Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks

I guess it's not true what they say. Old dogs can learn new tricks. Or at least this old dog has the capability of learning a new trick or two.

As I mentioned in my last post, my goal for April is to attempt to learn something new, so I decided that the time has finally come for me to learn how to make two socks at one time using the toe up method. I love how I changed my mind by the end of the post. By the end of the post I decided to make one sock at a time using the toe up method just in case I couldn't figure out the two at a time thing, because I knew I had to learn how to do several things just to learn how to do a toe up sock.

I am glad I decided not to make myself have to learn two a time method this month, because learning how to make a sock using the toe up method is hard enough. Learning how to make a toe up socks means that you

have to learn how to cast on using Judy's Magic Cast on and you have to learn how to use the Magic Loop. Neither thing is hard, but both are very different than the style I accustom to knitting in. I am surprised that I picked up both relatively quickly.

I decided that I would work on the sample sock from the Melissa Morgan Oakes Toe Up 2 at a time book. That way I will make a tiny sample to make sure that I know that I am doing and I don't have to waste too much time on it. The sample is small enough that I can make it and still have time to make a full pair of socks. When I get far enough for you to actually see what I am doing, I will post a picture of the sample. Right now it is too small to see what it actually is.

The Great Knitting Needle Debate!

Last night I didn't have anything to do so I headed over to Park Slope and hung out with the ladies of the Park Slope Knitting Group. As usual had a great time and learned new things. Or I should say I learned about ways to spend even more of my hard earned money on.

Every time I hang out with a group of knitters I leave with a wealth of knowledge and the next day my my pockets get a little emptier, because I had to buy the must have yarn, book, notion and etc that everyone was talking about it.

Last night the great needle debate came up. What are the best knitting needles on the market and does your needle effect the speed of your knitting?

I have to admit I am a bit skeptical of the idea my knitting needle determines how fast or slow I knit. I am a huge fan of Addi Turbo needles. When I started knitting several years ago they were the biggest rage. A experience knitter that I was hanging out with at the time kept telling me that they would change my life and I would throw away all of my Susan Bates needles after using the Addi Turbo. I did notice that they yarn glided better on the "better" needle, but I honestly didn't notice that I knitted faster or slower on either needle. I will also admit that I didn't buy any Susan Bate needles after that, but I didn't throw the ones that I had out.

(side note: The issue I have with finishing projects quickly has very little to do with the speed that I knit. It is more about the fact that I put projects to the side for months on end. I think when I actually knit I move quickly. If they could make needles that would poke me in the ass when I wasn't working my projects, I would pay extra for that.)

Last night one of the ladies told about the new must have needle Signature Needle Arts (quick note for my frugal friends out there, you will clutch your pearls when you see the price of these things, because the price tag is crazy. Even I had to say WTF about the price....$60 for one pair of needles! But of course you know the other side of my brain was saying I gotta check those bad boys out.)

As usual when I hear about anything new I have to ask a million questions. Why should I spend $60 on these needles? What makes them better than other needles? The answer that I got back was they make you knit faster and they are super smooth. Hearing that made me think about my dear Addi Turbo Needles, because that is what people say about Addi Turbos, so of course I had to ask how are they different than Addi Turbos. I think I stumped the woman who was telling me about the needles with that question. She couldn't give me a solid answer on how they are different than Addi Turbo Needles. It sounds like the only difference is that the Signature Needle Arts needles have different point types and the extra dollars you have to pay. After learning about the Signature Needles I came to the conclusion that I was not missing out on anything if I am already using Addi Turbo needles. If happen to find some while I am out, then I will buy them, but that seems very unlikely since they are only sold in one store in NYC.

With that being said I have some questions for you my dear readers:

• Have you tried the Signature Needles?

• Do you notice if you knit faster or slower with certain needles?

• What kind of needles do you use?

• What is the most you have spent on a pair of needles?
  

hmmm...april

It's that time of the month....time to start thinking about next month's project. What should I make? I will finish Mason's rocking old man inspired BSJ. I really like how the sweater is turning out.

Maybe I should start something for the mystery baby. (FYI she was born yesterday.) As I typed that a little voice in my head yelled no more baby stuff. I am going to table mystery baby's present until a later date. I am getting baby burn out.

I feel like all I make now is baby stuff and becoming know as the baby knitter. Don't get me wrong, I love the babies, but I gotta make other stuff.

