…becoming immersed (obsessed) with making these traditional Icelandic shoe inserts has been a fascinating process, and exercise in patience. i love learning about the history of them and Hélène’s desire to keep the tradition alive.

a new to me technique, Icelandic intarsia also called rósaleppaprjón ~ rose pattern intarsia knitting. this is very slow thoughtful knitting, using a size 1 (2.25mm) needle and sometimes having over 20 strands of wool in use at once (in one row).

i’ve made so far:

diamond rose
flower pot
windrose
stripes

from the book: Icelandic Knitting using Rose Patterns and Icelandic Handknits both by Hélène Magnússon

and made with my favorite of all wools i think, einband and hespa ~ handdyed lace weight wool with wild Icelandic plants by the dyers at Ullarsellid in Hvanneyrri in the West of Iceland.

i chose the ‘in progress’ tab, since i plan to make more designs. :)

(last 2 photos are of the Heimilisiðnaðarsafnið /
Textile Museum in Blönduós Northern Iceland)

• my best tips for working this delicate intarsia ~ use very short lengths and either wet splice new wool in as you go, or just add more as needed. after every row (yes every!) take a moment to tidy up (and snug up stitches if needed) it is a slow process, but truly part of the beauty of these small works. weaving in ends (make sure you have the right one! it’s so easy to make an error) as you go, is really helpful also. and although these are meant for the insides of shoes, i’m going to hang mine on the wall instead.

:)