Product Description

Dear Fellow Knitter,

Welcome! Come on in. Have a seat—we’ve been waiting for you.

Ever since our first book, Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitters’ Guide, we’ve been exploring techniques and ideas that we once thought were the sort of thing that only brilliant knitters could do.

Our conclusion: We are all brilliant knitters!

None of this is rocket science! If you can knit a garter stitch scarf, you’ve figured out the hard part. Now it’s time for the fun to start. You hold in your hands the result of our odyssey. It’s a new collection of 30 delicious projects that we hope will take you on your own knitting adventures.

Decorating Yourself: A collection of beautiful things to make for your most demanding (and forgiving) client.

The Fairest Isle of All: A simple, quick introduction to a sort of knitting you may not have considered, with surprising, modern projects.

Covering the Small Human: Pint-sized knits, including baby hats, dreamy dresses, and a cool pullover for the ultimate challenge: the Older Child.

Occasional Knitting: Projects for the special occasions in life—holidays, housewarmings, picnics.

The Sophisticated Kitchen: New uses for one of our favorite yarns: kitchen cotton.

We have filled this book with luscious photographs, stories, tips, rules, and hints. You’ll read how we arrived at these projects and the discoveries we have made along the way, and you will discover shocking things about us.

At all times, we have kept in mind Mason-Dixon Knitting Rule Number 1 : Knitting is spoze to be fun. Fasten your seatbelt—it’s going to be a fabulous ride!

Love,
Kay and Ann

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #128335 in Books
• Brand: Random House
• Published on: 2008-09-16
• Released on: 2008-09-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 11.30" h x .63" w x 8.80" l, 2.00 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

Features

• POT-81705
• 9780307381705
• Brand New Item / Unopened Product
• Random House

From Publishers Weekly
Building on the success of their Web site and blog (masondixonknitting.com), Gardiner and Shayne wind their way through patterns for adults, children and homes, including patterns by other knitwear designers such as Bonne Marie Burns. Helpful and humorous sidebars discuss the pitfalls of the sweater coat (including bathrobe syndrome), the beauty of Shetland wool, how to make a stitch marker out of citrus peel or tin foil, and the Holy Crap moment, where a pattern breakthrough occurs. Gardiner and Shayne alternate personal anecdotes throughout, with an especially enjoyable piece by Shayne about participating in the Tennessee State Fair knitting contest. With pattern names like Stephen Colbert's socks and Golightly Kitchen Gloves, Gardiner and Shayne demonstrate that the secret of knitting is that the longer you knit, the more fun it gets. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Knitters fall into two categories: those who think knitting dishcloths is good use of precious knitting time, and those who don’t. Gardiner and Shayne, bloggers and authors of Mason-Dixon Knitting (2006) are among the former. In this second book, there are several patterns for household items, including one for a mop cover. But even knitters who scorn dishcloths will find plenty to like here. As fans of the duo know, much of the fun comes from their patter and from adherence to their number-one rule: “Knitting is spoze to be fun.” That doesn’t mean it’s always easy, and the authors don’t shy away from patterns that include Fair Isle and felting, but as they say, “We wouldn’t put it here if we thought you couldn’t do it.” Along with the patterns comes some sympathizing and plenty of down-home philosophizing. The range of projects is deep and wide, everything from sweaters for both adults and children, through Christmas stockings and tote bags, to towels. Fans have been waiting for this one. --Ilene Cooper

Review
"The dynamic duo of the knitting blogosphere return for their second book of best-knitting pal chitchat and practically perfect designs."
—Knit Simple

"My favorite knitting books are the ones that make you feel like you're sinking into a comfy chair and having tea and a chat with a knitting crony. You come away from the experience energized, excited to knit and bursting with new enthusiasm and ideas. Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne's latest, Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines, available Sept. 16, fits the bill...Beyond the patterns, the tips and the ruminations make this book a keeper. Honestly, how can you fail to love a book in which one of the authors describes a fisherman's gansey as 'the Gore-Tex of its day'? And describes getting sucked into the wonderful world of sock knitting thusly: 'Life had turned into an endless infomercial where the product was socks, and I couldn't change the channel'?"
—The Portland Oregonian/Oregonlive.com

"Mason Dixon Knitting: Outside the Lines is a great addition to any knitter’s library. Wearable patterns, excellent instructions, readable stories, wonderful tips and techniques, and a big shot of humor equal a fantastic knitting book."
—Blogcritics.org


Praise for Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitters’ Guide
“Imagine the stories and good company of the best knitting circle. Sandwich all that between hardcovers with 30 projects that don’t look like something Granny’s cat dragged in. Add clear instructions, and you’ve got Mason-Dixon Knitting.”
—Parade

“Like their blog, [Mason-Dixon Knitting] is filled with patterns, advice, personal stories and loopy humor …”
—Family Circle

“Mason-Dixon Knitting is a rare find indeed. Ann and Kay’s infectious camaraderie, joie de vivre and irreverent humor translate well to the printed page, where they encourage readers to connect life and knitting.”
—Nashville Scene