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April 04, 2006
Mason*Dixon Knitting by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne
My favorite knitting books are actually about knitters themselves and the leading role knitting plays in their everyday lives. It is why I love knitting blogs so much. The kinds of minds knitting attracts and the central place it occupies in every day life is endlessly fascinating to me. So I was really looking forward to the gabby part of Mason*Dixon Knitting. Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne are virtual knitting pen pals. The book grew out of their knitting blog which is basically a correspondence between the two. Much to my surprise I was completely blown away by the patterns. This is dive in knitting at its best. The projects make you want to drop absolutely everything. It’s not so much the colors although the colors are great. It’s not the techniques, they are very easy. It’s actually the utilitarian nature of the projects themselves combined with great colors and easy techniques. This is a fabulous book for beginners and I think for children. The projects range from small dishcloths to medium sized rugs to giant blankets and they all spell comfort. It reminds me very much of Frugal Luxuries by Tracey McBride in that these projects are not meant to heirlooms. They are ordinary items meant to be used everyday. It is in the knitting that the ordinary is made beautiful, luxurious even. And who doesn’t need that on a daily basis.
One project in particular really struck me. The Courthouse Steps Denim Blanket which is actually 'a knitted tribute to one of the Gee's Bend quilts, "Bricklayer," by Loretta Pettway.'
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It looks so Japanese to me. It reminds me so much of a shop I used to visit when I lived in Japan. It's called the Blue and White shop and they specialize in indigo textiles. Again, the same theme. Utilitarian in nature, simple materials, simple methods, gorgeous result. While the proprietor did write a book, unfortunately there is no website. But really, any book on Japanese design will do. My sister-in-law gave me Japan Country Living and At Home with Japanese Design as gifts. Every photo is so full of possibility.
Do you see how one idea, one simple idea, can morph from mind to mind? A reminder no doubt to look to mediums other than knitting for inspiration. Imagine a series of ethnically inspired utilitarian projects - Japanese, Swedish, Irish anyone?