Skotthúfa KIT hand-knitted tasselled cap, designed by Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir, is inspired by the original woolen skotthúfa.
Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir is an experienced mountaineer. In her job as a nature guide, she likes to go off the beaten track, be it in Iceland or in Greenland. As well as being a certified guide, she also holds a commercial driver’s license and is therefore able to drive you around the highlands or even across a glacier. She has an education in the fields of tourism studies and folkloristics, which makes her a very interesting and entertaining travel companion, and she speaks many languages.
Ingibjörg is a master chef, which is of course wonderful for those traveling with her. She even wrote a book called “Með veislu í farangrinum” (styling A moveable feast), about how to whip up delicious meals and use ingredients from Icelandic nature while traveling, whether it be hiking through the wilderness, camping or staying in a summerhouse.
Considering Ingibjörg’s many talents, it should come as no surprise that she was hired to be the driver and chef in the knitting tour with guest teacher Ysolda Teague in early September 2010.
What people generally don’t know about Ingibjörg, however, is that she is also a clothing designer. This tasseled cap is her first published knitting pattern. It retains all the main characteristics of the old skotthúfa that inspired it, including the tail and the tassel. The sleeve that covers the join between the tail and the tassel was traditionally made of silver or gilded silver, but this pattern uses a modern, stainless steel version. It’s simple to knit, but a much thought-through and well designed garment.
Ingibjörg’s caps are for sale in a few selected stores in Iceland, for example at the National Museum of Iceland.
Sizes: S(M,L) for children, women and men.
Gauge: not important
Yarn and material: Álafoss Lopi, 100% Icelandic wool, 100 g/skein, 100 g = ca. 100 m/109 yds, 2 skeins in all sizes, yarn used double. Steel sleeve, handmade in Iceland.
Needles and notions: dpn needles 12 mm/US 17 or a long circ, stitch markers, darning needle.
Techniques: knitting in the round, felting, tassel
Kit: the kit contains the wool but not the needles or the other material. The kit doesn’t include the pattern that must be purchased separately. Shipping costs are not included
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