Knitlandia

May 1, 2016

In her follow-up to 2013's The Yarn Whisperer, Parkes (The Knitter's Book of Yarn) brings knitters on a journey to some of the world's finest knitting destinations. As a sought instructor, Parkes has an insider's perspective on storied events such as the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival (known to fiber crafters as Rhinebeck), the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat, and New Hampshire's Squam Art Workshops. Parkes hobnobs with knitting luminaries, including Ysolda Teague, Luisa Gelenter, Eunny Jang, and Ann Budd; pets Icelandic sheep; films a class for Craftsy and episodes of Knitting Daily TV; and meets with Interweave editors, which doesn't go quite as expected. In lesser hands, these essays could seem relentlessly self-promoting, but the author's lighthearted tone and willingness to laugh at herself make for an entertaining read. Parkes got her start as a travel writer, and it shows--she captures both a sense of place and the excitement of being part of the booming knitting/fiber arts trend. VERDICT These brief, engaging essays will give knitters a feel for some of the craft's most popular locales.

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