Anja Storkholm · Aarhus · Denmark

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Anja creates communities through unique knitwear

Anja Storkholm knits by letting her imagination run free. She finds inspiration in colours, patterns and yarn and arranges knitting events which gathers knitting enthusiasts in a community.

Anja Storkholm · Aarhus · Denmark

June 2023

Anja Storkholm knits by letting her imagination run free. She finds inspiration in colours, patterns and yarn and arranges knitting events which gathers knitting enthusiasts in a community.

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Try and try again. When Anja knits, she likes trying different approaches, mixing yarn, and rethinking knitting patterns. "I get really proud of myself when I have made something which is unique and suits my temper. And I'm really proud of myself for not being afraid of making mistakes," Anja says.

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When did you become interested in knitting?

I started in 2018 because I felt like trying something new. My first projects were dishcloths, but I quickly became bored of it because what I really wanted to knit was a blouse. Luckily, I was able to get some help from my friends who already knew how to knit, so I invited them to start a knitting group at my home both for the cosiness and so I could get some help from time to time. I knit some hats, some scarfs but mainly jumpers. There are some patterns which I knit a lot of but where I like to try using a different size of knitting needle or a different type of yarn than what the pattern suggests, and then the result comes out completely different each time. It is like comfort knitting. Then there are other patterns where I would need my mother or someone else to sit beside me to get started. I like working on multiple patterns at the same time of different difficulties so I both have a comfort project and something that requires a bit more thinking.

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New, nice details. Anja has recently tried her hand at embroidering her knits to add even more unique details.

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Made with love. Bambi Jensen is a nickname that Anja's partner calls her. Of course, it needed to be immortalised on a home-knitted cardigan.

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Unique expression. "Creating my own style is fun," Anja says. She has been inspired to embroider through meetings with other creative souls.

Where do you find inspiration?

I have always painted a lot and I knit like I paint. The colours are not decided from the beginning but come to me as I go along and get inspired by patterns, light and what I see others wearing. I also get quite inspired by the yarn I am using. How it can be shaped and how I can mix it so it gets a completely different look. It inspires me and makes me want to knit. I also get inspired by meeting people who make something completely different from me. Who might use very brown colour schemes or work with beads. I might then incorporate some of that into my knitting because it is fun to mix and match and create my own style.

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What takes place when you knit?

I knit every day. I enjoy both knitting alone on my balcony when the sun shines or at my allotment garden. I have also started being able to watch TV in the meantime instead of only listening. Sometimes I listen to podcasts. But I also just like taking the time to knit in peace, listen to music and make space for thoughts. I like to keep a notepad next to me so I can write down thoughts and ideas that I would like to remember. I also very much enjoy knitting in public, at events and with my friends at cafes. All the women in my family from my niece who is 12 to my mother at 75 years old knit and it is really nice having that community. I arrange knitting events because I am very sociable and I think that there is a need for this community.

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Yarn galore. Anja's home is filled up with yarn. She likes buying yarn at charity shops and when she knits, she mixes both colours and types of yarn.

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A challenge. This jumper has been two years in the making. It is made up of different knitted pieced which are to be sewn together. "It takes much longer because I have to sew the raglan knit pieces together and because here I have to think much more about the fit and the composition," she explains.

What do you like about arranging knitting events?

The main purpose is to create communities across generations, genders, skills, and cultures. It is to create something to gather around where it is easy to establish relations no matter who you are. I find it very rewarding. You should be able to show up and feel welcomed whether you have been knitting for many years or are a beginner. I get a lot of energy from taking on the role of the host, creating a community and focusing on making everyone feel comfortable.

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New life for favourite knits. Anja describes herself as a former ego-knitter. "But I cannot wear it all at once. So, I have started wearing some favourite jumpers for some months and then gifting them to someone else. For me, knitting is more about the process than the result," she says.

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How do you rethink knitting patterns?

When I am knitting by using a pattern which suggests the jumper should have a specific length, I might opt to knit a much wider rib or use a completely different colour combination than suggested. If the pattern is for short sleeves, I might knit long sleeves or add a hem. It is called 'hacking' a pattern, and I think it inspires me to develop and make the projects my own. I also tend to knit from my imagination without the use of patterns. Because I have so much yarn, I can quite easily start a new project. I do not make knitting samples because I do not have the temper for it but it does not take long for me to realise whether what I am working on feels right or not. I very rarely unravel something.

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Give it a go

You can find knitting needles and yarn at charity chops and practice with scarves or dishcloths of cotton yarn. Then you might try your hand at an easy jumper pattern; you can find many free patterns online.

Attend a knitting group

Find a knitting group in your local area. Knitting groups are diverse so try attending a few different ones. Some are free and some are not. A knitting community is good because you can meet other enthusiasts who can inspire you and help you develop your skills.

Expand the equipment

If you knit a lot and for many hours at a time, the proper equipment is necessary. As a beginner, you can get a lot at charity shops without spending a lot of money. It is a good idea to have knitting equipment of great quality if you really are knitting a lot.