24 July 2012

Ambrosia Sweater

I started this sweater back in May as a way of getting me through a rough breakup.  As I knit this soothing sweater my grief faded and was replaced by calm and a sense of hope.  I'm not sure if knitting might help everyone through a rough time, but in my case it definitely did.


The pattern is Ambrosia by Katya Frankel, which overall I really liked.  I especially enjoyed the lack of seaming, as well as the top down construction of the sweater.  The cabling down the front helped to get me through long stretches of stockinette stitch and adds some extra interest to the sweater.  I also really liked that the bind off method was an i-cord bind off, because it made the whole project look much more finished and attractive.  The pattern directions were very clear and easy to follow.


The one problem I had with this pattern was with the recommended method of securing the sweater with hook and eyes.  When I first saw the pattern, that aspect really intrigued me because I had not seen many projects that way, and now I certainly know why.  No matter how much I block this sweater, there are still unseemly gaps down the front due to the hook and eyes.  I think that if I were to knit this sweater again, I would probably modify it to work with buttons.  I'm thinking that someday I might install a zipper onto this particular sweater, because with that one little change it would be perfect! 


The yarn was an absolute dream to knit with, as I've mentioned before, I'm not sure why my entire stash isn't made up of Madelinetosh.  I used Madelinetosh Vintage in the Nebula (isn't that perfect?) colorway.  I love the solid, crispness of the yarn base that they use for this yarn, and as an added bonus it still had that lovely merino smell!  Of course the best part of Madelinetosh is the almost iridescent color and this one in particular is just gorgeous.


Despite the fastening problem in the front, I really love this sweater and I hope to have many a chance to wear it this Fall! 

34 comments:

  1. lovely sweater! it looks like it would be a joy to knit!

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  2. It looks gorgeous!The color and pattern are both really beautiful. I am in full anticipation of sweater weather! This summer is just FAR too hot!

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  3. It's an awesome sweater and I think it can be very soothing to knit to help people through difficult times. Glad it helped you. Playing catch up with my blog posts and visits.

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  4. What a great sweater, I love the shape, colour, length. Could you maybe use buttons and loops instead of the hooks and eyes or maybe put a few more on so that they are closer together. A zip would work too. But it looks lovely nevertheless

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  5. Is gorgeous! Knitting and tennis are my therapy! They work wonders with my mind and body. Good to know that you are at peace with what happened. Take care!

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  6. It is so gorgeous. Knitting is deff a good therapy.

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  7. Your sweater is wonderful. It's quite flattering, with the interest in the waist and the front. Too bad about the hook and eye closing - always lessons learned right? I think this one calls for a zipper. The color is brilliant as well - deep and rich. I hear you on the therapeutic benefits of knitting/crochet. It's gotten me through many hard days!

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  8. You really did choose the perfect yarn and color for this wonderful design. It looks wonderful on you in spite of the hook and eye bunching (which, by the way, is minimal). Another successful FO! Well done.

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  9. Knitting is so soothing, and your sweater is gorgeous!! I think a zipper is a brilliant idea, but that could just be because I'm desperate to knit a zip front sweater.

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  10. It's gorgeous and looks great on you, perfect match for your figure (which I'm very jealous of, btw, in my post-pregnancy state, lol). A zipper would be perfect, though I still think it looks great with the gaps.

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  11. It turned out so gorgeous! With or without a zipper I think it just looks wonderful. I get what you mean about the tough times and knitting. Whenever I get over-whelmed I knit. I think just knowing what you are doing and the repetitive motions is soothing. This sweater is just amazing and I can't wait to see what you knit next.

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  12. Sweater Queen! haha I love this one just like I do the rest of yours. I am so jealous you find time to knit so many sweaters.

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  13. Very, VERY, nice.
    Love the details.

    Will this hot weather ever cease??

    hugs

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  14. What a beautiful color. I haven't seen to many hook and eye closures on sweaters as well. I love it with this pattern. I am sure you will get plenty of wear out of this.

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  15. So pretty! And I too feel like when I'm knitting, I'm taking care of myself :-)

    If you still want the hooks and eyes, but less gaping, you can get hook and eye tape at fabric stores. It's two pieces of twill tape, with hooks down one side and eyes down the other, and they're usually spaced pretty closely together. You would sew it in like you do a zipper.

    That said, I've made a few sweaters that close with hooks and eyes, and I find them tricky because the hooks can easily catch on your knit fabric and snag it.

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  16. The rich color is terrific on you. I'm glad this helped soothe the tumultuous waves that went on in your life. What if you put more hooks and eyes? But I think the zipper idea stellar.

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  17. What a great teal color! Lovely work.

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  18. Oh that is so gorgeous I love it! I can't wait until I get my back-ordered yarn and I can finally knit my first sweater. I love love the color and the yarn I must get some more mad tosh asap...

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  19. Its gorgeous, I'm glad the knitting soothed you. I really rate zippers, they aren't at all difficult to sew in, Purl Bee (of Purl Soho) has a great tutorial on their blog!

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  20. The sweater is beautiful! It is a really flattering shape and the yarn makes a lovely fabric. I can see what you mean about the hook-and-eye. To us it still looks great but I can see that when you spend a long time on something, you want it to come out exactly the way you want. I'm glad it was a therapeutic knit!

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  21. Love the sweater! The color is amazing and it fits you perfectly! I too find knitting to be very soothing in hard times!! It's been helping me get through a ruff patch here lately as well.

    loulouandlillybean

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  22. It is so pretty!!! It looks perfect on you!

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  23. That Tosh is just so pretty. And a zipper will straighten that front up really well. I'm glad you are feeling a bit better. Breakups really suck.

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  24. So beautiful- I was thinking the cables are so incredible that you don't want to distract from them- if you don't plan on wearing it closed all the time maybe just a single button and loop at the top.

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  25. The sweater is gorgeous! The colour is fantastic and I love the cables too. It's a great fit and it really suits you :)

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  26. Oh, I remember when you got that yarn - I am so so happy for you that knitting this sweater helped you with your grieving process.
    It looks absolutely stunning. You have such a knack for finding gorgeous patterns. I actually do love the look of the hook and eye closure, it is very unique.
    Have you thought of adding some more hooks and eyes along the front? That may help to achieve a more even look (but as I said, I like it the way it is)

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  27. I love this sweater. I really like the 3/4 sleeves. I may have to put this on my to make list!

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  28. absolutely STUNNING sweater! and yes, i agree... knitting/crocheting does WONDERS when things are feeling a little bit blue. i powered through the larger part of a huge granny square blanket after a big break up a few years back, and then abandoned it. it spoke to me several months later and i was able to finish it up, in a completely different state of mine. amazing how much my tension had changed! :)

    congrats on a beautiful sweater!

    xo

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  29. It's so beautiful! Good to know about the hook and eye closures, though. I'm so glad the knitting helped you through a tough time. :)

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  30. IVY! It's gorgeous! I'm late to the party, but that turned out really well. And good for you for knitting through the pain. I know I couldn't pick up needles for at least a couple of months after Mr. Right and I split last year. It's SO much healthier this way. Hugs (and congrats!) to you!!

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  31. The sweater turned out absolutely beautiful! I have two thoughts on the closure: (1) I think it looks good worn with the openings and wearing another shirt underneath, as you've modeled it. (2) But, if that's not your thing, I think adding a zipper would also look good.

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  32. Pumpkin, That is such a beautiful sweater! great job!

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