What’s the Stitch About Knitting Machines?
Let's talk about knitting machines! What are they, how do they work, and does it count as hand crafting if you use one? Why choose a knitting machine vs knitting by hand?
A delightfully lightweight and airy pencil roving, Plötulopi is traditionally used to make authentic Icelandic Lopi sweaters. This historic product can be used as both yarn and as spinning fiber. Due to the nature of this yarn, it has no twist and is technically a pencil roving and must be worked up with care as it is delicate. Plötulopi is usually knit holding 2-3 strands together, this method creates exceptionally warm garments that are breathable and fluffy with a soft wool halo. Although this pencil roving must be knit with care, once it is knit it creates a surprisingly strong and sturdy fabric! To make a stronger yarn to work with you can spin Plötulopi to introduce some twist, or hold it with a yarn that already has a twist. This pencil roving felts nicely making it a wonderful choice for knit-to-felt projects, and is available in 39 colors with a variety of natural, solid, and heathered colorways.
Plötulopi is made from the wool of Icelandic sheep, one of the world's oldest breeds. What makes Icelandic wool so special? It contains two different types of hair that serve as a natural barrier from wet and cold weather. A tough and water-resistant outer layer - composed of coarse, long fibers known as Tog. Underneath the Tog is a layer of shorter fibers, known in Iceland as þel. This softer layer ensures the sheep stay snug and warm even in the worst weather conditions. These dual layers provide phenomenal protection even in knitted clothing, come rain or snow if any moisture escapes through the water-resistant Tog layer, the þel can keep you warm even when wet! This wonderous wool was milled into Plötulopi by Ístex in Iceland.
See projects featuring Lopi's Plötulopi yarn HERE.
See patterns designed for Lopi's Plötulopi yarn on Ravelry HERE.
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Weight: 3 / DK
Texture: Pencil Roving
Put up: Cake
Fiber content: 100% new Icelandic Wool
Unit weight: approximately 3.5 ounces / 100 grams
Yardage: Aproximately 328 yards / 300 meters
Recommended needle size for knitting with a single strand: US 7 - 4.5 mm
Gauge for knitting with a single strand: 19 stitches and 24 rows in a 4" (10cm) square
Recommended needle size for knitting with 2 strands: US 9 - 5.5 mm
Gauge for knitting with 2 strands: 14 stitches and 19 rows in a 4" (10cm) square
Care: Hand wash in cool water, lay flat to dry.
Country of origin: Iceland
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We have partnered with Lopi to bring you a wide range of yarns. Your order of Lopi Plötulopi unspun yarn will be drop-shipped from Lopi's U.S. Distribution Center in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. Please allow up to 3-5 business days for your order to be processed and shipped out. We will contact you with any shipping and tracking information for your order.
If your project is time-sensitive, please contact us regarding the current stock & shipping times of specific lines and colorways. You can call us at (509) 536-7746 or send us an email at sales@paradisefibers.com.
Lopi is a line of yarn spun from pure Icelandic wool by Ístex. Lopi is available in 4 different yarn weights and in pencil roving, and in colors inspired by the dramatic landscapes of Iceland.
Ístex has been the main processor of Icelandic wool since 1896. Today, 80% of the company is owned by Icelandic farmers and they process about 99% of the Icelandic wool produced in Iceland.
All of the Lopi yarns are produced for customers that value natural, sustainable and eco-friendly living, and are all OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. OEKO-TEX company based in Switzerland that consists of 18 independent research and testing facilities in Europe and Japan that work together to test textiles for harmful substances. Their Standard 100 certification means that throughout every stage of processing, every bit of the yarn is guaranteed to contain no substances that are harmful to humans in any way.
The industry surrounding this wool has been crucial to the survival of Iceland and has been protecting Icelandic people from centuries of harsh winter weather.
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Let's talk about knitting machines! What are they, how do they work, and does it count as hand crafting if you use one? Why choose a knitting machine vs knitting by hand?
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If you are interested in learning to knit and want some quick info on getting started check out our How To videos for knitting here.