Spinnaríið við ánna (The Spinnery by the River) is a small family business located in the village of Skopun on the island of Sandoy.

We produce yarn from 100% Faroese wool sourced from all over the Faroe Islands. 

Our family has been sheep farmers in the village of Skarvanes for generations, making sheep wool a cherished part of our heritage. Our ancestors spun yarn for household use using carders and a spinning wheel at home. Later, we traded our wool for yarn at one of the many spinning mills that operated in the Faroe Islands in the late 1900s.

Times have changed significantly since then. Due to the influx of imported products over the past few decades, interest in Faroese wool has declined. Once essential for survival, our wool suddenly seemed coarse compared to imported yarns, leading Faroese spinning mills to close one by one, feeling no need to upgrade their equipment. Consequently, thousands of kilos of wool were wasted and burned each year.

We recognized this as a serious problem and sought a sustainable solution. Our challenge was to eliminate the long, coarse guard hairs that our sheep had developed from living wild in the mountains throughout the year, often in harsh weather. A micro spinning mill became the answer because it allows for more precise processing of small batches of wool. This means we can effectively remove the coarse hairs while preserving the unique qualities of Faroese wool, resulting in a softer, higher-quality yarn that stands out in the market.

As we move forward, we are committed to reviving interest in Faroese wool and promoting sustainable practices. Our goal is not only to produce high-quality yarn but also to celebrate and preserve our family’s heritage. We invite you to join us on this journey.