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Book Review: Knitlandia

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Knitlandia by Clara Parkes reviewKnitters have a lot of events at which we are able to get together, learn new things, discover new yarns and buy a lot of stuff. As a teacher and yarn lover, Clara Parkes has been to a lot of these events and done a lot of things that most knitters don’t do.

She’s a regular at Maryland and Rhinebeck, has taught classes for Craftsy and was a regular on Knitting Daily, she’s written books and led retreats.

Her latest book, Knitlandia: A Knitter Sees the World, offers 17 essays about the places and people of the knitting world and Parkes’ experiences in it. There are trips to Iceland, Paris and Edinburgh, to Taos and Columbus.

She writes about attending the two Sock Summits in Portland and teaching at Yarnover, a day of workshops presented by a Minnesota knitting guild that takes place in a school.

She shares the details that make each of these places and events special in a way that makes you wish you could go there someday — or could have gone there. If you have FOMO (fear of missing out) you probably should not read this book.

You might have trouble with it, too, if you’re a minimalist or on any kind of a yarn diet. The excesses of some of these shows in terms of how much people buy actually makes me not feel so bad about never having attended them (fully understanding that it is vital for the healthy continuance of our craft for people to buy things, even things they never use).

I did enjoy reading this book, and it always makes me happy to see the camaraderie that can be found among knitters anywhere in the world, and the sense that in those moments when we come together as a group, we are one.

A single knitter is shorthand for “nothing to see here, move on.” But when knitters gather, we become incongruously conspicuous. We are a species that other people aren’t used to seeing in flocks, like a cluster of Corgis, a dozen Elvis impersonators waiting for an elevator.

These essay are the armchair travel of the knitting world, giving you a taste of what some different knitting-related experiences are like, which may encourage you to seek those places out for yourself.

If you like reading about knitting as much as you like actually knitting, you’re going to want to grab a copy of this book. And of course if you’ve ever attended Rhinebeck or Maryland Sheep and Wool, the Edinburgh Yarn Festival or Vogue Knitting Live, you’ll want to read these stories to get the point of view of a teacher and a keen, detailed observer of the knitting world.

Book specifications: 160 pages, hardcover with jacket, 17 essays. STC Craft, published February 2016. Suggested retail $19.95

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Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.