Behind the Scenes, news
The Backseat Blanket
Swans Island x Pierrepont Hicks
Kindred spirits
When we first met Katherine McMillan, the creative force behind Pierrepont Hicks we knew we had found a kindred spirit. Pierrepont Hicks’ dedication to American-made, sustainable craftsmanship aligns perfectly with our own mission here at Swans Island Company. Inspired by a vintage camp blanket from her past, Katherine asked if we could possibly recreate something similar. With the ability to dye our own colors and create bespoke handwoven designs, we knew we would be the perfect fit for this collaboration.
Meet Pierrepont Hicks
Pierrepont Hicks was born from the backroads—inspired by the feeling of a long drive just to have dinner by a secret stream, a quiet detour through the valley at dusk, or a pair of handmade mocs kicked off at the door. Since their founding, they’ve been guided by contrast: heritage craftsmanship meets bright color—tradition gets a modern twist.
According to Katherine, “the brand grew from traditions and classics of my parents’ 1980s aesthetic. Working with master craftsmen at a historic Brooks Brothers factory in Queens, we launched our first neckwear collection, defined by rich colors and distinctive details that would become our hallmark. Our vision expanded naturally into outerwear, partnering with Crescent Down in Washington to create precision-crafted anoraks and parkas.”
Meet the Blanket
The Backseat Blanket carries that same ethos. Designed in their Hudson Valley studio and woven here in Maine at our Swans Island studio, it’s a piece made for motion—to be folded and forgotten until the air turns cool and someone says, “Do we have a blanket?” It lives in the car, in the cabin, in the quiet corners of life where warmth and memory matter most.
The palette recalls classic Americana—faded denim, red clay, washed stone—and wraps it in the kind of quality you can feel. This isn’t a precious thing. It’s a practical one. But like everything we make, it’s a little unexpected.
“The palette recalls classic Americana—faded denim, red clay, washed stone—and wrapped it in the kind of quality you can feel. This isn’t a precious thing. It’s a practical one. But like everything we make, it’s a little unexpected.”
Recently, as quoted in ENews!, actress Kristen Bell had this to say about Pierrepont Hicks’ handcrafted made-in Maine moccasins:
“I have been on this kick of trying to support American-made products and really kind of support American artistry. And I found this company called Pierrepont Hicks. And I bought a pair of shoes from them. They kind of look like moccasins, and they’ve got a green interior and a suede exterior. They’re extremely comfortable and they’re made in Maine. They’re really well-made. That’s definitely my most favorite [recent] purchase. They are comfortable as all get-out.”
The Backseat Blanket is no different
The Backseat Blanket holds the same cache as those beautiful Maine-made moccasins: Handcrafted. Timeless. Sustainably-made.
It’s a companion for the in-between moments. A comfort. A carry-on. A reminder that sometimes, the best place to be… is in transit.
The Backseat Blanket
a collaboration of Swans Island x Pierrepont Hicks
“It’s a companion for the in-between moments. A comfort. A carry-on. A reminder that sometimes, the best place to be… is in transit.”
The Details
Woven in our studio here in Northport, Maine from hand-dyed wool, the Backseat Blanket is inspired by simpler times and summer adventures along winding coastal roads, this handwoven camp blanket is your prefect travel companion.
Toss it in the back seat and be ready for spontaneous picnics, chilly nights, or campfire stories—wherever the road takes you. Rugged, timeless, and full of heritage.
The special satin weave allows the saturated hand-dyed colors to really shine. Each blanket comes in a durable signature canvas tote, ready to hit the road. Swans Island x Pierrepont Hicks Backseat Blankets are handwoven in Maine—100% made in the USA from fiber to finished product.
- The The Swans Island x Pierrepont Hicks Backseat Blankets are woven by various members of the Swans Island weaving team.
- The yarns used to make these throws are all hand-dyed in our Maine studio.
- Each throw is a unique handwoven textile
- 100% American Merino Wool
Our space on the loom is limited! Pre-order yours today…
