Anne's Norwegian Knitting

A few years ago, during a group conversation, a beautiful woman and successful entrepreneur described me as a heritage knitter. She saw something back then that I’ve only recently found the words for, even though it has been part of my work and what I do all along.

In this Stranded Thoughts episode, I explore what being a heritage knitter means to me, and how, through Anne’s Norwegian Knitting, we bring Norwegian knitting heritage into your everyday life today.

For your next knitting adventure, explore more at Anne’s Norwegian Knitting: https://www.annesnorwegianknitting.com 

Join Anne and Steph alongside past attendees as they share what makes the Virtual Norwegian Knitting Retreat such a memorable experience. From Norwegian culture, history, and inspiring designer sessions to natural dyeing, special surprises, and meaningful connections, hear firsthand why knitters return year after year.

Plus, get a sneak peek at the 2027 Virtual Norwegian Knitting Retreat, happening February 25–28, featuring the theme “Symbols,” a new yarn mill, and plenty of exciting experiences to come.

The Virtual Norwegian Knitting Retreat is about so much more than knitting.

In this episode, Anne and Steph take you behind the scenes of creating an immersive weekend filled with Norwegian knitting, history, culture, traditional crafts, wool and community. They share how the retreat began, how it has grown – and how much thought, care and, sometimes, self-doubt go into bringing it all together.

They also give you a glimpse of what is coming for the third Virtual Norwegian Knitting Retreat, taking place February 25–28, 2027. This year’s theme is symbols and symbolism in Norwegian knitting and craft.

You’ll hear about:

– How the idea for the retreat began
– The work and emotions behind creating the weekend
– Why every presentation is live
– Personal Q&A sessions with the speakers
– Norwegian history, culture, music and traditional crafts
– Sit & Knit sessions and time to meet fellow knitters
– Gentle yoga and stretching created especially for knitters
– Norwegian wool, exclusive patterns and a special red-listed technique
– Some of the wonderful speakers already confirmed for 2027
– How the retreat brings the experience of travelling through Norway into your own living room

Registration for the 2027 Virtual Norwegian Knitting Retreat opens Sunday, September 20, with a special early-bird offer available for one week.

Come and spend four days immersed in Norwegian knitting, traditions, wool, history and community.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave us a rating or review. It helps more knitters find us.

Anne’s Norwegian Knitting — Norwegian knitting, traditions, wool, history and community.

Today was supposed to be a very different podcast episode.

But on the morning of August 28, 2026, King Harald V of Norway passed away after 35 years on the throne.

Before you listen, two little corrections from me. This was a very spontaneous conversation recorded on an emotional day, and somewhere between my brain and my mouth, the royal numbers got muddled. Throughout the conversation I call King Harald V “King Harald VII”. He was, of course, King Harald V.

You will also hear us talk about a “coronation”. Norway no longer has coronations – the ceremony we are talking about is a consecration, as King Harald V and Queen Sonja had in Nidaros Cathedral in 1991. This one was partly me reaching for the right vocabulary in English while we were talking.

With that cleared up...

Steph and I had planned a completely different episode for today. But when we sat down to record, it didn't feel right to simply carry on as planned.

So instead, we talked about King Harald, the Norwegian monarchy, what the Royal Family means to many Norwegians, what happens when a king dies and another takes his place – and a little of the long history behind it all.

This isn't a history lesson. It is simply a conversation recorded on a day when history was happening around us.

Takk, Kong Harald.

Alt for Norge.

Norway has a centuries-old tradition of marking handmade objects with dates, initials, and symbols. Anne and Steph explore how these simple marks can preserve family stories, identity, important life events, and the legacy of the people who made them.

Through examples of Norwegian chests, bunad accessories, samplers, carved objects, and a 1943 painted sewing box, they uncover the stories that can be found in these personal marks. They also explore Norwegian naming traditions and why marking handmade work can help preserve the names and stories of women and families.

The tradition continues today through the merkelapp, or maker label. Anne and Steph share simple ways to add your own mark to knitting using duplicate stitch, embroidery, or fabric labels.

📄 Download the PDF Alphabet: [Click Here]

A thoughtful look at how the things we make can carry our names, our stories, and a piece of our history for generations to come.

To get more from Anne’s Norwegian Knitting check this out: https://www.annesnorwegianknitting.com/ 

00:00 Welcome and Theme
03:10 How the Session Works
05:05 Centuries Old Maker Marks
08:20 Trunks and Family Stories
12:11 Purse Handles and Anno
13:40 Wool Month Dates in Knits
17:02 Symbols Before Literacy
20:04 Why Dates and Initials Matter
23:57 Norwegian Naming Traditions
27:27 Patronymics and Swedish Banter
32:31 Genealogy Naming Patterns
36:06 Bringing Marks Into Today
36:29 Reclaim Maker Identity
37:16 DIY Knit Labels
38:20 Stitching and Materials
41:56 Merkelapp Tradition
42:52 PDF Alphabet Download
45:26 Audience Q and A
52:11 Women and Craft Legacy
57:37 Inheritance Rights Update
01:02:07 Wrap Up and Next Events

Link to transcript and shownotes

Is knitting a race? Anne and Steph don't think so.

In this episode, they explore why quality matters more than quantity, how slowing down can make you a better knitter, and why creating garments you'll love to wear is worth the extra time. They also talk about practice, ripping back, overcoming perfectionism, and embracing knitting as a lifelong journey.

Because in the end, it's not about how fast you finish – it's about creating something you'll be proud of.

