Clara Parkes

At the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck after having signed my copy of her latest work, the Book of Socks. 

This book is a must if you want to try your hands at warming your feet or those of someone dear to you.  "A sock is a work of wonder. No other knitted garment has as many structural demands or endures as much wear and tear. The humble sock must defy gravity, suffer the confines of our shoes, and endure being trampled on all day long." Clara guides you through the making of socks from 20 patterns.

This is Clara's third book after the informative Book of Yarn (2007) and my favorite, the Book of Wool (2009).

Clara Parkes taught classes and spoke at Vogue Knitting Live in New York this past weekend.  Her address was entitled The State of the Yarn Union and covered, among other things, the history of yarn marketing in the pre and post web eras.

For those of you who do not know Clara,  she publishes Knitter's Review, a newsletter that comes out once a week  and usually has  a yarn review detailing her thoughts about knitting that yarn: how it feels, how it looks, how to care for it, where to get it, etc. and background on where the yarn comes from and who is behind it.  KR also has knitters' forums, a tools section, a how-to section, patterns and book reviews too.   Knitter's Review is a valuable resource for fiber enthusiasts.  Subscription is free.

Some of her knitting knowledge is shown in the lovely red shawl she wears; besides, not many people can wear red but Clara can.