Difference between types of wool

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I'm thinking about knitting an aran, cable blanket. I'm stuck between two different wools, cotton aran or wool/acrylic.

Do they have a very different feel or look to each other?

Very different. Is it pure cotton? It will be heavy, non springy so harder to knit, splitty, and the finished blanket will look nice but not be very warm.

Acrylic wool mix should work for a blanket, though personally I find many wool mixes itchy.

Can you get a sample of each to knit a swatch, before you spend a lot on yarn?