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 episode:

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 nisse

How Norwegians decorate for winter (fewer pumpkins – more coziness)

Tips for felting, yarn choices, and combining thick and thin wools

What’s included in the Mountain Journey this quarter and how the drip-outs work

Whether you’re joining the Make-Along or simply love hearing how Norwegian folklore weaves into modern knitting, this episode is full of stories, laughter, and woolly inspiration.

🧶  Join the Yuletide Doll Make-Along – $17 USD

Join the Mountain Journey – 37.6 USD (20 % off right now)

See full show notes and transcript here.

Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to Our Cozy Living Room
00:34 – Discussing Fourth Quarter Plans
01:43 – Knitting Projects for the Season
02:42 – Holiday Traditions and Decorations
14:13 – Introducing the Nikolas Dolls
19:58 – Upcoming Projects and Workshops
22:40 – Project Planning and Changes
23:15 – Introducing the Felted Bread Basket
23:47 – Tips for Felting and Yarn Selection
25:57 – Doll Projects and Yarn Recommendations
30:11 – Norwegian Folklore and Christmas Traditions
37:50 – Membership and Make-Along Details
43:16 – Conclusion and Farewell

Join the Mountain Journey to access all the projects and celebrate Norwegian knitting traditions with us. 👉 Click the link here: Mountain Journey 

See full show notes and transcript

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 – small knits with the potential to become lasting heirlooms.

✨ Want to make the dolls yourself? Join the Yuletide Dolls Make-Along here .

🎧 Tune in for a reflection on knitting, memory, and the traditions that start from the smallest of stitches.

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, community, and joy.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Timestamps
00:00 – Warm Welcome and Introduction
03:22 – Reflections from Last Year’s Retreat
16:00 – Knitting and Norwegian Culture
23:36 – Theme Reveal: Norwegian Wildflowers
36:15 – Postcards from Norway & Cultural Elements
43:53 – Saami Designer Guest Session
48:45 – Fashion Show & Breakout Community Sessions
52:06 – Goodie Boxes and Participant Experience
55:10 – How to Join the Virtual Retreat
58:26 – Looking Ahead: Next Summer’s In-Person Retreat

Whether you’re a new knitter or a lifelong maker, you’re invited to join this celebration where stitches bloom and stories grow.

👉 Learn more and sign up: https://www.annesnorwegianknitting.com/virtual-retreat-2026 

See full show notes and transcript here.

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, where we’ll share all the details about the 2026 retreat.

🎧 Listen now and carry Norwegian knitting a little deeper into your day.

Want to check out the retreat go here: https://www.annesnorwegianknitting.com/virtual-retreat-2026 

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 writing in full sentences so your notes make sense years later) and personal reflections on why these records matter.

But it’s not just about efficiency – knitting journals can become creative outlets, cultural records, and companions on your knitting journey. Whether you’re tracking your progress, planning a design, or simply capturing the joy of a finished sweater, a knitting journal can turn fleeting stitches into lasting memories.

See full show notes and transcript here

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.

This episode is a reflection on how knitting traditions are never frozen in time. Each stitch we make carries history forward, connects us to one another, and creates heirlooms for future generations.

Anne also looks ahead to the Norwegian Virtual Knitting Retreat in early 2026 – a chance to continue exploring wool, culture, and connection together.

Why Norwegian Wool Month is about more than yarn

 The story of Marit Emstad and the Selbu rose

How a motif can travel across continents and centuries

Tradition as something living, moving, and evolving

Carrying history forward in every stitch we knit

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 journeys

Personal stories of finding connection, creativity, and confidence through Norwegian traditions

This episode is filled with warmth, laughter, and the reminder that knitting is never just about stitches – it’s about belonging, growth, and joy.

✨ Sign-ups for the Northern Lights may be closed at the time you listen, but you can always join the waitlist to be first in line for the next opening.

 👉 Join the Northern Lights waitlist here

👉 Get the complete show notes and transcript here

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 proving what you already know. It’s about arriving with an open heart, ready to learn, to share, and to move forward together in community.

🎧 Listen in, and maybe you’ll find yourself asking: what more might be waiting in your knitting journey? 

Want to join us for one of the Journeys? Check it out here

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 curious about the Fjord Journey or simply want to hear the voices of fellow knitters who have taken the leap, this episode is full of warmth, honesty, and inspiration.

For full transcript, pictures and show notes, click here

To read more about the Journeys click here

00:00 Welcome to Anne's Norwegian Knitting Conversations
00:40 Introduction to Today's Panel Chat
01:10 Restructuring and New Offerings
03:22 Meet the Panel: Brenda, Yvonne, and Crystal
03:59 Brenda's Knitting Journey
04:23 Yvonne's Knitting Experience
04:57 Crystal's Color Work and Sizing Insights
22:05 Practical Knitting Tips and Techniques
23:03 Choosing Colors and Community Support
24:32 The Importance of a Positive Learning Environment
28:05 Personal Stories and Experiences
38:59 Course Structure and Offerings
43:10 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events