The Lopapeysa Sweater: A Journey North in Search of Iceland's Iconic Knitwear

Embark on a journey through Iceland’s most gorgeous landscapes and intimate traditions—straight from your armchair. The lopapeysa sweater is a treasured piece of Icelandic culture, knitted for generations, always gifted, never bought, with warmth and love in every stitch. From the breathtaking scenery, to the deep-rooted history, to the wisdom of the locals; Joan of Dark and Kyle Cassidywill be your guides as you read and knit your way through Iceland’s culture, creativity, and lopapeysa tradition.

In this knitter's guide to Iceland, join Joan and Kyle as they travel the 800 miles of Iceland’s Ring Road to bring you historic sweaters, exciting adventures, and new knitting patterns. By interviewing local experts and digging through archives, they trace the historic beginnings of the “lopi” sweater and its legacy—and, of course, provide 12 new, original lopi-style patterns ranging from novice to advanced. No matter your knitting experience, you will be able to knit your way through these projects and enhance your look with style that is beautifully modern while still honoring the lopapeysa’s rich history. We hope that this book will inspire you to visit Iceland with someone you love.

ISBN-13: 9780811739832

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers - Inc.

Publication Date: 11-15-2022

Pages: 168

Product Dimensions: 8.30(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.50(d)

Toni Carr (aka Joan of Dark) is the author of Knockdown Knits, Knits for Nerds, and Geek Knits. She is also a contributing designer for Vampire Knits and Once Upon a Knit, as well as several publications for Knit Picks. Kyle Cassidy is an award-winning photojournalist whose work has appeared in all the usual places. He’s the author of a number of books, most recently This Is What a Librarian Looks Like. Joan taught him to knit over Zoom, specifically for this book and now he’s always got half a lopi sweater in his camera bag. Find him at kylecassidy.com and @kylecassidy.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This is a joy of a book. I know nothing of sweaters and little of Iceland, and this book used pictures and words to open Iceland and its people for me, using Icelandic sweaters and knitting to do it." Neil Gaiman, author of Norse Mythology and American Gods

Table of Contents

Contents TRAVEL: IN SEARCH OF THE LOPAPEYSA It’s Easy to Get to Iceland, You Should Go Iceland’s History of Wool About the Lopapeysa Knitting a Lopi in Iceland Getting Started How Is Iceland Even???? The Ring Road Getting Around in Iceland Adventure: The Icelandic Handknitting Association Adventure: Helgufoss Adventure: The Hot Springs at Skátalaug Adventure: Heavy Metal Horses Knitter Profile: Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir Knitter Profile: Pálína Gunnarsdóttir Adventure: Reykjavik Is a Twenty-four-hour Party Adventure: Volcano Adventure: Hestaland Adventure: Illugastaðir – the Land of Seals and Ghosts Dalvik Adventure: Lopi Thrifting in the Rauði Krossinn Hot Tub Party Akureyri Adventure: Grjótagjá Cave Adventure: Námafjall Hverir, the Mývatn Geothermal Area Möðrudalur – the Farm at the Top of the World Djúpivogur Adventure: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Adventure: Skaftafell Adventure: Black Sand Beaches Vik Knitter Profiles: Anna Halla, Hera, and Guðlaug Knitter Profile: Janina Witzel Adventure: The Hot River Adventure: Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach Knitter Profile: Védís Jónsdóttir Back Home Coda PATTERNS Knitting the Lopapeysa Recipes vs Patterns Sizing Cardigans and Steeking Yarn Needles Abbreviations Important Skills Learn to Chart Headband Hot Springs Hats Executioner’s Capelet Everywhere Sweater Icelandic Horse Sweater Puffin Sweater Lakeside Lopapeysa Hiking Gloves Adventure Sweater Waiting Cape Vik Dress Acknowledgments Show More