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Enjoy the practical advice, real-life knitting instruction, and irreverent humor of Yankee Kay Gardiner and Tennessean Ann Shayne, the duo behind the renowned knitting web log masondixonknitting.com. The ladies of Mason-Dixon Knitting will take you on a thrilling adventure through Knitopia, a place where knitting and creativity unite through the zaniest knitted items imaginable. Kay and Ann reveal that a pattern is a starting line, a launching pad, the front doors of Saks the day after Thanksgiving: oh, the potential! Mason-Dixon Knitting is a collection of unbelievable patterns, a how-to manual, and a crazy quilt of hilarious narrative, all in one. In this book, Kay and Ann chitchat their way through a series of more than thirty incredible patterns. Drawing creative inspiration from their surroundings, they present colorful blankets, sassy nightgowns, a delicate curtain, and much more to reveal that knitting can weave its way into just about every aspect of life. Most of these projects are the epitome of ease, but you can make them as simple or complicated as you prefer. Kay and Ann invite you to use your creative vision to interpret each pattern and give it your own personal touch. Full-color photography of these delightful home- and family-inspired knits accompanies each project. Along the way, Kay and Ann will introduce you to incredible knitting personalities, share their own knitting experiences, and present eye-popping knitting phenomena. Mason-Dixon Knitting explores the humor, fun, and outrageous possibilities of a realm in which knitting is much more than a craft—it’s a lifestyle. Inspiration, Guidance, and 30 Projects to Knit Featuring: Technical hints; Great (knitted) things you will do; How to cope with disaster; Must-knit tv; Mistakes you will definitely make; Knitting for the common good; Knitting something that looks like something else… (more)
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User reviews
I really liked the patterns in this book. Love the idea of the log cabin blankets. That's my kind of
I also liked the recommendations for where to find inexpensive natural fiber yarns. I'm sure I'll be buying some cones of Peaches and Creme soon.
I was not so wild about the layout of the book. There were several times I felt like entire pages were out of place. And the text was pretty disjointed, but seemed like someone had made some attempt to organize things. They just weren't very successful at it.
All in all, because of the useful patterns and the fact that Kay and Ann encourage people to grab their needles and yarn and experiment, I think this is a pretty decent knitting book and I'm glad to have it in my collection.
Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitters' Guide: Stories, Patterns, Advice, Opinions, Questions, Answers, Jokes, and Pictures is a superb collection of thirty-four patterns that has knitters around the world obsessively knitting Baby Bibs O’ Love and Mitered Square Blankets.
The projects here are useful, sure to inspire beginners and experienced knitters alike. Beginners who are tired of scarves can choose from washcloths, towels, bibs and rugs, as Kay and Ann tell us “Remember: No project is too ambitious if you crave the result enough.” To that end they’ve included patterns for beautiful nightie and robe set made from linen yarn, log cabin bedspread and an elaborate lace lining for Moses baskets.
Kay and Ann provide knitters permission to experiment and play with yarn. Their Mitered Square Blanket proves that playing with colour is the “most fun part.” This basic pattern can be knit in anything from two to forty colours, as a blanket or bedspread. The project is limited only by the knitter’s imagination.
Full of Kay and Ann’s trademark wit and style, Mason-Dixon Knitting is a must have for all knitters. Expect it to quickly bear all the signs of a well-loved favourite.
Also, the "jokes" aren't funny.
Their blog is pretty great too, with the unique format of them addressing their posts to each other. It's like reading letters, both intimate and informative. Highly recommend swinging by there.
The first pattern I made from this book is the Ballband Dishcloth, which is fun and easy and looks great with bright colors. I learned how to create a Log Cabin blanket from this book as well, and learned about "calamari" knitting and its endless possibilities. The Baby Kimono is super easy and super cute. I have also made the rippled hand towel.
Eventually I want to make the other hand towel, the Bubbly Curtain for my kitchen window, the nightie and robe for when I drop a few more pounds haha, the Big Dotty Cushion for *something* (it just looks like a fun pattern), and the Superfancy Potholder Loop Rug because it looks cool as shit and would be a lot of fun to make.
Will constantly be reading.