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Contents 3 - The Saga of the Icelandic Sheep 4 - Léttlopi / worsted weight yarn 5 - Plötulopi / unspun yarn 6 - Álafosslopi / bulky yarn 7 - Einband / lace weight yarn 8 - Bulkylopi / super-bulky yarn 8 - Kemba / felting wool 9 - Hosuband / worsted weight yarn 10- Pattern books 11- Useful tips / Care instructions 11- Characteristics of Icelandic wool
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The Saga of the Icelandic Sheep 874 A.D. Without sheep, Iceland would have been uninhabitable. Since they first settled on this North Atlantic island, Icelanders have been engaged in a relentless struggle with the rugged environment in which they live. While the horse has served as transport and labour, sheep have been the key to the nation’s survival, providing generations of Icelanders not only with food but also with wool as protection from the biting cold of the harsh northern climate. Without sheep, Iceland would have been uninhabitable. Although the medieval sagas may have been inspired by deeds of heroism and feats of bravery, they also tell of the activities around which daily life revolved, among them shearing, spinning and carding – skills and crafts which became traditions and have altered little through the ages.
Two types of fibre - long & fine As a breed, the Iceland Sheep is unique – its purity has been protected by centuries of isolation and a total absence of contact with others. By the same token, the wool it produces has no counterpart anywhere. Evolving over 1,100 years of exposure to the sub-Arctic climate, Icelandic wool has a distinctive combination of inner and outer fibres. The outer fibres are long, glossy, tough and water-resistant, while the inner ones are fine, soft and insulating, providing a high resistance to cold. Another striking characteristic of the Iceland Sheep is its natural colours: black, grey and brown as well as the usual white. Together, these create the distinctive look of Icelandic knitwear, one of the best-known examples of which is the Lopi sweater.
Man & Nature Textile production techniques may have changed dramatically since the days of the early Viking settlers, but the commitment of Icelanders to quality and tradition has not. In our conservation-minded age, Icelandic wool is particularly appealing: it is a natural product created on environmentally friendly principles. Nature reigns supreme throughout the manufacturing process. Only natural energy sources such as geo-thermal and hydroelectric power are used in production of Icelandic wool, while the sheep from which the wool is harvested still graze freely in summer, as they have always done, on vast tracts of virgin land.
Wool Wool is purchased directly from farmers, then it is taken to our washing plant in Blönduós in the North of Iceland, where the first stage of the process is to ensure the quality and colour of the wool. The next stage is washing, where the use of chemicals and detergents is kept to an absolute minimum to ensure that natural oils are preserved, leaving the wool as warm, light and water-resistant as nature herself made it. Finally, the highest quality wool is selected for spinning into the finest yarn before being knitted into a wide range of products. Patterns are devised by Icelandic designers, whose reputation for imagination and ability to blend Icelandic nature and landscape into their work has gained them international recognition.
The Natural choice The distinctive patterns of Icelandic knitwear are as much a part of Iceland as its mountains, waterfalls and hot springs. Durable yet soft, strong but comfortable, Icelandic woollens are the natural choice if you want to share in the wonders of the unique country that created them.
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Léttlopi
Worsted weight yarn Léttlopi produces garments that are comfortable to wear indoors or outdoors. Léttlopi yarn is half the weight of Álafosslopi. 100% new wool. 50 g (1.7 oz) approx. 100 m (109 yd). Gauge: 18 sts to 10 cm (4") over St st using size 4½ - 5 mm (Old UK 7-6) (US 7-8).
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0054 ash heather
1403 lapis blue heather
0056 light ash heather
9420 navy blue
0057 grey heather
9419 ocean blue
0058 dark grey heather
9418 stone blue heather
0005 black heather
9421 celery green heather
0052 black sheep heather
1407 pine green heather
0867 chocolate heather
1406 spring green heather
0053 acorn heather
1405 bottle green heather
0085 oatmeal heather
9422 sage green heather
0086 light beige heather
1404 glacier blue heather
0051 white
9423 lagoon heather
0059 black
9432 grape heather
1400 camel
1413 lilac heather
1401 hazel heather
1414 violet heather
9431 brick heather
1412 pink heather
9427 rust heather
9417 dark wine
9426 golden heather
9429 berry heather
9264 mustard
9428 rose heather
1411 sun yellow
1415 rough sea
1410 orange
1416 moor
9434 crimson red
1417 frostbite
9414 burnt red
1418 straw
1409 garnet red heather
1419 barley
1408 light red heather
1420 murky
1402 heaven blue heather
Plötulopi Unspun yarn
Since Plötulopi is an unspun yarn, it is fragile to knit; however, due to the length of its fibres, it knits into a sweater that is both sturdy and soft. 100% new wool. Sold by weight as a one-ply, flat roll, called a "plate". Bundle approx. 2 kg (4.4 lb), plate approx. 110 g (3.85 oz). Also sold packed in 100 g (3.5 oz) plates approx. 300 m (328 yd). Gauge – 1 ply: 19 sts to 10 cm (4") over St st using size 4½ mm (Old UK 7) (US 7). Gauge – 2 ply: 14 sts to 10 cm (4") over St st using size 5½ mm (Old UK 5) (US 9).