So back to what should I make in April...I should incorporate the learn something new part of my 2011 resolutions. Maybe i should attempt to learn how to knit two socks at one time in April. I have everything i need and it will be a good project for the plane ride to Austin. Hmmm....let me me put some thought into this. April i is going to be nutty. The big event is a few weeks away. OK new idea...I will try to learn how to make two socks at a time, but if I can't then my goal for the month will be make a pair of socks (one sock at a time).

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March Update

Finally an monthly update that I am happy to report back on. There are still a few more days left in March and I am happy to tell all of you that I have met my goal already for March!!!

Lesson learned I am going to make my goals easy for me to achieve. I shouldn't beat myself up not making my knitting goals. Knitting should be fun and not a job. :)

This month's goal was to start a new project and knit at least 25 rows or 25% of the project. 2 weeks ago I started a stripped BSJ for Mason and on row 28! I could had had more done, but I didn't like the gauge on the first sweater I started. It was too airy.

I really like the way it is coming out. Originally, I was going to use all 4 colors that I picked for him, but now I think I am going to just use the green and the blue. I really like the way the two colors together. I may add a third color when I do the button hole area.

I gave Mason his blanket over the weekend. He looks so cute in it. I realized seeing him in his blanket that I make big ass baby blankets and babies are tiny. O well, it is better than me making 5 blankets for one child. They can use this blanket until they are 5 or 6.

2011 Finished Objects

Just taking a moment to showcase what I have finished so far :)...Can't wait to add more pics!

Washed and Soon to be Delivered

Do you notice that something is missing from the what's on my needles section of the blog? That's right baby Olivia's BSJ is not hanging out there anymore. Suzy sewed up the shoulders and washed it today. So it is officially done. Now all I have to do it mail it. (Special hugs and kisses to Suzy.)

I gotta admit it is really cute. I did make some boo boos, but they will not stop her from wearing the sweater. It's not like I can't make her another one.

I also washed Mason's blanket and it washed really well. I will use Bernat acrylic yarn again.

Today I meet up with a girl from the neighborhood and we knitted for a couple for an hour or so and I started the first 10 rows of Mason's BSJ. I am excited to see how it turns out.

Since my goal is to only knit 25 rows of whatever project I start this month, then I am half way there for my goal of the month.

I noticed something interesting. Knitting with Vanna's Choice yarn and crocheting with Vanna Choice yarn is very different. I kept reading that the yarn splits a lot, but didn't experience until I started knitting with it. Not sure if I am going to knit with this yarn again. I think the sweater is going to cute. I am starting it with the rust color and I am going to do that for the first 15 rows. Not sure what color I am going to do after that.

I need your help, I ran into an old friend today coming back from the laundromat and she asked me if I was still knitting and I showed her the bsj and she asked me to make one to sell in her store. I told her if I have a spare moment and wasn't doing anything I would. What kind of yarn should I use and how much should I charge for the sweater?

Hello March!

It's time for me to figure out what I am going to do with my knitting life for the month of March.

What should I do? Hmmmm....March is a little nutty, so I am not going to set myself up for failure and heartbreak by starting something major and trying to finish it in the same month.

The plan for this month is I am going to start a major project and I only have to finish a 1/4 of it. That should only be 25 rows. I think I can handle 25 rows in a month.

This month's project is....a stripped baby surprise jacket for my nephew Mason. If I get really daring I am going to put a collar on it. I want to go for the feeling of a little old man sweater, because he reminds me of a cute little old man. :)

I want to do another BSJ, because I still haven't mastered the BSJ. Suzy informed me the other day that I made a little boo-boo on Baby Olivia's BSJ, so I want to try it again, but this time with stripes and maybe add a collar. I am going to use 4 colors of Vanna's Choice yarn that purchased at Micheal's over the summer.

I am sure next month, I will make something for the mystery baby.

@Rachael Younger - I can now talk about the mystery baby, because it is no longer a mystery. My sister (Janice ) and I have been thinking that our cousin in law is expecting a baby. She finally made the announcement that she is expecting. Before the end of the year, I will have a new little cousin. I am so excited, because they already have 3 little girls and they are the most amazing/beautiful children. I expect the 4th child just as amazing.

Issues!

I broke a major goal already...I purchased yarn today. After today's purchase from School Products I started to wonder if I have a serious problem, but I couldn't figure out what the problem is.

