At Tolt Yarn and Wool we love Icelandic wool, for it's wearable durability and the tradition of color work associated with it. Icelandic wool has special qualities being composed of both a longer outercoat called tog and a shorter, lofty undercoat called þel, or thel.  It is incredibly lightweight and insulating, perfect for winter sports. Léttlopi and Einband can be knit at larger gauges for lighter garments suitable for spring and early fall. 

We love Icelandic wool so much that we host Tolt Icelandic Wool Month for the month of March.  We feature Istex's Léttlopi, Álafosslopi, Einband and Plötulopi. 

This article is something of a love song to the Lopapeysa, or Icelandic style sweater. Typically yoked and featuring three to many colors in yoked color work.

Some of our favorite Lopapeysa designs:

Strokkur by Ysolda Teague

This is Rachel's Strokkur, we love the beautiful shaping that Ysolda includes. It is knit in Léttlopi colors: MC 0052, CC 0085 and CC 9426.

Iðunn by Ragga Eiríksdóttir

Ragga's beautiful top down Lopapeysa cardigan is striking in its two colors.  It is knit in Léttlopi, colors MC 0058 and CC 0051.

Stopover by Mary Jane Mucklestone

Rachel is wearing a Stopover knit by our friend Sandy Blue. This fun sweater, knit at a loose gauge, also incorporates shaping. It is knit in Léttlopi colors MC 9423, CC 1406, CC 1404, CC 1409.

Gamaldags by Hélène Magnússon

Gamaldags means old fashion in Icelandic. There is so much scope for color in this pattern, we find it beautiful and inspiring. It is shown as both a pullover and as a cardigan, it has shaping and a scoop neckline.

Dalur by Hulda Hákonardóttir

This is Anna in her Dalur sweater, knitting in Iceland on her trip last March. Dalur is knit in Álafosslopi, Anna's colors are: MC 9974, CC 0051 and CC 0005.

Moon Pulls by Dianna Walla

Jenny's Moon Pulls.  Moon pulls is a less traditional Lopapeysa and incorporates deliciously soft cashmere at the cuffs and collar. Jenny's is knit in Léttlopi colors MC 1420, CC 1406, CC 0086, CC 1404.

Through the month of March join us in a knit along for Tolt Icelandic Wool Month. If you are near our brick and mortar store we will be meeting on Thursdays from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm through the month of March. If you are not able to knit with us in the shop, please post on Instagram with the hashtag #tolticelandicwoolmonth or in our Ravelry group in the "Tolt Icelandic Wool Month KAL" thread.