Iceland has a great knitting tradition that is still popular today – take a walk through the streets of Reykjavik and you’ll see lopapeysa sweaters being worn by young and old.
These sweaters, developed in the 1950s to preserve traditional Icelandic styles and to utilize the unique wool of native Icelandic sheep, are so popular that you can buy the supplies to make them right in the yarn section of your grocery store. (If your grocery store happens to be in Iceland, that is.)
You don’t have to cross the Atlantic to discover Icelandic knitting though, because we’re bringing Iceland to you!
Icelandic knitting designer and instructor Ragga Eiríksdóttir will be at Fibre Space next week with FIVE great workshops – and she’s bringing a friend with her!
Shapes and Form the Raggawest Way – Wed Apr 10 – 10AM – 4PM – SOLD OUT
Play with different shapes and discover new ways to make beautiful and unique accessories.
Raggawest Idea Tank – Wed Apr 10 – 5PM – 9PM
Translate everyday inspiration into your knitting. Start with photographs and work your way into textures, colors and shapes for planning garments or accessories.
Icelandic Upside Down Workshop with Ragga Eiríksdóttir – Thurs Apr 11 – 10AM – 2:30PM
Icelandic patterned yoke sweaters are traditionally knit bottom up – but Ragga likes to do things a bit differently and has developed top down knitting techniques for this popular symbol of the Icelandic knitting heritage.
Speed Steeking Without a Sewing Machine – Thurs Apr 11 – 3PM – 5 PM
Icelanders knit everything in the round and fearlessly steek their cardigans but cringe at the mere thought of knitting a whole garment back and forth. This class is all about the crochet steeking method.
Icelandic Chevron Mitten with Ragga Eiríksdóttir – Thurs Apr 11 – 6PM – 9PM
The Icelandic Textile museum has a few very interesting pieces of mittens and socks knit in beautiful chevron patterns. The stitch pattern creates beautiful features such as a chevron edge and stripes and simple lace elements can be added to enhance the visual effect. Students will create a test piece and a pattern for full sized mittens will be provided.
(These workshops are filling up quickly so register now!)
Want to know more about Icelandic knitting and Ragga’s designs? Her website Knitting Iceland has free patterns and great instructional articles. Pop over to her blog for more patterns and tales of her adventures! (Challenge: Find a picture where Ragga is NOT smiling.) You can find her patterns on Ravelry too – stop by the shop and pick up some Lopi to start Ragga’s popular Iðunn pattern!