Anne's Norwegian Knitting – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Anne's Norwegian Knitting Podcast, Anne and Steph discuss the origins of their podcast and delve into Anne's personal journey with knitting. They highlight the collaborative nature of their team and announce their commitment to creating regular podcast content. Anne reflects on how her knitting journey was influenced by family traditions and the unique creative process that led her to design signature patterns such as the Mountain Rose and the February Knit Bliss hat. They also explore Anne’s unique approach to pattern creation and the evolution of her business model to focus on community, history, and a love for knitting. Highlighting the creative inspirations and pivotal moments that shaped her career, Anne emphasizes her passion for fostering a supportive and enriching knitting community. 

For transcript and show notes CLICK HERE

Welcome to the very first mini episode of Stranded Thoughts—a weekly dose of Norwegian knitting reflections, fun facts, and language quirks from Anne.

In this debut episode, Anne unravels a common source of confusion for English-speaking knitters: why she sometimes says “knit the purl stitches” in her classes – and what she really means!

🌟 You’ll hear about:

• The charming linguistic tangle between Norwegian and English knitting terms

• Why the word strikke in Norwegian covers all kinds of stitches

• The cultural nuance behind “rett” (right) and “vrang” (wrong) stitches

• And this week’s featured Norwegian word: vrang – stubborn, inside out, and full of meaning

Whether you’ve ever puzzled over pattern instructions or just love words as much as wool, this episode is for you.

📌 Mentioned in this episode:

• Norwegian word of the week: vrang (pronounced [vr-ahng]) – meaning wrong side, inside out, or even stubborn

• rett maske = knit stitch (literally: right stitch)

• vrang maske = purl stitch (literally: wrong stitch)

🧵 Heads up: “Knit the purl” may not mean what you think – it’s just Norwegian-English translation mischief!

Thanks for listening—and remember:
Knit your knits and purl your purls!

In this cozy and inspiring conversation, Anne and Steph chat with special guest Suzanne Ullrich – knitter, entrepreneur, and founder of SU Fibers. From a twisted shawl mishap to a full-blown yarn business, Suzanne shares how her love of color, numbers, and service led her to become a beloved part of Anne’s Norwegian Knitting community.

Whether you’ve met her through The Nook, Norwegian Knitting Magic, or just love hearing about yarn dreams turned real, this one’s for you.

Go here for Transcript and more Show Notes

This week, Anne shares a story that starts with chocolate and ends with a classic Norwegian expression – one that might just surprise you.

You’ll meet the iconic Kvikk Lunsj (Norway’s beloved hiking chocolate), learn why it's definitely not a Kit Kat, and discover the deeper meaning behind the phrase:

"To swear in church" (å banne i kirka)

Because, really – some things are sacred. Like Kvikk Lunsj.

• What Kvikk Lunsj is – and why Norwegians treasure it

• The cultural importance of food, tradition, and language

• Why calling Kvikk Lunsj a “Norwegian Kit Kat” is practically a scandal

• A peek into the Norwegian phrase “å banne i kirka”

• And a question for you: Have you ever sworn in church? (Not literally, of course…)

Banne i kirka – “To swear in church”
Used when someone says or does something so wildly inappropriate (in context) that it feels like a cultural faux pas

In this short reflection, Anne shares the meaning behind the Norwegian word dal – valley – and how this quiet, powerful landscape continues to shape her life, her knitting, and her sense of freedom.

Recorded during her visit to Setesdal, one of Norway’s most historically rich regions, Anne explores how valleys give shape to mountains, and how being nestled between them brings both perspective and peace. She reflects on her deep connection to the mountains and the hidden meaning behind names like Hemsedal and Setesdal, which are more than just destinations – they're stories.

This episode is a quiet walk through language, memory, and meaning – an invitation to pause and notice the places that hold us, shape us, and inspire what we create with our hands.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The meaning and use of dal in Norwegian place names

• Hemsedal, Anne’s beloved mountain home

• Setesdal, a valley rich with Viking and Iron Age history

• The feeling of standing in a valley and looking toward freedom

• A quiet hint of a future knitting pattern inspired by Setesdal

In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode, Anne and Steph dive into the philosophies that shape Anne’s life, teaching, and community. From her favorite mantra – “You are exactly where you’re supposed to be” – to the concept of “the gap and the gain,” Anne shares how her journey from burnout to business owner became the foundation for a supportive and transformational knitting community.

Listeners will hear the behind-the-scenes story of how Anne's KNIT Method was born – blending Knowledge & Heritage, Nurture & Community, Inspiration & Mastery, and Technique & Tradition – and why her mission goes far beyond patterns. She opens up about the decision to serve the English speaking market, her passion for preserving and sharing Norwegian culture, and why she sees knitting as a doorway to something bigger.

Steph and Anne also talk about how they maintain such a positive and inclusive community, including why Anne personally interviews members who apply to join the Great Experience.

Whether you’re here for technique, community, or inspiration, this episode offers a rare look into the heart of Anne’s work – and why so many knitters say it changes more than just their stitches.

For shownotes and transcript Click Here.

This week, I’ve escaped to the very south of Norway – to a small place near Lindesnes, where the little white houses called sørlandshus dot the coastline like pearls.

In this episode, I talk about these charming old houses – their creaky wooden floors, their history, and how they’ve become a symbol of Sørlandet. According to Store Norske Leksikon, a sørlandshus is a traditional one-and-a-half-story house with a rectangular floor plan, low-pitched gable roof, and symmetrical windows. Most are now white, though many were red in the past.

We’re staying in one from the 1860s, lovingly restored – and filled with crooked charm, blooming gardens, and just a little bit of fairytale magic.

And in the middle of all that? Me – with my coffee, my breakfast, and my knitting.

🖼️ You’ll find pictures of the house and garden in the show notes here.

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 the heart behind this celebration.

If you love yarn, history, and authentic Norwegian knitting, this is the episode for you!

For Show Notes and Transcript Click Here.

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 grid inside Norwegian mittens weren’t just decorative – they were protective. She then draws a quiet but powerful connection between those old beliefs and a small detail in her newest sock design for Norwegian Wool Month. In This Episode: – A visit to Setesdal and meeting Annemor Sundbø – Reflections on Annemor’s newest book and life’s work – How wool was seen as sacred in pre-Christian Norway – The evolving meaning of symbols – from the swastika to the knitting grid – Why symbols in old mittens weren’t for display, but for protection – The hidden grid on the sole of Anne’s new sock pattern – A quiet invitation to connect with the past through stitches Mentioned in This Episode: – Annemor Sundbø – author, textile historian, and storyteller – Norwegian Wool Month – Anne’s annual celebration of wool (August/September)

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 – covers the foot up to the ankle

  • Strømpe – covers the leg, thin or thick

  • Knestrømpe – knee-high sock

  • Ankelsokk – ankle sock

• How a humble pair of socks carries the cozy essence of Norwegian winter life

Whether you’re a sock knitter, a sock wearer, or just love a cozy story, this episode is a little reminder of the warmth that simple stitches can bring.

🎧 Listen now and imagine the comfort of thick wool, warm toes, and a touch of Norwegian tradition.