Anne's Norwegian Knitting

This is a very visual episode, so if you’re listening on a traditional podcast platform, you might want to come back and watch it on YouTube as well. Podcast Episode 53 on YouTube

In this episode, Anne and Steph dive into the story of pockets – not the sewn-in kind we’re used to today, but the beautifully personal, historical pockets worn outside (or hidden beneath) clothing.

What begins as a simple idea for a small knitting project unfolds into a rich conversation about Norwegian bunad traditions, textile history, identity, and creativity. Along the way, they explore how pockets were used, decorated, gifted, and even restricted – and how this small accessory carries far more meaning than we might expect.



✨ What You’ll Hear in This Episode

The surprising origin of “pockets” – and why they weren’t always sewn into garments

How Norwegian bunad pockets evolved from practical everyday items to decorative heirlooms

The role of pockets as personal, expressive objects – often customized and deeply meaningful

A glimpse into pocket traditions around the world, from Norway to England, France, and beyond

The story of fashion dolls and how trends were shared before modern media

Why women were once discouraged – or even banned – from having pockets

The artistry behind traditional Norwegian clasps and what their symbols and initials represent

The emotional side of pockets – including the kinds of personal items they once held

The design journey behind Anne’s modern knitted pocket pattern

Ideas for customizing your own pocket with embroidery, beads, and personal touches



Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast
00:40 Meet Anne and Steph
01:34 Why Pockets Matter
02:50 Bunad Pocket Origins
04:03 Steph Textile Expertise
05:27 Designing the Modern Pocket
08:18 Personalizing with Embroidery
10:52 Bunad Standardization Story
12:12 Pocket Show and Tell
15:58 Pockets Around the World
17:52 Fashion Dolls and Trends
19:04 Fashion Dolls Pockets
20:17 Women Banned Pockets
21:14 Norwegian Clasps Art
21:51 Initials And Heirlooms
25:22 Pocket Keepsakes Hair
26:49 Designing Our Pocket
28:37 Pattern Challenge Ideas
30:37 Tutorials Assembly Help
34:23 Yarn Gauge Gift Plans
36:24 Wrap Up



Link to transcript and shownotes

Before we start, this is a highly visual episode, so you might watch it on YouTube here: Podcast Episode 52 on YouTube

In this episode, Anne and Steph dive into everything Eternity. From the original inspiration to color choices, design evolution, and how the project has grown into a full collection, this conversation explores the story behind one of Anne’s most beloved designs.

You’ll hear how the Eternity Shawl began, why it’s designed in the round, how Norwegian landscapes influenced the colors, and how knitters around the world have made it their own.

Whether you’re curious about the design process, love colorwork, or are thinking about knitting the Eternity Shawl yourself, this episode gives you the full story.

Click here to sign up to the waitlist



Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast
00:40 Meet Steph and Today’s Topic
01:13 The Eternity Shawl Reveal
03:12 Why It Was Created
07:47 Designing the Motif
12:23 Colors and Mountain Inspiration
17:19 Heirloom Uses and Sizing
20:09 Bunad Silver Connections
23:41 Community Photos and Variations
26:29 Color Planning Process
29:49 Choosing Super Soft Yarn
31:22 Sustainability and Sourcing
32:01 Mountain Color Inspiration
33:15 Colorway Help and Swatches
36:12 Purple Colorway Breakthrough
42:24 Pansies and Spring Hardy Flowers
44:37 Most Knit Patterns and Popularity
45:18 Eternity Coordinating Accessories
49:49 How the KAL Drip Works
50:59 Eternity Sweater Preview
53:18 Why the Annual Format
54:05 Waitlist and Launch Dates
55:23 Final Sign Off

Link to transcript and shownotes

Picking colours can feel intimidating – especially for a project like the Eternity Shawl with seven colours constantly interacting in different combinations.

