These two books, by the founders of masondixonknitting.com http://www.masondixonknitting.com are like two extended stitch-n-bitches with your two favorite crazy aunts. Half the fun of these books lies not in the patterns, but in the riotous writing of the two authors, both gifted with wicked senses of humor and healthy doses of self-parody. Here's Ann on a favorite linen dress: "Because it wasn't technically a maternity dress, I concluded that I could wear this dress long after my children were born. Borrowed by a friend who was going to a costume party as a medieval beggar" (Outside the Lines, page 59). And Kay on the fact that there are no stupid knitters: "If you have an eight-year-old child who knows how to knit, do ot worry about this kid's SATs" (, p. 33). And the patterns ain't bad neither. Mason-Dixon Knitting, the first of the pair's books and the one with more home-oriented patterns, has a chapter on log cabin knitting that was a craze in my knitting circle when the book first came out. It offers simple, garter-stitch only blankets that echo the famous Log Cabin quilt patterns (p. 63). The same book also has lots of cool projects to do with kids, like potholders and rugs. Outside the Lines has more garments for the whole family, including a really sweet pair of knitted blue jeans for baby (page 99). And for extra fun, check out the "Golightly Gloves" (p. 143) and see how you can bring a little "Breakfast at Tiffany's" to washing the dishes. Two great books that are more fun than knitting books should be. --Kimberly Ligocki

Skills needed for most patterns - garter and stockinette