An incredible fiber arts adventure awaits our group – beginning with a three-night stopover enroute to the Faroe Islands, in Iceland! This thoughtfully curated journey perfectly blends Iceland's stunning natural wonders with its rich wool heritage, offering you the chance to soak in the famous Blue Lagoon, explore dramatic waterfalls and geysers along the Golden Circle, and most excitingly, immerse yourselves in authentic Icelandic wool culture. You'll visit not one but three amazing wool destinations—the renowned Ullarsel Wool Center with its hand-spun yarns and traditional lopapeysa sweaters, the historic Þingborg Wool Shop where local women have been creating unique patterns since 1990, and the brand-new Íslenska ullarvinnslan in Selfoss where you'll witness traditional wool processing techniques. The highlight will be your hands-on knitting workshop with Jóhanna Erla Pálmadóttir, a master craftsperson who combines generations of sheep farming wisdom with formal textile training from Copenhagen, plus you'll get to taste traditional Icelandic treats while learning about sustainable wool practices. From exploring geothermal greenhouses to discovering plant-dyed yarns and felted treasures, this trip promises to fill your needles with inspiration and your hearts with the warmth of Icelandic hospitality.

Our magical fiber arts journey continues through the enchanting Faroe Islands! In this immersive 5-day adventure our group will experience authentic Faroese wool culture with our guide Sissal Kristiansen – founder of The Wool Islands initiative. Read an article by Sissal titled The Sheep Islands in the Fall 2025 issue of Farm and Fiber Knits magazine >>>

We begin with a warm welcome at the cozy Fiskastykkið café and scenic tours of the dramatic villages Gásadalur and Bøur. You'll have the ultimate sheep-to-shawl opportunity at Berghild and Klæmint's family farm in Selatrað during lambing season (perfect for those adorable lamb photos!), where you'll feed sheep, learn about traditional farming, and enjoy hands-on knitting workshops in a charming old schoolhouse. The fiber fun continues with visits to Spinnaríið við Ánna, the only minimill on the islands producing gorgeous Kyrra yarn from 100% Faroese wool, plus exploring Tórshavn's wonderful knitting shops like Ullvøruhúsið and Guðrun&Guðrun, yarn havens Navia and Snældan, and the famous knitting village of Fuglafjørður where you'll stitch away at Riberhus café. Between workshops and wool discoveries, you'll savor incredible local cuisine from farm-to-table meals to Michelin-acclaimed dining at Ræst, enjoy a breathtaking boat tour of Vestmanna's towering sea cliffs, and attend an evening with Isabella Rossellini—all while staying at the lovely Hotel Føroyar with its grass roof and roaming sheep, making this the perfect blend of Nordic knitting heritage, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable woolly adventures.

Mary Jeanne Packer, the founder of Battenkill Textile Tours LLC, has been leading groups of knitters and fiber enthusiasts on trips around the world (and around the corner) since 2006 when she put a small ad in the national knitting magazines to see if anyone might want to come and spend a few days knitting, wine tasting, and visiting fiber farms in the Finger Lakes; and 20 people signed up! Those first 20 said they would "like to go to Ireland sometime"; and the rest is history. Mary Jeanne is the founder and co-owner of Battenkill Fibers Carding and Spinning Mill in Greenwich, NY.