Christina Ostenstad

During the pandemic, I fully embraced my evolution into a world-class couch potato — a true connoisseur of YouTube binge sessions. As winter storms rolled in, my endless scrolling became less of a pastime and more of a full-time commitment, as though I were preparing for some kind of elite endurance championship in cozy procrastination. And through it all, I clung tightly to my Norwegian roots, cherishing them like a treasured family heirloom passed down through generations. My love for Nordic culture, traditions, and crafts runs so deep that honestly, I’d probably volunteer to knit sweaters for every troll hiding in the fjords.

Then, in 2019, I discovered two Norwegian knitters who instantly felt like kindred spirits. Not only could I completely relate to them, but I’m convinced I could practically be the female version of one of them. The same quirky interests, the same creative “artist brain,” the same way artists think, play, and see the world.

A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a Fireside Chat hosted by Urban Yarns featuring the legendary Arne Nerjordet and Carlos Zachrison during their Canadian tour in April 2026. Hearing their journey — from their beginnings in Quebec to visiting Vancouver and Victoria — felt both inspiring and strangely familiar, like listening to old friends tell stories over coffee and yarn.

Arne & Carlos first made their mark as fashion designers before becoming internationally celebrated knitting icons. Their work brilliantly blends bold modern design with traditional Scandinavian patterns, transforming wool and fabric into wearable art bursting with personality and Nordic charm.

Their newest yarn collection, Socks and More, is pure magic. As you knit, hidden patterns slowly emerge — majestic fjords, mountains, and Nordic-inspired landscapes appearing stitch by stitch. Of course, I couldn’t resist buying a skein, and I’m already dreaming about casting on my next pair of socks.

From 2021 to 2023, I dove headfirst into their world, collecting patterns and knitting my way through Scandinavian cowls, cozy toques, and what felt like an endless parade of Christmas ornaments. Then came the obsession: their annual Christmas Advent knitting tradition. Every single day, knitters post their creations, tag Arne & Carlos, and eagerly hope to win a prize. It turns knitting into a festive worldwide celebration.

One Christmas, I became completely consumed by knitting every ornament from their famous Christmas Balls books. Yes — Balls. Technically, they’re Christmas baubles, but because of the original Norwegian title julekuler, It was translated to english as balls, and now the knitting community has enjoyed years of endless jokes about “Arne and Carlos’ Balls,” and honestly, it never stops being hilarious.

But beyond the humor, the thing I love most about their patterns is the breathtaking colourwork. Thanks to their designs, I finally learned how to confidently manage intricate colourwork knitting and juggle up to three yarn colours at once — something that once seemed impossibly intimidating. Watching the patterns slowly bloom across the stitches feels almost magical every single time.

Their YouTube channel became more than just tutorials for me. Through their videos, I learned how to knit socks and ornaments, picked up gardening inspiration, explored the art of thrift shopping, admired dollhouse decorating, and most importantly, reconnected with the warmth and beauty of Scandinavian culture.

And at Christmas? Their channel truly shines. They embrace the Scandinavian Advent traditions so wholeheartedly — the baking, decorating, candle lighting, and cozy anticipation of the season. Here in Canada, not many people fully understand those traditions, but through Arne & Carlos, I feel connected to that piece of home and heritage in the most comforting way.

Before the Fireside Chat even began, I already knew this was going to be one of those unforgettable evenings that would leave me inspired long after the last stitch was cast.

To check out Arne and Carlos, visit their website https://arnecarlos.com/ and follow them on YouTube