Estonia Adventures Part 1: Iceland

Earlier this month, Amber and I went on an epic adventure to Estonian Craft Camp. We will get to Craft Camp next week - which was life-altering - but first, a quick stop in Iceland en route to Finland en route to Estonia (thank you, Icelandair!).

Iceland is one of my favorite places. This was my third visit and even though it was for a mere 48 hours, we were able to experience new magical places and revisit some of our favorite stops. Iceland is a must-visit for any travel-loving, yarn aficionado. Their love of wool and knitting knows no bounds. Free range sheep dot every landscape and Lopi yarn can be purchased in even the smallest town's grocery market.

You know of our love of Lopi yarn - the Icelandic yarn made from Icelandic sheep's wool since we have made no fewer than 5 Lopi sweaters between Amber and I. The hardy Icelandic sheep that produce all this yarn are the only sheep to see in Iceland and they are everywhere. Farmers let them graze free during the spring - fall and then they gather and sort them every September to keep them safe during the harsh winter months.

Sheep with her babies on a picturesque fjord

We hopped off our plane at 6am, rented a car and immediately headed up to the West Fjords - a 3 hour journey to a northern land of fjords. We stopped along the way to take in the elven magic of the moss covered lava fields at Glanni.

Magical Moss covered Lava fields of Glanni

Once we reached the West Fjords, we were greeted with the epic and otherworldly landscape of this remote part of Iceland. We spent a bit of time in Holmavik at the Museum of Witchcraft and Sorcery and then stayed the night in a picturesque B n' B in Bjarnarfjörður that had its own hot pots.

Sheep and carin

Amber frolics in the West Fjords

On our way back to Reykjavik the next day we stopped at one of our favorite places - the wool shop Ullarselið in Hvanneyri. This shop stocks the beautiful naturally-dyed Hespa yarns by Gudrun Bjarnadottir. We all purchased mass quantities of yarn at this, our first yarn-buying opportunity of the trip! The natural colors that Gudrun achieves using Icelandic mosses and lichens are irresistible. She combines these native dye plants with indigo and madder for more depth of color. The yarns are all Icelandic wool and all of us purchased the lace weight - perfect for shawls.

Jaime has some tough decisions to make...

We ended our Iceland adventure with a late night dip in the Blue Lagoon in the midnight sun...so magical!

10pm in Iceland in July...so bright!

Next up: Helsinki, Finland: Marimekko and Finnsheep wool

Lumpy Space! Stephen West KAL

Every summer Stephen West has a shawl KAL and I love joining in the fun! This year, instead of it being a mystery, it was for your choice of one of 3 different designs - each very Westknits-esque. I chose to make the Lumpy Space pattern - I love the elongated shape of this shawl and I couldn't resist the stripes!

Pattern: Lumpy Space by Stephen West
Yarns: a = Orkney Angora dk in neon peach, b = Lopi Einband in pale beige, c = Madelinetosh Dandelion in Nectar, d = Jill Draper Nimbus in Shell
Size made: one size
Alterations: none, although I ran out of my Nimbus yarn so I had to end a few rows early 

Lumpy Space uses four yarns. I decided to use up some stash yarns so I incorporated a couple of yarns I had picked up on my travels, making this an extra special shawl. The neon orange angora yarn was from Scotland and the Lopi laceweight was, of course, from Iceland. The Madelinetosh Dandelion was leftover from my recent Vasa tee and I just couldn't resist using some luxurious Jill Draper Nimbus - a laceweight blend of angora and silk.

In true Westknits fashion, I did some experimenting with various fiber types and weights. For the inner shape of orange and cream - it was a blend of super-soft angora mixed with super-tough lopi. I held the lopi laceweight double to keep up with the dk weight of the angora. The outer stripes are a mix of soft merino/linen and more angora. Here again, I held the laceweight Nimbus double to work better with the Dandelion and to add more angora halo!

I love the shape and size of this shawl. It can be wrapped around several times for extra neck-coziness and it is in-between a scarf and shawl shape - my favorite. I ran out of Nimbus towards the end so I'm short just a couple of stripes, but it is still a great size. I'll admit, I was cursing this pattern during the picot bind off of over 800 stitches, but I'm so glad I persevered! The contrast picot edge give the shawl an adorable frame that really takes it over the top.

