The name Føroyar is Scandinavian for "Sheep Islands". Legend has it that sheep inhabited the Faroes before the Vikings arrived 1,200 years ago. Today, we have more sheep on the islands than people, and they continue to roam freely across our hills and valleys.

Faroese sheep are a distinct breed, with striking color patterns and a double-layered fleece. Their outer layer is long and wavy, providing insulation through the harsh winters. The under layer is fine and soft, making the wool sumptuous and breathable in warmer weather. That is why we refer to our wool as 'Faroese gold.' Its exquisite quality, combined with our expert knitting, create products that are cherished for decades, if not generations, and convey stories that live on.

By the 1990s, industrialized wool from other regions reduced demand for hand-processed Faroese wool, leading local farmers to burn or discard the excess. The founders of Guðrun & Guðrun were determined to revive the value of this local resource - one that had defined their cultural identity. The two women — one a knitwear designer, the other an international development expert — joined forces to launch a new brand committed to reclaiming wasted wool as well as preserving the cultural, aesthetic, environment, and economic benefits of handknits.

Friends and business partners for over two decades; we are two women from the Faroe Islands, each with unique skills but sharing a passion for design, innovation, sustainability, and people. And, as fate would have it, we both share the name Guðrun.

On our islands, we have a saying: ull er Føroya gull – wool is Faroese gold. Yet, at the turn of the century, this cherished proverb was fading. Imported goods had taken centre stage, and the value of our native wool was overlooked, leading to it being burned rather than used. United by our shared dismay at this waste, we came together to breathe life back into this tradition, forming the brand you know today.