Anne's Norwegian Knitting

In this episode Anne and Steph share their personal journeys of learning to knit – from childhood lessons with grandmothers to rediscovering knitting as adults. They explore how the craft evolves over a lifetime, why every knitter benefits from revisiting the basics, and how the Level Zero and Level One self-study courses are designed to support true beginners and experienced knitters alike. A warm, reflective conversation about learning, re-learning, and embracing the imperfect beginnings that lead to beautiful stitches.

They talk about:

On July 4th, 1825, the small ship Restoration left Stavanger with 52 people on board – the first Norwegian emigrants bound for North America.

Three months later, they arrived in New York, still 52 in number. One had stepped off before the open sea, and a baby had been born along the way.

In this episode, Anne reflects on how that first voyage shaped the lasting bond between Norway and North America – and how it continues to inspire the Anne’s Norwegian Knitting community, from the Virtual Retreat to the Yuletide Dolls.

Links mentioned in this ep...

In this cozy episode, Anne and Steph settle into the “living room” to talk about the last quarter of the year – the season of wool, warmth, and heirloom-making.

They share the story behind Nikoline & Nikolas, the much-loved Norwegian holiday dolls returning as this year’s Yuletide Make-Along, and how these small knitted figures grew from Anne’s own childhood memories into modern heirloom pieces.

You’ll also hear about:

The new felted bread basket – a small, cozy addition to Anne’s holiday series

Norwegian winter traditions, from Yule porridge to the folklore of the...

In this week’s Stranded Thoughts, Anne reflects on the rhythm of October and the joy of small projects. While sweaters and cardigans may dominate the season, it’s often the little knits – pumpkins, acorns, stockings, or a tiny doll – that slip between the bigger projects and bring unexpected joy.

These small stitches don’t just fill the gaps. Over time, they can grow into traditions, resurfacing year after year as markers of memory and meaning.

Anne shares why she treasures these kinds of projects, and why she’s bringing back the Yuletide dolls, Nikolas and Nicoline...

In this episode, Anne and Steph pull back the curtain on the 2026 Virtual Norwegian Knitting Retreat, a gathering where tradition, culture, and creativity come together in unforgettable ways.

They share stories from last year’s retreat from history-rich talks and breakout circles that felt like living room chats, to goodie bags filled with yarn, chocolate, and Norwegian treasures. And they reveal what’s blooming for 2026: the Norwegian Wildflowers theme, new patterns, cultural touchpoints, guest designers, and experiences that extend far beyond the retreat weekend.

It’s more than knitting. It’s an immersive journey into heritage...

This week’s Stranded Thought is a reflection on what makes the Virtual Knitting Retreat so special – and why it’s not about the patterns. Yes, you’ll receive exclusive designs, but they’re souvenirs of the experience, not the reason for it.

The true heart of the retreat is the retreat itself: stepping into Norwegian knitting and culture, hearing stories and traditions from incredible voices, and sharing a space that feels immersive and inspiring, even from your own living room.

Tune in for a few minutes of reflection ahead of Wednesday’s full podcast episode, whe...

In this episode, Anne and Steph sit down to talk about one of the most overlooked tools in knitting – the humble journal. They swap stories about their very different journaling styles: Anne with her bound, artful notebooks full of doodles and design sketches, and Steph with her graph paper, binders, and careful tabs.

Together, they explore how journaling helps knitters remember details that the brain never will – yarn labels, dye lots, needle sizes, stitch counts, gauge before and after washing, and those little adjustments that make a garment truly yours. Along the way, they share practical tips (like...

In this Stranded Thought, Anne lingers on the threads of tradition, culture, and memory that wove through Norwegian Wool Month 2025.

From sheep, spinners, and mills to the landscapes and communities that keep wool alive, the month was full of stories. One story in particular keeps calling Anne back: that of Marit Emstad, often called the mother of Selbu knitting.

You’ll hear how the Selbu rose – the iconic star-shaped motif – traveled across centuries and continents before becoming deeply rooted in one Norwegian village, and how it remains a powerful symbol of identity and craft today.

...

In this special episode of Anne’s Norwegian Knitting Conversations, Anne and Steph host a heartfelt panel chat with knitters from what was once called the Great Experience – now the Northern Lights Journey.

You’ll meet Carol, Sally, Jeanet, and Jan as they share:

How they discovered Anne’s Norwegian Knitting and the community that has grown around it

The projects that challenged them – from shawls and socks to sweaters and mittens – and what they learned along the way

Why community, encouragement, and detailed guidance make all the difference in their knitting jour...

What does it really mean to “know how to knit”?

