Smokkar by Hélène Magnússon

Smokkar

Knitting
October 2021
Aran (8 wpi) ?
20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches
in Stocking stitch
US 4 - 3.5 mm
112 - 120 yards (102 - 110 m)
M(L)
English French

The pattern is part of my Icelandic yarn club 3 and is exclusive to the Club for 9 months. After that it will be released to the general public as single PDF.

Smokkar, stúkkur or handstúkkur is the Icelandic name for wrist warmers and designate some sort of a tube. As a matter of fact, in today´s modern Icelandic, smokkur (plural of smokkar) is also a condom!
The smokkar could be very simple or decorated with beads and accompanied the Icelandic costume although not officially part of it.
The hörpuskeljamunstur (arctic Saint Jacques shell pattern) was a popular motif at the beginning of the 20th century and you can find many examples in the Museums in Iceland (see for example here).
I made a “smiley” horizontal thumb opening on my Smokkar and took a particular care so that they are well elastic and comfortable to wear.

The colors in the stripes were inspired by the beautiful motifs you can see on some traditional Icelandic turf farms. On one picture I´m standing in front of such a wall in the Icelandic costume I sew for myself last winter.

Sizes: 2 sizes S(M). Length easily adjustable.

Finished measurements:
Circumference: 18(20) cm / 7(7¾)”
Length: 23.5 cm / 9¼”

Gauge
10 cm / 4” = 20 sts x 28 rows in Stocking st on 3.5 mm / US4 needle with DK/Aran weight yarn.
Check your gauge and if necessary, change needle size to obtain the correct gauge.

Yarn: Aran weight
MC: approx. 53 m / 58 yds used

Wool used in pictured sample
You have enough yarn in the Icelandic yarn club kit to make one pairs of wrist warmers like the pattern says and one extra pair with the last stripes in different colors and / or shorter.
MC and CC1: Forystuþræðir, pure new wool, 100% Icelandic leardersheep wool, Aran weight 50 g skein = 110 m / 120 yds, spun either at the Gillhagi or the Uppspuni mimimill: natural black (not dyed) and natural brown or beige (not dyed)
CC2: Dóru Band, Þingborg’s two ply (pure new wool, 100% high quality Icelandic wool, Aran weight 50 g skein = 110 m / 120 yds) yellow/green on natural grey base, hand-dyed by Dóra with wild Icelandic chervil

Needle: 3.5 mm / US4 circular needle or size to obtain the gauge. Magic loop technique is used but you can also use double pointed needles or any method to knit small diameters in the round.

Notions: darning needle, stitch marker, form to block

CC1: approx. 38 m /41 yds used
CC2: approx. 11 m /12 yds used