Work in progress - a new sweater pattern

I'm working on a new sweater pattern. It's not an Icelandic lopi sweater like I usually do but rather a light sweater much like the ones I've been seeing in stores lately. The inspiration actually comes from a sweater I got from H&M. I often think "I could just knit this" when I'm looking at clothes in stores. Most of the time I'm also sure I can knit a nicer sweater with no seams and from better materials like merino wool, silk blends and so on. I don't care much for acrylics though I sometimes use them.

I started test knitting my idea with a very nice yarn from King Cole, a mix of cotton and bamboo. It's very soft and drapes wonderfully.

I wanted the sweater to be an inside out sweater, i.e. I wanted the purl side to face outwards. That meant that when knitting I had to make sure to hide all ends on the knit side facing me and to made sure that all increases and decreases looked good on the purl side. That's something one usually doesn't have to worry about.

When I finally finished the sweater after some frogging and adjusting I decided it would be better to work it top down. Mostly because I didn't like the raglan decreases as much as I wanted to. So I started again. I didn't want to frog the first sweater since it's quite nice and I also wanted to try a different yarn. 

I've had 6 skeins of Malabrigo silky merino in a gorgeous plum color for ages, 5 years to be exact. But I haven't been able to decide what to make from it. So now I finally decided to make a sweater from it.

When I started the new sweater I decided to use a provisional cast on with a crochet hook. That makes the cast on look the same on both sides. I also decided to try to make this a reversible sweater. It's possible since I can twist the ends together when starting a new skein so it's invisible. I still thin I will rather use it with the purl side facing out.

At this moment I'm almost finished with the body so the sleeves remain. When I finish I will publish the pattern. I'm so excited, this yarn looks absolutely gorgeous on the purl side :)

Cats and knitting humor

I often wish that I wasn't allergic to cats. They are such independent and funny creatures and I looooove cat humor.

I can't imagine our bunny doing something funny or sweet to my yarn. She would probably just eat it ...

Pretty yarn.

I found this pretty yarn when browsing on Etsy. I always fall for pretty colored yarn, especially when it changes colors slowly. I will order it one day ... I will!

Check out Apple Tree Knits for more yarn.

Þingborg's Lopi Sweater

In this post I mentioned that I was knitting my first sweater with lopi from Þingborg. I finished it a while ago and am soooo happy with it. I used a single strand which is always a little stressful since it seems to be so weak while knitting. In this case it was extremely so. The black Þingborg's lopi is very, very delicate and I was afraid the whole time that this sweater would never make it more than a month. But fortunately I was wrong. I'm still using it and absolutely love the warmth and softness.

Álafoss

There are two places in Reykjavík where prefer to buy lopi and one of them is Álafoss in Mosfellsbær (not actually in Reykjavík but close enough).

Álafoss in Mosfellsbær

It's located in a beautiful place with trees all around and a little stream flowing. Going there makes me feel like I'm out in the countryside buying straight from the farmer ... or something.

The store does not only sell lopi and knitting supplies but also a good variety of hand knit items along with different hand made and/or Icelandic product. It's actually a popular stop for tourists especially during the summer.

The store

For buying lopi this is one of the best places in my oppinion. Not only do they sell the whole collection of plötulopi, létt-lopi, Álafoss lopi, Bulky lopi, einband and Kambgarn, they also sell Reynold's lopi from time to time. The difference between Ístex and Reynold's is the colors. I've been told that Ístex produces both brands but in different colors for different markets. Lopi is also usually cheaper at Álafoss than most stores and you can buy in bulk.
Other types of yarn are also sold in the store, mostly from Hjertegarn. I've tried both the superwash DK and superwash fingering (baby). Both were reasonably priced and great to knit with. Then there's also a fine selection of buttons, needles and other knitting related stuff.

Einband

Loads of lopi

Hjertegarn and Bulky lopi

Buttons

One of the best things about shopping at Álafoss is the service. I always find the staff very informative and friendly. It's also great to be able to browse through all the Lopi knitting books and pamphlets or just browse the store and get ideas from the many, many handknit items. Sometimes it's just easier to decide which color to buy when you can see a sweater or mittens made with the ones you're trying to choose from.  

I definitely recommend this place to anyone who likes to knit with lopi (or just knit) and enjoys traditional handknit items.

(Just to make clear: I am not affiliated with any of the yarn stores I write about.)

