iceland is a place where volcanoes erupt and cause glaciers to melt and flood. where lichens and moss grow inches thick on fields of cooled lava. where sulphuric water spews out of the earth, where trolls hide and the huldufólk protect the land by thwarting humanity’s idea of progress through destruction. it is a land of magic, and dark tales, and powers far beyond the human imagination.

this was a trip where make-up came in the form of sunscreen and herbal salve; perfumes in the form of essential oil first aid kits; manicures in the dirt under our nails. we met half-wild animals and fully wild landscapes. days were punctuated with off-road excursions, unplanned adventures, and the occasional shift of naps. every day felt like a year, and simultaneously just the blink of an eye. waterfalls were everywhere, and always a marvel. we slept at the foot of glaciers, in fields near the coast, and in mountain valleys near natural hot springs. we climbed up waterfalls and into caves, visited elves and puffins, and ate crowberries at every important place. there were a lot of crowberries.

in 2017, samson learn and i embarked on our second book and our second road trip together. instead of the east coast of canada, we took the ring road all around iceland with our dear friend, marshall. the result was a true coffee table book, filled with gorgeous landscape photography, a capsule wardrobe of knitting patterns designed for travel, and many memories.

book details:

Ferðaskór (travelling shoes)

created in collaboration with yoth yarns, ash alberg of sunflower knit and samson learn of samson photography hit the road once more to bring you 11 new knitting designs, inspired by and photographed in the wild icelandic landscape. containing travel photos and interviews with hélène magnússon (the icelandic knitter), guðrún bjarnsdóttir (hespa), and chantal belisle (the flying yak), this volume is much more than just another knitting book. 

pull on your travelling shoes and join us among the crowberries. 

by ash alberg, in collaboration with YOTH yarns

photography by samson learn, samson photography

tech editing by tabitha dukes

schematic drawings by caitlin hunter

published fall 2017

softcover, 136 pages, print and bound in winnipeg, canada

the land

the ring road

the patterns

purchase the individual patterns below: