A Linoto Wedding Story

Linoto has officially entered the wedding canopy business…Well, perhaps the business remains unofficial, but earlier this month our very first stunning linen and lace wedding canopy (called a Chuppah in Jewish tradition) served as the centerpiece at the Linder/Fannin wedding in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.

A Chuppah serves as a symbolic representation of the home a bride and groom will make together as they stand beneath it to recite their vows. The significance of the four open sides represents an extended invitation into it to family and friends.

We are admittedly proud that the sun did its glorious part to alight the fabric and gently illuminate the faces of the happy bride and groom.

Wedding goers expressed their great approval with the white pompom trim and the floral motif eyelet. We at Linoto relished the praise and agreed that our handmade canopy looked exquisite set on four of nature’s finest white birch poles. 

We wish the couple a lifetime of beauty and happiness.

For more information about Linoto's wedding canopies please contact support@linoto.com.

Aaaa-Chooo!

We recently learned that some New Yorkers are experiencing more allergy symptoms than usual this spring. This is due, at least in part, to the MillionTreesNYC campaign that has focused their planting on pollen-y male species as opposed to their messier, seed-dropping female counterparts.

Other cities, however, are experiencing record pollen counts that are leaving many of us sneezing like one of Snow White's infamous dwarf-friends.

Then there are the kinds of allergies that don't care what the weather is like.  But we at Linoto have the cure for anyone suffering skin irritation-- pollen related or otherwise.

Linen sheets and bedding ameliorate red irritated skin and watery eyes. The gentle fabric spun from pure flax is unparalleled at absorbing perspiration. Linen sheets are hypoallergenic not to mention luxurious and soft. Asthma and allergy sufferers can celebrate. Linen will allow you to sleep (and breathe) easy and sniffle-free.

Sweet Summer Naps!

Spring has finally arrived to those parts of the world that have been starved for that sun-on-skin sensation. Mother Nature has finally bestowed the kind of weather that begs for short sleeves and outdoor cocktails.

Most people prepare for the warmth of summer by moving coats into the cedar closet and replacing them with light jackets and galoshes. In kitchens from coast-to-coast, hot teas are placed in lemon filled glass pitchers and set to chill. But in the bedroom, while a blanket or two might be folded up and hidden away for the season, cotton sheets somehow remain the status quo 365 days a year.

No one can deny the sweetness of that satisfying moment when hot skin rolls over to land on a cool piece of fabric. Its only downside is in the brutal fact that it ends too soon. But what if it could last longer than a few pleasant seconds? What if that moment could last all night long?

It can. Linen sheets are the answer to enjoying an entire night spent with the thrill of the cold-side-of-the-pillow. Linen, on top of being supremely ecologically sound (no part of a flax plant – from which the fabric is made – goes unused) also boasts a natural ability to regulate and maintain a comfortable body temperature.

The ability for linen sheets to breathe is truly unparalleled. For anyone who likes to be covered to sleep, no matter the temperature, linen never grows uncomfortably heavy or warm – perfect for summer slumber. The texture of Linoto linen is soft, silky and breezy, and our colors are as bright, bold and exciting as those of any synthetic fiber.

It's finally time to change your bed sheets and get ready for summer!

The truth about thread count. Cotton vs. Linen

For people who have never slept on linen or thought of linen as a fabric for bedding, the first question is almost always about thread count. Does linen have the same thread count as cotton? The answer is, unfortunately, complex and introduces some interesting and troubling facts about the way thread count has been marketed.

Perhaps the greatest misconception is that higher thread counts equal better sheets or softer fabric. Not so. More surprising still, is that the numbers advertising 600, 800, even 1000 thread count sheets, in many cases, are false and misleading.

Technically speaking, thread count is the number of lengthwise and crosswise yarns counted within a 1” x 1” square. Thread count is dependent upon the quality of the yarns and the tightness of the weave. To increase thread count, many manufactures combine multiply plies of yarn or add filler yarns to boost the thread count with no benefit to quality or durability. Higher thread count does not equal a more durable or long-lasting fabric. The stress imposed on a tight weave can also cause the fabric to break down or tear much more quickly, despite its silky smooth finish.

I used to own expensive, high-end cotton sheets that touted a thread count of 800, a dubiously high number, I’ve learned. Often, I’d wake up sweaty and uncomfortable then end up throwing the sheets aside. Blech! Think of this: The fabric used to make hot air balloons, parachutes, and windbreakers is also high thread count. By design, it prevents air from passing through it. This is called “low porosity”. When the same idea is applied to bed sheets you have very tightly woven and smooth fabric that doesn’t breathe.

Cotton yarn is made from many very fine and absorbent strands of fiber- think of cotton balls. The fibers, spun together, form a single piece of yarn. Longer fibers mean less ends and a smoother yarn. The more finely twisted the yarn is, the smoother the fabric will be. Combine fine absorbent strands with a tight weave and you’re left with a fabric that, when exposed to moisture, is slow to dry and can leave you feeling sweaty and damp.

Linen is from the flax plant. It is fundamentally different than cotton in that the strands that make up the yarn are much larger grass-like stalks that are hollow. Think of wheat stalks. The large stalks, while still incredibly absorbent, can not be woven as tightly together. Therefore, the thread count is significantly lower. The hollow linen stalks absorb moisture and, because of the air in the center, release moisture to dry very quickly. The benefit: cool, dry air is free to pass through linen. You’ll notice linen always has a cool, dry, earthy hand that feels comfortable against the skin even in humid weather. Linen softens naturally when the fabric is used and laundered.

I would love to hear from others about thread count and what they’ve learned. Please let me know if this information was useful to you.

welcome to the linoto.com blog!

Thanks for visiting the linoto blog. Our site launched on Monday, June 25th 2007. We're really excited to offer beautiful, high quality 100% linen sheets.

The choice to design and sell linen came from my own desire for affordable and stylish linen sheets. When I began shopping around it seemed that every set of linen sheets was $1,000 dollars or more and only available in styles that seemed fussy and rather old-fashioned.

I decided to have a set of linen sheets made for my king size bed. I searched for the perfect weight, sophisticated colors, and the softest hand-feel I could find. There are so many beautiful colors and patterns in linen fabrics because linen accepts and holds dyes in an amazing way. It actually becomes more luminous and beautiful when it's washed! When the sheets were finished I replaced my 800 thread count sateen sheets with my new linen sheets. The linen sheets were so soft and cool. The linen sheets just felt so natural and organic. And the weight of the linen was so much more luxurious than the cotton sheets. With every wash the linen sheets became softer and cozier.

I reached a point about 2 months in where I only wanted the linen sheets on my bed! My evening ritual of showering just before bed and climbing in between the cool layers of linen was so calming and luxurious that I decided to create linoto and share the linen sheet experience with everyone who appreciates beautiful, special things in their home.

So linoto was born from my desire for 100% linen sheets in colorful, modern styles at affordable prices. I hope you enjoy sharing your experiences with me!