Review: Mason-Dixon Knitting: Outside the Lines

I've been sitting on this book review for a week, and I'm feeling pretty hesitant. You see, I like Mason-Dixon Knitting, I really do; I even spent at least fifteen seconds chatting with authors Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner at Morehouse Merino during last year's Rhinebeck, so I know they actually are both nice and funny. Also, all the other reviews I've seen are on the gushing side of positive. But me? I can't figure out how to fit this book into my life -- and that's why I'm going to give it away. Would you like it?

This is both a pattern book and a humour book; check out the subtitle ("Patterns, Stories, Pictures, True Confessions, Tricky Bits, Whole New Worlds, and Familiar Ones, Too"). The patterns come from Kay and Ann as well as from other familiar designers (e.g., Bonne Marie Burns, Anna Bell). There is, literally, something for everyone, with projects for women, kids, babies, and the home. (OK, not so much for men -- or, specifically, for men who don't use a Swiffer.) (Of course, the socks could be made for men.) There are patterns for clothing, accessories, kitchen items, and holiday decorations. My favourite designs are the red-and-robin's-egg-blue Liberty blanket and the Super Eggplant-inspired Kiki Mariko rug. Lovely!

Alongside the thirty-odd patterns is plenty of sassy Mason-Dixon writing. These are funny ladies. They use terms like "Loonyville," "Bathrobe Syndrome," and "the holy crap moment." The best part about these sections is that they are actually useful, providing tips about calculating ease when knitting a sweater, steeking, felting, knitting in the round on two circs, and so on. There's a lot of practical info in this book, and it's fun to read, to boot.

So... what's my problem? Sounds like a good review, right? Here's where my hesitation comes in. It is a good book, but as I mentioned at the outset, it just doesn't fit me. Strictly as a pattern book, it contains only a couple of patterns I actually want to knit. On the other hand, as a knitting info/humour book, it's too big. That's right -- I have a problem with the size of this book. Much of its content is the kind of stuff I want to read when I'm in the tub, or in bed, but it's in this huge hardcover book. That's my problem.

If you'd like to take this enormous* book off my hands, just leave a comment telling me what your favourite knitting book was/is this year. I'll draw a name in some random way on Monday night.

* I exaggerate. The book measures 9 inches by 11.5 inches.

Entry cut-off is 6:00 p.m. Montreal time!