Léttlopi

By Ístex

$6.75

Léttlopi is the most versatile weight of Iceland’s unique and ubiquitous national yarn. While classed as a heavy worsted, it knits into beautiful fabrics across a wide range of gauges. It’s the star of Field Guide No. 17: Lopi, featuring designs by Mary Jane Mucklestone.

Substituting Léttlopi for the Crowberry Sweater?  Scroll down for Léttlopi skein quantities.

SKU: Y21LOP0000 Category:

Specs & Details

Yarn Weight
Worsted
Fibers
100% Wool
Unit Weight
50 g (1.75 oz)
Yarn Length
109 yd, 100 m
Gauge
18 sts = 4 inches
Needles
US 6 - 8 or 4 - 5mm
Sizes
1 skein

We have loved knitting with Léttlopi for years now. It is the featured yarn for Mary Jane Mucklestone’s exuberant designs in Field Guide No. 17: Lopi, and a great substitute for the Crowberry Sweater in Field Guide No. 26: Moss.

This marvelous yarn is spun from the double-layered fleece of Icelandic sheep, a robust breed that has spent 1,100 years on the island, adapting to its rough topography and cold, wet climate. Icelandic wool takes dye beautifully—just look at Léttlopi’s glowing colors, from pastels and brights to jewel tones and rustic landscape neutrals.

Léttlopi has another intriguing characteristic: It is a gauge shifter, which means that for cold-weather accessories and outwear, it can be knit to the firm, dense gauge stated on the label, or to a looser gauge for sweaters and scarves that are light and warm but comfortable indoors. Several of the designs in Field Guide No. 17 are knit to this lighter—and speedier—gauge.

Léttlopi is a yarn of character, hardwearing and resistant to pilling. Although definitely a rustic wool, a wash will leave it soft enough for most wool wearers.

To know Léttlopi is to love it. If it’s a new yarn to  you, we recommend starting with two balls in different colors and a quick, small project, such as Mary Jane’s Jaunty Beanie or Trinket Mittens.

Using Léttlopi for your Crowberry Sweater or vest? Here are the skein quantities, with shade suggestions based on the photography samples:

Sweater
A  5 (5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 7) (7, 8, 9) skeins Apricot or Rust
B  1 (1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1) (2, 2, 2) skeins Frostbite
C  1 (1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1) (1, 2, 2) skeins Pine
D  1 (1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1) skein  Black Heather
Vest
A 4 (4, 4, 5) (5, 6, 6) (7, 7, 8) skeins Ash
B 1 (1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1) (1, 2, 2) skeins Rough Sea
C 1 (1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1) skein Black Heather
D 1 (1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1) skein  Dark Grey