Navia

Navia was founded in 2004 by owner Óli Kristian á Torkilsheyggi, a fourth generation Faroese sweater and yarn maker. The company started as a small business school project with only a tiny amount of capital, but has grown to become the largest yarn and knitwear company in the Faroe Islands. Navia produces not only a range of knitting yarns, but also ready-to-wear knitwear using the latest state-of-the-art knitting machines.

Although the Navia range includes several different types of yarn, our interest at Laine des Iles is mainly for their traditional yarns spun from 100% Faroese wool. It is thought that the Faroe Islands have been inhabited since the 6th century, and evidence shows that sheep arrived at the same time. Wool has therefore always been an integral part of Faroese life and the islands have a rich knitting heritage.

Navia not only produce yarn and garments, but also their unique Knitting Book - a series of designs and patterns collected from a dedicated team of Navia knitters living in the Faroese community. These knitters come from a wide range of backgrounds and ages - from fishing industry workers to professional designers, from 15 to 84 years. Their handknitted designs are then photographed and handpicked for larger-scale production as well as for sale as patterns for other handknitters.