To get more from Anne’s Norwegian Knitting check this out: https://www.annesnorwegianknitting.com/ 

00:00 Welcome Back Update
00:28 Quality Over Quantity
01:14 Heirlooms Wear Your Knits
05:20 Speed Culture Rant
08:31 Fast Knitter Example
12:00 Tedious Sections Take Time
16:21 Time Out Projects
17:43 Continental For Health
19:19 Perfect Vs And Gauge
21:20 Practice With Small Projects
22:39 Fixing Puckering Floats
24:28 Ripping Back Lifelines
26:13 Repeating Course Levels
29:50 Progress Over Perfection
31:28 Step Numbered Patterns
36:05 Sister Pattern Struggles
38:34 Brave Pattern Modifications
40:35 Quality Over Quantity
41:47 Final Takeaways Signoff

Link to transcript and shownotes

Norwegian Wool Month is almost here, and I need your help!  

This episode can also be watched on YouTube.

In this Stranded Thought, I share the story behind Norwegian Wool Month – why it started, how it has grown over the years, and the tradition of designing a brand-new pattern each August using beautiful Norwegian wool.

This year's pattern is a hat, and before I cast on the Lofoten Wool version, I need to choose the colors. That's where you come in!

Leave your favorite color combination in the comments and help decide what this year's hat will look like.

Happy knitting! 🧶

After a short summer break, Anne and Steph are back behind the microphones – and celebrating one full year of the podcast!

In this episode, they look back on a wonderful in-person retreat in Norway with 18 knitters from North America and continental Europe before turning their attention to one of the highlights of the knitting year – Norwegian Wool Month.

You'll hear the story behind how Wool Month began, why it has become such an important tradition, what's happening during this year's event, and why supporting Norwegian wool, mills, designers, and small makers matters so much. Anne also shares how this year's projects came together, what participants can look forward to, and why Wool Month is about much more than knitting patterns.

Whether you're joining Norwegian Wool Month for the first time or returning for another year, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at what makes August such a special month in our community

00:00 Podcast Return
01:05 Football And Knitting
04:38 What Is Wool Month
05:47 Origin Story
12:54 Naming The Event
14:28 This Years Schedule
16:54 Speakers And Recordings
21:03 Why Selbu Matters
24:43 Adding Lofoten Wool
25:37 Crafting Association Finds
26:21 Supporting Small Makers
27:56 Lofoten Wool Journey
29:28 Selbu Mitts Origins
32:20 Cowl Pattern Showcase
34:59 Socks Year Challenge
36:23 This Year Hat Plan
38:38 Yarn Notes Gimra
40:23 Wool Month Panels
44:31 Free Signup Wrap Up

Link to transcript and shownotes

In this episode, Anne and Steph step into the world of the Norwegian bunad – the national costume rooted in history, identity, and craftsmanship.

They explore what a bunad really is, why it matters, and how it connects to family, region, and tradition. From rules and “bunad police” to modern interpretations and inclusion, this is a conversation about both preserving and evolving heritage.

You’ll also hear personal stories, a bit of Norwegian history, and a closer look at the details – embroidery, colors, silver, and the incredible work behind each piece.

A cultural deep dive with strong ties to the same traditions we carry in our knitting.

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast
00:40 Episode Setup with Steph
01:13 What Is a Bunad
01:59 Cost and Making One
03:33 Rules and Bunad Police
05:24 Regional Styles and Roots
06:22 Inclusion and Access Debates
07:47 Modern Fantasy Bunads
08:59 When Bunads Are Worn
10:30 Origins and 1905 Context
10:59 Norway History Crash Course
17:08 May 17 Traditions Today
18:43 Preserving Bunads by Region
20:07 Colors Motifs and Rosemaling
21:20 Norway Regions Explained
22:51 Steph Trondelag Bunad Tour
24:50 Shoes Socks and Silver Details
27:07 Hand Sewing and Embroidery
28:52 Anne Shows Family Bunad Photos
31:58 Bunad Silver Clasps and Brooches
33:10 Filigree Jewelry Roots
33:57 Family Bunad Photos
35:18 Embroidery Details Up Close
36:20 Rondastakk Origins
37:59 Hardanger Beading
39:48 Hair Rules and Bands
41:15 Mom’s Bunad Shawl
42:56 Marie On Bunad Story
44:57 Embroidery Process
46:29 Mike’s Men’s Vest
49:13 Bunad Socks Class
52:45 Looped Hat Tradition
53:43 Wedding Outfit Wow
55:42 Bunad Tradition Today
56:58 Closing and Farewell

Link to transcript and shownotes

In this episode, Anne and Steph talk about choosing colors – why it can feel tricky, and how it becomes easier with a bit of understanding and practice.

They explore different ways to find inspiration, from nature to everyday moments, and share real examples of what works, what doesn’t, and why. You’ll also hear why swatching matters more than you think, and how small adjustments can completely change a colorway.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about your color choices, this episode is for you.

We talk about our annual Color Workshop in today’s podcast. It is hosted this coming Tuesday (April 28th), to join, sign up here: https://www.annesnorwegianknitting.com/2026-color-party-lp

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast
01:21 Why Talk About Color
03:19 Color Anxiety and Learning
08:40 Nature as Inspiration
12:53 Swatching and Favorite Colors
15:34 Colorways for the Shawl
18:58 Tools for Fair Isle Color
21:57 When Color Tests Fail
24:20 Neutrals With a Pop
26:27 Color Pops in Rows
27:10 Brown Gray Colorway
29:10 Spring Greens Inspiration
30:55 Purple Lovers Challenge
31:42 Sitting Pad Color Scheme
35:28 Swatch Reveal and Contrast
40:41 Bed of Roses Palette
43:13 Swatching Before Big Knits
44:44 Workshop Dates and Signup
48:35 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Link to transcript and shownotes