Iceland Crochet Retreat

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Reykjavik with our local guide. See Reykjavik City Pond, known locally as Tjörnin, one of Iceland’s most beloved and iconic inner-city features. Around the pond you can find several of the city’s museum, along with Reykjavik City Hall. Hallgrimskirkja, towering over the centre of Reykjavik, is the largest church in Iceland. Known for its distinctively curved spire and side wings, it has become an important symbol for Iceland's national identity since its completion in 1986. Created to celebrate Reykjavik’s 200th birthday, the Sun Voyager is a steel sculpture on Reykjavík‘s splendid waterfront. The statue resembles a Viking longship, but this was not the artist’s original intention. It is a dreamboat and an ode to the sun, representing the promise of undiscovered territory, hope, progress and freedom. Home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Icelandic Opera, Harpa Concert Hall is a distinctive landmark in Reykjavik. The glass façade, made up of geometric shapes that change colour with the light of day, reflects its surroundings.

Please Note: Visits on the walking tour may vary.

This afternoon, we’ll visit the Handknitting Association of Iceland, founded in 1977 by a group of mainly women, with the aim of increasing their income by knitting and selling sweaters and other garments from the unique wool of the Icelandic sheep. The production of hand-knitted goods was then, and still is, an important supplement to the income of Icelandic families. The Association is the biggest supplier of sweaters that are knitted from Icelandic wool and made in Iceland, including the iconic Icelandic sweater, Lopapeysa,

The remainder of the day is free for you to explore at leisure. Visit one of the city’s many museums or enjoy a touch of retail therapy in the many yarn shops.

Today we enjoy a full-day workshop with Lucy at the hotel. Refreshments will be provided.

Today’s full-day excursion combines one of Iceland’s natural wonders with yarn related visits.

Ístex buys Icelandic wool directly from farmers and processes about 99% of all Icelandic wool. Icelandic farmers own more than 80% of the company. Step inside the heart of Icelandic tradition on this guided tour; discover how the world-famous lopi yarn, known for its warmth and durability, is produced. During the visit we’ll learn about the journey from raw fleece to finished yarn, see traditional and modern machinery in action, feel the textures of unspun and spun wool and explore the history of Icelandic wool and its cultural importance.

Gunnlaug Hannesdóttir is a textile educator, nurturing creativity and craftsmanship through yarn and textiles. A passionate advocate of “slow fashion,” she revitalises second-hand fabrics, transforming them through thoughtful design. During the visit we’ll learn all there is to know about the Icelandic Lopi. The extraordinary quality of this Icelandic wool made it possible for Icelanders to live through cold and harsh winters both at land and sea. Gunnlaug will explain what makes this wool so wonderful and different from other types of wool. She’ll show us the wool straight from the sheep and explain the difference between wool from Icelandic sheep and other types of sheep. We'll also learn how the wool is processed and made into yarn. We’ll see different types of yarn made from Icelandic wool and various examples of things made from it and enjoy a demonstration of how to spin the wool, the same method we use today when we are spinning by hand.

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most famous attractions and a world-renowned geothermal spa. Here we’ll step into the spa, nestled in a lava field. The milky‑blue water, heated to a soothing 37–39 °C and rich in silica, algae, and minerals will gently cleanse and nourish our skin. Apply the lagoon’s signature silica mud mask, unwind under a natural waterfall, and drift to the in‑water mask and beverage bars. The perfect pick-me-up after a busy day of sightseeing!

Enjoy another full-day workshop with Lucy at the hotel. Refreshments will be provided.

Today, we’ll explore some of Iceland’s most iconic natural wonders on a full-day tour combining the best of the Golden Circle and the Woollen Circle, perfectly designed for yarn enthusiasts.

The Golden Circle includes three of the country's most celebrated sites: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. As we approach Þingvellir we’ll begin to appreciate the park’s breathtaking landscape. Þingvellir is more than just a geological marvel – it also marks the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it one of the few places on Earth where you can walk between two continents. We’ll enjoy stunning views over the park, including Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake, and the quaint Þingvellir Church. As we walk through the impressive Almannagjá gorge and visit the Lögberg (Law Rock), where Iceland’s first parliament was founded in 930 AD, we’ll gain insight into the site's historic role in shaping the nation's identity.

Next up is Geysir Geothermal area. The dormant Great Geysir gave all other geysers their name! It is no longer active, but Strokkur geyser erupts every 20 minutes or so, and can reach heights up to 25 meters!

Gullfoss Waterfall is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. The water cascades down two steps, one 11m high and the other 22m, into the rugged canyon below.

With a shared admiration for Icelandic sheep, Hulda Brynjólfsdóttir and Tyrfingur Sveinsson began Uppspuni Mini Mill in 2017, bringing together Hulda’s passion for wool, and Tyrfingur’s passion for machinery. We’ll take a guided tour of the mill floor and learn about the process of transforming fleece into yarn. In the shop, browse the beautiful yarns and other woolly goodies. Everything in the shop is made from 100% Icelandic sheep wool, most of it from their own sheep.

Founded in 1990, as a co-operative with 35 founding members, Thingborg Wool Shop is now a private limited company which continues to maintain its goal of creating employment for local women. All knitted products are made from Þingborg-lopi, specially produced by Ístex since 1992. Once a year, the Þingborg women visit the Ístex washing and combing facility in Blönduós, selecting wool which is then washed and carded in Mosfellsbær. Lopapeysur are the main items sold. Many women design their own patterns, resulting in a wide variety of unique lopapeysur. The workshop plays a vital role in both preserving traditional wool crafts and innovating new ones.

In Hespuhúsið, Guðrún Bjarnadóttir plant dyes wool according to old traditions but using modern technology. During our visits we will be able to see the dye pots and learn about the old traditions. There is also time to relax and pick up your crochet hooks, visit the mini museum of old craft-related objects, and browse the plant dyed yarn for sale.

Lunch is included today.

We have a final full-day workshop with Lucy at the hotel. Refreshments will be provided.

This evening, enjoy a farewell meal with Lucy, your Tour Manager and fellow guests.