A Warm Embrace from Iceland: The Tale of the Lopapeysa

Icelandic writer Árni Árnason once said the lopapeysa “resembles the country’s rugged nature and reminds us of the history of farming and fishing, when it provided its wearer with a vital shield from the disastrous weather one can encounter in the wild.” The Icelandic sweater is exactly that: not just clothing, but a piece of lived history. Woven into its wool are stories of survival, resourcefulness and a deep relationship with the land.

Icelandic sheep being driven down from the Icelandic highlands at the end of summer.

You might expect to see the lopapeysa behind glass in Reykjavík’s National Museum, catalogued as a relic of the 19th century or captured in old monochrome photographs. It feels ancient—almost timeless—an heirloom of Viking heritage. Yet the truth is more surprising...

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Image Credits:

Lead: Istex knitting pattern from 1960, as featured in 'A NATION IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING' Selvedge Issue 80, Craft

All further images as credited in photo captions.