Mason Dixon Knitting Outside The Lines

Funny, funny book! I loved it.

Not only is it a good read, but it has cool patterns in it too.

The authors, Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne start out with “Knitting Rules” among which are Rule #2: The more you knit, the more you learn. Knitting rule #32: An email a day keeps the psychotherapist away. Rule #6: You are a knitting genius, if you just give yourself a chance.

Be sure to read the Do’s and Don’t’s of Knitting for Children, for example, it is forbidden to knit animals, fake Heidi braids, anything vintage or ethnic, argyle or fair isle. You’ll have to get the book to read why, it’s hilarious! The Holy Crap Moment will have you saying “why didn’t I think of that”? and Color Forecasting: A Quick Trip To Loonyville will have you riffling through the pages looking for more knitting wit and wisdom.

Among the projects are an adorable Cardi Cozy, several coats, bags and scarves, a Top Down pullover, socks, cool kid projects (they even knit a toddler’s pair of jeans!), rugs, market bags and even a mop cover. 30 projects in all. This book is worth it just for the projects. This book is worth it just for the giggles. Heck, for the same price you get 2 in 1!

Looking for knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Looking for pullover and sweater patterns? Check these books out.

Next Pattern:

I’ve shared a lot of Christmas stocking knitting patterns over the years (see posts 1, 2, 3 for example) but what if you want to knit a stocking for a non-human member of your family. If you’re looking for Christmas stocking knitting patterns for your cats or dogs, this is the post for you.

These large paw print stockings are perfect for either dogs or cats, so they’re great to knit if you have both. They are worked in the round using DK weight yarn, and the stocking measures about 17 inches/43 cm from the top to the heel. You can get the pattern from nicolaluke.

The K4 Project has a super cute Kitty Christmas stocking pattern, which is worked in worsted weight yarn. They also have a dog version, or you can buy both and get a discount if you have both dogs and cats to knit for. Both projects have two patterns, showing how to work the stockings flat or in the round.

Put your dog into a Christmas scene with this stocking pattern from ifanhourChild. It shows a dog in a dog house in the snow, and has room for the dog’s name at the top. It’s worked flat using worsted weight yarn and the pattern includes charts for many small and medium dog breeds (there’s a separate listing for bigger dogs) so you can stitch a dog that looks like yours.

Annie’s Woolens has both dog and cat stocking knitting patterns that are worked in worsted weight yarn in the round. You can change up the colors to suit your pet if you want, and they come with an alphabet chart for personalization. Or you can stick with holiday colors and buy a kit to make the dog or cat stocking.

Waiting for Santa Paws is a pattern from Kate Agner on Ravelry that would be cute for a dog or a cat. It looks like a leg with a paw print on the bottom part of the foot and more paw prints running around the top of the leg. This is a great option if you don’t want to mess with a heel turn because it doesn’t have a heel, because dogs and cats don’t have heels so why would their stockings?

Book Review – 20 to Knit: Tiny Christmas Toys to Knit

Book Review – Knit Christmas Stockings

Next Pattern:

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