Icelandic Wool: A Guide for Cruise Shoppers

Icelandic wool is unlike anything else in the knitting world. The lopapeysa — the iconic Icelandic yoke sweater — is knit from lopi, a loosely spun roving that's warm, lightweight, and water-resistant. If your cruise stops in Reykjavik, here's what to buy and how to plan your shore day.

What is lopi?

Lopi is not spun yarn in the traditional sense — it's a roving, a lightly twisted strand of wool that's barely spun at all. This gives it a unique halo and insulation. There are two main types:

• Lopi (loose) — sold in skeins, very soft and light
• Plötulopi (plate) — sold wound into flat plates, slightly denser

Both work for lopapeysa patterns. Most Icelandic patterns call for plates of Álafoss lopi — 6–8 plates for an adult sweater.

Where to buy in Reykjavik

The Handknitting Association of Iceland is the primary stop — it's on Skólavörðustígur in central Reykjavik, walkable from the cruise pier if you dock in the old harbor. They sell lopi, patterns, and finished handknits.

Alafoss in Mosfellsbaer is the second stop — it's a 15–20 minute taxi ride from the pier. Alafoss is the original lopi mill and has a larger selection of yarn than the Handknitting Association.

How much to buy

For an adult lopapeysa, buy 6–8 plates of Álafoss lopi (about 100g each). You'll want at least two colors — a main color and a contrast for the yoke pattern. Many shops sell pattern leaflets that specify exact quantities.

Shore-day timing

Reykjavik is one of the easiest Northern Europe yarn crawls. If you dock at the old harbor (Skarfabakki), the Handknitting Association is a 10–15 minute walk. If you dock at the cruise terminal (Miðbakki), it's a 5-minute taxi. Budget 1–2 hours for the Handknitting Association and 1 hour for Alafoss if you make the taxi trip.

What to skip

Don't buy finished lopapeysa sweaters unless you don't knit — they're expensive and the yarn is the point. Buy the yarn and a pattern and make your own. The wool is the souvenir; the sweater is the experience.