Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner, of Mason-Dixon Knitting, have created a series of travel-sized pattern books. Each edition has a theme and contain three patterns, along with essays, tips and bonus features. And each beautiful little hardcopy comes with a download code for the digital version, so you get it both ways!
• Field Guide No. 20s Atlas and is a collection of 5 designs by Erika Knight that will become keepsakes and companions for life.
• Field Guide No. 19 is Marls and is a collection of 5 designs by Cecelia Campochiaro that feature the "marling" technique. What happens when we knit with multiple strands of yarn at once? Five artful patterns introduce us to the concept of marling and set us on a gorgeous exploration of texture and color.
• Skill Set: Beginning Knitting covers the basics - everything you need to know to get started on your knitting journey, plus some more advanced lessons for you to keep building your skills. The illustrations are abundant and very clear and the explanations are easily understood. This is a solid resource for beginners... and beyond. Since it includes information not only about the knit and purl stitch, but lessons on mattress stitch, lace and basic color work, it is something to keep in the knitting bag at all times.
• Field Guide No. 18 is Beginnings and is a collection of 6 designs by Karida Collins, the founder of Neighborhood Fiber Co. All of the projects in the booklet utilize the skills taught in Skill Set, making it a very nice companion piece.
• Field Guide No. 17 is Lopi, featuring Mary Jane Mucklestone. This Field Guide is MDK's chance to set off with Mary Jane to explore Léttlopi, the worsted-weight Icelandic yarn that is so lofty yet warm. Get ready for a season of cozy knitting with Mary Jane and her colorful ideas. Field Guide No. 17 is a collection of five designs to knit again and again.
• Field Guide No. 16 is Painterly, featuring beautiful intarsia colorwork designs by Kaffe Fasset. These rhythmic, geometric designs are the perfect starting place for knitters new to the technique. This guide includes lots of tips and tricks for knitting intarsia, as well as complete charts and clear instructions.
• Field Guide No. 15 is Open, featuring designs by Jeanette Sloan. who has created a collection of designs that allow us the opportunity to explore one of knitting's most spectacular effects: lace.
• Field Guide No. 14 is Refresh, featuring designs by Carol Feller, the Irish designer whose work MDK has loved for many years. These four patterns explore texture, structure, and the beauty of a special yarn.
• Field Guide No. 13 is Master Class, featuring designs by Kaffe Fassett that will bring a blast of color and a spirit of adventure to your knitting. Scarves, cowls, cushions, throws, and wraps—with 20 charts and 6 stripe designs, you’ll find endless ways to play with color and pattern.
• Field Guide No. 12 is Big Joy, celebrating the big joy of simple projects to make for those you love—and to give away. Five clever designs by Jen Geigley use Rowan Big Wool for quick results and the chance to make a bunch of colorful, gorgeous gifts. Scroll down to see all the projects.
• Field Guide No. 11 is Wanderlust, featuring the patterns of Wendy Bernard and exploring the most portable of projects to take on your wanderings - socks!
• Field Guide No. 10 is Downtown, featuring patterns of Isabell Kraemer. A pair of pullovers and a set of cowls that let us play with texture and color. These are sweaters to love and to wear every day. Downtown, around town, everywhere.
• Field Guide No. 9 is Revolution, featuring four patterns by Norah Gaughan — a cardigan, a pullover, a capelet and a beret — all designed around interchangeable cable motifs, so you can mix and match!
• Field Guide No. 8 is Merry Making! It features five fun accessory patterns by the delightful Thea Colman: hats (2), mitts, coasters and a cowl, encompassing cables, stranded colorwork and slip-stitch into simple but impactful knits. Just in time for gift-knitting season!
• Field Guide No. 7 is Ease, featuring four patterns from Julia Farwell-Clay: a modular blanket, a shawl (in two sizes), a cowl and a dishcloth, each of which employs a clever stitch or construction method for breezy but interesting knitting
• Field Guide No. 6 is Transparency, a mini collection by Amy Christoffers exploring the idea of transparency in knitting, from a pullover with stripes in alternating density to an adorable chunky baby cardigan with lace elements, a gossamer lace cowl, and an extremely clever colorwork-meets-transparency scarf.
• Field Guide No. 5 is Sequences, a toe in the water of Cecelia Campochiaro’s briliant Sequence Knitting technique — an introduction to her simple but mind-bending conception of simple knit-purl repeats that produce an endless array of textures, complete with four gorgeous accessory patterns.
• Field Guide No. 4 is Log Cabin, with how-to's and three patterns employing unique applications of the timeless log cabin motif: assorted washcloths, a nine-patch blanket, and a lace-meets-log-cabin wrap.
• Field Guide No. 3 is Wild Yarns and it includes a colorwork cowl pattern by Dianna Walla, a lace shawl pattern by Kirsten Kapur and a pullover pattern by Sue McCain.
• Field Guide No. 2 is Fair Isle, and includes a gorgeous yoked sweater pattern by Veronik Avery, socks by Ann Budd and a coordinating hat and cowl by Michele Rose Orne, along with essays on bohus and the fun of faux fair isle yarns
• Field Guide No. 1 has Stripes as its theme and explores various definitions and deployments thereof. Included are patterns for the Breton Cowl by Antonia Shankland, Squad Mitts by Ann Weaver and the Station Wagon Blanket by Mary Jane Mucklestone, as well as a recipe for striped cake! Plus additional essays and gorgeous photos.
