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Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitter's Guide: Stories, Patterns, Advice, Opinions, Questions, Answers, Jokes, and Pictures
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 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
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
From the Hardcover edition.
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
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
From the Hardcover edition.
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
February 16, 2016
When my Mom was alive she once confessed to me that she liked looking at quilts, watching people quilt and reading about quilts, but she didn't like quilting. I told her that was OK. :) In the same way, I like knitting and there are some knitting books that I enjoy looking at and reading, though I have no desire to make anything in them. This isn't one of those books. I want to make almost everything is this fun, lavishly illustrated knitting book. And for the few items I don't want to make, I want to use the idea or technique or pattern to knit something different. I've already finished a few projects here, started a couple others and have lots more in mind.
If a craft book is measured by the pleasure and usefulness it gives you, this one is off the charts. I only rated it down a bit because I wish it had included information on the yarns they used, so I could tell if they used sport, DK, worsted, etc, instead of having to look some of the yarns up online. Most knitting resources these days do that for you.
The good news is that I can knit and read my e-book or listen to audio-books at the same time. So while I'm indulging in all of the projects in this book I don't have to miss my literary fix. Though I may forever associate some of my projects with what I was reading while I worked on them. My Miles Vorkosigan Mitered-Square Afghan, for instance. Or how about some Father Tim wash cloths? :)
If a craft book is measured by the pleasure and usefulness it gives you, this one is off the charts. I only rated it down a bit because I wish it had included information on the yarns they used, so I could tell if they used sport, DK, worsted, etc, instead of having to look some of the yarns up online. Most knitting resources these days do that for you.
The good news is that I can knit and read my e-book or listen to audio-books at the same time. So while I'm indulging in all of the projects in this book I don't have to miss my literary fix. Though I may forever associate some of my projects with what I was reading while I worked on them. My Miles Vorkosigan Mitered-Square Afghan, for instance. Or how about some Father Tim wash cloths? :)
October 2, 2007
Absolutely hysterical! I love their common sense approach to projects. I'm not sure how many of the projects are for me, but I am intrigued by the log cabin pattern...
July 22, 2016
I've had this book for years and it's a favorite. Beautiful color photographs, witty writing, and the story of a magical friendship between two women who met on the internet. I would say this is a book best for novices who know the very basics but are ready to move on from boring garter stitch squares. The patterns are simple, but not boring and the color selections are spot-on.
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.
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.
March 22, 2008
I'm a new knitter, and this book definitely inspired me and reaffirmed my decision to knit. First of all, it's really funny, and there's not much I love more than a book that can make me laugh out loud, because so many of them don't. Even some of the patterns made me laugh. It even had my husband chuckling (and why he was reading it I have no idea).
It's full of interesting anecdotes, witty jokes, and great advice. There are 30 patterns in the book, and they're not your usual suspects. Another thing I love? Not usual stuff, like neat bath rugs, a piano bench cushion, cool geometric-looking blankets, and the most adorable baby stuff EVER, and I don't like babies. You won't find a stuffy sweater or tired scarf pattern here, but you will find things "created for knitters everywhere who share the give 'em hell spirit of just picking up the needles and making stuff."
It's full of interesting anecdotes, witty jokes, and great advice. There are 30 patterns in the book, and they're not your usual suspects. Another thing I love? Not usual stuff, like neat bath rugs, a piano bench cushion, cool geometric-looking blankets, and the most adorable baby stuff EVER, and I don't like babies. You won't find a stuffy sweater or tired scarf pattern here, but you will find things "created for knitters everywhere who share the give 'em hell spirit of just picking up the needles and making stuff."
May 20, 2008
I enjoyed reading the stories in this book, and there are several good patterns, but overall a little underwhelming considering I know how popular this book is. A good percent of the patterns also use the same yarn, which looks lovely, but I like some variety as well.
January 2, 2013
As a reader of the Mason-Dixon blog, I knew Kay and Ann had fantastic sense of humor. I have also seen several log cabin blankets which were genius and beautiful. But somehow the long introductions to every pattern sucked my enthusiasm for them out of my bones.
February 17, 2010
The authors' friendship and saucy writing style is the biggest part of these books' appeal for me; the inventive patterns are a bonus.
February 16, 2011
I have found my knitting idols! Love the authors' philosophy of knitting and life. Next employee discount days, I will buy this book.
April 19, 2023
The writing is so hilarious, the graphic design is so wonderfully done, I only wish that there were more and better (?) patterns. I actually read this long ago but checked it out of the library because I remembered that they had a raglan pattern that I really liked. (It wasn't there, likely in their other book...) This book would be great for an intrepid beginner but a fun book for anyone who knits.
August 7, 2017
It is hard to believe that this book was published in 2006. Almost all of the patterns are still relevant for a knitter in 2017. This is partially due to the fact that Ann and Kay follow in the footsteps of great independent knitters like Elizabeth Zimmerman and Barbara Walker. They teach knitters how to take an idea and make it their own, fostering independence and creativity.
August 4, 2021
There wasn't a pattern that particularly attracted me, but I did enjoy the stories and brief interviews. I'm not a reader of the blog, now Modern Daily Knitting, but I do follow them on Instagram. I'll have to spend some time in the future poking around their site.
December 30, 2021
Knitted the Log Cabin blanket, an easy knit.
There are interesting stories scattered throughout the knit patterns. I enjoyed both reading it and looking at the patterns. There are several other patterns in this book on my want to knit list.
There are interesting stories scattered throughout the knit patterns. I enjoyed both reading it and looking at the patterns. There are several other patterns in this book on my want to knit list.
February 28, 2018
Funny and inspiring. As an advanced beginner knitter, I'm a little intimidated by some of the patterns and ideas, but I'm going to give some of them a try! Great list of resources included.
