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Giveaway: Knitlandia

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Knitlandia by Clara Parkes review

Congratulations to Kim!

If you’re a fan of knitting-related travel or just knitting-related armchair travel, you’re going to want to read Clara Parkes’ latest book Knitlandia. It’s a collection of essays all about different knitting events, people and places that will make you feel warm and fuzzy about the craft you’ve chosen (and maybe a little bit itchy about the mindless consumption that happens at some of these events, but that may just be me).

This week I’m giving away my copy of the collection, so if you’d like a chance to read it, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, March 6.

I’d love to know what your favorite knitting-related event is that you’ve attended and/or your dream knitting event. The only big event I’ve ever been to is TNNA, and I wasn’t in love (oh, my goodness, I am such an introvert I couldn’t handle it), and despite the craziness of the scene I’d still love to go to Rhinebeck (which is always the weekend of my husband’s birthday, so it doesn’t seem likely to happen).

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

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Comments

  2. The only event I have been to was Vogue Knitting Live and I loved it. It was so great to be able to take classes and improve my skills. I am hoping to explore more shows in the future!

  3. I have only attended the Stitches Market events. I have enjoyed them and look forward to going each year that I can.

  5. I have attended 2 Stitches South Market events. I enjoyed looking at all the different types and colors of yarn, needles, and other knitting goodies. I am looking forward to going to the Stitches South Market on April Fool’s Day with several members of my knitting group.

  8. I have never been to an “event,” but whenever we travel I always make it a point to visit the local knitting shop. I usually buy at least one skein of yarn to make something that will remind me of that trip.

  9. I haven’t been to any events yet, but I would love to go to a sheep and wool festival like Rhinebeck. I love sheep! Thanks for the giveaway.

  11. I really enjoy the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. I liked it a little more when it was smaller (in the first 10 years) but it’s still great.

  12. I’d love to attend any knitting event where Stephanie, the Yarn Harlot, will be speaking. I’ve enjoyed her books & her blog immensely.

  15. I’ve been to Vogue Knitting Live, the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival and Stitches East before this location was discontinued. Thank you for the chance to win this awesome book!

  17. Most knitting events are too far away for me to attend-but would llove to go one day. Maybe this book will give me some insight.

  18. I’ve been to Stitches South a couple of times. I liked hanging with my friends and seeing the producers that I had only read about.

    I would love to go on one the those foreign adventures to see maybe the Faro Islands or Shetland.

    My favorite though are the local craft nights in my own neighborhood.

  19. I want to go to the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair in Asheville – it is only an hour away so that would be my first choice for my first experience. One day I would like to attend some of these other ones or maybe go on a knitting cruise!! How fun would that be??!!

  21. My favorite knitting event is the Knitting Pipeline Retreat – with over 100 people that are like instant best friends. Someday I would like to attend a sheep & wool festival like Rhinebeck or Maryland

  22. I’ve never had the fortune of attending a big event but would love to someday attend Stitches. Until then, I’ll live vicariously through others!

  23. Because my Husband has the attention span of a gnat when it comes to anything to do with knitting, I haven’t been able to go to any knitting events – however, I would love to go to one of the events in my State, where I could watch someone actually spinning the yarn, and my Husband could have a little better idea of the work that’s involved in making a skein of yarn. I drool now, when I come within 10 yards of any yarn, and know that I wouldn’t go home empty-handed!! This book sounds wonderful, and I can’t wait to read it!! Thank you for the giveaway!!

  25. My favorite even which I’ve attended each year it’s happened is the Mid-Iowa Yarn Shop Hop. My dream event is Knit City in Vancouver.

  26. Dream event would be a fiber festival in England. Sheep, strong black tea and scones, and lovely stitches all go together plus all those Kate Davies designs. Love all of Clara Parkes’ thoughts and advice.

  28. I would love to attend a stitches event someday. Also, there was the first annual Annies craft festival in my state last year. I would have loved to have gone. Maybe this year?

  30. I have been going to Stitches West with a group of friends for about 10 years now. I always come away with renewed inspiration and creative energy. And of course more yarn….

  32. I have not been to a knitting event, just not feasible monetarily or schedule wise at the moment. However, I do love to get together with friends at a coffee shop, and hang out and knit.

