281. Are Ya Woman Enough to Handle It?

I read that someone said it's too big.  Well, don't that beat all.  I guess some women can be satisfied with iddly-piddly, but, hm.  I kinda like big.  And hard[covered].  I was once told by some of my British friends, "Everything is bigger in America."  Who knew?  Perhaps it's true.  Well, and then there's the what you do with it, too, that matters.  I mean, it can't be big and just sit there, resting on its...you know...laurels. It's gotta have some substance to it.

Anyhoo. 

I got my copy of Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside The Lines the other day. It wasn't sent to me to review -- I ordered it -- and I wasn't asked or even authorized to write this review, but this blog is a monarchy and I'm a Vermontah.  I do as I wantah.

After reading that curious "too big" review and before the book arrived, I thought, "My GOD, what have I DONE?! Are we going to need a truck to deliver this thing up the driveway? A winch to pull it into the house?  Am I going to need to do more pushups with the mixed martial arts guys in order to lift this sucker? Get a back brace?  And most importantly, will I be woman enough to handle it?!" 

I got all goose-bumpy, wondering.

 

Huh. 

Nope.  Just a regular old knitting-book size, something like, I don't know, most of the other knitting books on my bookshelf.

But it doesn't just sit there! No, it doesn't!  It's chock full of the wonderful smart writing style and humor of Ann and Kay, and designs by them and by other wonderful designers like Bonne Marie and Anna Bell and others of that highly talented ilk.  It's overflowing with creative and sophisticated and timeless knitting designs like this stunner by Bonne Marie:

and soft-and-pretty and just-plain-adorable and rough-and-tumble little family-pleasers like these:

 

and Mason-Dixon signature-type home decor designs, too.  There are the beautiful, artistic, and practical things like, for example, these:

And what Mason-Dixon book would be complete without the whimsical?

(A felted advent forest. Martha would be so proud.  And couldn't you envision these with little googly-eyes, as ghosts, or with antennae, as Martians, for Halloween? Or garden gnomes? Or elves or as Harry Potter sorting hats at a HP-themed birthday party?  .... Well, apparently I have gotten entranced by these little buggers and I'm getting carried away.)

...and what Mason-Dixon book would be complete especially without the warshcloth? (...by any other name...)

(Careful, Mr. Jefferies -- you could become a mop if you don't behave!)

We got yer Stephen Colbert socks, too.

Can we tawk?  These might even make me a sock knitter, just because I think Stephen Colbert is sexy in an odd sort of "you are cute -- even with the weird ears -- and brilliant and hilarious" way.  Plus, Ben & Jerry's made a flavor for him, and Ben & Jerry's is made in my home town, so, you know, it's almost like we're buddies. And I imagine he has big *ahem* feet.  [Stephen: Call me! I like 'em big! Word!] 

Now, I am not the most prolific or talented knitter on the planet, but I have always had a thing for knitted coats. One day I'm gonna make one (or two).

  Maybe just like this one.  It'll either be the coat or the size (I can only hope!) that'll be the death of me.  But what a way to go. 

Nice.  I'm satisfied.

Hey...... you got a truffle?  (It's the new cigarette.)

------------

P.S.  The Red Scarf Fund total stands at $2,450 from 74 donors.  Is that another big milestone I feel coming up?  Or are you just happy to see me? 

Comments

[maryse]

ooh i'm first! so i just got this book in the mail last night and i haven't gotten a chance to look at it with any real attention but so far it looks great. some great colorful stuff in there.

[margene]

The new Big One made me happy, too. There are several knits camping out on my to do list.

[Cathy-Cate]

Mmm, love your unauthorized review! It makes me feel all warm and tingly. And like I need to buy the book right now.

BUT: I've been plotting my strategy for Rhinebeck. Because I'm going, without my spousal pack mule (not that I *can't* carry things, but the person in question can't stand to see me burdened when he has an overabundance of UBS -- upper body strength); and I have a bad thumb right now which limits the use of my left hand; and I have to fly then take a bus or taxi, then the commuter train, then a taxi or rental car. So it's the lightest possible carry-on for me. Which is a challenge right there. (And means I need to rein in my souvenir yarn-buying tendencies, which is not a bad thing.)

SO: Ann & Kay will be there, as will Franklin and Stephanie. So I have been holding off buying ALL their books, figuring they will be for sale at R, because I'd love to have them signed, and it will be easier to carry them only one way (or I can even probably mail them back Monday before I fly out). It's been difficult to wait. VERY difficult. But that's my thought process.
I am, however, a Rhinebeck neophyte. Any advice would be welcome!

[Diana Moro]

Norma - Winner Number 50s prize went out in yesterday's mail. Don't forget you have one more to dangle to the crowd!
Diana

[marianne]

Thank you, THANK TOU! What a post! I'm in a heap of chuckles and what a good morning! One of the knitnight women brought their copy the other night and we all ooohed and aaaahed and had a few gasps, fabulous book!
Oh yeah, I also really REALLY like that last one.

[marianne]

YOU!!! (ffs)

[Nora]

Ha! I did see that someone gave the book away because it was "too big" for her to read in the bathtub.

OK then.

I've got it on hold at the library. Can't wait to see.

[regina]

Even though I've been lazy about commenting lately, I love reading your blog. Thank you.

[Cheryl S.]

Oooh - I really like that coat. I also want to attempt a knitted coat someday. I do love coats and jackets, even though I prefer weather that's warm enough not to need them. It's a quandary.

[Kay]

Mr. Jefferies could totally have modelled the swiffer sweater! He commutes around town in a little shoulder bag, I bet.

The way the mop cover became a dog sweater is that a lady I was sitting next to in Weight Watchers while I was knitting it, thought it WAS a dog sweater. From that point on, it was all about finding the dog.

[Beebs]

* You* are hysterical!! Thanks for blogging everyday; I love it!

[Cookie]

I saw the mention of the book being too big, but refused to believe it. Ann and Kay are ladies. Ann is Southern, ffs. They would never give us a book that was TOO BIG.

Btw, I think the grandpuppy needs his own little swiffer cover thingy to go along with his little white hat.

[elizabeth a airhart]

my are we not full of red pepper this am

funny posting really is

my package is in the mail to ofa

[Ann]

NORRRRRRRRRRMA! YER KILLIN MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! I AM EXPIRING!!!!!!!

[sandy]

Get a room!
LX

[sandy]

P.S. I donated a 50. Those orphans get me all the time!
xo

[sil]

A petite woman like yourself can easily make a "coat" sweater. You just have to knit a "tall" sweater. Think of it that way and your head won't explode.

[lisa]

I'll have one of those "new cigarettes" too... Do you ever look on the craftzine blog? They had urinary tract wallpaper up there a few days back, here, http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/10/urinary_tract_wallpaper.html... just don't use it as a diagram for surgery or anything.

[Seanna Lea]

Truffles. Definitely better than cigarettes.

I really want to buy the new MK book, but I'm on a pseudo shopping moratorium (which mostly means I can buy yarn at Rhinebeck and yarn/stuff for gifts, but nothing for myself) until the holidays are over.

I really want to make the huge fairisle blanket. It is gorgeous!