Thanks, Stephen for another fun knit! Be sure to stop by the store today from 12 - 1:30 to meet Mr. West in person and see even more of his awesome designs.

Yoked KAL: Success!

Early this year we announced our Second Annual Knit-Along: Yoked. We invited all of you lovely knitters out there to join us for an 11 week journey of sweater making! Our photo shoot was Tuesday and the results are blowing our minds! You all sure know how to make a beautiful sweater.

Check out the results:

Alsn

Pattern: Knitbot Birdie Fair Isle Cardigan

Yarn Used and Color: Quince and Co. Owl in Acacia, Tawny, Canyon, Barred

What was your favorite thing about this KAL? Learning from other people's frustrations, and seeing the colors build into a complete piece. Also, hanging out with awesome knitters! 

What animal does this new sweater make you feel like? A llamacorn. A magiical llama with a crystal horn!

 Amber

Pattern: Kaye's Cardigan, but used chart from Tiny Owl Knits' Meow Mitts

Yarn Used and Color: Quince and Co. Owl in Bog & then I hand-dyed 42 colors for my seven cat faces.

What was your favorite thing about this KAL? I really loved dyeing the colors for my cat color work. Megan helped me & now I want to dye yarn all the time! 

What animal does this new sweater make you feel like? Well, an adorable cat of course! 

Bob Bosscher

Pattern: Basic Round- Yoke Unisex Pullover

Yarn Used and Color: Quince and Co. Owl in Hemlock

What was your favorite thing about this KAL? It was my first KAL, so getting to meet all of the fancy friends! 

What animal does this new sweater make you feel like? Like a hibernating black bear!

Caitlin R.

Pattern: Kaye's Cardigan

Yarn Used and Color: Brooklyn Tweed Shelter- Snowbound and Quince and Co. Owl in Cerulean and Canyon

What was your favorite thing about this KAL? How quick the sweater knit up! 

What animal does this new sweater make you feel like? A teddy bear!

Jaime

Pattern: Kaye's Cardigan

Yarn Used and Color: Quince and Co. in Acacia, Cinnamon and Huckleberry

What was your favorite thing about this KAL? Lice Stitch. Also these colors are the colors that regulars at craft night (and many fellow KALers) voted as my "least likely" to knit so I took it as a challenge to step outside my box. I love the result! I love having the community of knitters to challenge me like that. 

Reverse twinsies! 

What animal does this new sweater make you feel like? A cheetah because I knit it in 13 days! (& it has spots)

Jessica Jeanne

Pattern: Kaye's Cardigan

Yarn Used and Color: Quince and Co. in Cinnamon, Acacia and Huckleberry

What was your favorite thing about this KAL?  The week before casting on for this, I had just finished making a Breckon Cardigan, which is fingering weight. It was so gratifying to see this knit up so fast! The KALers are so motivating and fun to knit with- this project was such a breeze =)

What animal does this new sweater make you feel like? Uh, a fox duh! Cause mostly that cinnamon giving me such a pretty coat.

Kiyomi

Pattern: Willard Fair Isle Pullover

Yarn Used and Color: Madeline Tosh Pashmina in Antler & Edison Bulb

What was your favorite thing about this KAL? I restarted this sweater about 5 times & at one point I pulled out six inches. Needless to say this sweater & I were not friends. My favorite part was watching everyone else's sweaters form, which kicked me into gear so I was able to finish on time! 

What animal does this new sweater make you feel like? Obviously a Narwhal, duh.

Megan

Pattern: Basic Round- Yoke Unisex Pullover

Yarn Used and Color: Sleep Season- Night Light

What was your favorite thing about this KAL? Knitting it out of my own yarn! Thanks to the encouragement of Alsn! 

What animal does this new sweater make you feel like? A snow fox.

Miranda's "Almost- Sweater for Justin"

Pattern: Basic Round- Yoke Unisex Pullover

Yarn Used and Color:  Quince and Co. Owl 13 (!) skeins of Huckleberry

What was your favorite thing about this KAL? I never would have gotten even this far without friendly peer pressure.

