10 × stunning Icelandic sweater! Get inspired by craft enthusiasts’ colourful creations—“The endless colour combinations and easy process fascinate me”
It’s impossible not to notice: more and more knitters are making Icelandic sweaters. 10 craft enthusiasts showcase their colorful and stunning creations, perfect for outdoor wear. Have you knitted yours yet?
The workload was intimidating, but the task itself turned out to be surprisingly easy
Jaana Niemimäki knitted their first Icelandic sweater a year ago in the spring.
– I had long dreamed of one, but the workload intimidated me. However, I borrowed the book Islantilaisia neuleita (Knitting with Icelandic Wool) from the library, and after finding a pattern and yarn colors I liked, I got started.
And as expected, traditional crafts swept Jaana away.
– At the fastest, a sweater can be completed in less than two weeks! After knitting this wool sweater for myself, I've knitted sweaters for relatives and friends, a total of seven pieces.
Fascinated by the endless color combinations and ease
Heli Nikula’s wardrobe has been rapidly filling with soft sweaters in recent months. The diligent craft enthusiast has been knitting about five Icelandic sweaters per month since November. Most of the sweaters Heli has made for theirself.
– It's really hard to part with them!
The pattern of the gray Icelandic sweater is called Riddari, and its instructions are from the book Knitting with Icelandic Wool.
– What fascinates me about Icelandic sweaters are the endless color combinations and the simplicity of the instructions. The sweater is knitted in the round, and the sleeves are added to the same needles later. After this, the best part begins, making the yoke. Usually, at this stage, I start thinking about the colors for the next sweater.
Magic from Lapland with decades of experience
Tiina Linkama has knitted this stunning round yoke sweater, called Puun vuosi (“Year of the Tree”).
– I got the pattern from the Finnish edition of Védis Jónsdóttir’s book Knitting with Icelandic Wool. I have been knitting yoke sweaters for decades, both Icelandic and Norwegian traditional patterns.
As a creative craft enthusiast, Tiina usually adapts instructions and patterns.
– I did the same with this Year of the Tree sweater. The main idea was that I wanted to make the sweater from mohair yarns. When choosing yarns, you have to trust your own feel and knowledge of different yarns and their properties.
Tiina is pleased with the result.
– I sought energetic color combinations and glow, which the fluffiness of mohair emphasizes. While knitting, images of blazing fire and flames flashed through my mind. Later, many have said the sweater also brings to mind the colors of fall and the magic of Lapland.
Spring sky blue in a sweater
Paula Kemppainen knitted this Icelandic Riddari sweater from Lettlopi wool yarn for a good friend.
– It took me four weeks to complete the sweater while also working. I knitted my first Icelandic sweater a year ago. I have been an avid knitter for years, mainly making socks and mittens, but round yoke sweaters have captivated me. Now I'm working on my third Icelandic sweater for this winter.
“Next I’m going to make good-looking wool pants for the outfit”
Elina Selin describes theirself as a very craft-dependent person. So it’s no wonder that the Icelandic sweater boom felt right for them.
– I do crafts every day of the year. For a long time, I held back and thought I wouldn’t join this Icelandic wool craze. However, I joined a Facebook group and got excited about the idea of knitting a sweater for outdoor wear. I chose the pattern Puun vuosi (“Year of the Tree”) from the book Knitting with Icelandic Wool.
It took about two weeks to knit the candy-coated dream sweater.
– I modified the instructions slightly to make the sweater longer, so it also warms the hips outdoors. When it’s freezing, I wear a thin jacket underneath, and if it’s only a few degrees Celsius below zero, a merino wool sweater is enough. This combination works. I also made a double-pompom hat with my own design. Next, I’m going to make some good-looking wool pants for the outfit. These mittens I’ve felted some time ago.
Natural shades with plant dyes
Arja Liimatainen has been knitting for over 50 years. Icelandic sweaters are also familiar to them from past decades.
– In the 80s, Icelandic sweaters were a bit trend. Back then, I made many sweaters that ended up around the world.
Arja’s latest Icelandic sweater features light and reddish shades. The pattern is Vuorenhuippu (“Top of the mountain”) from the book Knitting with Icelandic Wool.
– I mostly use Finnsheep wool for the sweaters, which I get from local wool producers in my home town. You can get lovely shades with plant dyes.
Salty licorice and raspberry
Minna Haaja has also fallen in love with the popular Riddari pattern.
– I knitted a sweater for myself in about a week. I used Icelandic Lettlopi yarn, and the model is from the book Knitting with Icelandic Wool, modified to be a bit longer. I’ve made a few Icelandic sweaters now. Doing different crafts is my passion, and I always have a project on the needles.
Bright colors to the forefront!
Anniina Hakkarainen got excited about knitting last spring after a long break.
– I had always admired Icelandic sweaters and decided to try. I thought it would be an never-ending project that lasted at least half a year. However, I completed the first sweater in a week during my summer vacation, and I immediately ordered the yarns for the next one.
Half a year after completing the first sweater, Anniina has finished 17 new sweaters.
– I love the bright colors in Icelandic sweaters. Now that is winter, I wear a wool sweater every day, so all the sweaters are constantly in use.
Dreaming of designing a round yoke sweater
Iina Koskikallio knitted their Icelandic sweater with the pattern Dalur from the book Knitting with Icelandic Wool.
– I knitted the sweater with slight modifications. I used Alafosslopi yarn.
Iina knitted the sweater for theirself, and completed it in a few weeks.
– In the future, I would like to design my own yoke sweater pattern and make it from Finnish sheep wool.
A sweater like candy
Eleni knitted this thick, warm, candy-colored Icelandic sweater for outdoor use.
– The sweater is made from thick Icelandic wool yarn called Istex Alafosslopi. I got inspiration for the sweater’s color scheme from social media.
Eleni completed their colorful sweater quickly, in about a week, thanks to the thick yarn—and of course, years of craft experience.
– The best thing about Icelandic sweaters is the end result, a wonderfully warm sweater. The endless possibilities to combine colors also excites me. The yoke sweater is surprisingly easy to make, and even knitting the colorwork is not difficult. After the sweater in the picture, I’ve made two more Icelandic sweaters, and a third is still on the needles. The craft has quite taken me over.