Am I addicted to yarn or am I just a cookie cutter hoarder? I must confess that I love watching reality based documentaries like AE's Hoarder's, TLC's Buried Alive and TLC's Strange Addiction. I am so fascinated by how people's mind work and how they end up living in such horrible conditions. How do they live in homes with 25 dead rabbits and 1000 pounds of shitty diapers with no running water?

When I got home after buying several balls of Karbella yarn. I was on a high thinking of all of the things that I am going to make and then I got home and opened my little storage space where I keep my stash and realized that I did it again. I purchased yarn, that I have no real plans for. It will sit in my plastic tub for years to come. When I look at all of the yarn sitting in the plastic container I realized that I had big dreams for all of them when I purchased and none of them have come true.

As I stood in my storage area I think back on the many hoarding reality shows that I have watched and I could hear the words that they all say. "I can't throw this out, because I plan use this. I know exactly what I am going to use it for. I just haven't had the time to do it, but as soon as I have the chance I will start it."

At that moment, I realized that I am no better than the woman who lives in the house filled with shitty diapers and that I do not hoard everything I just love the fiber goodness. I am afraid that one day I am going wake up in a house surrounded in yarn and AE will be knocking at my at door trying to tape an episode of Hoarders called the Yarn Lady episode.

My question is would it be so bad to live in house that is filled with yarn. I don't think so. :) Yarn is a million times better than shitty diapers.

I am not going to beat myself up over today's purchase, because School Products is a great store and I like supporting it. I like the owners and it is the oldest yarn shop in New York City. Plus I am working on fighting another addiction...french fries. I guess if I had to let one of my additions take over this week I would rather be yarn than the french fries.

With that being said...I need to figure out how I am going use my stash in March.

My Empty Knitting - What should I make in March?

I am looking at my knitting bag and for the first time in a long it is empty. It's the end of the month, so that means that I just finished something and I am asking myself What should I make for March?

Should I make Mason an old man sweater?
Do I attempt toe up socks?
Do I make something for myself?
Do I start my get rid of my stash blanket?
Do I read (ha ha not start) the sweater patterns that I purchased at Rhinebeck and Downtown Yarn?

Do I start something for the mystery baby? I will need to figure it out in 4 hours because March is quickly approaching.

Any thoughts?

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Another One Bites the Dust (month and project)

OK, so another month is over and I am still left with a whole lot on my plate, so I think it is time that I that I revamp my resolutions for 2011/smaller goals each month, so that that I can keep my goals going this year.

New Monthly Resolutions

• Finish at least one project a month
  
• Blog at least once a week
  
• Knit 5 hours a week
• Learn a new technique every 2 months

Reminder of 2011 Goal

• KNIT MORE!
• Finish at least one project a month - Plot each month's project a month in advance
• Learn 3 to 4 new knitting techniques, such as toe up socks, two socks at one time, magic loop, cables or color knitting, by the end of the year
• Blog at least twice a week and not just updates - Blog about the projects in depth
• Give 3 knitted/crocheted Christmas gifts this year
• Use stash/Get rid of all my super crappy acrylic yarn
• Make something for myself (on purpose)
  

If I can't keep these goals up for the year, then I will donate my Addi Turbo Needles to charity.

With that being said, I am happy to report that I have finished Baby Mason's First Blanket. I must say it came out really good. After seeing his stroller yesterday I realized that I picked the right colors.

February Update One

This update has very little to do with knitting and all about my new love.

Baby Mason arrived three weeks early and of course the green blanket is only half way done. I am going give him the green blanket, because it matches his stroller.

After meeting him I decided that I am going to make him a baby old man sweater with stripes because he reminds me of an old man with a comb over. I want to play around with his old man while I can.

Hopefully, I will have the blanket done in 2 weeks. Will keep you posted.

February's To Do List

Happy Valentine's Day Everybody!

Here are my plans for February 2011. My plans for January worked out better well. I think I gave myself too much to do, but I am so happy that I did finish what I finished.

So what's left over from last month:

• Hat for Mr. Crawford
• Photo of Acrylic Stash
  

February's To Do List:

• Olivia's BSJ needs to be sew (Suzy)
• Green Blanket
• Blog more
• A hat for Mr. Crawford
• Block Deb's scarf
• Start primary color blanket for Mason
  

What should I do with the random green blanket that is in the photo below? I have been crocheting this during my moments of boredom.

Should I give it to Baby Mason? I like it, but I am not sure if it screams baby boy to me.

If this was bigger, I could totally see my mother loving it. The colors scream DOT (that is my is my mom's name).

I am going to keep working on it cause it is nice and you never know. I may have a mysterious baby show up. Babies have a way of just show up sometimes without a warning.

Goodbye January Hello February!

Great News! Baby Olivia's BSJ is finally done! The only thing that is left to do is sew up the sleeves and put the button. I am not even going to act as if I am going to act as if I am going to do either thing. I have already begged Suzy to help me. I can't put a button or sew up the sleeves. Sewing is not my thing. On a whole I like the BSJ, but I am don't love it. I think I made it correctly, but I am not crazy about the cotton yarn that I used. I really need to find the perfect yarn to make a BSJ with.

Deb's scarf is also done. The only thing left to do it block it.

So what didn't get done as a part of January's to do list.

Mr. Crawford hat didn't even get started.

I did pull out my acrylic yarn, but need to figure out what I am going to do with it. There isn't as much as I expected, so I may have to buy some black yarn to make up for what is lacking. I need to post a photo of my acrylic stash, so that I can get ideas from all of you on what I should do with the yarn.

I was supposed to figure Mason, but he still up in the air. I will make him my focus for February. I have been working on the green blanket that I started for him. I still have a month to go before he comes. Not like I have ever been ready for any child. So maybe I should keep this up, because I have been late for all of my favorite little brats and they are all well. No need to break the cycle now. :)

February to do list:

1. Finish the same green blanket for Mason -finish this by Feb. 19th baby shower
   
2. Mr. Crawford's hat
3. BSJ for Mason - stripes - goal to finish by the time he is two months old

Time for bed! Night night!

January Update!

Heading to work now. Figured I would write a quick post since I have been neglecting the blog.

This month has been super busy with work. I have been working on a freelance project and I have been pulling a lot of long hours lately.

Here are my updates (I will post photos and give more details later):

I finished Debra's scarf last night! I need to block it.

I sorted all of my yarns to see how much acrylic crap I have. I gotta say I don't have as much as I thought. I think I have enough to make myself a blanket especially if I buy some black yarn to fill in the gaps.

Baby Olivia jacket is still missing the last ten rows. I will finish that this weekend. I think it is going to snow again this weekend so there is no excuse.

Baby Mason is still a TBD. When I was going through my yarn I rediscovered some Vanna's Choice that I bought for him. So this weekend I need to look at it again and figure out what I am doing.

I started an olive green and multi-colored Lucy blanket for him one night when I was bored, but I am not sure if it right for him. Seems a little old.

So it seems as if the only thing that I haven't done from my Jan. to do list is write blog post. :(, but at least I am knitting.

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January Update Number 1

This is a sad sad sad update.

I have made very little progress on my January to do list. The last couple of days have been super busy. The freelance project that I have been working on for my old company is coming to an end and now it is time that I put in a lot of long days, so there hasn't been much time for knitting. :(

Hopefully, I will get some tonight while I watch TV or maybe I will get some done on Saturday while I watch those people read.

#January's #Goals

Now that I have announced my plans for 2011, I guess I better get to work.

@The Younger Rachael thanks for the support!

I plan to do the following things this month:

• Go through my stash see how much acrylic yarn I have and see if the colors look good together for a Lucy Blanket
  

• Figure out what I am making for Mason

• Finish Olivia's BSJ The sad thing is that I only have 10 more rows to do. She should be wearing this now.
  

• Finish Debra's scarf

• Start and finish Mr. Crawford's black hat
  

• Blog about the progress of theses projects
  

#2011 #Crafting #Resolutions

Happy New Year Everyone! Hope your 2011 is off to a great start. Mine is. I started the new year really look key. Went out with two friends and had a drama free night. I hope that NYE represents the way the rest of my year will be. Surrounded by fun/chill people, drinking good drinks and eating some yummy/healthy food.

After much thought, I am finally ready to share my 2011 knitting resolutions with all of you.

For Resolutions the Urban Knits Blog:

1. Post twice a week.
   
   
2. Try to promote the blog more. I have to say I am surprised by the number of subscribers that I have now without any promotion. Thank you all of taking an interest in my blog. :)
   
   
3. Try to figure out to get more reader participation. I love that people are reading. the blog. I would love for you guys to start commenting and sharing your opinions on here. This blog isn't a one way street. Thank you to the people have been posting comments recently.
   
   
4. Revamp the look of the blog.
   
   
5. Tweet more. Use twitter more than just a place to post the posting. You can follow me on twitter @UrbanKnitsBlog.
   
   

For Knitting/Crochet Resolutions:

At first I had this crazy idea to dedicate this year to Elizabeth's Zimmerman's Knitter's Almanac and do a Julie Julia type thing. At first I thought it was a great idea, but started going through the book and realized that some of the patterns are still a little too confusing to me and I may not want to make all of the items in the book. So I decided to make my own version of the knitter's almanac. With that I will be able to accomplish all of the goals that I have for myself in 2011.

1. Knit more!
   
   
2. Can't watching crappy TV unless I am knitting
   
   
3. Finish at least 15 projects this year
   
   
4. Plot each month's project a month in advance
   
   
5. Blog about the projects in depth
   
   
6. Get rid of all my super crappy acrylic yarn
   
   
7. Make something for myself (on purpose)
   
   
8. Give 3 knitted/crocheted Christmas gifts this year
   
   
9. Make something with cables
   
   
10. Learn how to make socks toe up/2 socks at one
    
    
11. Learn how to color knit or double knit
    
    
12. Don't take 7 months to finish a simple project
    
    
13. Do something really adventurous for the Ravelympics 2011.

I hope I can create my almanac and keep all of these goals. If I start to slip, keep me in check.

#2010 Recap

In a little less than 24 hours we will say goodbye to 2010 and say hello to 2011. In this post, I will reflect on my crafting year.

I feel as if I had some success this year and some massive failures.

2010 Challenge Review:

When I came up with this idea to challenge myself. I didn't have any real goals. I just said that I would try to make things that I haven't done or haven't been able to do in the past, so I guess I completed by challenge by making a pair of socks, making the trial runs of the bsj, using patterns (something I never do), learning how to dye yarn and...hmmm...what else...I know there had to be more. I guess not. :(

I am going to pat myself on the back for 15 seconds for making the socks, but that is about it, cause Olivia is still sweaterless and I didn't make anything with cables or learn how to color knit. Considering I didn't give myself any real goal expect for do things that I never done before I guess I completed the challenge. I guess I just expected more from myself. O well, you live and you learn. I guess I better really think about the 2011 challenge.


Successes:

• Launched this blog

• Finally figured out why Raverly is sooooooooo awesome

• Made new knitting buddies (in real life and online) - Hey Rachel, Jan, Jackie, Miguel and Deena!
  

• Over 400 people have viewed my knitting a lifeline video on YouTube. The funny thing is that I put that video up to teach friends how to create lifelines. I haven't done anything to promote this video. Who knew that other people would find it useful?

• Checked out stores that I have been dying to go to- LaCasita, Downtown Yarn and Yarn Garden
  

• Went on a couple of knitting day trips - Rhinebeck and Flying Fingers
  

• Organized a knitters take over the Q Train meetup - we didn't take over the entire train, but we did take up most of a car :)

• Discovered new yarns

• Finished 9.5 objects

• Purchased my Strauch Fiber Yarn Winder - I am not sure if that is a success, but I really like it and it makes me so happy

• Cataloged most of my yarn stash, finished objects and current projects

Finished Objects:

• My first pair of socks - given to Mr. Crawford

• Meandering Rib Scarf - For Mr. Crawford - he doesn't have it yet

• Baby Surprise - Trial Run Not Given to Anyone
  

• Wash cloths - Given to Baby Olivia

• Rainbow Double Crochet Blanket - Given to Amanda

• Rainbow Lucy Blanket - Given to Baby Olivia

• Hello Kitty Dish Cloth - Not sure where it is

• Lucy Scarf - I am using it

• UGLY Blue and White Slipper Socks - Gave them to Amanda

• Dyed Yarn - Not sure if I can consider this a fo, because I didn't make anything with the yarn; I just dyed it.