In this Stranded Thought, Anne takes inspiration from the TV show So You Think You Can Dance to explore a familiar phrase she’s heard countless times:
“I thought I knew how to knit… but clearly I didn’t.”

Through stories of knitters who have joined her journeys – many of them with decades of experience – Anne reflects on why knitting is not just a skill to master once, but a lifelong journey of curiosity, humility, and growth.

Inside Anne’s Norwegian Knitting, it’s not about provi...

In this episode of Anne’s Norwegian Knitting Conversations, Anne hosts a lively panel chat with three knitters – Brenda, Yvonne, and Kristal – who share their experiences moving through Level 1 and Level 2 of the Fjord Journey.

Together they talk about learning new techniques, discovering the joy of continental knitting, mastering gauge, and the courage to choose colors that reflect both personality and inspiration from nature. You’ll hear stories of sweaters that finally fit, the shift from throwing to Continental, and the difference a safe and encouraging community makes when you’re learning something new.

Whether you’re cur...

In this episode of Anne's Norwegian Knitting Conversations, Anne takes us on a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of Norwegian wool production and knitting traditions.

As part of Norwegian Woman Month 2025, Anne is joined by Marte, representing a small family-run mill in Selbu, Norway, for an in-depth presentation originally recorded during Wool Month. Marte shares her personal stories, from childhood experiences with sheep and wool to the establishment and operations of the SELBU spinning mill. 

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

Marte's personal journey: from childhood memories with sheep to running a spin...

In this episode of Anne’s Norwegian Knitting Conversations, Anne takes you on a tour of the three journeys that shape her knitting world – the Mountain, the Fjord, and the Northern Light.

Why are they called journeys, and not just memberships or levels? Because knitting is more than a skill – it’s a path of discovery. Whether you’re a complete beginner, a lifelong knitter, or someone in between, each journey offers a way to deepen your skills, connect with others, and find magic in your knitting.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:
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This is an audio replay of Anne’s Norwegian Wool Month presentation. It works on its own as a podcast, but it’s extra fun to watch on video to see the mill photos and yarns. You can watch it her on YouTube if you prefer that.

Anne takes us on a virtual trip to Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk — a fourth–generation family mill on Norway’s west coast — and explores how their history, processes, and color philosophy shape some of her favorite yarns and designs

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

Anne’s own kni...

In this episode of ANS Norwegian Knitting Conversations, Anne and co-host Steph invite you into the heart of Anne’s Norwegian Knitting universe. Together, they unravel the three main journeys: Mountain, Fjord, and Northern Lights, each designed to meet knitters at different stages of their creative path.

Whether you’re just picking up your needles for the first time or seeking the thrill of intricate, advanced projects, this episode will help you discover where you fit in this vibrant knitting community.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

Mountain Journey - A warm welc...

In this episode of Stranded Thoughts, Anne reflects on a deceptively simple – yet incredibly powerful – idea: how knowing your gauge can transform the way you knit socks… and everything else.

Yes, it sounds practical. But it’s also magic.

Anne shares a piece of advice she once received:
“If you know how to knit socks, you know all the techniques you need to create anything.”

Mentioned in this episode:
- The new Norwegian Wool Month sock pattern – including notes on gauge flexibility
- Live and recorded support inside the Nook this month
...

This special episode marks the soft opening of Norwegian Wool Month 2025 with a heartfelt panel conversation straight from the Nook – Anne’s vibrant knitting community. Join Anne and co-host Steph as they welcome three cherished Nookers – Laura, Sandra, and Jo – for a cozy, candid, and deeply inspiring chat about knitting, connection, and the stories that shape us.

You’ll hear personal journeys into Norwegian knitting, tales of ancestral mittens, the joys (and surprises) of switching from acrylic to wool, and what it really means to be part of a community that’s as much about heritage and h...

In Norway, a good pair of wool socks isn’t just a a pair of socks.

In this short episode, Anne shares the story of the raggsokk, a thick, hand-knit wool sock that has kept Norwegian feet warm for generations. You’ll hear:

What makes a raggsokk different from ordinary socks

Why Norwegians love these thick, practical socks in autumn and winter

A little peek into Norwegian sock terminology:

Sokk – covers the foot up to the ankle

Strømpe – covers the leg, thin or thick

Knestrømp...

Wool Month is back for its third year! In this extended episode, Anne and Steph take you behind the scenes of the free annual event that celebrates Norwegian wool, its heritage, and the knitting traditions that keep it alive. From the story of how Wool Month began as a spontaneous idea to the details of this year’s pattern and guest presentations, you’ll hear the history, the practical tips, and the heart behind this celebration.

If you love yarn, history, and authentic Norwegian knitting, this is the episode for you!

For Show Notes and Tran...

