Reykjavik: Make an Icelandic Wool Monster

The fun here starts with a simple choice: what kind of creature do you want to take home? At The Skrimsli Workshop, you build an Icelandic wool monster from soft, colorful parts, then Alma sews the creature together while you choose its face. It is part craft session, part souvenir shop, and part seaside outing.

I like the personal souvenir and the calm, creative pace. You are not picking a standard trinket from a shelf. You are choosing the body, hair, horns, hands, feet, tail, eyes, and mouth, so each Skrimsli becomes your own design. I also like the setting by the water, with broad views, nearby birdlife, and a chance to stroll along the beach.

The main drawback is the price: $94 per person for one hour is a serious spend for a small wool creature. You should also remember that food and drinks are not included, and the activity runs in rain or shine.

Key points at a glance

• Design your own Skrimsli: Pick the wool body and add-ons, then select its eyes and mouth.
• Alma leads the workshop: She speaks English, Icelandic, and Danish, and helps turn your choices into a finished creature.
• A private one-hour activity: The workshop is reserved for a private group, making it easy to create at your own pace.
• More than a craft table: The property is about 10 minutes from Reykjavik, with a shore, birdlife, and city views nearby.
• Good for adults as well as children: The activity has entertained children, parents, couples, and adults who simply enjoy making things.
• Materials are included: You leave with your own little monster made from 100 percent Icelandic wool.

A wool monster with a real sense of place

Many Iceland souvenirs are easy to buy and easy to forget. This one asks you to make a choice, use your imagination, and leave with something that cannot be exactly duplicated.

The creature is called a Skrimsli, an Icelandic wool monster. The name fits the experience. You are not following a rigid craft pattern with one correct result. You are assembling a funny little character from a wide selection of parts.

The workshop is at a private home, in a small separate room at the back of the property. Large windows look toward the shore, and the setting gives the hour more character than a craft class in a plain commercial room.

I would think of this as a small creative experience rather than a major attraction. The monster is the main event, but the view and outdoor setting help make the visit feel connected to Iceland.

Arriving at the private workshop near Reykjavik

The workshop is about 10 minutes from Reykjavik, which makes it practical to pair with another activity in the area. You can park in the driveway, then walk past the front door and into the garden. Look for the workshop in the back.

That meeting point matters because this is not a large visitor center with a prominent reception desk. You are arriving at a private property, so follow the instructions closely and go around to the garden rather than waiting at the main entrance.

Once inside, the mood is likely to feel personal and informal. Alma hosts the activity, and she speaks English, Icelandic, and Danish. Her friendly manner is part of the appeal, especially if you prefer a small setting instead of a crowded group class.

The activity is for a private group. That is useful for families and friends who want to create together without strangers watching every design decision. It also gives couples or solo participants more room to enjoy the process without feeling rushed by a larger class.

Choosing the body, feet, hair, and tail

The first creative step is choosing the monster itself. You select the body, then decide which extras suit its personality. The available parts include hands, feet, hair, horns, and tails.

This is where the activity works best for children. A child can focus on bold choices and silly combinations without needing advanced sewing skills. You might create a monster with oversized feet, bright hair, horns, or a long tail. The point is not technical perfection. The point is giving the creature a character.

Adults should not dismiss this as a children-only activity. The design choices offer enough freedom for an adult who likes crafts, odd souvenirs, or playful gifts. One adult participant made two Skrimslis during an hour, paying extra for the second creature. That option is worth asking about if you are visiting with a partner, sibling, or child and want to make more than one.

The range of pieces sounds broad without being so large that the choice becomes confusing. Alma helps with the practical side while you make the artistic calls. You get the pleasure of designing without having to figure out how to construct the entire object yourself.

Alma sews your creature together

After you choose the parts, Alma sews the Skrimsli together for you. This keeps the workshop accessible to all ages and avoids turning a one-hour visit into a sewing lesson.

The process also gives you something to watch while the creature takes shape. You are not simply handed a finished souvenir at the end. You see your choices become a complete figure, which makes the final object feel more personal.

The workshop has a good balance between waiting and doing. You spend your time choosing, deciding, and shaping the idea, while Alma handles the sewing. That is helpful if you want a creative activity but do not want a long technical class.

You may also get time to talk with Alma as she works. The setting is small enough for conversation, but you can keep your attention on the creature if you prefer a quieter visit. One visitor with asthma and autism found the room comfortable in terms of air and sensory input, though individual needs vary.

Giving the Skrimsli its face

The final design choices are the eyes and mouth. These small details can change the whole mood of the monster.

Eyes can make it look sweet, curious, sleepy, or slightly strange. The mouth gives you another chance to decide if your Skrimsli should look cheerful, serious, mischievous, or wild. If you are making one with a child, this is a good moment to let the child make the final call.

Because the face comes after the body and limbs, it can also serve as the finishing touch. You may have a general idea when you arrive, then change your mind once you see the creature assembled.

The result is a souvenir with a story attached. You can remember the shore, the view, Alma’s workshop, and the decisions that went into the design. That personal connection is the strongest reason to choose this over a regular store-bought wool item.

The shore, birdlife, and city views

The workshop is surrounded by nature and birdlife, with a beautiful shore nearby and a broad view toward the city. The outdoor setting is part of the experience, although the one-hour time is centered on the craft itself.

If the weather is pleasant, take a short stroll along the beach before or after the workshop. This gives you a chance to enjoy the setting instead of treating the visit as a quick indoor stop. Bring a jacket, since the activity takes place in rain or shine and coastal weather can change quickly.

