ABOUT
VALKYRIE FIBER
A woman-owned independent business based in both Akureyri, Iceland, and Portland, Oregon.
.png)
For centuries, Icelandic knitwear has been central to life on the island, in large part by the Icelandic sheep, a breed found nowhere else in the world. Generations have refined the art of harvesting, spinning, and knitting this remarkable fiber, valued for its natural insulation and water resistance. More than a necessity for survival in the North, the lopapeysa (the traditional Icelandic wool sweater) has become a symbol of national identity.
Each strand of our yarn is plied with history
At Valkyrie Fiber, our mission is to create a yarn unlike any other in the world. By blending pure Icelandic roving, sourced directly from local farmers, with soft, fine Merino, we preserve the bold character and resilience of Icelandic wool while making it comfortable for everyday wear. This hybrid is a truly one-of-a-kind yarn: strong, warm, and storied, yet softened for modern makers. Each skein is then hand-dyed in Portland, Oregon, where every colorway is carefully crafted as an ode to the stories of Iceland.
WOVEN THROUGH HISTORY
%20copy.png)
The Icelandic Sheep
The Icelandic sheep is one of the world’s oldest and purest breeds, brought to the island by Viking settlers over a thousand years ago. Over centuries of isolation, it adapted to Iceland’s harsh climate with a dual-layered fleece: a long, water-resistant outer coat and a soft, insulating undercoat.
Together, these fibers create a wool that is uniquely warm, durable, and weatherproof, qualities that made it essential to survival in the North. Today, Icelandic sheep remain a living link to this heritage, their wool carrying the history of a people, a land, and a tradition that continues to inspire makers around the world.
The Valkyries weren’t looking for perfect warriors. They chose the ones with grit, discipline, and determination- the ones who never gave up despite the odds. Those souls went on to Valhalla.
Valkyries knew the secret heart of every warrior.
That’s how I think about making- not getting it right the first time but staying with it long enough to figure it out no matter how long it takes.
Öll getum við misstigið okkur en Valkyrjan rís alltaf upp aftur
- Amy S. Foster
THE ORIGINS
I never thought of myself as crafty. Aside from writing music, I didn't see myself as 'artistic' in that way. But when I was pregnant with my daughter Eva in 2003, knitting suddenly became the thing everyone was doing. Almost all of my friends were having babies that year, and they were all sitting around knitting, and I thought, maybe I should try.
At six months pregnant, I asked my mom to teach me. She was sure she remembered how, but the last time she had knit was probably in the 1950s. We went to the store, bought all I needed, and she cast on. Not well, I'll add. When I finally started to knit, it took me two and a half hours to finish a single row. I loved it, but I was so slow. As I continued practicing and getting somewhat faster, the blanket just kept growing. By the time I took it to a yarn shop, the owner laughed and told me in her thick accent that I would suffocate the baby. I mean, I was working off 800 stitches.
It should have discouraged me, but it didn't. With the help of my aunt Mary Lou, I learned how to knit properly. I was still terrible, but I loved it anyway. Over time, knitting became more than something to make with my hands. It became a way of connecting. Wherever I lived, from Nashville to Los Angeles to Europe and beyond, walking into a yarn shop meant finding friends, learning from strangers, and discovering a community that made me feel at home.
That feeling of belonging is what inspired me to create Valkyrie Fiber. I wanted to honor the strength and character of Icelandic wool, soften it for everyday wear, and share the same sense of connection I found when I first picked up needles. To me, craft is not just about what you make. It is about the people you meet, the stories you carry, and the community you build along the way.
Why Iceland
Valkyrie Fiber was born right after the pandemic. It was a strange and dark time for all of us. The world was opening up again; we could leave, not just our homes, but the country. Like many of you, I had a much deeper appreciation for travel after lockdown. I approached every experience with a renewed sense of gratitude.
Iceland was the first place I visited when the restrictions were lifted and I didn’t realize how much the country changed me until I returned back home. At first I thought it was just this new perspective but I kept going back. It was so bizarre. It took me a minute to realize that it wasn’t just post pandemic mania- I felt at home there. I felt safe. I felt connected to this amazing country because so much of its topography resonated and reflected how I felt inside- jagged, alien, exposed, visibly broken but, beautiful and very different.
The quiet strength of the land gave me strength and most importantly- history, wool, weaving, spinning,folklore, tradition, connection and craft is what Icelanders care about the most. They aren’t interested in job titles or money in the bank or even last names. In Iceland, making is both practical and sacred.
This newest batch of yarn that I’ve hand dyed honors both the country and that way of life.
Each colorway is inspired by the vistas and stories of the North. Lava escaping volcanoes to create new landscapes, arctic sailing expeditions, whimsical elf houses in pastels, thriftstore finds, turfhouses, treasured blankets and textiles passed down through the generations and the exceptional light that is filtered by the earth’s curvature. Every skein of Valkyrie Yarn is a piece of Iceland.
So, whether you’ve been to Iceland or it’s a bucket list destination, when you purchase wool from me, know that each hank is a little bit different because I painted it by hand. Each one is a memory, an adventure, and an experience of this gorgeous country. You will be knitting or crocheting a project that is, in its own way, an entire trip to Iceland.
I hope these colorways inspire you as much as they changed my life and, if you’re ever in Iceland- come find me and say hello.
Amy Skylark Foster
.jpg)