  35. I am falling in love with knitting! I have crocheted for years and I was always afraid of knitting. I have done some scarves, a cute egg cosy and am starting a blanket. Hopefully I will try socks soon. I have never been to any yarn event, but would love to go on a cruise with a yarn theme.

  36. I have been to SAFF and our local event, but I would really like to attend one of the Stitches some time.

  38. I dream of going to one of the knitting workshops held by Meg Swanson. Just to sit somewhere with a group of fun loving knitters and improve my techniques sounds awesome. And no traveling schedule to live up to.
    The only knitting groups I’ve been to have been at my LYS.

  39. I’m a big fan of VKLive NY. Rhinebeck is great for sweater spotting. Theres a great retreat at an Omni in PA called Knittreat, which is super relaxing.

  40. I would love to have this book. I went with several Knitting friends to a cabin in Gatlinburg a few years back and would love to plan more crafting trips like this.

  41. I’ve been a fan of Clara Parks for years and recently heard her on the Craft Sanity podcast. She was amazing.

  42. Big events in closed spaces aren’t really my cup of tea. But I have been known to enjoy a visit to sheep or alpaca on the hoof at various farms in VT and MA. Fun to have shaken hands personally with these critters that provide us with our fiber!

  43. I love travelling from the comfort of my cozy reading nook. I’ve not attended such events, so this will be exciting.

  44. Also, there are no knitting events in my corner of the world and darn few knitting supply stores, too.

  46. Before i had kids, I used to attend many knitting events: stitches, TNNA, small regional retreats. Now that they’re in college, I’d love to go to Scotland or Ireland for some knitting tourism. My favorite events are the mall regionals… More intimate and more focused.

  48. I would be over the moon to receive your book. Thanks for the chance to enter the giveaway. And for the inspirations.

  49. While I have been to a few knitting events by now, my favourite one is still the first I ever went to: Fibre Fest. Sadly, it never took place again. It was on college grounds in the southwest of the UK and had beautiful scenery and a lake. There were three large tents with vendors and an exhibition and of course there were classes and talks inside the building, too. You could see sheep and alpaca there and watch shearing. And they had the best ice cream, too!

Have you read?

Book Review: Viking Knits

Beautiful people and beautiful sweaters combine in Lasse L. Matberg’s Viking Knits. The book includes more than 40 Scandinavian inspired knits for men, women and children featuring textured stitches and colorwork.

Matberg is known as The Viking and has worked as a chef, naval officer, fitness instructor and model, as well as being on a couple of reality TV shows. He comes from a long line of makers and his book was first published in Norwegian in 2021 and has since come out in an English version.

The book is divided into sections including everyday sweaters, knits for the great outdoors, stylish knitwear, Norse sweaters and accessories. Some of the patterns use the same designs in different versions for men, women and children. I counted seven projects rated for beginners, 19 for intermediate knitters and 17 for experienced knitters. The more difficult patterns tend to have allover colorwork or stitch patterning.

The pattern stitches and colorwork are shown in charts, with a little bit of text to tell you how to make the garment. Most of the book is sweaters, but there are also hats (sometimes coordinating with sweaters), scarves and a couple of sitting mats.

You can check out all the patterns on Ravelry. Some of my favorites are the more basic ones, such as the Power Sweater, a close-fitting (sized for men) ribbed sweater; the Heart Sweater, a raglan with allover lice stitch; and the Midsummer Sweater, with textured stripes and a henley neckline. I also like the Breeze designs (there are versions for men, women and children) that have colorwork diamonds on them.

Sizing on the garments varies, but there are six sizes for the men’s patterns (noted as small through XXL and then Lasse sized), six for women (XS to XL) and three for children (age 2-4, 6-8 and 10-12).

The yarns used in the book aren’t available in the United States but you can find suppliers here if you want to use the same yarns. Otherwise the book gives a lot of details about yarn content and gauge so you should be able to find good substitutes wherever you live.

If you have Norwegian or Scandinavian heritage or just like the look of cozy textured or colorful sweaters, this book is a lot of fun, and the eye candy is pretty great, too.

About the book: 192 pages, hardcover, 43 patterns. Published in English in 2023 by Search Press. Suggested retail price $29.95.

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