Viking Inspiration Fuels Popular Crochet and Knit Designs

Icelandic designer Laufey Ýr Jónsdóttir, operating under the artist name Lola Ýr, has found a growing audience for her knit and crochet creations. Specializing in patterns and finished garments, Laufey's work often draws inspiration from historical aesthetics, particularly the Viking era.

Her designs have gained significant traction online, especially through social media platforms where she markets her work as Lola Ýr Knits. A standout piece is her "Fringe fur" collar, a crochet pattern that became highly popular last year. This beginner-friendly design even inspired some individuals to learn crochet specifically to create it themselves.

The inspiration for her popular "Fringe-jakkinn" (Fringe jacket) came from a Viking television series. Laufey saw a brown wool collar on a main character and felt compelled to create a crocheted version. This led to the development of her initial selling pattern, which has since evolved into various jacket styles.

Laufey often uses earthy tones in her yarns, evoking a sense of historical Viking attire, but also incorporates colorful yarns to give her pieces a modern flair. She enjoys seeing how people adapt her creations, making them their own. Laufey believes that the effort involved in making a garment fosters a greater appreciation for handmade items and encourages consumers to think twice before purchasing fast fashion.

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When you make something like this yourself, you realize how much work goes into making one garment. Then perhaps people will think twice before buying fast fashion.