Last year I was lucky enough to be able to test the Ivy Pullover for Stitch and Hound. It has become one of my favorite pattern tests and projects in general thus far in this crochet journey. I have always been a fan of Sarah’s patterns and she is my favorite designer to test for. I feel like every pattern I test for her, I learn and accomplish some sort of new skill.
This is my first ever completed sweater. I have started one and am halfway done with it but never completely finished it yet. It’s on my to do list, I promise. When I first saw that this pattern used a thin yarn, I about said never mind, I don’t think I’ll be able to complete this pattern on time. But I knew I needed to do this to prove to myself that I can start and finish lengthier projects.
Sarah had recently suggested the show Gilmore Girls and since I never had watched it before, I decided I would start binging it on Netflix. That just so happened to be at the same time I started binge crocheting to bust this project out. Which brings me to an awesome part about this sweater. Once you start this pattern, it’s literally just the same four rows over and over again. It’s easy to get in the flow of the pattern quickly.
And while we are speaking about rows, look how beautiful the stitch detail is on this sweater!
She uses basic, beginner friendly stitches in such a way that compliments each other so nicely. The thin yarn makes it look like it’s so intricate and difficult, but in reality, it’s very easy. The thin yarn with this stitch design also gives it such a light, flowy feel. That’s one thing I usually don’t like about sweaters, store bought or handmade, is that the stitches and yarn are so bulky, I feel like it adds ten pounds onto me. But this yarn gives it such a nice, fitted feeling. I just love it!
The bottom, collar and sleeves also have a cute little shell look to them that gives it a nice, finished look. It is such a nice addition to this sweater because it doesn’t take away the attention to the detail in the sweater. It just adds a nice little addition that compliments it so well.
With all this beautiful detail and the thin yarn, it can seem like a slow process. However, the treble crochet stitch helps speed it up (which is why that is one of my favorite stitches). But also once I got started with it, I knew I just had to finish it because I could not WAIT to put it on! Once you start seeing the texture of what it’s going to become, it just makes it all the more exciting to work on. Not to mention how soft it is too.
Basically you create panels and then sew them together. So if you are like me, having smaller goals to complete to make one big goal makes it a lot easier for me to stick with something. I think that is another reason why this is my first sweater that I’ve completed. And if you hear the word sewing and get nervous that you haven’t done much with sewing, don’t sweat it! Sarah has so many helpful pictures and tips on sewing it all together. It was such an easy process!
I cannot stress enough that you will NOT regret making this sweater! It is going to be such a welcomed addition to your closet and you will not want to take it off.
If you want to make your own, check out Sarah’s blog for the free pattern here or save it to your Pinterest board by clicking here. But if you want an ad free, printable version of the pattern, check it out on her Ravelry page here. Coming from a fellow designer, it helps us so much when you purchase a copy of our patterns. It allows us to keep creating more awesome patterns for you to make.
While you are at it, check out all her other patterns on those platforms. She has so many awesome patterns that range from clothing, to fun kid’s accessories and even things for your home. You will find so many projects to add to your crochet to do lists!
Let her know if you made one of these by using the hashtag #ivypullover and #stitchandhoundcrochet and tag her in it on Instagram using @stitchandhound. And let me know in the comments here if you made one so I can be watching out on her hashtags for your finished products!
I can’t wait for more awesome patterns to test for Sarah, but until then, happy crocheting everyone!