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.

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.

Swans Island co-founder weaving a blanket on a wooden floor loom

Swans Island co-founder weaving a blue wool blanket on a floor loom

Flock of sheep penned by the water on a Maine island

Hands lifting naturally dyed coral wool yarn from a dye bath

A Way of Making

From those early days, a philosophy took shape—one that continues to guide the company today.

“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.

Teal striped handwoven wool blankets hanging on a fence under dogwood blossoms

Pink and white striped handwoven wool blanket on an antique wooden chair

White and yellow striped Grace wool blanket draped over a wooden chair

Grey striped handwoven wool blankets hanging by a lamp-lit window

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.

Hands holding a skein of natural undyed Maine wool yarn

Ring of hand-dyed wool yarn mini skeins in a rainbow of colors

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.

Hand-weaving a wool blanket on a wooden loom at the Swans Island weaving studio

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.

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