In this episode of Stranded Thoughts, Anne shares reflections from her recent trip to Setesdal and a meaningful visit with the legendary textile storyteller Annemor Sundbø. Together, they explore the deeper meanings woven into wool – from ancient beliefs to hidden symbols in traditional knitting. Anne reflects on the sacred power once attributed to sheep, wool, and thread, and how symbols like the grid inside Norwegian mittens weren’t just decorative – they were protective. She then draws a quiet but powerful connection between those old beliefs and a small detail in her newest sock design for Norwegian Wool Month. In This Ep...

In this episode of Stranded Thoughts, Anne shares reflections from her recent trip to Setesdal and a meaningful visit with the legendary textile storyteller Annemor Sundbø. Together, they explore the deeper meanings woven into wool – from ancient beliefs to hidden symbols in traditional knitting.

Anne reflects on the sacred power once attributed to sheep, wool, and thread, and how symbols like the grid inside Norwegian mittens weren’t just decorative – they were protective. She then draws a quiet but powerful connection between those old beliefs and a small detail in her newest sock design for Norwegian Wool Month.<...

This week, I’ve escaped to the very south of Norway – to a small place near Lindesnes, where the little white houses called sørlandshus dot the coastline like pearls.

In this episode, I talk about these charming old houses – their creaky wooden floors, their history, and how they’ve become a symbol of Sørlandet. According to Store Norske Leksikon, a sørlandshus is a traditional one-and-a-half-story house with a rectangular floor plan, low-pitched gable roof, and symmetrical windows. Most are now white, though many were red in the past.

We’re staying in one from the...

In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode, Anne and Steph dive into the philosophies that shape Anne’s life, teaching, and community. From her favorite mantra – “You are exactly where you’re supposed to be” – to the concept of “the gap and the gain,” Anne shares how her journey from burnout to business owner became the foundation for a supportive and transformational knitting community.

Listeners will hear the behind-the-scenes story of how Anne's KNIT Method was born – blending Knowledge & Heritage, Nurture & Community, Inspiration & Mastery, and Technique & Tradition – and why her mission goes far beyond patterns. She opens up about the decisio...

Stranded Thoughts: Between the Mountains, You Find the Dal

In this short reflection, Anne shares the meaning behind the Norwegian word dal – valley – and how this quiet, powerful landscape continues to shape her life, her knitting, and her sense of freedom.

Recorded during her visit to Setesdal, one of Norway’s most historically rich regions, Anne explores how valleys give shape to mountains, and how being nestled between them brings both perspective and peace. She reflects on her deep connection to the mountains and the hidden meaning behind names like Hemsedal and Setesdal, which are more th...

This week, Anne shares a story that starts with chocolate and ends with a classic Norwegian expression – one that might just surprise you.

You’ll meet the iconic Kvikk Lunsj (Norway’s beloved hiking chocolate), learn why it's definitely not a Kit Kat, and discover the deeper meaning behind the phrase:

"To swear in church" (å banne i kirka)

Because, really – some things are sacred. Like Kvikk Lunsj.

In this episode:

What Kvikk Lunsj is – and why Norwegians treasure it

The cultural importance of food, tradition, and language...

In this cozy and inspiring conversation, Anne and Steph chat with special guest Suzanne Ullrich – knitter, entrepreneur, and founder of SU Fibers. From a twisted shawl mishap to a full-blown yarn business, Suzanne shares how her love of color, numbers, and service led her to become a beloved part of Anne’s Norwegian Knitting community.

Whether you’ve met her through The Nook, Norwegian Knitting Magic, or just love hearing about yarn dreams turned real, this one’s for you.

Go here for Transcript and more Show Notes

🧶 Stranded Thoughts #1: Knit the Purls?

Welcome to the very first mini episode of Stranded Thoughts—a weekly dose of Norwegian knitting reflections, fun facts, and language quirks from Anne.

In this debut episode, Anne unravels a common source of confusion for English-speaking knitters: why she sometimes says “knit the purl stitches” in her classes – and what she really means!

🌟 You’ll hear about:

The charming linguistic tangle between Norwegian and English knitting terms

Why the word strikke in Norwegian covers all kinds of stitches

The cultural nuance behind “rett” (r...

In this episode of Anne's Norwegian Knitting Podcast, Anne and Steph discuss the origins of their podcast and delve into Anne's personal journey with knitting. They highlight the collaborative nature of their team and announce their commitment to creating regular podcast content. Anne reflects on how her knitting journey was influenced by family traditions and the unique creative process that led her to design signature patterns such as the Mountain Rose and the February Knit Bliss hat. They also explore Anne’s unique approach to pattern creation and the evolution of her business model to focus on community, history, an...