June 30, 2018
A wonderful infectious, humorous enthusiasm for All Things Knitting be it log cabin blankets, baby bib o' love, flying geese blankets and felted boxes to name just a few.
October 3, 2018
A fun, enjoyable read. It's a yarnie classic for a reason.
May 31, 2019
Such a fun book. I loved it. And the patterns are so fun.
January 31, 2021
Not just a pattern book, so much more to enjoy.
November 30, 2022
Excellent book. Filled with lots of ideas. Glad they changed the branding to a more acceptable name.
August 7, 2023
I had lots of fun reading this book & am excited to try some of the projects. There is a huge variety of types & sizes of projects which I find makes them very approachable.
January 6, 2024
Reference. Knitting.
July 29, 2024
Great knitting book! Funny and informative
October 4, 2024
A knitting resource I turn to again and again. So many pages are dog-eared and repeat projects for me (the baby bib and sweater, log cabin patterns, etc.). Lots of humor thrown in too.
March 15, 2025
This was a good book.
June 2, 2026
This is an amazing book. It has beautiful pictures of great patterns. It is definitely thought-provoking and gave me lots of ideas.
March 2, 2009
Normally I wait until I am completely done with a book before reviewing it. However, I just finished ripping apart The Gentle Art of Domesticity and this book shines in contrast. Mason Dixon Knitting is both pretty and practical, fun and informative, everything I hoped Gentle Art would be but wasn't.
This book is also blog-based, yet it succeeds as a book in its own right. Partly that's due to the truth in advertising of the title. It really is "stories, patterns, advice, opinions, questions, answers, jokes, and pictures." The authors make no pretense at scholarship or feminist analysis. They just tell the story of their friendship and of their creative process. The patterns could be easier to read, and I'm not so fond of the busy fonts and awkward size of the book. But I still love this book enough to order it from Knit Picks, and I rarely buy books anymore.
This book is also blog-based, yet it succeeds as a book in its own right. Partly that's due to the truth in advertising of the title. It really is "stories, patterns, advice, opinions, questions, answers, jokes, and pictures." The authors make no pretense at scholarship or feminist analysis. They just tell the story of their friendship and of their creative process. The patterns could be easier to read, and I'm not so fond of the busy fonts and awkward size of the book. But I still love this book enough to order it from Knit Picks, and I rarely buy books anymore.
September 7, 2007
I love this book -- it's probably the only knitting book I've ever read, as opposed to skimmed. The authors share many of my sensibilities about knitting -- that it shouldn't be so difficult as to be work, but should be challenging enough to be fun; that experimentation and possible failure are part of the glory; and that knitting with friends, or sometimes even just talking about knitting with friends, constitutes a rollickin' social occasion (particularly when mixed with good food and/or drinks). If you're looking for a range of projects mercifully sans sweater and are fond of bright colors and humorous side boxes, this is a fine book to check out. I'm anticipating the sequel (in production now).
May 8, 2008
The fact that I found this pattern book an entertaining, funny read is perhaps testament that my knitting hobby has gotten a little out of hand. The irreverent spirit of Kay and Ann's now-famous blog is preserved in this collection patterns and anecdotes.
That said, I'm probably not going to knit anything in this book, save for a dish towel or two (and what dish towels they will be!), they certainly did inspire me to consider that yes, I can create more than human garments with my knitting obsession.
While their yarn choices tend frequently toward Louet (not that there's anything wrong with that, but a dressing gown made entirely of Euroflax is a bit too rich for my blood), they certainly aren't elitist and there's plenty of Sugar n' Cream to go around.
That said, I'm probably not going to knit anything in this book, save for a dish towel or two (and what dish towels they will be!), they certainly did inspire me to consider that yes, I can create more than human garments with my knitting obsession.
While their yarn choices tend frequently toward Louet (not that there's anything wrong with that, but a dressing gown made entirely of Euroflax is a bit too rich for my blood), they certainly aren't elitist and there's plenty of Sugar n' Cream to go around.
July 22, 2009
My mom has this book and I have browsed through it a couple of times. However, I have been contemplating the purchase of this book for myself over a period of time so thought that I would check it out from the library for one last once over to determine whether or not I should add it to my well-pruned personal book collection.
After reviewing each pattern and reading the book through, I find this book to be fun and entertaining. Some of the patterns are quite appealing to me, such as the Moderne Baby Blanket and the Modern Log Cabin Blanket. I also like the Ball Band Washrags and the Baby Bibs. However, I do not feel that this book will make a permanent home in my collection. And, luckily, if I ever change my mind, I can borrow from my mom.
After reviewing each pattern and reading the book through, I find this book to be fun and entertaining. Some of the patterns are quite appealing to me, such as the Moderne Baby Blanket and the Modern Log Cabin Blanket. I also like the Ball Band Washrags and the Baby Bibs. However, I do not feel that this book will make a permanent home in my collection. And, luckily, if I ever change my mind, I can borrow from my mom.
July 14, 2007
Kay and Ann simply are stars in the Knitting World. Their blog is fantastic and this book just continues in the fantasticalness. ;o) The book is beautifully photographed, the projects are mostly easy ones that knitters of any level can complete with success, and what little there is to read outside of the patterns is great just like the MD blog is. And I LOVE a book that is mostly dedicated to projects made with yarn that can be bought for less than $2 a ball in most stores. :)
My only problem with the book is that it's large so it's not exactly travel-friendly. But, the projects are usually pretty mindless and easy to copy the patterns onto something smaller and portable for KIP.
My only problem with the book is that it's large so it's not exactly travel-friendly. But, the projects are usually pretty mindless and easy to copy the patterns onto something smaller and portable for KIP.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews