I've posed a question about Sweet, since it seems that I'm missing something about the deeper v (like if I should stop increasing alternate rows and start increasing every row at some point to make the sides meet).  I'm trying to find out an answer before I continue.  That way,  depending on the answer, I'll only have to rip back a couple of rows.

In the meantime, I'm taking advantage of the lull to start on Christmas presents.  Now I can't make a Christmas list of who and what here, unfortunately.  Some people on said list read this from time to time, and I don't want to ruin any surprises.  But the first present I've started is the Kid Merino Cat's Paw Lace scarf.  I have the perfect person in mind for it, so I'm trying real hard not to screw this up (being my first time making this pattern and all).  When I'm done I'll take pictures.  But I won't be posting any of them until after the holidays, so I don't give too much away.

Alright, so after a minor setback, we're back up and running.  Since I had to start over anyway, I chose to start completely fresh, new yarn, new measurements, everything.  And I've elected to go with the deeper v for the neckline as well (better to show off the necklaces I always wear).





The yarn I selected this time is Lion Brand Woolease, color Cranberry.  It's soft and a beautiful color, and reminded me of the holidays.  Therefore, it made perfect sense to use it (to me, anyways)

So, that's how it goes right now.  I'm feeling much better about this project again.

PS - yes, those are the stitch markers I made yesterday

Okay, so here's some better pictures than the ones from the other day.  I'm starting to figure out the quirks of this camera, such as the best time of day to take pictures is in the evening when the sun is near the horizon, but not yet setting.  That way the light is good, but not too bright.



Emily and her teddy bear (Lucille Peep and Tiny Amis)



The Teddy Bear by himself.  He's really cute, but I should try to stuff the next one more evenly.



Pablito Penguin.

Okay, so there you have them. 

Well, after having frogged back a couple of rows to get to a small error, I took a step back and looked at what I had done so far with a critical eye.  It looked okay, but it didn't.  I knew it was off, but I could tell how.  So, I went to bed.

Upon awakening, I took another look at it.  Still something off, so I started fiddling with it, checking for more missed stitches, measuring it ... AH!  *deleted expletive*  I've seen posts so far about people having to start over because their first attempts were too small.  Well my first attempt is too BIG.  Joy.  Rippit rippit rippit.

In order to appease myself (and because I felt inspired by Dawn's recent post) I went ahead and made myself some stitch markers.



I'm very happy with the way they turned out, for the most part (my wire wrapping skills are still basic, as I haven't practiced much lately.  Too busy playing with my yarns).  I'm also happy with the picture, which for a change actually came out decent.  (Note, the camera works better in natural light).

Now that my creative flow has been regained, I feel up to the task of starting over.

So, here I am happily working on my sweater again, now that I'm safe in my knowledge that I'm doing it right so far, and I've gotten a few rows done.  Then suddenly I look down at where I'm at, looking for the 3 dc space to do my next 3 dc and I realize "I'D FORGOTTEN TO DO A 3 DC"!!!  Horror!

Well, I'm not one to let an error like that pass, so I ended up frogging two rows back in order to fix my mistake.

Blah.  Maybe well after bedtime is not such a good time to work on this project.

Needless to say, I have no pictures to offer tonight. 

Okay, more bad pictures.  I really hope Santa brings me a digital camera for Christmas this year.  Maybe something that will make even my pictures look good.

This time, we have some amigurumi.  I really get a kick out of doing these, it's something fun and totally useless.  Perfect.

First, we have Pablito the Penguin



He was my very first amigurumi, so he didn't come out all that great.  The person I made it for really likes him though, and that's all that matters.

Next up is Emily (Lucille Peep) and her companion the teddy bear (from the Tiny Ami pattern set)



Emily in her party dress.



And Emily in her play outfit.  And teddy's so cute.  They both look much better than the photos, and someday I will update the pictures.

Both of the pattern designers are very talented and have some great amigurumi patterns.  I've got many patterns from both of them, and have lots and lots of toys to make.  Which is a good thing, because I plan on making lots and lots as gifts.

Well, another picture.  Isn't that amazing?  This time it's my Chic on the Halfshell purse, pattern courtesy of The Crochet Dude.  It came out alright for my first one, I used some really girlie pink yarn that I recycled from a sweater, a acrylic/wool blend.  It's a very durable purse, and very fun too.



I added a crocheted flower in the center because I felt like it, but of course due to the nature of my camera, and my utter lack of photography skills, it didn't come out well.  I made it with Caron Jewel Box in Amethyst though, and it works well with the purse.

Okay, so the more I work on this sweater, the more I'm sure I'm doing something wrong here.  What I have so far just doesn't seem to mesh with other pictures I've seen.  I've managed to take some (really bad) pictures, hoping someone might have an idea where I'm going wrong.  (apparently this yarn loves flash, and the pictures ended up a bit bright ... but without the flash you couldn't see a darn thing ... go figure)





So, any ideas where I might have gone wrong?  I hate to have to frog and start over, but at this point it looks like what I might be doing.

PS - The hard to see fuzzball in the upper corner of the pictures is Gizmo the cat.  He likes to be around when I'm doing things, and I swear someday I'll be able to hand him the camera and have him take better photos than I will ever take.

I spoke of this poncho last night, as it was something I worked hard to finish before the start of the Sweet CAL.  For once, I actually have a (cruddy, thanks to an older 1.3 camera that doesn't filter light well) picture to share with you.



The colors are actually very nice, and I've already received compliments on it.  It's amazingly warm and heavy, quite comfy.  I even fell asleep on my couch for a quick nap in it today.  It's like wrapping yourself in a incredibly soft, warm blanket.

The Sweet Cal officially started today.  Since I had already started my sweater, I decided to take the day to finish a project already in progress that I really decided I want NOW.  I now have one very warm, very colorful Homespun poncho in my wardrobe.  I really didn't have any sweaters or light jackets for the in between warm and why did I move to NY cold.  Now I do.

Okay, a quick bit about my Sweet.  Since this is my first one, I have chosen to do it in some yarn that I have had forever, something I got for a project a long, long time ago.  A project that obviously never got done.  It's not anything special, Red Heart Soft Baby in the color Lime.  But after doing a few swatches, I found that I liked it the best, and boy do I love the color.

Okay, going to work on this a little bit before bed tonight.