Q&As

How should my sweater fit?

Most Icelanders choose to wear form-fitting sweaters, but it is entirely up to you.  We prefer to wear form-fitting sweaters when we ride horses and slightly larger ones for casual wear.  Since each sweater is hand-knitted and one-of-a-kind, we have provided precise measurements.  We recommend you measure your chest, hips, cross back, and upper arm and also determine the total length you prefer.  If you want a form-fitting sweater select one with little difference between your measurements and those of the sweater.  If you want a bit of ease in your sweater's fit, add 1-3 inches to your measurements in the areas you want more room, and select a sweater with those measurements. 

Watch this video or go to minute 1:24 to see a chart to guide your measurements.

 

How long will my sweater last?

An incredibly long time.  Our family bought ours on our first trip to Iceland in 2017.  We’ve worn them heavily in the US and on nearly every day of our return trips to Iceland.  They look just as they did when we purchased them.  A beautifully crafted Icelandic sweater is a family heirloom that you can wear and enjoy.

 

When and how do I wash my sweater?

Rarely and simply.  The sweaters should be washed by hand or on the “hand wash” setting on a washing machine.  Never put Icelandic sweaters in the clothes dryer.  After washing, spread the sweater out on a flat surface, preferably atop a towel, and pull on it gently to regain its original shape.  This is not difficult and shouldn’t be done more than once a year.  We’ve only washed ours once!

 

Do they itch?

You of course want to wear something underneath your Icelandic sweater.  The wool can itch your skin.  But they don’t itch any more than other wool sweaters. Ours itch less than most other wool sweaters we have owned.

 

When would I want to choose a heavier weight sweater over a lighter one?

In Iceland the temperature changes widely during the day and we have rarely found it necessary to remove our sweaters, even in summer.  You almost never see an Icelandic person wearing a coat over their sweater.  The 2 and 3-ply sweaters are incredibly warm, yet breathable.  They keep water and wind away from your skin—and they dry quickly.  The 1-ply sweaters also resist wind and rain and are probably a better choice if you live in the most temperate parts of the United States. Most of Kosi's knitters like to knit in 2-ply wool, creating sweaters that perform in a wide array of climates. 

 

How can I visit an authentic wool shop in Iceland?

If you have the opportunity to visit Iceland, please seek out Icelandic knitters.  Visit Vilborg's shop if you can.  It is on the road between the two most visited sites in Iceland's "Golden Circle," Geysir and Gulfoss.  She and others with shops advertise by posting this small sign by the road.  Sometimes these shops will sell sweaters from a few knitters, including those whose farms are “off the main road” and have no access to tourists.  Hours vary and sometimes farm or family demands close the shop for a day.  But if you are persistent you will be glad you took the time to visit and learn.  You will notice that Kosi Wool's logo is derived from the roadside symbol above. 

 

How can I tell if I bought a fake “Icelandic” sweater? 

The quickest way to see if a sweater is NOT Icelandic is to look for a seam down the sides, around the neck, or cuffs.  Authentic Icelandic sweaters are woven in one piece and have no seams.  Next, check the label.  If it says "designed in Iceland" that is code for saying it is not knitted in Iceland and may not even be made of Icelandic wool.  Icelandic sweaters are made of 100% Icelandic wool.  If your sweater contains any other material, it was almost certainly not knitted in Iceland.  If you bought your sweater at a shop geared to tourists, the odds are that it was not knitted in Iceland and may not be made of Icelandic wool.  Please see our blog on "Fake Icelandic Sweaters."  It includes pictures of Icelandic-looking sweaters being sold in the busiest tourist shops in Iceland including Geysir and Blue Lagoon.  These sweaters were knitted in China, Lithuania, Portugal, and elsewhere.