Imagine knitting in the shadow of majestic fjords, the smell of fresh wool in your hands, while steam from natural hot springs curls into the crisp Arctic air. Now picture yourself learning the intricate craft of Icelandic lopapeysa sweaters from a renowned local designer, surrounded by landscapes so breathtaking they feel otherworldly. Welcome to the Westfjords of Iceland—where knitting, nature, and tradition combine for an experience that will not only enrich your craft but leave you with lifelong memories.

The Westfjords is the perfect setting for this knitting adventure. Far from the tourist crowds, this remote corner of Iceland is rich in both cultural heritage and untouched natural beauty. From quaint fishing villages nestled in the arms of towering mountains to the rushing waters of Dynjandi Waterfall, every moment is a visual masterpiece. The Westfjords’ rugged landscape mirrors the authentic, raw beauty of Iceland’s knitting traditions. What better place to learn the art of crafting a lopapeysa sweater than in the land that has perfected it?

This tour is for everyone who shares a passion for knitting, no matter what your skill level. Whether you're a beginner eager to learn, or a seasoned knitter looking to master new techniques, this trip offers something for everyone. With expert guidance from professional knitting designer Bergrós and friendly local Icelanders, you'll not only improve your craft but also gain an insider's perspective on Icelandic life. You’ll be welcomed into the homes of artisans, feel the warmth of a shared tradition, and knit alongside like-minded travelers who appreciate the art of creation and the magic of Iceland.

Beginners to advanced knitters, lovers of nature, and anyone yearning for an intimate cultural experience, this tour is your chance to knit your way through Iceland’s untouched Westfjords. Join us and weave your own story into the fabric of this enchanting land.

1. Learn Icelandic Lopapeysa Knitting from the Experts
   Gain firsthand instruction from renowned Icelandic knitting designer Bergrós, as you create your own doll-sized lopapeysa sweater. From yarn selection to traditional techniques, you’ll dive deep into the heritage of Icelandic knitting.
2. Explore the Rugged Beauty of the Westfjords
   Journey through Iceland’s most remote and picturesque region, from the stunning Dynjandi Waterfall to golden beaches and towering fjords. This untouched landscape offers the perfect backdrop for both knitting and relaxation.
3. Meet Local Artisans and Experience Icelandic Culture
   Get invited into the homes of Icelandic artisans, where you'll hear stories, share meals, and immerse yourself in local traditions. Visit fiber shops like Garnakista and discover the heart of Icelandic craftsmanship.
4. Relax in Natural Geothermal Pools
   Unwind in geothermal pools by the sea, soaking in the warmth while surrounded by the awe-inspiring beauty of the Westfjords. A perfect way to relax your hands after a day of knitting!
5. Unique Historical and Cultural Experiences
   Visit historical sites like the Westfjord Heritage Museum and the traditional fisherman’s hut at Ósvör. Learn about the history of the region while exploring small fishing villages and local landmarks.
6. Knit, Craft, and Dine in Scenic Locations
   Enjoy knitting workshops in cozy, scenic settings like country hotels, with delicious Icelandic meals included throughout the tour. Dine at the famous Tjöruhúsið and taste the local flavors of the Westfjords.
7. Wild Arctic Landscapes
   Drive through the largest and longest fjord, Ísafjarðardjúp, and stop to admire wildlife like seals and eagles. Experience the natural wonders of the Westfjords up close, with stops at viewpoints and traditional farms along the way.
8. A Knitter’s Adventure with a Sense of Community
   From beginners to advanced knitters, everyone will feel at home on this tour. Share your passion with fellow travelers and local experts, creating a unique community that values the beauty of both knitting and Iceland’s landscapes.

Each day is a balance of knitting, exploration, and Icelandic culture, leaving you with unforgettable memories and new skills to cherish.

