Knitting is a very important part of the culture in the Nordic countries. Living in a place so far north, it’s important to stay warm, and knitting plays an important role in this. Each of the Nordic countries has developed distinct features and styles, but one thing stays consistent: wool.
Wool is breathable yet warm while having water-resistant properties.
In Finland, especially, we knit a lot of thick socks. We want to keep our feet warm, but we also need a yarn that holds up to being walked on. This means the yarn needs to have something added to it to reinforce it. When I found it difficult to source the right kind of yarn for my sock projects in the USA, I decided to start importing it myself. I set up a shop online.
Finnished Knits is an online yarn store specializing in Nordic yarn brands.
There are lots of yarn stores online, many with much larger selections than mine. My goal isn’t to be the biggest yarn store (although I won’t mind if it happens). I have a very specific goal of specializing in Nordic yarn brands and offering affordable wool options.
Lankava
Lankava Oy was founded in 1925, and they specialize in making beautiful and high-quality yarns. Their Lysti Aran weight and Mainio DK weight yarns are 75% wool and 25% polyamide. This provides all the benefits of wool yarn, plus a synthetic reinforcement against wear and tear. It’s also superwash-treated, so it will stand up to machine washing.
These yarns are the cornerstone of my shop, and I work hard to keep their price low. Each 100g skein is $8.99, and is enough to make an average sized pair of socks.
Lopi
Istex has roots extending back to 1896, and they process 99% of all the wool in Iceland. Léttlopi Aran yarn is pure Icelandic wool and has a wide selection of beautiful colors. It’s great for creating gorgeous colorwork garments and works wonderfully, especially for outer layers. Since it is not superwash treated, it will felt, which makes the resulting fabric even more water resistant.
We also have Lopi pattern books to get you started in creating beautiful Icelandic knits from this beautiful yarn.
Viking of Norway Nordlys
Viking Garn was founded in 2005 by Ivar A Ullebust, whose experience in the wool industry dates back to 1972. Their goal is to be the best at Yarn and Design. Their Nordlys is a gorgeous multi-colored yarn that is inspired by the Aurora Borealis. It is 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon, which provides warmth as well as reinforcement against wear and tear.
Tukuwool
Tukuwool was started in 2014 as a one-woman project and joined Titityy in 2016. Tukuwool yarns are spun in Mikkeli and Jämsä and dyed in Hämeenkyrö. 100 % Finnish wool is the soul of the yarn.
Tukuwool Sock is 80% Finnish wool and 20% biodegradable polyamide, making it a durable yarn that will break down by natural processes at the end of its life.
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