Rooted in Maine: The Legacy of Swans Island
Made in Maine. Crafted to Endure
Swans Island Company was founded in 1992 on a small island off the coast of Maine by John and Carolyn Grace—former Boston attorneys who chose a different way of living. Swans Island Company was founded in 1992 on a small island off the coast of Maine by John and Carolyn Grace—former Boston attorneys who chose a different way of living.
In a small house by the water, they taught themselves to weave and dye yarn by hand, using natural materials and traditional methods. Wool came from sheep that roamed a nearby island. If they stepped out for a walk, a simple jar was left on the porch—inviting visitors to take a blanket and leave payment on the honor system.
It was a beginning grounded in trust, craft, and simplicity.
What began quietly soon drew wider attention. An early feature in Martha Stewart Living introduced their work to a national audience, helping propel Swans Island Company into broader recognition while remaining rooted in its original values.
A Way of Making
From those early days, a philosophy took shape—one that continues to guide the company today.
In a small house by the water, they taught themselves to weave and dye yarn by hand, using natural materials and traditional methods. Wool came from sheep that roamed a nearby island. If they stepped out for a walk, a simple jar was left on the porch—inviting visitors to take a blanket and leave payment on the honor system.
It was a beginning grounded in trust, craft, and simplicity.
What began quietly soon drew wider attention. An early feature in Martha Stewart Living introduced their work to a national audience, helping propel Swans Island Company into broader recognition while remaining rooted in its original values.
“Take what is valuable from history and bring it forward.”
— John Grace
The first designs were inspired by blankets John remembered from his youth—simple, enduring patterns in earthy, natural tones that had largely disappeared from the modern market. Drawing from his grandmother’s heirloom textiles, he began to recreate them.
Colors From Nature
Our palette was shaped from the start by nature itself—warm greys, earthy browns, and the soft whites of undyed fleece, augmented with plant-dyed hues of indigo, madder, weld, and cochineal. These natural tones continue to define our work today, with every yarn still hand-dyed in our Northport, Maine studio.
Enduring Commitment
Today, each textile is still made with that intention. Hand-dyed, handwoven, and produced in small batches, our work reflects a commitment to traditional craftsmanship and natural materials—created by people, not machines.
Designed for Living
Inspired by the Maine coast, our textiles are understated and enduring—designed to bring warmth, texture, and quiet refinement into everyday spaces. They reflect a slower way of living, where quality, simplicity, and authenticity matter.
Small Batch – Made in the USA
Today, Swans Island Company continues to produce handwoven and custom textiles in Maine, alongside trusted U.S.-based partners. We remain committed to small-batch production, thoughtful design, and making things the way they used to be made—carefully, and with purpose.
Handcrafted Since 1992
What began on a small island has grown, but the principles remain unchanged. Swans Island is handwoven, for life.