I’ve been looking forward to the release of Clara Parkes new book Knitlandia: A Knitter Sees The World. I’m a big fan of both travel and knitting, so two of my favorite things all in one darling book. The cover is so cute, I’m dying to read it in public, better yet read it and knit in public. And in this case, read it and knit in public while emitting knowing guffaws, chuckles and full on coffee-out-the-nose bursts of laughter. Such a good storyteller is our Clara.
I was especially anticipating Clara’s descriptions of her Icelandic adventure because I love Iceland, been there a bunch of times, and several years ago Gudrun Johnston and I took part in a similar trip also hosted by the inimitable fireball Ragnheiður Eiríksdóttir. Clara nails it -she gets it absolutely perfect, the strange, not strangeness of Iceland.
Knitlandia is the best sort of travelogue, Clara makes you feel like you’re right there with her – the sights, sounds and smells of the place. Having cappuccino at a cafe that provides nail polish too, visiting the Lopi factory, shopping for yarn in the supermarket, riding Icelandic horses, told with lots of informative background information slipped in, all spoken with her comfortable entertaining voice which makes you feel like she’s your best friend, and she’s only telling these stories to you.
My favorite part was the sheep round-up and dinner afterwards – but you’ll just have to get the book!
One great thing about Iceland from a knitter’s point of view, that Clara noticed, is the prevalence of Lopapeysas – the typical Icelandic sweaters – which are everywhere. Here’s a slideshow of some I snapped during that 2012 trip to Iceland…they are the glimmering inspiration that sparked my Stopover sweater!
You’ve got a chance to win a copy of Knitlandia – lucky!!!!
Just leave a comment telling us something you like about Iceland.
The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian entries only. (I’m so sorry all of you in the rest of the world! Not my choice) The giveaway closes Sunday March 6th at midnight (EST) and I will announce the randomly chosen winner on Monday March 8th. The winner will contact me and I’ll forward your information to ABRAMS Books.
Give it a go! Write a novel…because WE LOVE ICELAND and WE LOVE CLARA!
Keep following the Knitlandia blog tour:
Feb 22 Knit and Tonic
Feb 24 My Sister’s Knitter
Feb 26 ME!!!
Feb 29 Knit Circus
March 2 Yarniacs
March 4 Leethal
March 7 Tin Can Knits
March 17 Marly Bird (Yarn Thing Podcast)