Anne's Norwegian Knitting

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...

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 personal...

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 persona...

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,...

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 ph...

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 t...

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 epi...

  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 perso...

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 – c...

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 t...

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...