Anne's Norwegian Knitting

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 explores the difference between:
– Patterns as instructions
– Teaching as a separate craft
– And why not everything needs to be understood right away to move forward

She also shares a familiar moment from her teaching: when the explanation hasn’t quite landed yet – and why sometimes the best thing you can do is simply follow the next step and let understanding come later.

A thoughtful reflection on trust, learning, and letting the knitting lead the way.

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 reflect on the value of knitting journals and creative notes, and why writing things down matters more than we think – especially over time.

The conversation also weaves through what’s happening in the knitting world right now, with updates on courses, upcoming patterns, and a warm reminder that there is no such thing as “not a real knitter”.

It’s a calm, thoughtful, and quietly joyful conversation, with laughter woven through the reflections – the kind of episode that keeps you company as you knit, one stitch at a time.



Link to transcript and shownotes



Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to Anne's Norwegian Knitting Conversations
01:08 Reflecting on 2025 and Welcoming 2026
02:09 A Personal Story: Fear of Snakes
07:37 New Year Resolutions and Goals
14:36 Knitting Journals and Creative Projects
18:15 The Eternity Sweater Project
19:19 The Challenge of the New Design
19:52 Importance of Keeping a Journal
21:39 New Beginnings in the Community
23:32 Upcoming Pattern Release: Anita Aspires
28:46 Encouragement for New Knitters
33:02 Podcast Plans for the New Year

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 episode is a reflection on experience, awareness, and why knitting doesn’t stand still – even when we think we’re doing everything the same way.

In this episode, Anne talks about:

Working with the same yarn across different projects and years

How gauge can change over time, even for experienced knitters

Why swatching isn’t insecurity – it’s responsibility

How experience shows up in the fabric before we name it as growth

A grounded reminder that the yarn didn’t change – but the knitter did.

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 the Eternity motif.

This episode explores tradition as something living – carried forward through hands, memory, and shared experiences – rather than something simply repeated.

The 2026 Virtual Norwegian Knitting Retreat takes place in February – March 2026 and is a fully live experience, with conversations, sit-and-knit sessions, and cultural storytelling happening in real time.

The December campaign price is available until the winter solstice.

Link to Signup/Information Page and if you need to send us an email, send it to [email protected] and we will get back to you soon.

Until next time – knit some beautiful stitches.

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 light slowly begins its return – and how people in Norway have marked this turning point through fire, candles, stories, and quiet rituals, long before modern Christmas took shape.

In this episode, we talk about:

What the Winter Solstice means in Norway – “when the sun turns”

Living with very little daylight, and why light matters so deeply

Norwegian valleys that use mirrors to reflect sunlight into town during the darkest weeks

Viking Age solstice celebrations and the festival of Jul

How pagan traditions blended into Christian and modern Christmas customs

Why candles and stars fill Norwegian windows every December

The Nisse – his origins, role, and common misunderstandings

Norwegian Christmas Eve traditions and the slow rhythm of the season

Why the weeks leading up to Christmas often matter more than Christmas Day itself

A quiet Icelandic tradition of books, chocolate, and reading on Christmas Eve

This is a reflective, story-rich episode about culture, history, and the return of the light – with knitting as a quiet companion rather than the main focus.



Link to transcript and shownotes



Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to Anne's Norwegian Knitting Conversations
00:40 Introduction to the Episode: The Darkness
01:06 Winter Solstice in Norway
01:45 The Concept of 'Don' and Heavy Water
03:14 The Story of Heavy Water Sabotage
05:24 Mirrors Reflecting Sunlight in Norwegian Valleys
07:11 Understanding Winter Solstice
08:15 Worldwide Winter Solstice Traditions
08:55 Viking Age Winter Solstice Celebrations
11:33 Christianity and Modern Norwegian Christmas Traditions
11:58 Norwegian Christmas Lights and Decorations
15:56 Christianity's Influence on Viking Traditions
16:17 The Origins and Characteristics of the Nisa
17:13 Nisa's Role on the Farm and Winter Solstice Traditions
18:35 Modern Interpretations and Misconceptions of the Nisa
21:49 Norwegian Christmas Traditions and Observations
23:49 Christmas Eve Celebrations in Norway
27:32 The Joy of Preparing for Christmas
30:11 Icelandic Christmas Traditions and Final Thought