Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitters' Guide: Stories, Patterns, Advice, Opinions, Questions, Answers, Jokes, and Pictures

If you can only afford to buy one knitting book this year, buy this book. This book is a perfect knitting confection filled with beautiful pictures, funny and heart warming stories, beautiful knitting designs and simple instructions. You will know the minute you open "Mason_Dixon Knitting" why I am so excited about this book. The minute you open it you will not be able to resist diving into your stash and cast on. The simplicity of the designs make it perfect for knitters at every level. Who ever thought you could knit quilts. Brilliant! And that nightgown - stunning! The baby kimono, I going to make one for every baby I know! And I could go on and on. Buy this book! It's a must have for every knitting library.

I realize that the authors have a loyal following on their humorous knitting blog, but I'm not a regular reader. Thus, I can't be accused of blind blog fandom when I say that this is one of the most inspirational knitting book I have added to my library. I read it cover to cover, and then mysteriously found myself itching to knit, of all things, cotton dish cloths! At the local yarn store sale last week, I purchased linen yarn for finger tip towels. Can a log cabin blanket be far away? Buy this book if you are a fan of Melonie Faleck's "Weekend Knitting". You will find small, portable projects that will adorn your home, make great gifts, and satisfy you inner craving to finish things.

If you - like me - don't particularly care for log-cabin blankets or cowboy hats, you are STILL going to love this book! Both Ann and Kay are terrific writers, generous in giving credit to others, and their projects can be translated to any level of taste or price that you like. Want your hand towels in Lion Brand - great! Dying to knit yours in a subtle Alchemy silk - have at it! From Smalltown to SoHo, you'll find original patterns that suit your home, and the folks you love. I found the linen towels, knitted kimono (adult robe and baby sweater versions), and felted boxes irresistible! It's rare that I splurge on a hard-bound knitting book, but this one is full of good writing and good ideas for new knitting projects. I'm sure I'll come back to it often just to enjoy the stories, or when I need inspiration for a lone skein of Euroflax.

How about knitting a dragon panel for the back of a jeans jacket? Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne say "Yeehah! Go for it!" These designers have cooked up a knitting book that has patterns that roam far from the usual range. There are the practical--dishcloths and handtowels, the decorative (that applique panel for a denim jacket) and the just plain beautiful--a flax lace edging for a baby's traditional bassinet basket (the kind of cradle or baby bed that is a lined rush basket on a stand.) Fun, simple project abound in this book. How about scribbles--scarves made of thick yarn and way-way thin yarn that when knitted in a stripe pattern, make a kind of floating scribble on a net of fine-gauge knitting. If you have a stash of lace yarn and some interesting novelty yarn, you have a fascinating scarf project just waiting for you. Or perhaps you would like to knit a camisole or nightie --a lace top with ribbon straps. I found many things I wanted to knit in this book, like a bathmat in Peaches & Cream absorbent cotton, a flying geese blanket in colors like a raspberry sundae (it uses a log-cabin piece-knitting technique.) And then the fabulous "Nina" shawl that can be made loud and wild in coral, pink and black, or go completely multiple-personality with muted fuzzy yarn in the colors of a winter marshland. There is LOTS to knit here, and the book goes from simple to moderately complex. So a beginning knitter could start on the dishcloths and scarves and graduate to intricate pieced blankets and lacework. This book is especially recommended if you like to knit gifts for people as there are many projects that beg to be made for a loved friend or relative. Highly recommended!!!

Wow, wow, wow. I loved every picture, story, pattern. It is smart, funny, well written, different, real, but most of all so inspiring. I decided it is the perfect knitting book, because it is perfect to read while you knit. There is a lot here: really cool patterns, touching stories, funny stories, memories. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to drop everything and knit. Plus, this is one beautiful book, sort of like a coffee table book. A REAL TREASURE!!! Thank you Kay and Ann for such a treat. I am going to cast on for a rug today thanks to you!