But let me tell you, you won't be disappointed!

The new Mason-Dixon Knitting book, Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines, is just as good, dare I say even better, than the first! I know, it sounds impossible, but it's true. You'll see when you get the book, which I know you're going to do anyway.

The subtitle this time around is "Patterns, Stories, Pictures, True Confessions, Tricky Bits, Whole New Worlds, and Familiar Ones, Too". The first book promised, and delivered, patterns, stories and pictures as well, and the ones in this book more than live up to the standards set there. What I especially like about this second book is that there's more of a focus on Kay and Ann's stories - they're our favorites anyway, right? My favorite is Ann's story about entering a knitting design in the State Fair. The story is lovely, funny, delightful (everything you'd expect from these two) and the adorable pattern is included in the book.

"Fern" cardigan

There are several more really nice kids' patterns in the book - an excellent follow up to the baby patterns in the first book. One totally cool pattern is the SK8R sweater pattern, a hip, denim sweater for the kids who usually think of themselves as too cool for handknits. Ha, not anymore! Kay is teaching us how to "besweater the unsweaterable"!

"SK8R" sweater

And this time, there's even more of those silly yet stylish home-y projects we've come to love from these two. In the first book we got "warshcloths" and hand towels; this time around it's a swiffer-style mop cover and kitchen gloves.

"Golightly" gloves

Now, what was really special about the first book, in my opinion, were all those blankets. The Mitered Square blanket from the opening page was spectacular and then there was the whole section on log cabin knitting with the gorgeous Moderne Baby blanket and Blankie of Many Colors patterns. This time around, the centerpiece of the book is an introduction in to the world of Fair Isle, with an entire chapter of tips, tricks, and even more amazing blanket patterns.

"Liberty" throw

Oh and there's women's patterns too, and more funny drawings and comments in the sidebars. And, if all that's still not enough, they've also thrown in the secret of knitting and a guarantee:

These gals have just the right attitude about knitting. It makes reading their blog and their books a joy! So go read your copy, which I'm sure you already pre-ordered. You're gonna love it!