Icelandic Knitting

One of the questions I've been asked is, what is unique about Icelandic Knitting?  There are two things (that I know of), the sheep and Lopi Sweaters.  Icelandic sheep have lived in isolation from other sheep breeds for hundreds of years and thus it is a pure breed and unique.  The wool has some interesting properties.  See here for information about Icelandic sheep.  See Wikipedia for a longer discussion.  And here for a short piece on the wool.

The Lopi Sweater is a newer invention but is still unique to Iceland and popular (or so we are told) with the residents.  See here for the history and description - Lopi Sweaters.  Click here for pictures of Lopi sweaters.

Towards Portland

We managed to head off today for the first leg of our trip and I've been wondering how different Iceland will be.  As we were driving along the Umpqua river I realized that our trees would be very different.  Not because of the species but because ours are green even in winter.    But that isn't because they are in leaf but because they are covered in moss, lichens, and what looks like mold.  I love the Pacific NW but mildew is on a whole different scale here!

And here's Dexter on his way to the in-law's house for a week of spoiling.  He's not too fond of his doggy seat belt!  But all of us are safer this way.

Packing!

So what do you take to Iceland in early April?  We are both taking hiking boots, which we have already broken in!  Wool socks, both those knit by me and store bought ones.  Ummm [thermal underwear].  Hey, better to not be cold!!   Wool sweater, sweat shirts, coat, gloves, wool scarf, and a newly finished Fair Isle inspired hat. And all the usual stuff one packs for a trip.

Then I pack the knitting related stuff!  After all this is a knitting tour with big name instructors!  I'm taking two projects, socks to work on during the long plane ride and a Fair Isle cowl to match the hat I mentioned above.  I imagine I will pick up a project or two during the tour. "-) Part of the price of the tour is enough yarn to make a Lopi sweater.  I know which sweater I want to make already!

Dolores & Jim are headed to Iceland!

Since so many friends, co-workers, and relatives wanted to be kept posted we will do that via this blog.  I will still be posting to Facebook but this blog will make it a lot easier for those that don't use it.

So here's the background information.  We're going on a knitting tour of Iceland!  Or more to the point I'm going on a knitting tour and Jim's coming along for the more traditional sightseeing aspects of the tour.  This was one trip he wasn't about to get left out of!

The tour is 'Knit to the Music' and here's the brochure.  (There's been a change in the hotel and what day we fly back to Reykjavik from what's on the brochure).

People's reactions seem to be in two camps; 1) Wow! Cool! Iceland! and 2) Iceland? Why Iceland?

Our reasons:  1) It's part of my bucket list of places to see.  2) There's knitting involved! 3) it's not really that far from the U.S. and it's more exotic than Canada or Mexico. 3) We want to see it before global warming changes it too much. 4) We want to do this while we still have health and energy and 5) There are glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, and the mid Atlantic ridge.

Those who know me know I have something of an aversion to snow and cold.  Which is another reason why some people are amazed that we are going.  But I've done winter before and I don't mind visiting, I just don't want to live through long Michigan (or Virginian) winters again.  It's that daily slog that gets so old!

So onward to Iceland!