every step of this process, from the mills to the finishing rooms, supports people who have spent their lives perfecting their craft.

When you choose one of these blankets, you’re investing in more than just warmth. You’re supporting a supply chain that values quality over shortcuts, people over machines, and longevity over fast production. These blankets are built to last, made with care, and carry forward a legacy of American wool that we believe is worth preserving.

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Shop Our USA Made Collection

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Wool Blankets 

100% wool blankets, sourced and woven in New England. As warm as they are beautiful, these blankets are perfect for any home: nomadic or otherwise.

Dryer Puffs

Made in Southwest Washington, these dryer balls are a great choice for your laundry loads. They help make doing laundry fun and cut down on dry time. 

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Socks

Made in USA, these wool socks are ultra light and antimicrobial to help keep smelly feet at bay. Reinforced toe and heel stitching right where you need it most.