Together with Jöklalopi, Alafosslopi, Lettlopi and Einband, Plötulopi forms the family of pure Icelandic wool Lopi yarns.
The Icelandic sheep (Ovis aries borealis) have adapted to the climatic peculiarities of the far north in the well over 1000 years that they have been settled in Iceland and thus wear wool with unique properties. Lopi is the name for the combination of the sheep's soft and warming undercoat and the long and water-repellent hairs of the overcoat. A combination of these properties in one thread makes it possible to knit sweaters and jackets that are comfortable to wear and also protect us from cold and moisture.
In beautiful colors and patterns, items of clothing made from Icelandic wool delight all the senses. Delicate shawls and garments for spring and summer can be knitted with the fine binding wool, with Plötulopi and Lettlopi pullovers for indoors and outdoors, with the thick Alafosslopi and Jöklalopi super warm pullovers and jackets that also insulate against the cold in winter. Or how about a blanket that warms us on cool evenings on the balcony or terrace?
Icelandic sweaters are timeless items of clothing for young and old and are also becoming increasingly popular with fashion-conscious youth, thanks to the combination of the idea of sustainability with trendy colours, shapes and patterns. Icelandic wool is a natural product that is affordable for everyone and at a reasonable price allows everyone to make their own beautiful and practical clothes and accessories.
There are around 400,000 to 500,000 sheep in Iceland. The sheep farms are run by families who own between 200 and 300 sheep and are organized in a cooperative. As a result, many shepherds still know their animals by name. In the mild summer the sheep roam freely in the Icelandic wilderness, while in the arctic winter they find shelter with the shepherds.
On the one hand, due to the cold climate in Iceland, there are hardly any vermin that have to be destroyed with pesticides, on the other hand, the animal welfare standards in Iceland, especially for sheep, are very high and the controls on them are extremely strict. Therefore, antibiotics, hormones or similar chemical agents and treatments are very rarely given to sheep. The use of pesticides and herbicides is very limited in sheep farming, making Icelandic wool a very pure, ecologically valuable product. Sheep are not dehorned and are mulesing free. After shearing, the sheep stay in the shelter of a dwelling until they start wearing the first warm wool again. For more information on animal welfare in Iceland, please visit MAST, the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority website. Due to a much lower level of pollution in the Icelandic air, Icelandic wool is also much cleaner than many other European wools.
