Snældan: Tradition spun into wool: The story of Snældan

By Signe Hansen

For more than 75 years, the family-owned spinning mill Snældan has been producing yarn and knitwear in the Faroe Islands. Founded in 1949 by Carl Olsen and now run by his grandson Carl Jóhan Olsen, the mill has stayed in the same family for three generations. Today, it remains the only spinning mill of its kind on the islands. From wool spun into high-quality yarn to traditional Faroese sweaters, the factory continues to keep long-standing knitting traditions alive – traditions that are now experiencing renewed interest both locally and abroad.

Located by the fjord in the small village of Strendur, Snældan’s production process remains local from start to finish. Wool is carded and spun at the mill itself before being knitted into sweaters, jackets, beanies and other garments, all rooted in Faroese knitting patterns that have been part of the islands’ knitting culture for generations.

Photo: Jóhanna Thomsen

“We choose to stay with the traditional style – there are not many producers left making this type of knitwear,” explains Maja Olsen, head of sales. “Modern knitwear is often made from finer and softer wool, such as alpaca. However, we see the value in tightly knitted woollen sweaters. They’re warm, durable and breathable, while also naturally sustainable, eco-friendly, and comfortable to wear.”

A bit of an institution in itself, the old factory building also opens its doors to visitors upon request and in 2021, even welcomed the Danish queen.

Photo: Kate Jordan Davidsen

Through ups and downs

The history of the company stretches back to 1949, when the founder – also named Carl Johan – established the mill after a hand injury forced him to change profession from furniture making. What began with just a few spinning machines processing wool into yarn for local customers soon developed into a small family business producing hand-knitted garments. The factory machinery still reflects that early period. “It’s an old factory going all the way back to 1949, and we still use a carding machine from around 1950,” says Olsen. “People are often surprised when they visit and see that the old machines are still running.”

Photo: Kate Jordan Davidsen

The spinning mill has since been passed down through three generations – from founder Carl Olsen to his son Odmar Olsen, and today, to his grandson Carls Jóhan Olsen – with each generation continuing and reshaping the mill to what it is today.

In 1985, under Odmar Olsen, the spinning mill faced a major crisis due to declining demand for Faroese wool, known for its warm, durable qualities, which made it ideal for outerwear but not for skin contact. “When down jackets and fleece became popular, the demand for wool products declined sharply. They used to export socks and sweaters made from Faroese wool, but that ended in 1987,” explains Olsen. By 1985, the spinning mill was almost forced to close, with only a few products still being supplied locally in the Faroe Islands. “To survive, they had to rethink the business. They began working with a different kind of wool – mainland wool – which is the type we use today.”

Photo: Jóhanna Thomsen

Wool to suit the times

Today, most of the yarn is made from 100 per cent wool, primarily from the Falkland Islands, which provides a softer fibre better suited for garments worn close to the skin. A smaller portion of the range still uses Faroese wool, valued for its natural lanolin and durability.

Combined with decades of experience and a reputation for high-quality products, the Olsen family’s adaptability means that the spinning mill is once again thriving. Today, as the only one of its kind left on the Faroe Islands, it stands as a landmark of the nation’s resilience and traditions.

The Snældan spinning mill has been in the same family for three generations. Photo: OPH foto

“For us, the important thing is that the yarn is pure wool,” Olsen says. “It’s used a lot for parts of the Faroese national costume where the fabric needs to be felted, so it has to be 100 per cent wool.”

Snældan’s knitwear and yarn are sold in the company’s own shops in Tórshavn and Strendur, as well as a handful of retailers abroad and through the company’s online shop.