Almost Finished Objects:

• Magic Rib Scarf - For Debra
  

• Baby Surprise Jacket - Baby Olivia
  

Failures:

• Can't get rid of my knitter's block
  

• Cable Black Hat - For Mr. Crawford - Kept jacking up the pattern - Frogged
  

• Gray Meandering Ribbed Scarf - For Mr. Crawford - Didn't think it was long enough, so I pulled it out and was to keep knitting it, but realized I pulled it out from the wrong end and ruined it. - Frogged
  

• Keep buying yarn and not doing anything with it

• Green Sock - Didn't have point protectors on my needles and lost my sock :( - Frogged

On a whole I am happy with my 2010 crafting year, but I really need to make my 2010 knitting challenge a real challenge with real measurable goals. I guess I should start writing them down now, so I can share them with you in my next post. Until then enjoy the rest of 2010!

Holiday Recap!

Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas. I did. It is nothing like spending time with your family and then getting stuck on a bus for 15 hours! My dumb ass got a bus from DC to New York City during a blizzard. Don't ask me why? I was determined to get back to NYC to go to work the following day. The funny thing is that I got back and still can't go to work, because my neighborhood is shut down and I can't get into the city.

Even though I had a great time with my family and I finished all of my holiday shopping I did not meet all of my knitting goals for this Christmas. :(

• Baby Olivia BSJ is still in the same place it has been for the past couple of weeks, so I compensated by buying her a bunch of cute little shirts and leggings.

• Deb's scarf is only 50% done. I showed it to her to let her know that is being worked on.

• Mr. Crawford's box of knitted goodies turned into Mr. Crawford's box of random things. Thankfully Suzy finished a hat a scarf, so he had something handmade in the box. I really need to finish this stuff ASAP, because one I don't want to drag these over due projects into 2011 and I want the owners to have their objects.

My sister gave me a cool knitting tool in my stocking. She put a pair of Clover Knit Lite Knitting Needles - Size 8 in my stocking. Every time we go to AC Moore I look at them and wonder if I should get them. So I was really happy that she got them for me.

Knit Lite Needles Review:

Really great concept. I have been in several situations where I wished I had them and now that I do, I hope I remember to use them. Lucky for me the scarf I am working on for my cousin is being worked on a size 8 needle, so I able to use them on the bus returning to New York.

Pros:

• The light is really helpful when you are working in a dark place or you are working with dark yarn.
  
• The light isn't so bright that it will disturb the people around you.
• Great for slippery yarn.

Cons:

• Uses 6 watch batteries to power them up. I have a feeling it is going to cost me an arm and leg to replace the batteries.
  
• The batteries are not easy to put in. I had to put them in several times before they worked.
• Battery life isn't great. One of the lights had died already and I didn't use them for very long.
  
• Not the best quality needles. (I am an addi turbo girl, aka a needle snob, but they are great for this slippery yarn that I am using to make the scarf.)
  

Cast Your Vote!

Before I start today's post I would like to take a moment to let you know that I am not crazy. I may have sounded a little crazy in my last post. I swear I am not! I am just frustrated and I hate assholes. :)

I can't believe in a few days we are going to say goodbye to 2010 and say hello to 2011. As we get closer to the new year we are all going to start thinking about the good and the bad times of the past year and start laying out our plans for the new year.

I have already started to think about my knitting plans for 2011. 2010 and was my year to challenge myself and now I am thinking about if I really challenged myself in 2010 and how I am going to push myself harder in 2011. (My review of my knitting projects for 2010 and my plans for 2011 will be in future posts.)

The one special project that I have on my to do list for 2011 is to make items for soon to be born nephew. I guess he is actually my great nephew, because is going to be my nieces' son. I am excited for his arrival. I don't have any children of my own and my niece is the offspring from my siblings.

He is expected to arrive the first week of March, so I need to start thinking of I ideas now. As we all know that I am the queen of procrastination knitting. FYI Baby Olivia still doesn't have BSJ. Hopefully I can get the knitting done on that this weekend, so that I can give it to her this week as a xmas present.

I keep going back and forth about what I want to make him, so I am asking you for your help. Please take a moment to vote on what I should make for him (his name is Mason).

1. A Circular Blanket
   
   
2. A Lucy Blanket
   
   
3. Doctor Who Baby Blanket
   
   
4. Stockinette BSJ (an interesting twist on Elizabeth Zimmerman's pattern)
   
   
5. No Hole Hexagon Sweater
   

If you don't like any of the ideas that I have mentioned above feel free to suggest other patterns. I open to anything!