Additional information
by Clara Parkes (Author)
A New York Times Bestseller
What happens when a love of knitting becomes a way of seeing the world?
In Knitlandia, writer and fiber expert Clara Parkes invites readers along on a series of journeys shaped by curiosity, craft, and place. Drawing on more than a decade of travel, Parkes shares seventeen deeply personal essays that explore how knitting opens doors--to people, traditions, landscapes, and unexpected moments of connection.
From windswept fjords in Iceland to a beloved yarn shop in Paris's 13th arrondissement, Parkes treats each destination as more than a stop on a map. Knitting becomes a lens through which culture is understood, creativity is practiced, and a meaningful life is built stitch by stitch.
Written with warmth, wit, and an eye for the telling detail, these essays blend travel writing, memoir, and cultural history in a voice that feels companionable rather than authoritative.
Readers will travel with Parkes to experiences such as:
- Visiting iconic yarn regions and fiber traditions around the world
- Exploring creative communities in places like Taos, Tacoma, and Portland
- Behind-the-scenes moments at festivals including the New York Sheep & Wool Festival
- Encounters with local makers, shepherds, shop owners, and artisans
- Reflections on how craft shapes identity, creativity, and a sense of home
Beloved by knitters and makers--and equally engaging for fans of reflective travel writing--Knitlandia celebrates curiosity, craft, and the quiet joy of paying attention. Whether you're an armchair traveler or someone already planning your next adventure, this is a book about finding meaning in the journeys we take and the work we love to do.
Author Biography
Clara Parkes is a writer, speaker, and widely recognized authority on wool and fiber arts. She is the New York Times-bestselling author of Knitlandia: A Knitter Sees the World as well as The Yarn Whisperer and the acclaimed Knitter's Book of Yarn, Wool, and Socks trilogy. Her work blends personal narrative, cultural history, and deep knowledge of fiber, exploring how craft connects people, places, and creative lives. She founded the influential online publication Knitter's Review and is the creator of The Wool Channel, a multimedia project devoted to increasing understanding of wool and the global fiber industry. Parkes lives on the coast of Maine, where she continues to write and advocate for wool.
