Icelandic wool yarn

Álafoss Lopi - Icelandic Wool Yarn

The bulky lopi — twice the warmth, half the time

Shop all colours Find a knitting kit

100% authentic Icelandic wool

Direct from Iceland, worldwide

2,130 verified customer reviews

Family-run since 2013

About the yarn

The bulky lopi — twice the warmth, half the time

Álafoss Lopi is the original bulky Icelandic wool, spun by Ístex from 100% new wool. Roughly twice the thickness of Léttlopi, it knits up fast on big needles into dense, weatherproof garments — the choice for outdoor sweaters, jackets and blankets that have to stand up to real winter.

At a glance

Weight: Bulky
Ball: 100 g ≈ 100 m
Gauge: 13 sts / 10 cm
Needles: 6–6.5 mm
Fibre: 100% Icelandic wool
Care: Hand wash, dry flat
Best for: Outdoor sweaters, jackets & blankets

Alafoss Lopi - 9972 Ecru Heather

$9.96

(5.0)

Alafoss Lopi - 9973 Wheat Heather

$9.96

(5.0)

Alafoss Lopi - 9974 Light Grey Tweed

$9.96

(4.2)

Alafoss Lopi - 9975 Black Tweed

$9.96

(5.0)

Alafoss Lopi - 9976 Beige Tweed

$9.96

(5.0)

Alafoss Lopi - 9983 Apple Green

$9.96

(5.0)

Alafoss Lopi - 9987 Dark Olive

$9.96

(5.0)

Sold out

Einir Alafoss Lopi wool sweater knitting kit

From $129.60

(5.0)

Get inspired

What will you make?

Knitting kits with this yarn — yarn, pattern and everything you need in one box.

Knitting kit

GARRI Wool Sweater

from $110.40

Knitting kit

Rósalind 8 petalled Rose Knitting Pattern Kit

from $147.60

Knitting kit

Benefit Oatmeal

from $110.40

Knitting kit

Ranga Black Cardigan sweater

from $108.00

Shop all kits

Not sure which lopi?

Which lopi is right for you?

Pick the right weight for your project — the highlighted row is the yarn on this page.

Yarn	Weight	Gauge	Needles	Best for
Einband	Lace	23 sts	2.5–4 mm	Shawls, lace, fine work
Léttlopi Most popular	Aran	18 sts	4.5–5 mm	The classic lopapeysa, hats, mittens
Álafoss Lopi	Bulky	13 sts	6–6.5 mm	Outerwear, blankets, fast sweaters
Jöklalopi	Super bulky	9 sts	8–9 mm	Very warm, very quick knits
Plötulopi	Unspun plates	varies	4.5–6 mm	Softest, lightest lopi — single or doubled

Good to know

Álafoss Lopi questions, answered

How is Álafoss Lopi different from Léttlopi?

It is roughly twice as thick. You knit it on 6–6.5 mm needles at 13 stitches per 10 cm, so garments grow much faster and come out denser and warmer. Most traditional lopapeysa patterns are written for Léttlopi — check which yarn your pattern calls for.

How much do I need for a sweater?

Bulky sweaters take fewer, bigger skeins than Léttlopi ones. Every pattern lists exact quantities per size, and our knitting kits include exactly what you need.

Is it itchy?

Like all lopi it has a rustic, hardwearing feel that softens with washing and wear — it is made to be worn over a layer. For soft next-to-skin yarn, see Kambgarn.

Can I see the colours before buying?

Screens lie about wool. Our Lopi colour cards show every shade in real yarn.

Álafoss Lopi — the bulky Icelandic wool yarn

Álafoss Lopi is a bulky, single-ply lopi spun by Ístex from 100% pure new Icelandic wool. Roughly twice the thickness of Léttlopi, it knits up fast on 6–6.5 mm needles into dense, warm garments — the choice for outdoor sweaters, jackets, blankets and rugs that have to stand up to real weather.

The fleece of the Icelandic sheep carries two fibres: a soft, insulating inner coat and a long, water-repellent outer coat. Spun together loosely, they make a yarn that is remarkably light for its warmth and naturally resistant to wind and drizzle — the reason the lopapeysa became Iceland's national sweater.

Planning a bigger project? Our Lopi colour cards show every Álafoss Lopi shade in real yarn — screens never quite tell the truth about wool.