Hélène Magnússon

Based in Iceland, Hélène Magnússon is a leading knit designer who melds her passion for knitting with the breathtaking landscapes of the land of fire & ice.

Born in France, Hélène began her professional life as a lawyer in Paris before making a dramatic life change & moving to Iceland in 1995.  Embracing the rich Icelandic culture, she learned the language while working on a sheep farm.  While studying both mountaineering & Textiles/ Fashion Design at the Iceland Academy of Arts, she worked as a cook during the winter & a mountain guide during the summer.  All of these experiences influence the rich tapestry of her work today and make for a unique approach to design & style.

Hélène’s passion for textiles has led to extensive research of Icelandic knitting traditions.  Her expertise has earned her the respect of both textile historians & museum curators in Iceland, as well as worldwide.  Hélène believes the best way to preserve traditions is to keep them alive throughout day-to-day life.

This belief inspired her to create The Icelandic Knitter (icelandicknitter.com) in 2010.  Dedicated to Icelandic knitting heritage, Hélène’s mission is to revive traditions & give them new life.  Her beautiful & unique patterns embody the past with a modern twist.  In addition to design, she shares her love of Iceland through hiking & knitting tours of the countryside: drawing fiber artists from around the world.