Yarn for Nordic Sweaters: Peer Gynt, Plötulopi and Swedish Wool
The Marius sweater, the lusekofte and the lopapeysa in brief, and which yarn from Norway, Iceland, Sweden and Finland to knit these Nordic sweaters in.
The short answer: knit Norwegian patterned sweaters such as the Marius sweater in Peer Gynt or Tynn Peer Gynt, an Icelandic lopapeysa in a lopi such as plötulopi, and Swedish sweaters in Svensk Ull 3-tr. They are all springy wool yarns, which makes them good for stranded colourwork.
Three classic sweaters
- The Marius sweater, or Mariusgenser (Norway). Named after the alpine skier Marius Eriksen, who wore the sweater in the 1954 film Troll i ord. The hand-knitting pattern was published by Sandnes Uldvarefabrik, today Sandnes Garn. The design was inspired by the Setesdal sweater and launched in dyed yarn, in colours including red, white and blue.
- Lusekofte, or the Setesdal sweater (Norway). A Norwegian sweater from the 1800s, named after Setesdal. The classic version is black and white, with small black stitches scattered over the background: the “lice”. Tourists discovered the sweater in the 1920s, and since then it has come in many patterns and colours.
- Lopapeysa (Iceland). The name means a sweater made of lopi. It has a wide patterned yoke around the neck and is knitted in the round, so the front and back look the same. The sweater took shape during the 20th century and has become a national symbol of Iceland.
The yarns at a glance
| Yarn | Country | Fibre | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peer Gynt | Norway | 100 % Norwegian wool, 4-ply | Marius sweaters and other patterned sweaters |
| Tynn Peer Gynt | Norway | Norwegian wool, 3-ply | Thinner sweaters, colourwork with small motifs |
| Fritidsgarn | Norway | 100 % Norwegian wool, woollen-spun | Warm sweaters, mittens |
| Plötulopi | Iceland | 100 % unspun Icelandic wool | Lopapeysa and other lopi sweaters |
| Svensk Ull 3-tr | Sweden | 100 % Swedish wool | Sweaters and colourwork |
| Novita 7 Sisters | Finland | Wool and merino | Soft sweaters and cardigans |
Norwegian wool: Peer Gynt, Tynn Peer Gynt and Fritidsgarn
- Peer Gynt has been around since 1938 and is a classic yarn in 100 % Norwegian wool. It is springy, keeps its shape and gets softer the more the garment is worn.
- Tynn Peer Gynt arrived in autumn 2022. It is the same wool in a thinner, 3-ply version, good for colourwork with small motifs and for children’s clothes.
- Fritidsgarn is a woollen-spun yarn in 100 % Norwegian wool, made at Sandnes Garn’s own mill in Sandnes, for warm sweaters, hats and mittens.
There is more about these yarns in our guide to Sandnes Garn.
Icelandic wool: plötulopi
Plötulopi is 100 % unspun Icelandic wool. Because it is not spun, it can be delicate to knit with, but the fibres are long and make a garment that is hard-wearing and soft. You can also hold it double for patterns written for léttlopi.
Swedish wool: Svensk Ull 3-tr
Svensk Ull 3-tr from Järbo is a rustic 3-ply yarn of 100 % Swedish wool, spun by Klippan Yllefabrik. The colours are dyed on a medium grey wool base, which gives them depth, and the yarn is well suited to colourwork. Read more in our guide to Järbo.
Finnish wool: Novita 7 Sisters
Novita 7 Sisters is a soft yarn of wool and merino, made for garments and accessories. It works for most patterns written for Novita’s classic 7 Veljestä, except socks. Read more in our guide to Novita.
Before you cast on
- Draw the pattern. If you want to change the colours or come up with a pattern of your own, you can draw it in the knitting chart maker and see how the colours work together before you buy the yarn.
- Knit a gauge swatch in the pattern, not just in stockinette, because stranded colourwork often comes out tighter. Here is how to measure your gauge.
- Work out how much yarn you need in the yarn calculator, colour by colour, and buy all the balls at once so they come from the same dye lot.
Frequently asked questions
Which yarn should I knit a Marius sweater in?
The Marius sweater (Mariusgenser) pattern was published by Sandnes Uldvarefabrik, today Sandnes Garn. Sandnes Garn's classic Peer Gynt, made in 100 % Norwegian wool since 1938, suits it well.
What is lopi?
Lopi is an Icelandic yarn made from the wool of Icelandic sheep, and lopapeysa simply means a sweater knitted in lopi. Plötulopi is unspun lopi: delicate to knit with, but hard-wearing and soft in the finished garment.
What does lusekofte mean?
Roughly “lice jacket”. The name comes from the small black stitches scattered sparsely over the white background, which look like lice. The sweater is Norwegian, from the 1800s, and is also called the Setesdal sweater.
Which yarn is good for stranded colourwork?
A springy wool yarn, such as Peer Gynt, Tynn Peer Gynt or Svensk Ull 3-tr. The wool holds the stitches in place, and the knitting evens out in the wash.