Ages: Women 18-88 and beyond. Beginners welcome. You should know knitting basics.
Any women who is interested in:

• Learning to knit the Icelandic Lopapeysa Sweater
• Group learning and the camaraderie of a shared learning experience.
• Visiting farms and homes of Icelandic rural residents to learn about modern farms, livestock, and textile production.
• Getting out in nature on short walks for sightseeing and light exercise. 
• Feel the healing waters of iceland, soak in a geothermal pool by the sea.
• Hearing stories about mythology, paganism, and folklore.

Minium 10 / Maximum 12  

To facilitate the most intimate and authentic experience of our adventure together, the group size is limited to no more than 12 participants. 

Environment: Rural, countryside. Variable Icelandic weather.

Physical Activity Level: Easy

Lodging: Comfort

Knitting Skill Level: From beginner

This adventure is suitable for any healthy person that can walk at least 1-2 hours unassisted. With that said, the more active you are before this trip, the more you will enjoy the overall experience including walks in Reykjavik, the countryside and at farms. 

For those who have mobility issues, contact us to discuss. There are many ways to adapt this program for those need it. Email contact@greenedventures.com 

Participants will stay 3-star hotels, double occupancy.

-2 nights Country Hótel Flókalundur

-4 nights Hotel Horn Ísafjöður

- 1 night near Borgarnes (TBA)

Breakfasts (included)

Breakfast are provided by the hotels. Most are European continental. A European continental breakfast is light and simple, featuring fresh breads, croissants, jams, cheeses, cold cuts, yogurt, fruit, and muesli. Drinks include coffee, tea, and juices, with occasional hard-boiled eggs but few hot items.  Some hotels will have scrambled eggs, beans, and bacon. 

Lunches ( 1 included Bergrós home kitchen)

Examples hearty soups with bread, fish and chips, open-faced sandwiches, burgers, and skyr. Popular options on the go include pylsur (hot dogs). Price for lunch is about $20 -30 USD

Dinners ( 1 included)

Dinners in Iceland at most tourist locations feature fresh, local ingredients, often highlighting seafood and lamb. Common menu items include

• Fresh Fish: Cod, haddock, Arctic char, or salmon, often grilled or baked, served with vegetables and potatoes.
• Lamb: Icelandic lamb is tender and flavorful, usually prepared as lamb chops, roasted lamb, or lamb stew.
• Seafood Soup: A creamy soup made with shrimp, mussels, or local fish, often served with bread.
• Plokkfiskur: A traditional dish of mashed fish, potatoes, and béchamel sauce, served with rye bread.
• Vegetarian Options: Dishes featuring root vegetables, barley, and local greens, often in the form of salads, vegetable stews, or grain bowls.
• Skyr Desserts: Icelandic yogurt-like skyr served with berries, honey, or in cheesecakes.

Dinners cost $30-50 USD per main entree. Starters, desserts, and beverages are additional.

Most meals are not included in the package price to offer the most flexibility to participants. There are no checks to split. Simply order off of the menu and pay for what you ordered using a credit card. Tipping at restaurants is not customary. The price per meal is about what one would pay for food in the USA with tip and taxes included. 

Passports/Visas:

Visit the US State Department Website for the most current requirements. Most destinations require your passport to be valid 6 months beyond your planned departure date. Check your passport now to avoid last minute stress and hassle.   

https://www.state.gov/

Vaccinations & Travel Health:

Visit the CDC website for the most current requirements for travel and other travel health related suggestions and concerns for your destination:

Installments

For your convenience you can pay for your adventure in interest-free monthly installments using a checking account or credit card. 

ACH / Checking Account 

Pay zero transaction fees when you pay from your checking account.

Credit Card

Want to rack up points on your credit card? We get it. WeTravel will add a service fee to the total amount of your trip if you pay with a credit card. Credit Cards fees: 2.9% (Amex: 3.9%). This is a bank convenience fee not a fee added by Green Edventures. 