Plötulopi can be worked 1-ply, 2-ply or multiple-ply, depending on how bulky a yarn you want. Gently wind the required number of strands together into a ball by taking the end from the centre and the end from the outside of the plate (or plates). We recommend the continental knitting technique as it permits control with very loose tension.
Using Plötulopi instead of Álafosslopi Although three strands of Plötulopi are about the same weight as one strand of Álafosslopi, Plötulopi is generally knitted with a looser tension than Álafosslopi, for example with 11 ½ or 12 stitches to 10 cm (4”) instead of 13 stitches to 10 cm.
0001 white
1050 berry heather
1026 ash heather
1052 denim heather
1027 light ash heather
1053 fade denim heather
9102 grey heather
1054 light berry heather
9103 dark grey heather
1420 marsh heather
0005 black heather
1421 spruce green heather
1033 black sheep heather
1422 sea green heather
1032 chocolate heather
1423 clover green heather
0009 brown heather
1424 golden yellow heather
1030 oatmeal heather
1425 sunset rose heather
0003 light beige heather
1426 dark amber heather
1038 ivory beige
1427 jasper red heather
0013 light forest heather
1428 plum heather
0014 forest heather
1429 hyacinth heather
0059 black
1430 carmine red heather
0098 cadet blue
1431 arctic blue heather
0118 navy
1432 winter blue heather
0484 forest green
9210 burgundy
0709 midnight blue
9363 blue
If you do use three strands of Plötulopi for Álafosslopi knitting instructions, we recommend following the yoke instructions for a garment one or two sizes smaller with regard to number of stitches and number of rows for the yoke. Then continue instructions for the body and sleeves following the length measurements given for the size you have cho chosen.
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Álafosslopi
0051 white
9958 light indigo
0054 ash heather
9959 indigo
0056 light ash heather
0709 midnight blue
0057 grey heather
0118 navy
0058 dark grey heather
1233 space blue
0005 black heather
1234 blue tweed
0059 black
0010 denim heather
9975 black tweed
0008 light denim heather
9974 light grey tweed
1235 ray of light
0086 light beige heather
9964 golden heather
0085 oatmeal heather
9971 amber heather
0052 black sheep heather
1236 burnt orange
0867 chocolate heather
1237 sheep sorrel
0053 acorn heather
9962 ruby red heather
9973 wheat heather
1238 dusk red
9972 ecru heather
0047 happy red
9976 beige tweed
1239 winter morning
1230 highland green
9969 fuchsia heather
9987 dark olive
1240 dark magenta
9965 chartreuse green heather
1241 gloxinia
9966 cypress green heather
1242 oxblood red
1231 garden green
0159 orchid
9983 apple green
9961 bordeaux heather
9967 teal heather
0163 dark soft purple
Bulky yarn
For warmer winter garments that breathe, Álafosslopi is the yarn. Clothes knitted from Álafosslopi are cosy and lightweight. 100% new wool. 100 g (3.5 oz) approx. 100 m (109 yd). Gauge: 13 sts to 10 cm (4") over St st using size 6-6½ mm (Old UK 4-3) (US 10-10).
Using Álafosslopi and Léttlopi together in the same garment As two strands of Léttlopi give you almost the same thickness as one strand of Álafosslopi, you can use these two types of yarn together in the same garment and so increase the colour palette from 65 colours to 97 colours – or you can mix two different colours together for even more variety.
1232 arctic exposure
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Einband
Lace weight yarn Garments made from Einband stretch and are therefore difficult to measure until they have been washed. It is recommended that you make a swatch, rinse and block it and then measure it when dry to find the exact gauge and needle size to achieve accurate measurements in the finished piece. After washing, the wool becomes soft and manageable. 100% wool 50 g (1.7 oz) approx. 225 m (245 yd). Gauge: 30 sts to 10 cm (4") over St st using size 2½ mm (Old UK 13) (US 1). Gauge: 17 sts to 10 cm (4") over St st using size 4 mm (Old UK 8) (US 6). Gauge: 15 sts to 10 cm (4") over St st using size 6 mm (Old UK 4) (US 10).