Do not expect a long nature tour or a guided bird-watching session. The information promises access to a scenic setting, not a structured walk with wildlife commentary. Think of the beach and view as valuable surroundings that make the workshop more enjoyable.

For a family, this combination can work well. Children get an indoor creative task, while adults get a chance to look out over the water and enjoy the open setting. For a couple or group of friends, the view adds a pleasant pause to a day of sightseeing around Reykjavik.

Why the one-hour format works

The stated duration is one hour. That is long enough to make a distinctive Skrimsli, but short enough to fit into a busy Iceland schedule.

I like this length for visitors using Reykjavik as a base. You can place the workshop between other plans without giving up half a day. It is also a sensible amount of time for younger children, who may lose focus during a longer craft session.

The short format does mean you should arrive ready to make decisions. You have many choices, but not unlimited time for extended experimentation. If your group tends to debate every small detail, set a rough idea before arriving, then let the final design develop naturally.

The private format helps here. You are not competing with a large class for attention, and Alma can sew the pieces while you continue making choices. The activity is structured, but it does not sound like a strict, step-by-step lesson.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

Families with children are an obvious match. The activity is suitable for all age groups, and children can take part in the design without needing to handle needles or sewing machines.

Adults who enjoy crafts should also take it seriously. The experience has enough choice to hold an adult’s attention, and the finished monster is more personal than a standard souvenir. You might also like it if you want a light, humorous break from museums, driving, or outdoor sightseeing.

Couples and friends can make matching or contrasting creatures. One person might choose a gentle wool character, while another creates a horned, shaggy monster. Making the decisions together gives the hour a social focus.

This is also a useful choice for a mixed-age group. A child can design the creature, an adult can help with the choices, and everyone can enjoy the finished result. The workshop’s private setting makes that easier than a public class.

You may want to skip it if your main goal is a bargain souvenir, a long cultural lecture, or a full-day nature outing. At $94 per person, the value depends on how much you care about the making process and the personal memory. The price is harder to justify if you only want a small wool object.

Considering the $94 price

At $94 per person, this is not an inexpensive add-on. All materials are included, and you leave with your own wool monster, but the fee also reflects the private workshop, the host’s time, and the hands-on design process.

I would compare it with the cost of other planned activities, not with the price of a mass-produced souvenir. You are paying for an hour of making something under guidance, not just for the raw wool.

The value improves if you care about one or more of these points:

• You want a souvenir designed by you.
• You enjoy making things with family or friends.
• You value a private experience.
• You like small workshops more than busy attractions.
• You want a keepsake with a clear memory attached to it.

The value drops if your group is large, if some people do not enjoy crafts, or if everyone wants a separate creature but the added cost becomes uncomfortable. Ask about making a second Skrimsli if that interests you. It has been possible to pay extra for another one, but the additional price is not specified here.

Food and drinks are not included. Plan accordingly, especially if you are visiting with children. The workshop is close to Reykjavik, so you can arrange a meal separately rather than expecting refreshments on the property.

Weather and practical planning

The activity runs in rain or shine. That mainly affects the outdoor part, the walk through the garden, and any beach stroll you add before or after the craft.

Wear weather-appropriate clothing and shoes that can handle a short walk outdoors. The workshop itself is indoors, but the meeting instructions require you to enter through the garden and walk past the front door.

Parking is available in the driveway. Since this is a private home, take care to use the described route and look for the workshop in the garden area.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are helpful when Iceland’s weather or your wider plans are still unsettled. Check the available starting times before booking, since the activity lasts one hour but the exact departure times vary.

What makes the finished souvenir worthwhile

The Skrimsli is not valuable because it is large or elaborate. Its appeal comes from authorship. You chose the shape, the limbs, the hair, the horns, the tail, and the face.

That makes it a good reminder of Iceland for someone who dislikes generic souvenirs. It can also make a thoughtful gift, especially if you create a monster for a child or family member and choose features that match their personality.

The use of pure 100 percent Icelandic wool adds a local connection. You are not simply making any stuffed creature. You are working with a material strongly associated with Icelandic craft and clothing traditions, though this workshop focuses on play and design rather than a formal lesson about wool production.

You can also buy a book at the workshop. The book is not included in the activity, but it offers another possible keepsake if you want something to accompany your Skrimsli.

Should you book The Skrimsli Workshop?

Book it if you want an unusual, personal souvenir and enjoy spending an hour making choices with your family, partner, or friends. The private setting, Alma’s warm hosting, the shore view, and the freedom to design a creature from head to tail give this small activity real character.

Think carefully about the $94 price. It is high for a one-hour craft, and the experience will not suit anyone looking only for a cheap purchase or a major sightseeing attraction.

For adults, children, and mixed-age groups who enjoy playful creativity, I think it is a memorable choice near Reykjavik. Arrive ready to choose quickly, dress for the weather, and leave room for a short look at the beach and birdlife. Your reward is a woolly little companion that carries your own design rather than a factory standard.

FAQ

Where is The Skrimsli Workshop located?

The workshop is on private property about 10 minutes from Reykjavik in Iceland’s Southern Region. You can park in the driveway, walk past the front door, and enter the garden, where the workshop is located.

How long does the activity last?

The workshop lasts one hour. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What can I choose for my wool monster?

You can choose the body, hands, feet, hair, horns, tail, eyes, and mouth. Alma sews the Skrimsli together for you.

Is the activity suitable for children and adults?

Yes. The activity is suitable for all age groups and works for families with children, couples, groups of friends, and adults who enjoy creative activities.

What languages does the instructor speak?

The instructor, Alma, speaks English, Icelandic, and Danish.

Are materials and refreshments included?

All craft materials and your own little wool monster are included. Food and drinks are not included.