Yarn Excursions · Shore-day guide
Reykjavik yarn-crawl guide
A North Atlantic wool stop where the best Icelandic yarn errands need a shuttle, taxi, or city-route plan.
Docking at Skarfabakki / Vor Cruise Terminal — Skarfabakki 312, 104 Reykjavik. Iceland.
Shore-day plan
Use the Handknitting Association downtown for the most cruise-friendly Icelandic wool stop. Add Alafoss as a destination wool-mill errand in Mosfellsbaer, or use Storkurinn and Litla Prjonabudin as taxi-supported city add-ons when the call is long enough.
Distances use Skarfabakki/Vor. Some smaller calls may use a more central harbour berth, so confirm the berth before trusting walking times.
Bring this project
Bring aDK or Aran-weight sweater project. Nordic and British wool shops are world-class for garment yarn. Pick up a local pattern.
Yarn shops (3)
- 1.
The Handknitting Association of Iceland
Skolavordustigur 19, 101 Reykjavik
Shuttle · 3.3 mi / 5.3 km · Use the cruise shuttle or a taxi into the downtown shopping core, then walk locally.
Known for: Icelandic wool, lopapeysa, handknit goods, Lopi yarn
Confirm holiday and Sunday hours before making this the only wool stop.
https://handknitted.is/
- 2.
Litla Prjonabudin
Faxafen 9, 108 Reykjavik
Taxi · 2.3 mi / 3.7 km · A deeper yarn-shop errand southeast of the cruise quay; use taxi if time matters.
Known for: yarn, Lopi, Nordic yarn, patterns, notions
Verify current hours before routing a shore day around the shop.
https://litlaprjonabudin.is/
- 3.
Alafoss Wool Store
Alafossvegur 23, 270 Mosfellsbaer
Taxi · 7.7 mi / 12.4 km · A historic wool-store destination in the original Alafoss factory area; best with a taxi, tour, or long-call plan.
Known for: Icelandic wool, Alafoss Lopi, Lettlopi, Plotulopi, knitting kits
The main store is outside central Reykjavik; verify hours and return timing before committing a shore day.
https://alafoss.is/pages/about-alafoss
Yarn weight & terminology
Icelandic yarn is sold by plötulopi (plate wool) and lopi (loose skein). Einband = lace weight, þyttri lopi = bulky. Most shops speak English and know the US equivalents.
Getting around
- Skarfabakki cruise terminal guide (Plan ahead) — Use for Skarfabakki/Vor terminal context and transfer planning.
- Skarfabakki to Handknitting Association (Route) — The most practical Icelandic wool route from the main cruise quay.
- Skarfabakki to Alafoss Wool Store (Route) — A destination wool-store route in Mosfellsbaer for long calls or a dedicated taxi errand.
- Skarfabakki to Storkurinn (Route) — A verified city yarn-shop add-on at Sidumuli 20; confirm hours and use taxi if time matters.