It isn't every day Knitter's gets to speak to the wife of a head of state. That this President's spouse is also a knitter, has run a yarn shop, and is a published designer sounds too good to be true. In a land where "Mrs." is not an option (see father, teller, lace knitter page 28) and where first names are the norm, we found Gudrÿn Katrín Thorbergsd´ttir delightfully cordial. She spoke to us, in perfect English, from Bessastadír, the residence of the President, just outside Hafnarfjördur. She describes it as, "A beautiful house, with a wonderful view to the ocean as far as the eye can see, with Reykjavík all around."

How did you start knitting?
I started as a young girl when I was eight-years-old, making clothes for my dolls: caps, hats, dresses, stockings. Of course, at school you had to do some knitting -- but I was not very interested in those things that we were supposed to do! I did it because I like to make things, and to use my own designs. I like knitting sweaters'without the use of a pattern and with only two needles'because I want to see how things are shaped. And I can see that better and more clearly when I knit flat.

What about Lopi sweaters?
I do use circular needles when I knit what I call Greenland patterns because they remind me of the national dress of the Greenlanders. They use small glass beads to make patterns that are similar to Lopi yokes.

When did you start designing?
You could say I started designing at the same time that I started knitting! I have always made my own patterns. I would start with some yarn that interested me, like Lopi. I was tempted to use that yarn, because I found it beautiful, soft'

How did you decide to open a yarn shop?
I had been the director of the Union of Postal Office Workers for years, but all my life I have been interested in textiles. I really wanted to do more with fibers, something new and different, to be immersed in it. I couldn't do that as a designer because the market here is rather small. So I decided to buy a small yarn shop in the center of Reykjavík and see what I could do with it. That was quite interesting in many ways. I was working more than ever in my life because I was making my own designs, writing my own patterns, and I would have sweaters made for my customers. I was enjoying it, but after two-and-a-half years I realized it was too much running the shop and having time for everything else.

Do you visit yarn shops when you travel outside Iceland?
Yes, I always do! I love visiting textile exhibitions, and itÿs a great temptation for me to go to a yarn shop to see new yarns and new models.

Has your knitting encouraged others in Iceland?
My designs have been printed in knitting magazines here and people know me. They come up to me telling me they miss my shop and designs. Many people call to ask about my Borg Jacket (see photo p27, bottom row, third from left). I first knit it in black Lopi, and then in beige mohair and Lopi [see photo p19]. People are always saying, ÿmay I have a look,' ÿwhere did you find this,' ÿwhere can I get this pattern?' Many times people have called my home asking for it. People notice I'm wearing my own sweaters. There is no question that this positively influences people'I'm sure about it.
People call Bessastadír'and ask the wife of the President of Iceland knitting questions?

[Gudrÿn Katrín laughs.] Yes! That's true.

It'd be great if we could do the same in our country! Does the president wear your sweaters to official functions?