An Introduction to Icelandic
Wool
Icelandic sheep is a unique
breed.
For over a thousand years, total isolation and absence of contact
with other breeds have protected the purity of the strain. Icelandic
fleeces are among the rarest in the world, grown only in the
high mountains. The rugged sheep brought over by the Vikings
in the year 874 A.D. have maintained the same gene pool, making
them truly one of the purest breeds in the western world. The
number of sheep in Iceland decreases every year, making this
exquisite fiber increasingly more rare.
The Icelandic wool is made up of two types of fibers, coarse
and fine. While the former are long, glossy, tough and water
resistant, the latter tend to be softer and more insulating,
providing a high resistance to cold and possessing a unique
texture and natural colors. Not only is Icelandic wool wonderfully
light and flexible, but also tremendously warm.
No other wool is lighter, warmer, or more water-resistant.
Iceland's unique yarns
Until the late nineteenth century, Icelanders processed all
their wool by hand. The fleece was washed the wool in volcanic
hot springs, separated the tog from the thel during the long
summer evenings, and carded and spun and knitted during the
winter. Everyone in the family was involved, from the littlest
to the eldest. Children as young as four were taught to knit,
and even the men were expected to card and spin.
Icelandic fleece colors
Icelandic wool has a wide range of natural colors that include
white, brown, gray, black, and a mix. When spun these yarns
become a beautiful tweed that accepts dye readily. However,
the variety of natural colors in Icelandic wool is so rich that
there is little need to use dyes. Nothing matches the richness
of natural-colored wools, which the Icelanders themselves prefer.
Washing Instructions
All wool sweaters and clothing knitted from wool yarn can shrink
from exposure to water and heat. The only way to maintain a
wool garments original size is to let it dry in a cool area
and block or stretch out the shingles when the fabric is still
wet.
Hand wash only in lukewarm water (40°C maximum) and mild soap
or detergent. Turn the knit-wear inside out to protect any loose
fibers on the surface. A short soak of less than five minutes
will help to dislodge dirt before gently squeezing the liquid
through the knitwear. Never rub the garment!
Rinse first in warm water, then cold. Either roll the knitwear
between clean towels or use a washing machine short spin cycle
(never wring). After spin drying, make sure the knitwear is
pulled back to shape while damp. Dry flat if possible. Line
drying knitted garments is not recommended.
Handprjonasambandid has been leading the household
produced Icelandic wool market for the last thirty years
Handprjonasambandid has set out to become one of the nation's leading
manufacturers of woolen products.
We provide the high-quality of wool and we're here to serve
you.
We take special care to bring you the highest quality products.
Our products are made of only the finest Icelandic wool.
Thank you for purchasing!
