First Person
Ask Patty: On the Loose in Norway
I do a lot of traveling for work, and I adore traveling with knitters. By the time you read this, I’ll be in Scotland with 25 happy knitters, and I’m really looking forward to my next knitting trip to Madrid.
But sometimes you need a getaway just for you. Last month, I stepped away from the Ask Patty mail bag, and headed off to my bucket list trip, a cruise to Norway, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland.
In Norway, I pulled off a Knitter’s Hat Trick and visited nine yarn shops in (just under) three days.
We had to hit the ground running in Oslo. First stop was the amazing Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. The gift shop alone is worth a visit. It was my first taste of Norwegian knitwear.
The site is huge and we could have spent a week there. It’s an open-air museum with 160 historic buildings from 1500 until present time.
There are signs of fiber art everywhere. Some houses had spinning wheels, others had vats of dye with skeins of yarn hanging out to dry.
In fact, knitting was so important to the culture, it is carved into the very walls of the houses. When we were touring some of the oldest houses on the site, the guild pointed out the carvings of knit stitches that surrounded the doorway. Who else is getting out a pocket knife and eyeing their front door?
A little-known secret (shared with me via an Instagram DM) is one of the best yarn stores in Oslo is in the museum (yarn shop #1).
The woman in the shop pointed out the yarns that were only carried in the museum. She was particularly excited that they had a small amount of a yarn that is no longer being made (the pile of deep brown yarn on the shelf), so I nabbed a skein of Hoelfeldt Lund.
There are also indoor exhibits that feature Norwegian folk costumes, folk art, and a history of knitting exhibit.
But enough about history, time for more YARN!
The day was getting away from us, but I managed to get to both Fru kvist (yarn shop #2) a wonderland of local yarn,
and the adorable Pickles (yarn shop #3), which has its own yarn line.
By this time, we were famished and my incredibly sweet husband suggested we hurry it along since we had to get dinner and get to bed. We had an early morning to take the train to Bergen.
If you have a chance, take the train from Oslo to Bergen. It is truly stunning!
We pulled into the train station and got on the cab line. The driver was just loading our suitcases in the car when I turned around to see–RIGHT THERE IN THE TRAIN STATION–a yarn store!
With a quick “I’ll be right back,” I ran into Norwegian Spirit (yarn store #4). I looked around, took some photos, smiled at the woman working in the shop and said “my cab is waiting,” and she shrugged and said “happens every day.”
Although I vowed to return, I never made it. Before you feel too bad for me, I did manage to visit three more yarn shops and a farm.
After kissing a few sheep, it was time to start sniffing some yarn. My first stop was Broderi Service (yarn shop #5).
They carried a ton of Sandnes Garn, Lykkegarn, and had a wall of Un-told and Strikkefeber mohair that will make your knees go weak.
I could have stayed much longer, but we had one day, so I had to press on to our next yarn store Faer (yarn shop #6).
I didn’t make it much past the wall of nearly every type of Hillesvan you can imagine, and, yes, purchases were made.
You think I’m done but oh, no, my friend.
Husfliden Bergen was yarn shop #7. They specialize in bunads, the traditional Norwegian costume worn by both men and women, but there’s also yarn. Sadly, at this point in the day, I was so bleary eyed, I forgot to take a picture.
Tired, hungry, and drunk on yarn fumes, we stumbled through the city until we found Strikkelykke (yarn shop #8). They were just closing up, so I grabbed a skein and headed back to our ship.
Before we leave this stunning country of fjords, trolls, and brightly colored houses, we had one more town, and (obvs) one more yarn shop. Welcome to the Disneyesque Ålesund.
We spend the morning strolling through the adorable streets and weaving around the canals.
We rounded a corner and saw Husfliden Ålesund (yarn shop #9). I didn’t forget to take a picture this time.
After a quick hike up to the overlook and a bit of knitting, it was time to sail to the Faroe Islands.
Thank you for all of your yarn shops, Norway! I will be back.
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Question – what was the cruise you took? Sounds like fun and I’m a traveler.
Viking
LOVE Viking!
So did you just ditch the cruise for a say for your train trip?
Aha, I found it – a pre-cruise extension! I’m jealous!
I loved Norway. Amazing that every single store – including supermarkets – sells yarn.
It was fun to traveling along with you!
Fun read. You are charming and hubby is a good sport
Wow, Patty! What a wonderful yarn adventure. Thank you for sharing it.
I loved your story and the pictures.
I sure hope I am lucky enough to make a similar trip!! Thanks for sharing your adventure!!!
What a terrific adventure!
I was only able to see 1 yarn store on a trip to Iceland. I selected some nice blue wool to make a sweater for my grandson. I put the skeins on the counter to pay and the woman looked at them, then me, and asked “Only one color?”
BRILLIANT!!!
Thank you so much! We have just booked a Norwegian cruise for next year. I’ve been to Oslo many years ago but wasn’t knitting at that time. But now I am, and I now have a good reference for the shops and some of their yarn brands. So terrific!
We were on a cruise of the Norwegian fiords years ago. I couldn’t get over the beauty of the country, the beautiful skies, and the clear water. Glad you had a wonderful time.
Thanks for sharing your yarn shop visits ! how fun and how colorful. It only proves that knitting with yarn is famous world wide!
My daughter-in-law and grandchildren and son live in Oslo (now briefly in Nairobi), so of course we have visited. Edvard Munch Museum, check. Maritime Museum, check. Etc., check. But how did we miss the Historical Museum with 16 buildings?! I did find a neighborhood yarn store that was fabulous and bought a skein of baby blue mohair and a fabulous book of contemporary Norwegian knits, which I aspire to actually put to work someday. Norway is beautiful in so many ways.
