Join us in Norway!
There’s a kind of magic in setting out to sea with our knitting, watching the Norwegian coast drift by in changing light. The air is crisp, the light shifts constantly, and the scenery glides past like a moving painting. Conversations weave in and out as the needles click, and before long, the ship feels like home.
Hurtigruten has been travelling this route since 1893 – carrying people, goods, and the Royal Norwegian Post to 34 small ports all the way from Bergen to Kirkenes and back again. For those who live in Northern Norway, the ship is a lifeline. For us, it’s a thread that ties together culture, scenery, and companionship in a way we never tire of.
Map of the coastal route. ©Hurtigruten — The Norwegian Coastal Express — 34 ports, a thousand stories, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
Life on Board
Forget the giant cruise ships with thousands of passengers. Hurtigruten’s vessels are small – a maximum of 400 guests – and they work hard for their keep. They carry cargo, cars, and locals alongside travellers from around the world. On board, life is unhurried. There are panoramic lounges for soaking in the ever-changing views, quiet corners for knitting, and an expedition team offering lectures on Norwegian life, nature, and history.
The food is farm-to-table Norwegian cuisine, seasonal and locally sourced. One day you might have fish landed just hours before in a tiny Arctic harbour; the next, berries from a fjord-side farm.
Hurtigruten is the official carrier for the Norwegian Post and sails under the Royal Norwegian swallowtail flag. ©ARNE & CARLOS — The swallowtail flag of the Royal Norwegian Post — a proud sight when the ship pulls into harbour.
Knitting Under the Northern Lights
Our most-loved trip is Knitting Under the Aurora Borealis. We time it between mid-September and mid-March, when the Arctic nights are dark enough for the lights to appear. The itinerary usually begins with two nights in Oslo, then one night in Bergen before boarding the ship for the 12-day round trip.
We make a special stop at Norway’s oldest family-owned yarn factory – a partner we’ve worked with for over a decade – and visit yarn shops in ports large and small (including a few hidden gems we keep to ourselves until we get there). Along the way, there’s plenty of time to knit, share stories, and simply sit together watching the scenery go by.
For Everyone, Not Just Knitters
This journey is on many bucket lists, and we welcome non-knitting partners. There’s so much to do in each port – from exploring fishing villages to visiting museums – and the ships are comfortable enough to simply relax with a book. That said, our knitting sessions are informal and social, so even non-knitters often end up spending time with the group.
We keep our groups small: no more than 30 knitters and 10 non-knitting companions. That way, we have time to get to know each person and share the journey together.
MS Spitsbergen in Svalbard. ©ARNE & CARLOS — MS Spitsbergen in Svalbard, bathed in the rare, clear light of an Arctic summer day.
The Voyage We Never Tire Of
We’ve travelled this route since 2007, in every season and every kind of weather, and it still takes our breath away. Spring brings snowmelt tumbling down the mountainsides. Summer stretches the light into long golden evenings. Autumn paints the hills in rust and gold, and winter brings the quiet magic of the aurora.
Even though we know the ports by heart – and where all the yarn shops are – each voyage feels different. The sea changes, the light changes, and there’s always something unexpected: an Arctic fox spotted on shore, a village bathed in sunset, or the laughter of friends knitting together in the panoramic lounge.
It’s this mix of familiarity and surprise, of home and discovery, that keeps us coming back. And we suspect it’s why so many of our guests do, too.
MS Nordlys in Hjørunfjord. ©Hurtigruten — MS Nordlys gliding through Hjørunfjord — mountains, water, and sky in perfect balance.
Beyond Knitting Cruises
When we’re not at sea, we organise smaller tours for those who love gardens, crafts, and food, with a maximum of 26 participants.
In the UK, we visit iconic gardens such as Sissinghurst, Rousham and Hidcote, as well as places connected to our love of the Bloomsbury Group — including Charleston House in Sussex. These tours are as much about history and atmosphere as they are about plants. In 2026, we plan to travel further west to Cornwall to explore legendary gardens such as The Lost Gardens of Heligan and the subtropical delights of the Cornish coast.
Charleston House, Sussex. ©ARNE & CARLOS — Outside Charleston House, home to the Bloomsbury Group, where art and gardens meet in perfect harmony.
Around the Italian Lakes we explore Villa del Balbianello, Isola Bella, Villa Carlotta, and other lakeside treasures. These trips often include vineyard visits and leisurely meals that celebrate the best local ingredients — from fresh lake fish to delicate handmade pasta — enjoyed with a glass (or two) of fine regional wine.
Gardens on Lake Como. ©ARNE & CARLOS — A quiet corner on the shores of Lake Como, where terraces of flowers spill down towards the water.
In Japan, we’ve wandered through exquisite gardens, explored centuries-old temples, enjoyed the changing seasons, and discovered the art of indigo dyeing and washi papermaking — with many culinary delights along the way.
Enjoying a traditional meal after a long soak in the hot spring baths of Hakone, Japan. ©ARNE & CARLOS — The perfect ending to a day of steam, serenity, and mountain air.
In South Africa, our journeys combine the country’s natural beauty and rich traditions: vineyard visits and gourmet dining in the winelands, encounters with mohair farmers and spinners, spectacular botanical gardens, and unforgettable safari drives.
On safari in South Africa, 2020. ©ARNE & CARLOS — Ready for an early-morning game drive in search of elephants, zebras, and whatever else the day might bring. You’re meant to wear colours that blend in with nature — but our shoes didn’t get the memo.
Looking ahead, we’re confirmed for Peru in 2026 — a textile and cultural journey through the Andes — and we’re also dreaming of future tours to Kerala in India and beyond.
How to Join Us
Our cruises often fill quickly, so we keep a Journeys List for people who want to hear first when registration opens. Click here to get on the journeys list.
If you’re a Tier 2 member of our YouTube channel, you’ll be able to register two days before everyone else – a little head start that often makes the difference on these popular trips. Membership also includes small extras like discounts on yarn and needles, monthly Q&A sessions with knitting help, and weekly updates from us. Click here to become a member.
Pricing
Pricing for our 9-night northbound knitting cruise starts at USD 4,400 per person in a shared cabin, and the 14-night roundtrip starts at USD 5,500. Both include premium accommodation, most meals, city tours in Oslo and Bergen, the scenic Oslo–Bergen train ride, the yarn factory visit, lectures, knitting activities, and an excursion to the North Cape. International airfare is not included, and gratuities are not customary in Norway.
Pricing for our land tours starts at USD 6,000 and includes all domestic transportation, hotel accommodation with breakfast plus either lunch or dinner with drinks, entry fees to gardens and museums, and a variety of crafting activities and workshops. International airfare is not included.
Filming in Hjørundfjorden. ©ARNE & CARLOS — Filming the ever-changing light and dramatic peaks of Hjørundfjorden, a place that always leaves us in awe.
We’ve been told many times that these journeys are unforgettable — not just for the landscapes, but for the friendships made along the way. And we have to agree.
There’s something about knitting in the glow of the northern lights, with the sound of the ship gliding through the fjord, that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.
If you’d like a glimpse of what it’s like on board, we’ve written about our most recent knitting cruise:
We’d love to share it with you.
ARNE & CARLOS x
Click here to get on the journeys list.
MS Finnmarken in Honningsvåg, gateway to the North Cape. ©ARNE & CARLOS — MS Finnmarken in Honningsvåg, our last harbour before the dramatic cliffs of the North Cape.
Check out this video that explains the history behind the Norwegian Coastal Express. Subtitles in English are available:
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