What animal does this new sweater make you feel like? This much sweater would look perfect on a centaur.

Pam

Pattern: Birdie Fair Isle Cardigan 

Yarn Used and Color: Lett Lopi in Spring Green Heather, Sun Yellow, White and Grey

What was your favorite thing about this KAL? Using the happy green Lopi.

What animal does this new sweater make you feel like? A panda.

Sunne Meyer

Pattern: Basic Round- Yoke Unisex Pullover

Yarn Used and Color: O Wool Legacy (from the old days)

What was your favorite thing about this KAL? Using stash yarn in a color I love.

What animal does this new sweater make you feel like? A green robin.

Also pictured is Lily who made her own sweater with us, Cabeltta in Cascade 220!

Just look at these smiles!! Way to go everyone, such a fun Knit-a-long... 2014 will bring you more opportunities to knit-a-long with us, stay tuned and happy knitting!

A Grettir for Eddie

--amber

After thirteen years of friendship and nine years of love, this guy definitely deserves a handknit sweater. Eddie has received a couple of handknit scarves from me over the years, but otherwise he's been resorting to keeping himself warm with store-bought woolens. Meanwhile, I've been parading around in a slew of handknit things from head to toe. 

Last month the spirit of holiday giving got to me and I decided it was time to share the sweater love. 

Jared Flood's Grettir pattern caught my eye and Eddie agreed, it was the perfect sweater for him. The Icelandic style yoke would be fun for me to knit, and--in a palette of natural heathered greys--the sweater would be classic and easy for Eddie to wear.

Grettir is written for Brooklyn Tweed's Shelter yarn, which I love and just used for my Reverb. It makes a stunning sweater, but for Grettir I opted to go a little more hardcore with my choice of wool--I wanted to make Eddie an Icelandic sweater with the Lopi that I fell in love with on my trip to Iceland. My own Iðunn cardigan, knit in Létt-Lopi, has been my most beloved sweater for the unpredictable Colorado winters.

Lucky for me, Létt-Lopi comes in an full spectrum of heathered greys so it was easy to find the perfect four shades for Grettir's chart. The worsted weight sweater pattern knit up in just about a month, and in the blink of an eye this sweater was finished. I have to say, I love knitting Jared's patterns. They are well written, create beautiful garments, and I always learn a new technique for impeccably finished handknits.

My favorite thing from Grettir is the rolled crewneck collar. So simple, yet so neat and tidy.

Eddie's new sweater was finished in time for our most recent snowstorm and, my, isn't a Lopi-wearing, bearded man a welcome sight the midst of a snowy forest?

After this sweater success I don't think I'll wait another 13 years to knit Eddie a new sweater. Until the next one, though, this sweater is sure to keep Mr. Corcoran warm and extremely fashionable.

We ♥ Lopi! Iðunn Knit-Along is a Wooltastic Success!

Lopis are taking over the streets of Denver! Next time you go out you might be confused about whether you are in Reykjavik or the Rocky Mountains, thanks to the smashing success of our Lopi-alongers. 

Just a few of the new Lopis in town

We knit the Iðunn Cardigan by Ragga Eiríksdóttir, a two color yoked, steeked cardigan and a free pattern download from from Knitty. It was the perfect intro to colorwork, and a great intro to steeking as well!

We've found that Lopi wool is as perfect for Denver weather as it is for Iceland. The lofty yarn insulates as well as breathes, keeping you warm without stifling. The dual coated wool sheds water--snowmelt just beads up on the surface. Lopi, you are pretty cool. We thought some of our KAL'ers would eschew Lopi in favor of a softer yarn, but everyone was super hardcore and made true Icedlandic sweaters!

Now, meet some of the knitters who fell head over heels for this wooly Icelandic sweater!

Allison

Colors: Black Sheep Heather + Ash Heather
My favorite thing about the KAL was...picking colors and seeing what everyone else picked.
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...how warm it is and the fun ribbon on the inside.

Alsn

Colors: Stone Blue Heather + Ash Heather
My favorite thing about the KAL was...the help from the community of awesome knitters
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...it's finished!

