I love alafosslopi and lettlopi 😍 I knitted the first one i 2018, and have not found anything I love more. I use them as a day sweater as well as a "light" jacket in the summer. I lot of "outdoorsy" dane's use sweaters out door, but I am learning to do so - there is a lot of wind and rain in Denmark, so I uselessly have them under a rain jacket. And as someone how is always cold - the Icelandic wool have made me stop freezing 🥰🧶 (ps I have the first 3 books og Linka Neumann, and just got the Villahulla book from finland - love the color work patterns) Thanks for the video, and have a blessed day 🥰
I am in love with Istex's Lopi yarns! The most amazing fiber I've worked with so far. And I do not mind the scratchiness at all! I kind of like it, even. Guess I'm just lucky that way (or weird lol). Last summer when it was steaming hot, I knit the Hraði sweater with Istex Einband on very big needles. Was supposed to be a spring/autumn sweater. Turned out to be the literally coolest hot-summer garment in my closet. Worn next to the skin it worked like airconditioning. Absolutely amazing and wonderful. Never in my life could I have imagined that this was an effect of wool, too. But! Only when worn next to the skin. With a layer under it, it was insufferably hot. In the colder seasons I get too cold easily. So I knit my socks with an added thread of Einband. I wear a Lopi cowl with my Lopapeysa, Lopi kerchiefs around my neck and in my cue is EZ's Very Warm Hat with Plötulopi. Love, love, love. I consider myself a lucky old lady. (pepii on ravelry)
I would love to try Plotulopi! I'm eyeing Hillesvag's unspun yarns first since they're more local, but I pull at yarn so hard I'd be afraid to break it. Einband looks so cool too! They sell it at one of my local yarn stores but since summers here are so cold I've always thought it wouldn't make a thick enough sweater
@@TheStrikkechick yes unspun yarn is highly breakable. Why not give it a try with one plate. I've started the hat in Plötulopi and so far, it hasn't broken with knitting. I knit continental style. It did break when I ripped back though. But it's also really easy to spit splice (invisibly). And once it is knit, it's very strong because of the very long outer hairs. The fabric is gorgeous, so soft and warm! Bet you'll love it. Anyways thanks for responding and happy knitting.
I 100% agree. Every time I knit with it I marvel at the texture and fabric it makes. Somehow it feels soft and toothy to me in the best way. It’s my personal favorite yarn ❤
This is so informative, thank you! :) I am currently knitting a sweater in this yarn (first time) and I was definitely counting on it to grow so I know I'll have to make some adjustments now. Your colorwork looks lovely by the way!
I'm so glad you liked it! I definitely thought Lettlopi was one of those yarns that grew a lot too until I blocked. I hope you love your new sweater when it's finished :)
I’m glad you liked it! I’ve seen that they have entire design-your-own-Icelandic-sweater kits in Lettlopi at the Reykjavik airport and now I’m desperate to go there and pick one up 😅
I'm a Lettlopi fan and a friend advised me, the first time I knitted with it, that it would "soften" over time. No, it will never feel like merino. But, gradually, it becomes less prickly. It might be that the guard hairs, which cause the prickle I believe, drop off or something and, maybe our body oils and repeated washing help with that. Trust me, when I tried on my Lettlopi sweater with a long-sleeved tee under, I thought I had put on a scouring pad! Now, 4 years later, I have worn it with short sleeves and I have knitted others that I do not wear a separate shirt under. By the way, I live in Virginia so this was a very product to me. 🙋🏾♀💜
I’ll definitely be washing mine fairly frequently (due to all the snow tumbles I take on the skiing trail 😅) so that’s great news! Do you use the conditioner trick when you wash your Lettlopi sweaters or just normal wool detergent?
@@TheStrikkechick I've never tried using hair conditioner although I have known people and several podcasters who have suggested it. I use regular wool wash and let my garments soak a nice long time. 😊
Great episode! I love Álafosslopi and Lettlopi. I have used them for many many years. I’ve used them for both Icelandic sweaters and outdoor sweaters. I absolutely love the yarn, they wear incredibly well. I’m very luck to not have any trouble wearing rustic wools that being said, I can tell the difference in softness. I find the thicker Álafosslopi is softer than the Lettlopi. I know this seems strange but I think it’s true. I’d love to know what others think. Also, I love Linka Neumann’s wilderness sweaters, I knit the Alasuq Polar at the beginning of the year. It’s fantastic! Thanks, Samantha! ❤
Álafosslopi does look softer, but I’ve never tried it so I guess that’s next on my list. I think Linka just came out with a chunky Hopi pattern called Hopi Polar that I’ve had my eye on (maybe in a Starry Night-themed color palette)
I would agree with this. I've knit several test swatches and Alafosslopi is softer feeling. I think something about the thickness helps to hide more of the scratchy bits.
Very interesting! Here in southern Brazil we don’t have outdoor sweaters, but in the countryside many people still use traditional ponchos made out of rough wool. We do use warm sweaters inside our houses due to lack of central heating, unfortunately natural quality wool is very expensive.
