A Century on the Loom: Lapuan Kankurit’s Woven Legacy
In a small Finnish town surrounded by vast fields and crisp northern air, the rhythmic clatter of looms has echoed for over a century. This is Lapua, home to Lapuan Kankurit, a family-run weaving mill where threads of heritage, craftsmanship, and sustainability are woven into every piece. From the beginning, the company has been guided by a deep respect for natural materials and a heartfelt commitment to community and craft. Today, under the stewardship of fourth-generation weavers Esko and Jaana Hjelt, Lapuan Kankurit continues to weave warmth, wellness, and Nordic sentiment into everyday life.
Anu Leinonen for Lapuan Kankurit, 2018.
“We’ve grown so much as weavers, as entrepreneurs, as human beings,” say Esko and Jaana. “Everyone we’ve met, everything that has happened - all of it has shaped our journey and woven a small thread through the very heart of this tapestry. We can’t wait to see what kind of adventures and encounters fill it up in the next 25 years.”
The historic weaving looms of Lapuan Kankurit.
The roots of this weaving house stretch back to 1917, when founder Juho Annala opened a felt boot factory. By the 1930s, industrial weaving had begun, and in 1973, his grandson Juha Hjelt and wife Liisa officially established Lapuan Kankurit - The Weavers of Lapua. From humble beginnings producing traditional wall hangings, the business evolved into a pioneering, design-led mill, internationally respected for its jacquard-woven spa, sauna, and interior textiles.
Talven Tuoksut white linen runner, towel and napkin. Lapuan Kankurit
What sets Lapuan Kankurit apart is a philosophy grounded in quality, traceability, and innovation. Every fibre they use - whether long-staple linen from France and Belgium, OEKO-TEX-certified cotton from Germany, or locally sourced Finnish wool - is chosen with care and a commitment to transparency. Their textiles aren’t just made with care, they’re built to last. And as modern custodians of a centuries-old craft, Esko and Jaana are as focused on the future as they are respectful of the past.
Villiyrtit towel in rose-petroleum. Lapuan Kankurit. Photo credit: Jopsu Ramu.
The company has made bold moves to reinvest in local industry, acquiring machinery from a defunct spinning mill and reviving the wool-processing tradition in Finland. Their new spinning and finishing facilities allow Lapuan Kankurit to develop textiles from fleece to fabric under one roof, which is a rarity in today’s textile landscape. These efforts go hand in hand with collaborations with design academies and young weavers, ensuring the skills and values of Finnish weaving are passed down through generations.
Lapuan Kankurit doesn’t follow fleeting trends. Instead, they design for life. Their cloth is imbued with the textures of Nordic nature, the warmth of wool, and the lightness of linen. In a world of fast fashion and mass production, they remain grounded in a slower, more meaningful rhythm. As they like to say, they don’t just weave fabrics - they weave a good life.
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Image Credits:
Lead Image: Lapuan Kankurit Salvia Towel in gold-lavender. Meirami linen cloth. Courtesy of Lapuan Kankurit.
All other images as credited in photo captions.