Alternate Between ACH & Credit Card

You can change your payment method at any time in your WeTravel Account

Click on link to review:

Terms & Conditions

Cancellation Policy

Participants are highly encouraged to purchase travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances that may interrupt or cancel the trip. Purchase insurance within 14 days of your initial trip deposit for the maximum amount of benefit options including Cancel for Any Reason. You do not need to have your airline reservations to purchase travel insurance. Estimate the cost plus the package price to get your total trip cost.     

Travel insurance is available at:  https://greenedventures.com/travel-insurance/ 

Coming soon

We strive to deliver a seamless and unforgettable travel experience. However, all itineraries are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to modify the advertised itinerary, including changes to the order of activities, destinations, or accommodations, guides, and trip leaders without prior notice.

In the event of changes, we will make every effort to provide alternative arrangements of equal value to ensure your overall experience remains exceptional. Your safety, satisfaction, and enjoyment remain our top priorities.

We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we work to create the best possible journey for you.

Your Trip Leader Tara Short. 

Tara will be your point of contact in the United States. She will host a WhatsApp chat, and pre-trip meeting so that you can get to know everyone on the tour. Come with friends or sign up solo, Tara will be your first Edventure Buddy on the tour. She wants everyone to feel like they have a friend they will meet up with in Iceland.  In Iceland, Tara will travel with the group and be there to assist participants, Inga, and Bergrós.

Tara fell in love with Iceland in May 2017 after her first visit to the tiny island of fire and ice. Since then, Tara spends at least a month or more in Iceland each year and is always dreaming of new ways to help people experience it. 

Iceland wrapped its hands around her heart and inspired itineraries that evolved as Tara became more and more familiar with the people and places of Iceland. It started with multi-sport tours that sampled a variety of outdoor adventures, to multi-day thru hiking in the southern highlands, and then onto softer adventures including a knitting retreat, and this nature spa retreat. 

Tara is the Founder & CEO of Green Edventures Tours and your First Adventure Buddy! She has been a guide for over 20 years from Africa to the Caribbean, from Galapagos, to Iceland, and many places in between. 

She has a B.S Natural Resource Management with an emphasis in Environmental Education / Interpretation. She is also Wilderness First Aid & CPR Certified. Tara lives in Chicago with her partner Kelly, and their two dogs.

Bergrós Kjartansdóttir is your knitting instructor.

Bergrós an acclaimed, but down to earth, knitting designer and poet from the West Fjords of Iceland. She is also a published author, goldsmith, and scholar of old Icelandic Literature. 

Inspired by her mother, who is also a talented knitter, Bergrós has been knitting since she was in primary school. Her passion for the tradition continued into adulthood where she has weaved together her love of art, nature, and mythology into a profession aligned with two centuries old Scandinavia traditions of knitting and storytelling. 

Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir, Your Guide to an Icelandic Knitting Adventure**

Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir, affectionately known as Inga, is an experienced guide poised to lead an extraordinary knitting tour in Iceland's rural northwest. With over 30 years in the tourism industry and a deep-rooted passion for Icelandic culture, Inga is the perfect complement to the renowned knitting instructor, Bergrós Kjartansdóttir. Her extensive knowledge of Icelandic traditions, folklore, and rural landscapes will enrich the knitting workshops and cultural experiences on this unique journey.

Inga's expertise extends beyond guiding; she has a profound understanding of Iceland's history, particularly the role of women in sheep farming and textile production. As participants engage in knitting the SEIÐUR shawl under Bergrós's guidance, Inga will lead explorations through the countryside, visiting local farms and museums. These excursions are designed to provide insights into the traditional Icelandic way of life, connecting the craft of knitting to the nation's cultural heritage.

