The story

The world of birds is one of dazzling variety and colour. They offer dreams of flight and freedom, exploration and escape. As such they have always had great power as symbols and figures in folklore. In Iceland, even in times of great hardship eating birds was taboo, as they were seen as the harbingers of Spring. Often they were felt to be guardian spirits, offering guidance and protection.

The bird kingdom is inhabited by a world of characters, each attracting its own significance and symbolism...

The Raven
The raven, blessed with the gift of prophecy, wisdom and great intelligence has often been revered as a spirit or even a god. Stories from the first Icelandic settlers tell of ravens offering kindness and assistance, a protective presence in a harsh landscape. And as it soars, the raven's sooty black feathers are said to creak, like the rustle of silk.

The Swan
Gliding gracefully across the water, the elegance of the swan belies the enormous strength of its wings and the fierceness of its temperament. In some traditions it is seen as the symbol of the very soul itself, its sculptural white form representing purity and grace.

Papageno
With its gift for mimicry, the parrot's place in folklore is as the mischeiveous companion of man, reflecting his character back to him. They are open, colourful and cheeky, looking to connect and communicate.

King Eider
The Eider duck, with its distinctive shielded forehead, is the largest in the Northern Hemisphere. As a duck, it is often seen as a symbol of both freedom and resilience, able to take off at any moment, but also willing to endure the changing seasons without complaint.

About the product

The Wing is an adaptable small blanket to use as you choose. Designed to hang from the shoulders, you can slip your hands through its layered 'feathers' for comfort that won't slip. Or use it as a dramatic sofa or chair throw. Like its inspiration, the Wing offers warmth, protection and colour. Knitted from 100% Icelandic wool, each Wing has blanket-stitched ends for a quality finish.

The world of birds is rich with variety, and the Wing comes in a range of colour combinations inspired by the characters of four birds: Raven, Swan, Papageno and King Eider. 

As with all Vík Prjónsdóttír designs, the Wing blanket is the product of a design and production process based on working closely with traditional Icelandic knitwear factories and producers.

The material

Icelandic sheep have evolved over more than 1,000 years in complete isolation, influenced only by the harsh climate and rugged landscape. This has helped to create a wool with a unique combination of fibres, unlike any other in the world.

The soft, fine inner fibres provide insulation and are strongly resistant to the cold. Meanwhile, the tough outer fibres are long and glossy, making them water resistant.

So: hardy, lightweight, warm and water-repellant. And, as the sheep's fleece grows every year as they graze in nature, this is a truly renewable resource.