Amber

Colors: Golden Heather + Bottle Green Heather
My favorite thing about the KAL was...seeing everyone's progress together. Also, it was fun to see how the color combinations each person chose knit up.
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...wearing it almost every day! I love it so much! Oh, also steeking for the first time was exciting!

Anna

Colors: Hazel Heather + Glacier Blue Heather
My favorite thing about the KAL was...starting it late, so I could be inspired by all the lovely sweaters that were being finished.
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...the color combination is ridiculous!

Betsy

Colors: Barley + Hazel Heather + Lapis Blue
My favorite thing about the KAL was...Loved watching the different color combos develop, and how that alone can change the "flavor"
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...I'm just so damned proud I made a sweater and it fits great!

Caitlin + Mathew

Caitlin Colors: Ash Heather + Pink Heather
Mathew Colors: Hazel Heather +  Stone Blue Heather + Celery Green Heather
My favorite thing about the KAL was...Brainstorming with fellow KAL-ers and seeing how AWESOME everyone's turned out
Caitlin: My favorite thing about my new sweater is...It is made for ME by ME!! Just the right length everywhere!! I want more!!
Mathew: My favorite thing about my new sweater is...That my fantastic, super-sexy, radical wife made it for me!

Candice

Colors: Sun Yellow + Straw
My favorite thing about the KAL was...working on the pattern.
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...It's done!...and warm!

Caroline

Colors: Celery Green Heather + Straw
My favorite thing about the KAL was...this was my first KAL - it was fun feeling like I was connected with Craft Night even when I wasn't able to make it to town due to the weather.
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...I love how fast and easily it has knit up!

Chase

Colors: Garnet Heather + Light Red Heather
My favorite thing about the KAL was...Being part of a super fun group of people - making cool stuff.
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...there is an established club I can now join.

Jaime

Colors: Bottle Green Heather + Light Grey Heather
My favorite thing about the KAL was...hanging out with everyone at Craft Night and knitting the same thing. I love comparing notes and asking/answering questions!
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...lopi + cardigan = ♥

Jess

Colors: Acorn Heather + Bottle Green Heather
My favorite thing about the KAL was...even though I was living in California, I could still be part of the Fancy Tiger funtimes - transcontinental KALs are the best!
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...I love the colorwork - it knit up so fast. This was my first sweater with colorwork, I LOVE how it turned out. I guess spending a million years to pick out your colors really pays off!

Mary

Colors: Ash Heather + Lapis Blue Heather
My favorite thing about the KAL was...new technique, original design, working on the same project with others and meeting other knitters
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...comfortable, warm but lightweight, new techniques for me actually worked! and the colors.

Megan

Colors: Rust Heather + Pink Heather
My favorite thing about the KAL was...having support and help from all the other Lopi knitters.
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...that the wool is from Iceland and it is super warm

Pam M.

Colors: Rust Heather + White
My favorite thing about the KAL was...meeting other knitters and comparing progress each week
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...it's the perfect cool weather cover-up and it turned out exactly how I wanted it to

Pam

Colors: Grey Heather + Rust Heather in Unspun Plötulopi
My favorite thing about the KAL was...it was so inspiring to see such a variety of color choices and sizes - they all look amazing!
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...not done yet, but I can't wait to steek it

Pink

Colors: Dark Wine + Berry Heather + Rose Heather + Ash Heather
My favorite thing about the KAL was...simple pattern, fancy looking results
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...matches my hair!

Sunne

Colors: Black Sheep Heather + Glacial Blue Heather
My favorite thing about the KAL was...cutting the front of my sweater.
My favorite thing about my new sweater is...it inspired me to knit more things that I cut.
Sunne is the Lopi-est! She also knit (from left to right) Craftsy Top-Down Icelandic Sweater in Golden Heather + Bottle Green Heather + Black Sheep Heather, Freyja in Steel + Donahue, and Aftur in Black Sheep Heather + Garnet Heather + Ash Heather + Grey Heather.


One of the most fun things about making this sweater was choosing the ribbon to finish off the steeked front. Here is a peak inside some of our Iðunns...

Thanks so much everyone! This KAL was a blast! Stay tuned for our next KAL--we will be announcing it next week! :)