Wow wow wow! Everything looks fabulous and I want to go there RIGHT NOW! Thanks for sharing photos and memories of this terrific trip. Can’t wait to hear more about the Faroe Islands and Iceland too.
This was so much fun to read! I would have needed an extra suitcase to bring back all the yarn! Thanks for sharing such an interesting place to visit and shop for yarn.
ohhhh. I packed one. My new obsession is the Foldie!
I am going to Japan for 3 weeks in 5 days. I have a Foldie at the ready. I’m glad it lived up to your expectations, I am hoping for the same!
Squee! I was just in Oslo in mid-August. I was with my parents, so most of my time was spent worrying about whether they could hear the tour guides and arguing with my Dad about the best way to get wherever we were going, but I did make it to Fru Kvist on the last day! Now I’m extra disappointed we didn’t get to the Cultural History Museum (though we did make it to the Fram museum, which is in the same area). Thanks for sharing these other worthy destinations for my (currently aspirational) next trip!
Thank you for doing that trip. I’ve been on both ends of that spectrum – taking care of and being attended to. I hope you have fun and funny memories to share!
Loved this vicarious trip to Norway, complete with yarn souvenirs.
I got some yarn when I was in the Faroe Islands, so I hope you did, too, and tell us all about it in your next installment.
Just got back a couple of weeks ago from Norway. Came back with two sweater projects from Strikkelyke Bergen. My second time shopping there. A great store.
About 10 years ago I wandered into Strikkelyke in Bergen and fell in love with one of their sample sweaters….told the assistant I wanted that pattern, those colors, that yarn. She got it all ready for me but as she rang it up, she looked at me a bit nervously and said, “Um, madam, do you speak Norwegian?” She had just realized the pattern was not translated! Well, no……but I speak knitting!
I love that sweater! It’s a simple raglan with a Norwegian yoke pattern, and I was inordinately proud of myself for my translation!
Although I have a massive stash, I never feel bad about buying “souvenir yarn”! Good job, Patty
Wow! I want to be there, now! Just amazing!!! Love you, Patty, and patient husband, too!
The first stop on my first-ever knitting cruise was to Oslo and I headed directly to the Norway Museum of Cultural History. It was early, with few other visitors, and I spied a museum employee in traditional Norwegian costume walking and knitting. We chatted about Norwegian knitting for a moment and I asked about her project. She ducked her head a bit, smiled, and answered quietly “A dishcloth. It’s all I can ” manage with a crowd of tourist questions, and the real knitters understand.”
Patty, love your pictures. Norway is so beautiful!! I have friends who just went on a cruise of Norway. I love all the yarn stores you visited and the lovely sheep. Thanks for sharing this part of your trip. I would love to go to Norway.
I told my husband that this makes me REALLY want to go to Norway. (We’ve been wanting to anyway – my husband’s grandmother who he never knew was born there…) 🙂
Your photos inspire me to take that trip
Loved this trip! Any way in the world MDK could stock Strikkefeber mohair ??? No one has it and it looks fabulous for marling!
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful experience. I’m making the same trip next year and I’ll archive your article for reference when I go. Please update us on your yarn shop hopping in the Faroe Islands and Iceland.
I’m heading to Norway in a couple of weeks and can’t wait to shop in the places Patty mentions in Oslo and Bergen
Sigh! So much yarn to fondle. Your husband is a keeper.
We are finishing up a cruise up and down the coast of Norway right now and I can tell you that every tiny town has a yarn shop, and an amazingly well stocked one at that. You can even buy yarn at the grocery store!
Tell us more about the Faroe Islands,heading there next week with Arne n Carlos!
Which Viking cruise was it? And does Viking know how many people you influence? Might be a free trip in your future
Thanks for all the recommendations, Patty. Heading to Norway in a couple of weeks and will definitely check them out.
I have made it to 3 of the Norwegian shops listed. It was my happiest of vacations as there are yarn shops everywhere and local brands available. A knitters delight. Thank you for sharing.
wow.
Not sure how I missed this yesterday, but I enjoyed reading about your trip. Vicarious travel will have to do for now. A gal can dream , , ,
What a great post! We are investigating Norway, both winter and summer, and of course I looked hp yarn stores. BUT, what really caught my attention was that lovely blue and white bag you are carrying, which looks just like one of my favorite Noodlehead tote/mini-backpacks. So, both knitting & sewing plus a highly desirable travel destination. Thank you, Patty
It’s my favorite. It’s the mini backpack from Three Bags Full Studio.
Sounds like a dream adventure! Where did you find this trip? I have family in Ålesund.
We were through the Bergen train station too early for the yarn shop to be open. I did take a picture. Wish I could post it.
I was on the Viking Homelands cruise last fall and visited the knitting book section of Oslo Public Library next to the opera house- shelves (12+?) of books and not enough time to browse! Also visited Strikkelyke Bergen and brought home Rauma Finull as it costs twice as much in the states.
I’m wishing that I could follow in your footsteps! Both as a Knitter and Traveler.
The Bergen Train Station find is the store I always tell my friends to look for. Most don’t take the time to discover it.
What an amazing trip!!! How did you find all the shops AND how did you find the farm? I think I may have to follow in your footsteps one day : )
I googled to find all the yarn shops. The farm visit was an excursion on my cruise. I saw a farm option with a picture of a sheep and said “THAT ONE”
When I was an exchange student in Norway, I learned they have two official religions: knitting and cross-country skiing (tiny Norway has won the most medals at the Winter Olympics more times than any other nation). I’m glad to see they have finally caught on to multicolored hand-dyed yarn…as of my last visit ten years ago, they hadn’t yet.
That “quick hike” up to the overlook in Ålesund? is over 400 steps–you’re in terrific shape!
What an amazing experience! Memories for a lifetime.