Handprjón.is

I love shopping for yarn and knitting related products. That's why I'm going to write about my favorite yarn stores here in Iceland starting with Handprjón.is in Hafnafjörður which is among my favorites.

It's not a very big shop but the variety of yarn is wonderful. Unlike so many other yarn stores here in Iceland they do not emphasize on Lopi, Sandnes or Dale yarn. All wonderful yarns but one likes to try other things as well. Among the brands they sell are Cascade, Abuelita, Novita, Evilla and more.There's also a good selection of books and various knitting supplies.

Abuelita - One of my favourite yarns.
Buttery soft and  comes in beautiful colors.

Cascade - What a wonderful brand.

Evilla - Comes in both spun and unspun varieties. Perfect for
 shawls or combined with Lopi for beautiful Lopi-sweater designs.

But the thing I love most about Handprjón.is is the service. I'm always greeted as an old friend and basic stuff like returning or changing yarn is never a problem. There's even a Lego-table (see below) for the kids so I can spend hours choosing yarn ;)

If you are in Iceland and haven't gone to Handprjón.is yet I recommend that you do. If not, at least check out their website: www.handprjon.is.

(Just to make clear: I am not affiliated with any of the yarn stores I write about.)

Dreadful days

I'm to busy to knit these days. How dreadful is that?
Instead of knitting my beautiful Þinborg-lopi sweater or the gorgeous alpaca/silk Aeolian shawl, I have to write an intelligent chapter about balanced scorecard and strategic management.
Oh how I long for warm summer days and enough free time to knit, knit, knit ...

Einband

I have a love/hate relationship with the yarn called Einband. It's all Icelandic lace weight wool that comes in a variety of beautiful colors but stings like crazy ... or at least it stings me like crazy.

I have loads of it in my stash and buy even more from time to time. Why? ... Well the colors. They're just so beautiful. They range from muted natural sheepish colors to vibrant, bold colors in almost every shade. I'm such a sucker for colors.

Click here to see all the colors available.

Einband is a great yarn for shawls and delicate lace designs. But like I said, it stings me like no other yarn. I'm able to wear regular lopi next to my skin without problems but Einband I almost can't wear. For example I made this dress in 2009 but never wear it, mostly because of the stinging.

The only use I have for Einband is when I combine it with single strand plötulopi. By doing that it doesn't sting as much. I often use this method with shawls to strengthen the plötulopi which tends to tear easily.

It would be so great to be able to wear it and make beautiful shawls or light but warm garments out of it. It helps a little to wash it with a hair conditioner but sadly not enough for me. But I do know a lot of people who can wear it without problems so do not be to discouraged by my bad luck and sensitive skin.

Although it's lace weight, Einband can be knit with bigger needles with good results. My dress was knit on 4 mm needles (US size 6) and I'm currently making a sweater on 6 mm needles (US size 10). Both look great but very different. I think it's the fuzziness of the yarn that makes this possible, kind of like mohair but less fussy.

Istex has published a pattern book with a few pattern made with Einband. Click here for the online preview.
There are also a few designs in Lopi 30 and Lopi 31 (not available online yet).

Lopi from Þingborg

There is something so wonderful about the lopi from Þingborg. It has a unique softness unlike the traditional lopi from Istex (which is also a favorite to make that clear).

Þingborg is a wool center located just outside of Selfoss or about 45 minutes drive from Reykjavik.What makes their wool so special is that they choose only the softest and cleanest wool from the lambs, wash it with mild soap only to retain the natural lanolin. Then it's machine-cared but kept unspun. It's also only available in four natural colors, free from any dyes.

(Photo taken from Þingborg's website)

I went to Þingborg for the first time last summer. I've driven by hundreds of times but never knew that this was a wool center filled with such wonderful things. Not only do they sell their lopi but also all kinds of spun yarn from Icelandic wool, angora yarn, knitted items and a variety of crafted items (souvenirs). I bought loads of Tvinnað band which is spun wool, I'm guessing 2ply, about DK or sport weight. I'm using it to make a very traditional Icelandic shawl. Heaps of fun ;)

Currently I'm also knitting my first lopi sweater from Þingborgarlopi. I started one this summer but realized it was too big so I frogged and started another. It's made with single strand plötulopi and I can already feel how much softer and different it feels from the regular Istex lopi.

If you love lopi and/or Icelandic wool I recommend that you check out their website www.thingborg.net or better yet, go visit them ;)

(Photo taken from Þingborg's website)