Anne's Norwegian Knitting

In this Stranded Thought, Anne reflects on the power of symbols – and why a simple knitted red hat has carried meaning across centuries. The episode moves from the red caps of ancient Rome to the bonnet rouge of the French Revolution , and then to Norway during the Second World War, where red knitted hats became a quiet but powerful symbol of resistance. Anne shares personal family history from th...

In this week’s Stranded Thought, Anne reflects on how knitting patterns used to look – and how our expectations of them have changed. Back in the day, even complex sweaters were knit from a single folded page with tiny text, small diagrams, and very few words. Today, patterns are longer, more detailed, and often expected to explain not just what to do, but why. In this Stranded Thought, Anne explo...

In this first Anne & Steph episode of 2026, they settle in for a reflective and honest – but also warm and smiling – conversation about transition: leaving one season behind and stepping into another, both in life and in knitting. They talk openly about fear, habits, and what the past year has carried with it, while gently turning their attention toward what lies ahead. Along the way, they ref...

In this first Stranded Thought of 2026, Anne reflects on something she noticed while working on a long-awaited new design – the Eternity Sweater. Using the same yarn, the same needles, and the same techniques she worked with five years ago when designing the Eternity Shawl, Anne discovered that the fabric had changed. Her gauge had shifted – quietly, consistently, and without drama. This short epi...

When Tradition Is Not Copied – But Continued In this Stranded Thought, Anne reflects on winter in Norway and pulls together the threads behind the 2026 Virtual Norwegian Knitting Retreat. She shares why this year’s floral theme goes far beyond decoration, how Norwegian silver (sølje) has shaped her visual world since childhood, and how an inherited piece of silver revealed the inspiration behind t...

In this episode, Anne and Steph step slightly away from the needles and dive deep into Norwegian culture and history. While knitting is always close by, this conversation is less about stitches and techniques, and more about the traditions, beliefs, and seasonal rhythms that have shaped Norwegian life for centuries. Together, they explore the Winter Solstice – the moment when the sun turns and the...

In this week’s Stranded Thought, Anne shares why she knits exclusively with natural fibres – and why acrylics, superwash yarns and other synthetics just don’t belong in her designs. Anne offers a warm but clear reflection on sustainability, heritage and the materials we place in our hands. A deeper conversation with Steph on this topic is coming later this winter – but for now, enjoy a short momen...

In this episode, I sit down with Steph – our knitting coach, multitalented maker, and the one who brings so much depth, history and humour into our community. We talk about her Norwegian heritage, her deep dive into Viking Age textiles, the unexpected twists that led her into knitting, and how her life experiences shape the way she teaches today. From woodcarving to quilt making, from Montana to N...

Please keep in mind that this bonus episode was originally delivered on video, so you may hear moments that reference visuals or people on screen. The audio has been shared here for a short time only. This bonus episode shares the audio from my recent information call – a simple, informal walkthrough of Levels 0, 1 and 2, along with the Mountain and Fjord Journeys. Many knitters asked for clarity...

In this week’s Stranded Thought, Anne reflects on a season filled with gratitude and how knitting brings calm, presence and steadiness into a fast–moving world. She shares how the community – from the early Mountain Journey members to the Northern Lights founding knitters – has shaped her days and continues to be one of the most meaningful parts of her work. Inside the episode, Anne talks about: –...

In today’s Stranded Thought, Anne follows two gentle threads. First, she shares that she’ll soon be interviewing Steph – her co-podcaster and knitting coach. Many listeners know Steph from the long Wednesday episodes and community calls, and for this upcoming conversation, Anne would love your help. What would you like her to ask Steph? Send in your questions, big or small. The second thread is fo...

In this week’s Stranded Thoughts , Anne takes you on a gentle wander into the mountains – not literally, but in that soft, figurative way knitters understand so well. She reflects on why the mountains are her happiest place, her reset button, and the landscape that shaped the structure of her knitting community. From the quiet, wide views that clear the mind to the deep inspiration found in the sh...

As the first snow falls (for some of us!) and November settles in, Anne and Steph invite you into their living room for a cozy chat about knitting, bread-baking, bulbs, and upcoming make-alongs. They talk about: Preparing for winter – the coziness of early snow, soup, and candles The Mountain Journey community projects: Doll Make-Along, Bread Basket, and Pot Holder patterns Felting tips and how to...

  In this week’s Stranded Thought , Anne reflects on how small traditions grow – and how the Home Décor series inside the Mountain Journey has quietly become one of them. This year’s new addition is the Bread Basket , released together with a Norwegian bread recipe and a reminder of last year’s Potholders . All three come together beautifully – a perfect blend of warmth, texture, and everyday...

In this episode of Anne’s Norwegian Knitting Conversations , Anne and Steph are joined by special guest Jan Griffin , a nurse practitioner and lifelong knitter, to explore the connection between knitting and mental health. Together they talk about how the rhythmic movement of the needles can help us focus, calm the mind, and ease anxiety , and how creativity itself sparks the brain’s “feel-good” c...

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 war...

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 Amer...

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 pie...

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 y...

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...

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 s...

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 b...

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 – t...

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 – fro...

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 s...