Knitlandia

A Knitter Sees the World

By: Clara Parkes

Narrated by: Clara Parkes

Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Knitting aficionado and notable artisan Clara Parkes delves into her storied travels with this inspiring and witty New York Times best-selling memoir of a creative life enriched by her adventures around the world.

Building on the success of The Yarn Whisperer, Parkes' rich personal essays invite listeners and devoted crafters on excursions to be savored, from a guide who quickly comes to feel like a trusted confidante. In Knitlandia, she takes listeners along on 17 of her most memorable journeys across the globe over the last 15 years, with stories spanning from the fjords of Iceland to a cozy yarn shop in Paris' 13th arrondissement.

Also known for her PBS television appearances and hugely popular line of small-batch handcrafted yarns, Parkes weaves her personal blend of wisdom and humor into this eloquently down-to-earth guide that is part personal travel narrative and part cultural history, touching the heart of what it means to live creatively. Join Parkes as she ventures to locales both foreign and familiar in chapters like:

"Chasing a Legend in Taos"
"Glass, Grass, and the Power of Place: Tacoma, Washington"
"A Thing for Socks and a Very Big Plan: Portland, Oregon"
"Autumn on the Hudson: The New York Sheep & Wool Festival"
"Cashmere Dreams and British Breeds: A Last-Minute Visit to Edinburgh, Scotland"

Fans of travel writing, as well as knitters, crocheters, designers, and fiber artists alike, will enjoy the masterful narrative in these intimate tales from a life well crafted. Whether you've committed to exploring your own wanderlust or are an armchair traveler curled up in your coziest slippers, Knitlandia is sure to inspire laughter, tears, and maybe some travel plans of your own.

©2016 Clara Parkes (P)2016 Random House Audio

Disappointing

As an avid knitter and fiber enthusiast, I was really looking forward to this book. However, after 11 chapters I have given up on it.

What I liked: The vignettes of yarn/fiber culture (La Lana Wools and Luisa Gelenter, lopapeysa sweaters, conferences, etc).

What I didn’t like: This book reads like a collection of blog posts. The observations were surface level, didn't reveal much, and lacked cohesion. I also didn’t like that Parkes spoke in accents on the recording (New Jersey, Icelandic, French, etc). I found it distracting and unnecessary.

Who is this book for: Someone specifically interested in Clara Parkes more than knitting culture.

Not what I expected but even better

Excellent storytelling and delightful travels. I feel like I know more about my knitting and while I seldom travel as a single introvert this book created the impulse. If only my dog could go with

Wonderful Storyteller!

My husband and I just listened to the entire book on a road trip. His first words when it ended? "That is the best book I have ever heard." I totally agree. From interesting insights into this wonderful world of knitting, to laugh out loud stories, to truthful and touching moments - Clara has efficiently captured our hearts and we can't wait for more!

Knitacular!

I really loved this audiobook! Clara Parkes' voice is soothing and gentle, her writing superb in it's imagery. I felt as if I was listening to a good friend tell me about her fiber adventures. Love the bits of humor here and there! Would recommend to any yarn/knitting/crochet/weaving/fiber fans beginner or expert and anyone who has one of the locations Clara visits in this book on their bucket list. I'm sad that I'm done listening to the book.

Pandemic prescription

In the midst of Covid- this was a wonderful travel escape! It was also an essential education for any knitter- it chronicles the changes in the hand knitters world over the last 20 years!

Clara Captivates Knitters

I have listened to this book three times, and I am sure to listen to it again. Clara captures the heart and soul knitters (REAL knitters who love everything about the yarn world as much as they love quality yarn ) and captivates readers with tales from everything on what it's like to be on television to memories of yarn festivals and trade shows.

If you are someone who is immersed in the knitting world (or if you long to be), this book is for you. You will also fall in love with Clara, who is down-to-earth, honest, and a brilliant expert on yarn. I hope she writes another book similar to this one and revisits the trade shows, festivals, etc., and maybe add some new ones. Stitches, perhaps? Or maybe a knitting retreat or two?

I was completely charmed

I can't think of any other way to describe this book outside of completely charming. I had a lovely time listening to this book as it was narrated by the author. Clara Parkes voice and inflections brought the book to life. Her generous spirit was very evident. I was transported around the world, picked up a lot of interesting travel ideas, and felt as if I made a new set of friends.

Enjoyed every minute of it.

I really enjoyed every minute of. I laughed out loud several times and I even cried once, and cried harder when I realized it was over. Thanks for a wonderful trip.

knit love

Loved how while I was knitting along listening I was transported to her world. I enjoyed her travels where yarn took her I knitted vicariously through this book

Fabulous for a Fiber Fan

I discovered The Yarn Whisperer by this same author a couple of weeks ago. I enjoyed it so much I bought this one, which is even better. First, Clara Parkes is a great writer. Wow! Secondly, does she know her subject! Third, she has a beautiful voice; this is really professionally presented material. Finally, it is just so much fun. I want to go everywhere she writes about: Iceland, Taos, Reinbeck, etc. I'm about to order my third Audible book of hers. If you're a knitter, Clara Parkes captures why we love it so.

Slowburn

I thought I wasn't going to like this after the first chapter but it grew on me. Even,if you weren't a knitter I think this gentle series of stories read wonderfully by the author would engage you. Reminded me of old fashioned Saturday night radio stories. I loved the places and people it evoked. Will listen again and again.

Don't do the accents

Knitlandia is slightly sentimental but was an enjoyable listen for me as a listener who might never get to the events Parkes describes. Her destinations were a mix of festivals/events, personal travel, and professional visits to teach or meet with publishers.

However, I have no idea why she decided to do the accents for people she meets along her travels. Parkes is definitely better at impressions than many, but it's extremely embarrassing and distracting to hear a bad imitation of people she's describing with respect and curiosity

I laughed, smiled, giggled, gasped and cried

If you are a knitter and familiar with events and Ravelry then this is a must read. In fact everyone should read this, even non knitters so they get a better understanding what the love and obsession is all about!!

Clara if you ever read this, I hope one day we will meet over a bowl of Pho or maybe a coffee and a slice of cake.

Knitters and yarny people are the best!!!

Love!

Thank you, Clara! Your writing style, your narration, your stories…they held me captive through the entire book! For a knitting nerd to find such a gem to keep one company whilst knitting is gold. I will come back and listen again in a while. Meantime, I’m going to refresh my memory on your Craftsy class that I watched years ago, and then I will tackle my stash. Please continue, give us more? How about you doing a tour on Nordic or Scandinavian knitting, and maybe throw Estonia in to the mix while you’re at it..? Just throwing it out there 😉

Interesting stories

If you are a knitter this book is for you. Clara's travels are great and give a fantastic incite to the knitting community as it has grown both in the USA and the UK. I enjoyed it tremendously.