The Swiss Army need no longer be known only for knives. Swiss company Deken (the Dutch word for “blanket”) takes mint condition Swiss Army blankets and repurposes them into modern homewares such as cushions, footstools, and carrier bags. Made of pure sheep’s wool and individually marked with the maker’s initials and year of production, each blanket is a unique and beautiful historical artifact.
The Swiss army ceased producing the blankets at the end of the 1960s, so Deken founders Kirsten Hovenier and Mikée Westerling must constantly scour the country for yet to be discovered lots. The beauty of the blankets lies not only in their utilitarian heritage, but also in the subtle variations in color and production developed over time. We love the contrast between the cozy wool texture and the graphic white cross on red stripe adopted from the Swiss flag. We also love the way a well-designed object can reinvent itself over and over again.
+ Deken