I was actually very surprised to learn that wool is cheap in Norway (especially because everything else is so expensive). I suppose it’s because of how much of it is produced domestically
Hey! Just listened to both your reviews on lettlopi and drops air as i am planning to knit kiyomi Burgin s Flugeldar sweater. She uses lettlopi only but i just bought drops air as main colour and lettlopi as CC colours and i hope they will work well together ❤🎉
I'm excited to see how that turns out! I love using another yarn as the main color (like with Kevin's sweater) because of how much it helps with itchiness
Just bought yesterday lett Alafosslopi yarn. What a beautiful colours! I knit loose, pen 5 is the right for me. Nice to hear all the positive things about the yarn. Any tips how to use more colours ?
Lopi yarn is amazing! If you want to use more colors, I would suggest modifying colorwork charts for the sleeve cuffs and yoke so that certain patterns are in different colors. When I'm experimenting around with that (particularly with scrap yarn), I like to make charts in excel with HEX codes as close as I can get them to the actual yarn, and then make sure to remember that the contrast will be lower in real-life, so make a grayscale version too
I was affraid Abt this yarn but now after watching your video I'm so curious that Im gonna knit some sweater, definitely 🤗 maybe for my husband first cause it's itchy 🤣
I live in the PNW of the United States. Outdoor sweaters are very popular with hunters, skiers and hikers. They make a great layering piece. But I don’t think it is overall popular. Maybe Alaska, Canada and the most northern part of the country. I have fallen in love with a lopi sweater and am tempted to order the yarn. I am a spinner but haven’t worked with Icelandic breed. I am not super sensitive to the prickle factor so I think it’s time to just purchase the yarn.
@@TheStrikkechick I still knit wool or wool blends for winter wear and most of my accessories, particularly socks and shawls. Shawls are important because most indoor public places are more air-conditioned than I prefer. Summer garments are usually linen blends or man made fiber. Bamboo is good for lightness and drape.
I love alafosslopi and lettlopi 😍 I knitted the first one i 2018, and have not found anything I love more. I use them as a day sweater as well as a "light" jacket in the summer. I lot of "outdoorsy" dane's use sweaters out door, but I am learning to do so - there is a lot of wind and rain in Denmark, so I uselessly have them under a rain jacket.
And as someone how is always cold - the Icelandic wool have made me stop freezing 🥰🧶
(ps I have the first 3 books og Linka Neumann, and just got the Villahulla book from finland - love the color work patterns)
Thanks for the video, and have a blessed day 🥰
A more structured jacket in Alafosslopi would be so fun to knit! I'm so glad you liked the video :)
thnaks for this review. would you also do a video on how to read the pattern and make the Hopi sweater from Linka Neumann? Thank you!
I am in love with Istex's Lopi yarns! The most amazing fiber I've worked with so far. And I do not mind the scratchiness at all! I kind of like it, even. Guess I'm just lucky that way (or weird lol).
Last summer when it was steaming hot, I knit the Hraði sweater with Istex Einband on very big needles. Was supposed to be a spring/autumn sweater. Turned out to be the literally coolest hot-summer garment in my closet. Worn next to the skin it worked like airconditioning. Absolutely amazing and wonderful. Never in my life could I have imagined that this was an effect of wool, too. But! Only when worn next to the skin. With a layer under it, it was insufferably hot.
In the colder seasons I get too cold easily. So I knit my socks with an added thread of Einband. I wear a Lopi cowl with my Lopapeysa, Lopi kerchiefs around my neck and in my cue is EZ's Very Warm Hat with Plötulopi. Love, love, love. I consider myself a lucky old lady. (pepii on ravelry)
I would love to try Plotulopi! I'm eyeing Hillesvag's unspun yarns first since they're more local, but I pull at yarn so hard I'd be afraid to break it. Einband looks so cool too! They sell it at one of my local yarn stores but since summers here are so cold I've always thought it wouldn't make a thick enough sweater
@@TheStrikkechick yes unspun yarn is highly breakable. Why not give it a try with one plate. I've started the hat in Plötulopi and so far, it hasn't broken with knitting. I knit continental style. It did break when I ripped back though. But it's also really easy to spit splice (invisibly). And once it is knit, it's very strong because of the very long outer hairs. The fabric is gorgeous, so soft and warm! Bet you'll love it. Anyways thanks for responding and happy knitting.
I 100% agree. Every time I knit with it I marvel at the texture and fabric it makes. Somehow it feels soft and toothy to me in the best way. It’s my personal favorite yarn ❤
This is so informative, thank you! :) I am currently knitting a sweater in this yarn (first time) and I was definitely counting on it to grow so I know I'll have to make some adjustments now. Your colorwork looks lovely by the way!
