What is an Icelandic jumper?

The Icelandic lopapeysa, also known as the Icelandic sweater, is an iconic wool jumper made from native Icelandic sheep wool. Literally meaning “sweater made from unspun yarn,” the lopapeysa is traditionally made with a yoke pattern at the top of the sweater.

What is Icelandic sweater?

A lopapeysa (Icelandic: [ˈlɔːpaˌpʰeiːsa]) or Icelandic sweater is an Icelandic style of sweater originating in early or mid-20th century, at a time when imports had displaced older and more traditional Icelandic clothing and people began to search for new ways to utilize the plentiful native wool.

What's special about Icelandic wool?

The wool of Icelandic sheep is unique in that it contains two different types of hair that serve as a natural barrier from wet and cold weather. The outer layer is composed of coarse, long hair known in Icelandic as tog. The tough and fleecy tog is a water-resistant layer.

Are Icelandic sweaters worth it?

There is no doubt that Icelandic sweaters are a good quality and worth investing. They are made from the Icelandic yarn called lopi which makes them very resistant and soft. Since the old days they were used to keep Icelanders warm in all kinds of weather that you can get on this island.

What are Icelandic jumpers made of?

Icelandic wool sweaters are solely made from the wool of Icelandic sheep – a breed of sheep that has been isolated for over 1,100 years and adapted to the incredibly harsh weather rand sub-Arctic climate.

Handmade Icelandic Sweaters - Why They're Unique

Are Icelandic sweaters itchy?

Dressing in Iceland is all about layers and Icelandic wool is a great insulator. The best way to wear a lopapeysa is to wear it as a second or outer layer and not directly on your skin, in case you find it to be itchy.

How warm are Icelandic sweaters?

Icelandic sweaters are incredibly warm thanks to the lopi (unspun yarn). There is more air in this yarn than would be found in spun yarn, and the insulation is therefore greater. Icelandic sheep wool is known to be warm and light, but it's also quite hard to handle, making it a challenge for even seasoned knitters.

What do you wear under an Icelandic sweater?

Fun Facts about the Lopapeysa

They can sting a bit so you might want to buy a turtleneck to wear underneath. Lopa in Lopapeysa is the word for the woolen band from which the sweater is knitted from. Álafoss the oldest Wool Store in Iceland has been in business since 1896.

How do I wash my Icelandic wool jumper?

Icelandic wool rarely needs washing, consider hanging it out in the fresh air first. Handwash only using lukewarm water and a special wool soap, if you do decide to wash it. Soak the garment for about 10-15 minutes.

How scratchy is Icelandic wool?

In short, Icelandic wool is very scratchy and is scratchier than wool from sheep in warmer climates. However, with that said, don't let the scratchiness of the wool scare you away from great products with an even better story.

What is the warmest wool sweater?

Cashmere is the softest of the wool sweater materials and can be eight-times warmer than sheep's wool. It comes from the under hairs of the cashmere goat. The finest quality cashmere comes from China. It fetches high prices because the hairs are extremely thin and long, so they retain heat better.

Do Icelanders wear Icelandic sweaters?

Icelandic Sweater Story. It was November when we arrived in Iceland. It was rainy and cold, but one thing colored the streets of Reykjavík: The lopapeysa (literally: “lopi wool sweater”), which so many Icelanders wear.

Are Icelandic sweaters made in Iceland?

KIDKA ICELANDIC KNITWEAR MADE IN ICELAND

Welcome!

What do Icelandic sweaters look like?

The history of the traditional Icelandic sweater

Traditional Icelandic sweaters are known as Lopapeysas by the locals. These comfy sweaters have a unique rounded pattern around the neck, and often come featuring well-known Icelandic sweater pattern options, like stripes and images of reindeer.

Why did my wool sweater shrink in cold water?

Wool is more delicate when it is wet than when it is dry. That's the reason cool or lukewarm water is best for washing it. The hotter the water, the more fragile the fibers will be. The more fragile the fibers are, the easier it is for them to tangle and shrink.

How long do wool jumpers last?

Even if donation isn't an option, wool is more likely to be repaired or recycled and given a new life than sent to landfill to biodegrade. Thanks to wearers choosing to reuse, repair or recycle, knitwear and other wool items tend to have a lengthy lifespan that lasts beyond a lifetime.

Do Icelandic sheep have good wool?

Dual coated fleece — Icelandic fleece is the most versatile of all breeds and is a hand spinner's dream! The wool also felts easily and is prized by fiber artists.

How long does it take to knit an Icelandic sweater?

How long does it take to knit an Icelandic sweater? Since the wool is bulky and the knitting needles are quite chunky, it'll take an experienced knitter roughly two days to finish a medium-sized lopapeysa.

Do men knit in Iceland?

Knitting was done by both women and men, and it was joked that children learned to knit as soon as they learned to crawl. Knitting as a a source of revenue in Iceland has gone through a number of changes over the centuries, as industrialization and automation had impacts on wool production.

How do you soften LOPI?

Lopi softens with washing and wearing—give your finished garment a bath in warm water with a little lanolin soap so the fibers will relax and soften.

What ply is Icelandic wool?

Almost all of the traditional Icelandic wool sweaters that Alafoss offers are knitting with 2-ply plötulopi yarn.

How do you soften wool with vinegar?

The most common way to soften wool is to use vinegar. Simply add two cups of white distilled vinegar in your washing machine rinse cycle and throw in the problem sweater. You can also turn the garment inside out and soak it in a mixture of cold water and a few tablespoons of vinegar.

What should I buy in Iceland?