Living in Iceland, it’s only natural that I work with Icelandic wool – most commonly known as “lopi” and maybe a little more familiar to knitters as the key ingredient of Iceland’s famous lopapeysa or Icelandic yoke sweater. But it’s just as satisfying to crochet with, and that’s why I keep coming back to it.
One of my favourite Icelandic wool yarns is Ístex Einband, a single-ply lace-weight yarn that I use in the Amma Granny Square Top. It’s light but warm, delicate yet rustic, and lends itself particularly well to lightweight, openwork garments and shawls where you want a hint of warmth without extra bulk or weight (perfect for Iceland’s cool summer days). While classified as lace-weight, the unique properties of Icelandic wool mean that Einband can even substitute for fingering weight with the right hook size and gauge.
Einband is spun from the undercoat, or þel (pronounced “thel”), of the Icelandic sheep. These fibres are shorter, softer and more insulating than the longer, water-repellent outer tog fibres. Straight off the skein, it has a raw, uneven texture that’s indicative of the minimal processing it undergoes, but its true beauty is revealed after it’s been washed and blocked.
When you’re working with Einband, it will feel coarse and springy to the touch and the stitches will look almost stiff. Don’t worry—it relaxes and softens considerably after washing and takes on a wonderful drape as the fibres expand and puff up to create a lovely halo. It’s also quite forgiving when wet and stretches after washing, so wet-blocking is recommended not only for getting the most accurate measurements, but also to really bring out the characteristics of the yarn.
Above, swatches are shown before blocking (left) and after blocking (right). Below you can see the difference in the drape before (left) vs after blocking (right). Both swatches are made with a 3.5 mm hook.
It’s difficult to translate in a photo, but I hope you can see the difference. Of course, it’s always best to make a swatch before starting your project and measure gauge AFTER blocking.
Like other Icelandic wool yarns, Einband is durable and versatile. It’s often used alongside a single strand of Plötulopi to add strength and structure. Used alone, it beautifully highlights the texture and airiness of lace or openwork stitches, and adds a touch of refinement to simple designs. If you’re curious about crocheting with Icelandic wool, Amma is a perfect place to start.
If you’d like to learn more about Ístex and Icelandic wool, I wrote about my visit to the factory here.