I'm so glad you liked it! I definitely thought Lettlopi was one of those yarns that grew a lot too until I blocked. I hope you love your new sweater when it's finished :)
Such an interesting video! I have never seen Lettlopi in the Czech Republic or Austrian yarn stores, but I appreciated hearing your review. ❤
I’m glad you liked it! I’ve seen that they have entire design-your-own-Icelandic-sweater kits in Lettlopi at the Reykjavik airport and now I’m desperate to go there and pick one up 😅
I'm a Lettlopi fan and a friend advised me, the first time I knitted with it, that it would "soften" over time. No, it will never feel like merino. But, gradually, it becomes less prickly. It might be that the guard hairs, which cause the prickle I believe, drop off or something and, maybe our body oils and repeated washing help with that. Trust me, when I tried on my Lettlopi sweater with a long-sleeved tee under, I thought I had put on a scouring pad! Now, 4 years later, I have worn it with short sleeves and I have knitted others that I do not wear a separate shirt under. By the way, I live in Virginia so this was a very product to me. 🙋🏾♀💜
I’ll definitely be washing mine fairly frequently (due to all the snow tumbles I take on the skiing trail 😅) so that’s great news! Do you use the conditioner trick when you wash your Lettlopi sweaters or just normal wool detergent?
@@TheStrikkechick I've never tried using hair conditioner although I have known people and several podcasters who have suggested it. I use regular wool wash and let my garments soak a nice long time. 😊
Roll it up and put it in the freezer for a day or so and the smaller hairs will break off.👍🏾🇬🇧😉
Great episode! I love Álafosslopi and Lettlopi. I have used them for many many years. I’ve used them for both Icelandic sweaters and outdoor sweaters. I absolutely love the yarn, they wear incredibly well. I’m very luck to not have any trouble wearing rustic wools that being said, I can tell the difference in softness. I find the thicker Álafosslopi is softer than the Lettlopi. I know this seems strange but I think it’s true. I’d love to know what others think. Also, I love Linka Neumann’s wilderness sweaters, I knit the Alasuq Polar at the beginning of the year. It’s fantastic! Thanks, Samantha! ❤
Álafosslopi does look softer, but I’ve never tried it so I guess that’s next on my list. I think Linka just came out with a chunky Hopi pattern called Hopi Polar that I’ve had my eye on (maybe in a Starry Night-themed color palette)
I would agree with this. I've knit several test swatches and Alafosslopi is softer feeling. I think something about the thickness helps to hide more of the scratchy bits.
Outdoor sweaters are worn in Scotland. Mostly aran sweaters with cables or fairisle. Sheltand wool is particularly popular for colourwork.
I noticed a lot of them in Ireland too! I have yet to work with Shetland wool but would love to
Very interesting! Here in southern Brazil we don’t have outdoor sweaters, but in the countryside many people still use traditional ponchos made out of rough wool. We do use warm sweaters inside our houses due to lack of central heating, unfortunately natural quality wool is very expensive.
I was actually very surprised to learn that wool is cheap in Norway (especially because everything else is so expensive). I suppose it’s because of how much of it is produced domestically
Hey! Just listened to both your reviews on lettlopi and drops air as i am planning to knit kiyomi Burgin s Flugeldar sweater. She uses lettlopi only but i just bought drops air as main colour and lettlopi as CC colours and i hope they will work well together ❤🎉
I'm excited to see how that turns out! I love using another yarn as the main color (like with Kevin's sweater) because of how much it helps with itchiness
Just bought yesterday lett Alafosslopi yarn. What a beautiful colours! I knit loose, pen 5 is the right for me. Nice to hear all the positive things about the yarn. Any tips how to use more colours ?
Lopi yarn is amazing! If you want to use more colors, I would suggest modifying colorwork charts for the sleeve cuffs and yoke so that certain patterns are in different colors. When I'm experimenting around with that (particularly with scrap yarn), I like to make charts in excel with HEX codes as close as I can get them to the actual yarn, and then make sure to remember that the contrast will be lower in real-life, so make a grayscale version too
I was affraid Abt this yarn but now after watching your video I'm so curious that Im gonna knit some sweater, definitely 🤗 maybe for my husband first cause it's itchy 🤣
I’m so excited to see what you make!
I love your sweaters ❤❤❤
Thank you so much!
Outdoor sweaters are definitely a thing in Canada.
I cast off my Lopi (Gjöf) this evening :)
That's so cool! I have some coworkers from Canada and they've pointed out a few similarities with Norway. It's interesting that this is one too :)
I live in the PNW of the United States. Outdoor sweaters are very popular with hunters, skiers and hikers. They make a great layering piece. But I don’t think it is overall popular. Maybe Alaska, Canada and the most northern part of the country.
I have fallen in love with a lopi sweater and am tempted to order the yarn. I am a spinner but haven’t worked with Icelandic breed. I am not super sensitive to the prickle factor so I think it’s time to just purchase the yarn.
Makes sense that outdoor sweaters are more of a thing in climates similar to Northern Norway :) Which lopi sweater are you making?
I love letilopi. I have bought quite a bit of it. I make gnomes with it. I love it. !
That sounds adorable! :)
Outdoor sweaters are definitely not in common use here in Austin, Texas where we rarely have temperatures cold enough.
That makes sense! Do you find yourself knitting mostly sweaters or spring/summer garments because of the weather?
@@TheStrikkechick I still knit wool or wool blends for winter wear and most of my accessories, particularly socks and shawls. Shawls are important because most indoor public places are more air-conditioned than I prefer. Summer garments are usually linen blends or man made fiber. Bamboo is good for lightness and drape.