Knitkit | SALKA VALKA yoke

Design: Maja Siska

SALKA VALKA is knitted from the top down using a single strand of Þingborgarlopi. The sweater features a colourwork yoke and a wide neckline and can be knitted with or without a hood.

The single strand of plötulopi makes the sweater warm without making it heavy. Three hand-dyed Hörpugull colours are used for the yoke, while the main colour is available in either natural white or light grey.

Included:

• 300 g of natural-coloured Þingborgarlopi for the main colour
• 60 g of hand-dyed Þingborgarlopi in three colours for the yoke
• Detailed knitting pattern in Icelandic and English

Each kit contains enough of the main colour to knit the largest size (XXL), regardless of which size you choose to make.

Sizes and yarn requirements:

Skill level: Intermediate
Suitable for knitters who know the basic knitting techniques and have some experience knitting in the round and working colourwork.

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 SALKA VALKA suitable for beginners?
SALKA VALKA is rated intermediate. It is best suited to knitters who know the basic knitting techniques and have some experience knitting in the round and working colourwork.

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, depending on the weight and feel you want. SALKA VALKA 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. Mild cleaning agents are used when washing the wool, with the aim of preserving as much as possible of its natural characteristics. 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?
The main colour is natural, undyed Icelandic wool and may have slight variations in shade.

The three colours used for the yoke are hand-dyed by Hörpugull in small batches, so slight variations may occur between dye lots and individual skeins.