• Arrival in Keflavík: We’ll greet you at Keflavík Airport OR Bus Stop 8 in Reykjavík for those who arrive early. Detailed travel parameters will be provided.
• Visit to a local yarn store: Here, you’ll select your lopapeysa yarn and prepare for the knitting workshops ahead. We provide yarn for your doll-sized Lopapeysa sweater. Participants can purchase lopi yarn for their full size sweaters. 
• Tour of the Ístex Lopi Factory: Explore the home of Icelandic wool production, where you’ll see how this versatile fiber is transformed into the beloved lopapeysa yarn from farm to factory.
• Journey to the Westfjords: After our tour, we’ll drive to the southern part of the Westfjords, where we’ll settle into Country Hotel Flókalundur for the next two nights.  Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel (included)

Meals: D

• Workshop with Bergrós: This morning you will meet your knitting designer, Bergrós. During the workshop will make your doll-sized lopapeysa sweater, while learning the techniques needed to make a full-sized sweater over the next few days.
• Lunch at the Hotel: Enjoy a delicious meal before we head out to explore.
• Relaxation in a Natural Geothermal Pool: After our workshop, we’ll take a dip in a geothermal pool by the sea, where the warm waters meet the rugged coastline—a perfect way to unwind after a day of knitting.

Meals: B

• Departure for Ísafjörður: After breakfast, we’ll embark on a scenic drive to Ísafjörður, the largest town in the Westfjords.
• Dynjandi Waterfall and Fjords: Along the way, we’ll visit the majestic Dynjandi waterfall and explore small fishing villages, golden beaches, and fjords. Keep your swimsuit handy—you might just want to take a dip in the Arctic waters!
• Arrival in Ísafjörður: We’ll arrive in the late afternoon at Hótel Ísafjörður.
• Dinner at Logn Restaurant: Relax over dinner and savor local Icelandic cuisine as we settle into our new surroundings.

Meals: B

• Workshop at Bergrós’ Home: We spend the morning at Bergrós’ home for a personalized knitting workshop, followed by a homemade lunch in her kitchen.
• Exploring Ísafjörður: In the afternoon, we’ll dive into the history of Ísafjörður, visiting the Westfjords Heritage Museum and wander through local yarn stores.
• Dinner at Tjöruhúsið: Dine at one of the Westfjords’ most famous restaurants, enjoying fresh seafood in a cozy atmosphere.

Meals: B & L

• Morning Workshop with Bergrós: Another knitting session with Bergrós as you continue working on your lopapeysa.
• Exploring Bolungavík: After lunch, we’ll take a short drive to the village of Bolungavík, visiting the Ósvör Sailor’s Hut Museum and, weather permitting, driving up to Bolafjall for sweeping views that may even stretch to Greenland.
• Dinner at Húsið: Enjoy a delightful meal in this charming restaurant, where local flavors meet friendly hospitality.
• Search For Northern Lights! In the evening we will socialize, knit, and gaze for northern lights.

Meals: B

• Workshop with Bergrós: We’ll spend our last morning in the West Fjords working on our Lopapeysa projects. 
• Visit to Netagerðin Artist Collective: After lunch, we’ll meet local artists at Netagerðin, knit a little, and then enjoy a tasting at the local brewery Dokkan, where you’ll savor the unique flavors of Icelandic craft beer.
• Farewell Dinner in Ísafjörður: Our last dinner in this magical town, filled with memories and friendships, will be a special celebration.

Meals: B

• Farewell to Bergrós: Saying goodbye to our expert guide and new friend Bergrós, we’ll begin our journey back south, passing through the stunning Ísafjarðardjúp fjord and its six neighboring fjords.
• Visit to Litli-Bær Farm: We’ll stop at this historic farm and coffee shop for a break, where we might spot seals and eagles while admiring the breathtaking views.
• Lunch and Arrival in Borgarnes: We’ll stop for lunch in a small village before arriving in the Borgarnes region for our farewell dinner.

Return to Keflavík Airport: After breakfast, we’ll drive from Borgarnes to Keflavík Airport, where we’ll say our final goodbyes, carrying with us new knitting skills, treasured memories, and a deeper connection to Iceland’s rich traditions.

Meals: B