Thomas Kay, a young English weaver, traveled to the Pacific coast in 1863 after working at east coast textile mills to learn skills he needed to start his own company. He settled in Oregon and began to build his herd of wool-producing sheep and built his own mill in 1889.
The mill stayed in the family through good times and bad, becoming famous for its Indian blankets which were highly prized and used as standards for trading. Pendleton’s tightly woven, high quality Indian blankets were made in vivid colors and patterns and provided more warmth than any similar product of that time. There are Pendleton Indian blankets on display in museums today that are still strong enough to be used for their original purpose!
In 1924 the mill began producing men’s shirts in its legendary Pendleton virgin wool. In 1949 the company branched out to women’s wear due to a demand for virgin wool classic sportswear for women. This line was an instant success because of its style and quality of the wool. Pendleton’s virgin wool was made of fibers that had never touched the floor of the mill; no fibers were reclaimed for re-use when virgin wool was manufactured. Of course, those fibers were used in other weaves but the virgin wool was and remains a pure, soft weave of first quality.
The original mill in Salem, Oregon, is still in operation as a museum and has one of a very few existing water powered turbines that generates electricity from a millrace.
Pendleton makes several different types and weaves of wool products and wool clothing. It is famous for its jacquards, a weave where several hundred warp threads are interlaced to make colorful, intricate double sided patterns. The blanket jacquards and some garments contain 82% virgin wool and some of the lighter jacquards are 100% virgin wool.
Sportsmen like Pendleton’s boiled wool which is fine merino wool that is shrunk using intense steam. The resulting fabric is very warm, dense and wind and water resistant. Sailing enthusiasts, hunters and hikers find that this boiled wool is perfect for their activities.
If you are dressing for the office or a dressy business lunch, Luxe wool flannel will fit the bill. This fabric is woven from fine worsted wool yarns and lightly brushed to give it a velvety smooth finish that drapes beautifully. It’s never out of place or out of style. However, many people like “seasonless wool”, a very light 100% virgin worsted wool that can be worn year-round. It is used in jackets and blazers, pants, skirts and vests. Seasonless wool is also used to weave Tricotine wool fabric that is more like crepe and is used for softer styles.
Tropical weight wool is ideal for summer or warmer climates when you want to look stylish and professional without suffering in the heat. It is an open plain weave made of ultra-lightweight worsted wool that breathes and is naturally cool.
Pendleton wool is considered some of the finest that is manufactured and sold on the market today.