0851 white
9268 lime
1026 ash heather
1764 vivid green
1027 light ash heather
1763 green
9102 grey heather
9112 dark green
9103 dark grey heather
1761 teal
0151 black heather
1762 turquoise
1038 light beige heather
1765 yellow
0886 beige heather
9028 citron
0885 oatmeal heather
1766 orange
0853 brown
1770 flame red
0867 chocolate
0047 crimson
0852 black sheep heather
1767 lavender
0008 light denim heather
9044 purple
0010 denim heather
9132 plum
0942 blue
9020 dark wine
0059 black
9142 fuchsia
9076 almond heather
1768 pink
9075 pecan heather
9990 peach
9281 sky blue
9128 blush
1098 vivid blue
9171 grenadine
9277 royal blue
9165 brick
0709 midnight blue
9009 cardinal
0118 navy
1769 cherry
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Bulkylopi
Super-bulky yarn Bulkylopi is ideal for single colour garments. Thicker than Álafosslopi, Bulkylopi knits up very quickly. 100% new wool. 100 g (3.5 oz) approx. 60 m (66 yd). Gauge: 10 sts to 10 cm (4") over St st using size 8 - 9 mm (Old UK 0-00) (US 11-13).
Kemba
Felting wool Kemba is perfect for felting and is known as “the magical felting wool”. 100% new wool unspun. 1 kg package.
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0051 white
1415 mountain blue tweed
0086 light beige heather
1417 red currant tweed
0085 oatmeal heather
1418 carrot red tweed
0867 chocolate heather
1416 country green tweed
0005 black heather
9997 deep green shaded
0058 dark grey heather
9998 Atlantic blue shaded
0056 light ash heather
9449 bordeaux shaded
0054 ash heather
0059 black
0851 white
0118 navy
0054 ash heather
9303 sky blue
0056 light ash heather
9448 royal blue
0057 grey heather
0193 vivid blue
0058 dark grey heather
9445 turquoise
0005 black sheep heather
9301 green
0151 black heather
9441 apple green
0059 black
0017 sunshine yellow
0086 beige heather
0402 golden yellow
0085 oatmeal heather
0417 happy red
0053 acorn heather
1805 pink
0867 chocolate heather
9454 fuchsia
9315 auburn
9211 dark wine
9239 dark olive
9210 burgundy
0484 forest green
9449 earth red
9305 teal
9989 dark salmon
0098 cadet blue
9990 peach
Hosuband
9244 yellow
0005 light grey
0001 white
0224 grey/white
0000 white/black
0078 red
0059 black
0225 red/black
9425 dark moss/green
0118 dark blue
0227 black heather/khaki
0226 blue/black
Worsted weight yarn Hosuband is reinforced with polyamide (nylon), which makes it perfect, not only for socks that last, but also for sweaters, mittens and hats. 80% new wool, 20% polyamide (nylon). 100 g (3.5 oz) approx. 130 m (142 yd). Gauge: 19 sts to 10 cm (4") over St st using size 4 - 4½ mm (Old UK 8-7) (US 6-7).
Contents 3 - The Saga of the Icelandic Sheep 4 - Léttlopi / worsted weight yarn 5 - Plötulopi / unspun yarn 6 - Álafosslopi / bulky yarn 7 - Einband / lace weight yarn 8 - Bulkylopi / super-bulky yarn 8 - Kemba / felting wool 9 - Hosuband / worsted weight yarn 10- Pattern books
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LOPI
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Lopi
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Lopi
Lopi
lopi
Pattern books Over the years, we have written quite a few knitting books which may interest you. We have listed them all on our website for your convenience, together with details on their content.
istex.is We hope that you will enjoy browsing through these, and all the other information on our home page: www.istex.is.
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No. 24
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Useful tips - Care instructions Álafosslopi, Bulkylopi and Léttlopi:
Hand wash only in lukewarm water (30°C / 86°F). Soak the garment in the suds for about 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water. Do not rub or wring but gently squeeze the liquid through the garment. If necessary, spin for 2-4 minutes to remove excess moisture. Dry flat, smooth the garment out and pull gently into shape. Plötulopi:
Garments knitted from Plötulopi are washed in the same way as garments knitted from Álafosslopi, Bulkylopi or Léttlopi, except when washed for the first time do not pre-soak the garment in the suds. Wash the garment by squeezing the suds through the knitwear then rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water. Note:
It is often enough to air a woollen garment thoroughly, rather than washing it.
Characteristics of Icelandic wool Unique in its composition, Icelandic wool consists of two types of fibres:
1. Inner fibres - insulating: Fine, soft, highly insulating.
2. Outer fibres - water-repellent: Outer fibres - water-repellent:
Together, these two distinctive fibres create a wool that is: Lightweight > lighter than most other wools, keeps you warm and comfortable. Water-repellent > repels rain and stays feeling dry. Breathable > moisture passes through the fibres away from the skin, keeping you dry and comfortable.
The Icelandic wool quality symbol mbol on a product guarantees that it is de out of genuine Icelandic wool. made
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ﾃ行tex hf. Vﾃｶluteigur 6 / 270 Mosfellsbﾃｦr Tel.: +354 566 6300 / Fax: +354 566 7330 E-mail: istex@istex.is / www.istex.is