The eco-friendly warmth of the Nordic countries: LAPUAN KANKURIT celebrates its 50th anniversary. We asked two users about its appeal. 

The wool items from LAPUAN KANKURIT are something many of our staff look forward to receiving every year. Now that this year's lovely new colors have arrived, we'd like to introduce them alongside the journey of LAPUAN KANKURIT, which celebrated its 50th anniversary as a company in 2023.

The Journey of LAPUAN KANKURIT

The story behind its founding dates back about 100 years, beginning with the establishment of a company that made felt boots from scrap materials and hand-spun wool yarn. The skills and knowledge were passed down through generations, from sons to brothers, and the family business gradually transformed to meet the needs of each era, evolving from blanket cleaning to blanket manufacturing as a textile trade.

Then in 1973, the company was established under the name LAPUAN KANKURIT in the town of Lapua, known for its thriving textile craftsmanship. It began by introducing jacquard looms to weave traditional Finnish tapestries, and with a commitment to quality—sparing no time or effort—it has continued to deliver special textile products to the world ever since. The company's owner is said to be able to tell the condition of the machines just by listening to their sound. What most people would hear as mere noise sounds like music to him.

Weaving Ecology

LAPUAN KANKURIT also focuses on the future of the planet and ecology, considering how to use materials without waste. Reducing the number of items people need to own means less waste in materials, fewer washes, and even energy savings in distribution trucks. Leftover fabric and yarn that would normally be discarded are instead reused to make laundry bags, wash mitts, and other items, or sold at events. Every product made by a brand with this philosophy is thoughtfully designed so that a single item can be used for a long time and in many different ways.

Nordic Wisdom, Everyday Essentials

Finnish textiles, woven together with the beautiful natural surroundings of the Nordic region, express a natural texture with a touch of uniqueness and high quality, blending well with any interior. Here are the new cold-weather items from LAPUAN KANKURIT, useful both indoors and outdoors.

Indoors, they can be used as a hot water bottle cover for bedtime, or as a pocket shawl for relaxing on the sofa or wrapping up when heading out. We'd like to suggest a warm way to spend the winter, filled with Finnish wisdom.

NEW COLOR

Pocket Shawl UNI

A thick wool shawl with a convenient pocket.

From left: ORANGE, MINT, LT BEIGE, SAKURA

New colors have arrived, including a beautiful limited-edition orange reminiscent of an autumn sunset, along with other lovely shades that are easy to wear as outerwear! These pocket shawls, themed around Nordic nature, bring a light touch to autumn and winter outfits that tend to lean toward darker tones.

How I Use My Lapuan ~ Pocket Shawl Edition ~

I don't like feeling restricted by heavy layering, so I always take off my outerwear when I get in the car or on the train. But I'm sensitive to the cold, so winter is tough—I end up surrounded by all sorts of warming items: a lap blanket, hand warmers, a scarf, leg warmers. Since I commute by car and don't love layering up, the "Pocket Shawl UNI," which I can keep draped over my shoulders from the moment I leave home, is perfect for those minutes before the heater kicks in.

New ColorLT BEIGE

With a coat, I sometimes worry about whether the color or length coordinates well with my outfit, but with this shawl I can just drape it over my shoulders and head out feeling much more relaxed than with outerwear. Whether it's from home to the car, or from the car to the supermarket or a shop, this alone is warm enough—no need for a coat at all.

You can keep it draped over your shoulders while driving, or use it as a lap blanket—both work well. For those who prefer not to keep too many things in the car, I think this is especially ideal.

The pocket comes in handy for quick outings. When popping out for a short errand, you can just tuck your wallet, phone, and keys into the pocket and go—and it's warm enough that you don't even need gloves. It's great for the chilly temperature swings of autumn, and in the depths of winter, you can wear it over your coat like an oversized scarf.

It's easy to see why this is a perennial favorite Christmas gift at ZUTTO—it's just that practical. One size fits everyone, it offers reliable warmth, and it's built to last for years. The Pocket Shawl UNI truly offers the best of both worlds.

With another mild winter expected this year, the pocket shawl really comes into its own as a coat substitute—or you can wear it over a coat for easy temperature adjustment, all while keeping your overall look stylish.

This season's lineup features 13 colors in total. In addition to last year's popular shades, 4 new colors have joined the collection. With such a wide range of soft, gentle tones to choose from, why not try a color you might not normally pick for your outerwear?

NEW COLOR

Hot Water Bottle (Yutanpo)

A gently warming wool hot water bottle cover.

Left: JAKALA, Right: TULPPAANI

How I Use My Lapuan Kankurit ~Hot Water Bottle Edition~

Last winter, I started using a hot water bottle. I had never used one before, so I was half-doubtful about how well it would actually work, but I was drawn in by the cute design and picked one up—and that turned out to be exactly the right choice. For winters where I had thought a blanket and futon were more than enough, this was a revolution. The happiness of slipping into a futon that's already been warmed by the hot water bottle, the cozy feeling that helps me fall asleep faster—it's become something I can't do without.

It's been a source of comfort every night, but it's especially been a lifesaver when my stomach hurts from the cold. It gently warms me all the way to my core, easing even a tense mood into relaxation. The soft, fluffy touch of the thick wool against my skin feels wonderful too, and since it doesn't require any special care and seems built to last, this is a hot water bottle I'd recommend to anyone who hasn't tried one yet.

I also love that if you take off the wool cover, it doubles as an ice pillow, so it doesn't just end up forgotten in the back of the closet come summer—it stays useful year-round. When not in use, you can hang it on a hook to store it, and it looks lovely as part of the room's decor too. When I think of this hot water bottle as a gift option, I can't help but picture the recipient hugging it close and warming up, which makes it an item I keep wanting to choose. It's a LAPUAN KANKURIT hot water bottle that warms the heart of both the person using it and the person giving it.

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