Knitkit | BERGUR -Hiking Sweater

Design: Harpa Ólafsdóttir / Hörpugull

BERGUR is a lightweight hiking sweater knitted with a single strand of Þingborgarlopi. It was designed to make use of the warmth and lightness of Icelandic plötulopi, creating a sweater that is easy to bring along on hikes and other outdoor activities.

The sweater is knitted from the bottom up using a single strand of hand-dyed Þingborgarlopi. The larger needles make it a relatively quick knit and create a lightweight, flexible sweater well suited to Icelandic outdoor conditions.

Þingborgarlopi is made in Iceland from carefully selected Icelandic lambswool and hand-dyed by Hörpugull in South Iceland.

Included:

• Hand-dyed Þingborgarlopi for the sweater – 200 g for size A / 250 g for size B
• Detailed knitting pattern in Icelandic and English

Sizes: A (smaller) | B (larger)

Bust circumference: A: 84 cm | B: 90 cm

Needles: 4.5 mm and 6 mm circular needles

Skill level: Intermediate
Suitable for knitters who know the basic knitting techniques, have some experience knitting in the round and are ready to knit their first Icelandic wool sweater.

Washing instructions
Soak the garment in lukewarm water (30°C / 86°F) with a mild wool detergent for about five minutes. Gently press out the water without wringing and rinse in clean water at the same temperature. Press out the excess water again, lay the garment flat on a towel, shape it and leave it to dry.

Frequently asked questions

Is the BERGUR knitting kit suitable for beginners?
BERGUR is rated intermediate. It is suitable for knitters who know the basic knitting techniques and have some experience knitting in the round. If you are ready to try your first Icelandic wool sweater, BERGUR is a good next project.

What is Icelandic plötulopi?
Plötulopi is a traditional Icelandic unspun wool, commonly known internationally as pencil roving. It is the traditional wool used to knit Icelandic lopapeysa sweaters. Unlike spun yarn, the wool fibres are lightly drawn together rather than twisted into a finished yarn, making the strand more delicate to handle while knitting. If the strand breaks, the ends can simply be overlapped and gently rubbed together between your fingers.

Plötulopi can be knitted using a single strand or with two or more strands held together. BERGUR is knitted using a single strand of Þingborgarlopi.

Why is Icelandic wool different?
Icelandic sheep have a dual-coated fleece made up of two types of fibre. The softer inner layer, þel, provides insulation, while the longer and stronger outer fibres, tog, add strength and help make the wool water-repellent to a certain degree.

Together, these fibres give Icelandic wool its characteristic combination of warmth, lightness and durability.

Read more about Icelandic wool, tog, þel and plötulopi.

What is special about Þingborgarlopi?
Þingborgarlopi is an authentic Icelandic plötulopi – the traditional unspun wool used to knit Icelandic lopapeysa sweaters.

It is produced in Iceland by Ístex from carefully selected, first-quality Icelandic lambswool and then hand-dyed by Hörpugull in South Iceland.

The careful selection of lambswool and gentle processing result in a soft, lightweight plötulopi that retains the characteristic qualities of Icelandic wool.

Read more about Þingborgarlopi and how it is made.

Will the colours be exactly as shown in the photos?
Not necessarily. The Þingborgarlopi in the BERGUR kit is hand-dyed by Hörpugull in small batches, so slight variations may occur between dye lots and individual skeins.

If your kit contains more than one skein in the same colour, we select skeins that match as closely as possible.

Looking for more colours?

Explore our full range of hand-dyed Icelandic lopi yarn from Hörpugull, or discover other knitting kits inspired by Icelandic knitting traditions.