The Yarn Whisperer cover art

The Yarn Whisperer

My Unexpected Life in Knitting

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The Yarn Whisperer

By: Clara Parkes
Narrated by: Clara Parkes
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About this listen

 Stockinette, ribbing, cables, even the humble yarn over can instantly evoke places, times, people, conversations, all those poignant moments that we’ve tucked away in our memory banks. Over time, those stitches form a map of our lives.
—From the preface

In The Yarn Whisperer: Reflections on a Life in Knitting, renowned knitter and author Clara Parkes ponders the roles knitting plays in her life via 22 captivating, poignant, and laugh-out-loud funny essays. Recounting tales of childhood and adulthood, family, friends, adventure, privacy, disappointment, love, and celebration, she hits upon the universal truths that drive knitters to create and explores the ways in which knitting can be looked at as a metaphor for so many other things. Put simply, “No matter how perfect any one sweater may be, it’s only human to crave another. And another, and another.”

Praise for The Yarn Whisperer:

“Clara Parkes: The Yarn Seer.” —Interweave Knits magazine

“If you are a knitter, or even if you are not, read this book for the sheer joy of her writing, for the way she strings ideas together and brings you into her world . . . I would compare her to Mark Twain because of her dry humor. Honestly, she’s that good.” —New Jersey Courier News’ In Sticthes blog

“Read this book to be reminded of how special it is to be a part of this warm and fuzzy community.” —About.com

“I see a lot of yarn books in this gig, and Whisperer is not only the best I’ve seen this year, it’s one of my all-time faves. Seriously, it’s that good.” —The Oregonian

“I don’t want to stop reading. Each chapter is a little jewel.” —KnitCircus.com

“Parkes has a poet’s appreciation for the interconnectivity of seemingly disparate aspects of life . . . I have a sense of affinity with the metaphors she chooses, which are drawn from music, gardening, baking, and of course, knitting. Her language dances and gallops, chuckles and sings.” —Kangath Knits blog

“The Yarn Whisperer weaves together knitting anecdotes and life experiences of the author in a way that I think we can all relate to.” —Kelbourne Woolens blog

“It’s a fun book for curling up on a cool day with a cup of tea, knitting nearby, of course.” —CraftGossip.com

“It is seriously the best book about knitting experiences ever. I absolutely LOVED it!” ­ —Sweetly Made

“If you haven’t read The Yarn Whisperer yet, you should. It’s sweet, funny and full of moments you’ll recognize or aspire to. I recommend you get a copy.” —Moth Heaven

“In this charming series of linked essays, Parkes metaphorically puts the fast whorl on her wheel and spins something entirely new, showing that she’s not just a good writer but a great one. Funny, sweet, and trenchant and offered in twenty-two digestible bits, this book is not only the quintessential sampler afghan of knit lit, it is also the ‘It’ gift of the season. Buy a stack to stuff inside the handmade stockings of your knitting-circle friends.” —Vogue Knitting

“The creator of Knitter’s Review has created a collection of stories of her life of knitting, yarn, baking and overall appreciation for all things beautiful, and has woven them together like afghan squares with charm, grace and hilarity.” —Petite Purls

“Her writing is incredibly clever . . . this book will be dear to your heart.” —Knit the Hell Out Crafts & Hobbies Essays Funny Gardening

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All stars
Most relevant
Such an enchanting listen. I've read Knitlandia by Clara Parkes too and they're both magical. I just wish the story was longer, or maybe I'll just listen to it again!!!

Helped me rekindle my love of knitting!

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The story is close to my heart, as an enthusiastic knitter of the author’s generation. Even though Ms Parkes’ life experiences have been in the other side of the Atlantic to mine, they resonated for me.

At times, particularly in the later chapters, the analogies between knitting techniques and life experiences were a bit tenuous. This didn’t spoil my enjoyment - but for me, it was the life memoir that held this book together, rather than the craft.

Perfect narration by the author

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I finished this book on the morning of the first day of 2020..what a great book to start in one decade and finish in another!
A lovely story threaded with her memories and knitting yarns..Clara has a beautiful voice which perfectly tells her story.
I can’t wait to read another of her books.

Amazing story with great narrator

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After an hour into this book I was going to return it as it focuses on 'US' knitting terms but since I couldn't return it (no complaint now!) I decided to listen longer. Fascinating to hear all the detail's of the author's life especially as she reads it too. I learnt quite bit about knitting (not bad for some who has been knitting on and off for nearly 70 years) and terminology for techniques I take for granted. I don't often follow US style knitting patterns but I do US/Canadian crochet a lot. As the grand-daughter of a deep sea fisherman however I do take issue with the Kitchener stitch being invented by Lord Kitchener. I know it as 'grafting', taught me by my own mother, taught to her by hers and used on hand knitted socks by generations of Scottish fisherman long before World War 1. I'd look forward to reading what others think of this book - I am enjoying it.!

Interesting!

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This was a wonderful yarn, I thoroughly enjoyed her stories, empathising and nodding knowingly at the names and references, twisted into a thicker thread of life experiences, thoughts and musings. I don't usually do autobiography, but this was a gentle listen and very enjoyable. I learnt the American term for some of the English ones I'd not heard of. I haven't heard of Parks before, and will go look her up, the knitters she mentions are well respected knitters. I would have loved this to be twice as long.

Shorter than I was expecting, jus like my sleeves!

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