Icelandic Wool

September 2025 -- While the sheep in Iceland are raised mostly for meat, their wool is well-known and celebrated. Icelandic sheep produce a double-coated fleece. The soft inner layer is called thel. The coarser outer layer is called tog. While the two fibers can be separated, they are usually processed together. The resulting yarn is called lopi. It is well suited to outer wear.  Historically, wool has protected Icelanders from harsh winter weather. Even the Yule cat will eat you if you don't wear your winter (likely wool) clothing.

Woolly magnet for my refrigerator

Wool sweaters

My lopapeysa sweater

The lopapeysa wool sweater is an iconic cultural symbol of Iceland and a treasured souvenir for many visitors to Iceland.  I bought one. The sweater is characterized by a yoke design – a wide decorative circle surrounding the neck opening. It must be handknitted in Iceland and made from 100% Icelandic wool to be considered authentic. Because the sweaters are handspun, they can be pricey. Mine was. 

Lopapeysa wool sweater

Sweaters everywhere

Canyon wool

Lots of wool and sheepy souvenirs 

Icewear® stores are throughout Iceland. They are a mass producers of wool clothing. Their sweaters are designed in Iceland, made with or without Icelandic wool, and manufactured in other countries, such as China. They are not authentic lopapeysa but are still nice. KIDKA is another Icelandic company that makes wool clothing. I bought a vest made by them. Their products are made in Iceland with Icelandic wool.

With the widespread availability of wool sweaters and the like, you'd think that wool was valuable in Iceland. But I think it's just like here. There's not much money to be made with wool. At the farm B&B where we stayed, the farmer said he wouldn't have any black sheep, if wool was worth more. We saw many black sheep throughout Iceland, so I guess that proves the point. The profit is in the meat.