In this Stranded Thought, Anne shares why picking colours is less about talent and more about experience. She reflects on testing combinations, why colours behave differently in colourwork, and how even experienced knitters rely on swatching and experimenting to find what works.

This episode is a gentle reminder that colour confidence is built over time – and that ripping back is simply part of the process.

Sign up for the Eternity Shawl waitlist here: https://www.annesnorwegianknitting.com/eternity-shawl-infoforation-LP

And keep an eye out for the upcoming colour workshop later this month.

In this episode, Anne and Steph explore what Easter looks like in Norway – and it’s probably very different from what you’re used to.

From week-long mountain trips and outdoor waffles to Easter chickens, mystery novels, and knitted decorations, Norwegian Easter traditions blend nature, culture, and cozy creativity.

You’ll hear about:

Why Easter in Norway starts early and often means a full week off

The tradition of going to the mountains

Bringing spring indoors with branches and decorations

Knitted Easter eggs and chickens

Why Norwegians eat so many eggs

Outdoor skiing, campfires, and Easter backpacks

Kvikk Lunsj and Solo – the classic Easter treats

Norway’s obsession with Easter crime stories

Mystery stories on milk cartons

Easter mystery knit-alongs and kaftas

This episode is a cozy cultural deep dive into one of Norway’s most unique seasonal traditions – where knitting, nature, and mystery all come together.

Click here to watch it on YouTube: Podcast Episode 50 on YouTube



Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast
00:40 Back From Vacation
01:27 Norway Easter Week Off
06:02 Mountains and Spring Light
07:12 Bringing Branches Indoors
11:00 Hanging Eggs and Knits
13:15 Feathers and Shrovetide
18:25 Tulips as Spring Signs
19:48 Outdoor Waffles Tradition
24:17 Easter Bunny Arrives
24:57 Easter Chickens Not Bunnies
26:10 Ski Trips And Campfires
27:59 Kvikk Lunsj Trail Chocolate
30:24 Solo Soda Easter Staple
31:46 Easter Crime Craze
35:18 Train Robbery Origin Story
37:19 Milk Carton Mysteries
42:45 Mystery Knit Along Kafta
47:31 Easter Knits And Farewell

Link to transcript and shownotes

In this relaxed episode, Anne and Steph record from two very different vacation spots – snowy Norwegian mountains and sunny Costa Rica. After the recent virtual retreat, both took a week away from work to recharge before returning to everyday life.

Of course, knitting still came along for the trip.

Anne and Steph chat about the projects they packed for travel knitting, including mittens, sweaters, and retreat samples. They also talk about yarn choices, gauge differences, and how even a small change in yarn thickness can make a surprising difference in how knitting feels in the hands.

Along the way, the conversation drifts into Norwegian knitting words, funny translation moments between Norwegian and English, and a few reflections from the retreat.

Toward the end of the episode, Anne shares a bit about the Perfect Fit workshop and why understanding simple fit tools can completely change how knitters approach sweater knitting.

A cozy, unscripted knitting conversation – just yarn, projects, and a little knitting talk from two different corners of the world.



Click here to watch it on YouTube: Podcast Episode 49 on YouTube



Timestamps

00:00 Vacation Podcast Setup
01:01 No Work Week Reset
02:52 Travel Knitting Mittens
04:15 Yarn Talk Gauge Feel
05:34 Sonda Yarn Saami Stories
07:21 Norwegian Knitting Words
08:09 Sun Wall Easter Weather
10:11 Orange Hat Surprise
11:20 Same Hat Many Colors
13:16 Packing for Photo Content
15:43 Project Planning for Travel
16:01 Retreat Cardigan Progress
17:31 Gifts and Sweater WIPs
18:43 Knitting in the Heat
20:16 Perfect Fit Workshop Updates
22:59 Why Fit Tools Matter
26:33 Wrapping Up and Next Time
28:02 Yarn Colors and Final Goodbye



Link to transcript and shownotes