A matter of great importance
Yep, the time has come. I need to choose buttons for my Central Park Hoodie. I’ve only got the left button band knit so far, so the decision doesn’t need to be made today, but within a few days I will need to sew some buttons on this baby. I can’t decide what to use. I’m hoping you can.
What you (may) need to know before you make your choice:
1) I’m going to do crochet button loops rather than buttonholes, and use only three buttons, placed toward the top of the cardigan. I want it held together at the top, but not completely closed. I never use more than three buttons on any of my cardigans. Just doesn’t suit my shape.
2) I’m knitting the button bands to 2.5″ rather than the 1.5″ called for in the pattern. I think the deeper rib is a better balance for the deep ribbing of the cuffs and hem. For this reason, I’m aiming toward a larger button.
3) The secret fourth option is wooden toggles. I’d have to buy those, though. I knit this sweater from stash yarn, and it would be nice to also use stash buttons.
And so…the options. These all come from my mother’s button stash, established at some point in the ’60s and given to me last fall. There are some fantastic buttons in there. Enough to make me want to knit 3,057 cardigans, just to use them:
A) Vintage orange. I think they’re Bakelite.
B) Cloth-covered
C) Ceramic
I could also use the flip side of the ceramic:
What do you think?
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Sometimes picking just the “right” buttons is the hardest part! I like the spiral side of the ceramic ones best, somewhat contrasty, but not as much so as the orange ones, the texture looks nice with the yarn, and the spiral picks up the curves of the cables.
Sometimes picking just the “right” buttons is the hardest part! I like the spiral side of the ceramic ones best, somewhat contrasty, but not as much so as the orange ones, the texture looks nice with the yarn, and the spiral picks up the curves of the cables.
I agree with Joy – the ceramic buttons. The only thing I would worry about, though, is if you tend to toss your sweaters on the arm of a chair, would these buttons break? (I have a vintage sweater of my Dad’s that I flung a few too many times and the buttons broke.)
I agree with Joy – the ceramic buttons. The only thing I would worry about, though, is if you tend to toss your sweaters on the arm of a chair, would these buttons break? (I have a vintage sweater of my Dad’s that I flung a few too many times and the buttons broke.)
I like the orange ones.
Shocking.
I like the orange ones.
Shocking.
I like the spirals. I’m a sucker for spirals.
I like the spirals. I’m a sucker for spirals.
Love the orange with the green – three is just enough for contrast without getting too…too.
Love the orange with the green – three is just enough for contrast without getting too…too.
I like the ceramic, looks-like-a-cinnamon-bun buttons. Not as crazy about the other ones.
I like the ceramic, looks-like-a-cinnamon-bun buttons. Not as crazy about the other ones.
Definitely the ceramic ones. Or toggles, if you can swing it… I just love toggles!
Definitely the ceramic ones. Or toggles, if you can swing it… I just love toggles!
I am voting for the spiral side of the ceramics.
I am voting for the spiral side of the ceramics.
The spiral-side of the ceramic attracted me right away. The color is neutral enough not blend or contrast with the sweater…via the pictures at any rate.
The spiral-side of the ceramic attracted me right away. The color is neutral enough not blend or contrast with the sweater…via the pictures at any rate.
I think the spiral ones, but I’d almost have to see it on you to make the final decision. It’s hard to choose buttons! And they’ve gotta be JUST THE RIGHT ONES. (or else.)
I think the spiral ones, but I’d almost have to see it on you to make the final decision. It’s hard to choose buttons! And they’ve gotta be JUST THE RIGHT ONES. (or else.)
I vote for the spiral ceramic, 2nd choice are the orange ones. Love the sweater!!!
I vote for the spiral ceramic, 2nd choice are the orange ones. Love the sweater!!!
the orange ones give it a little je ne sais quoi. beautiful job on the knitting.
the orange ones give it a little je ne sais quoi. beautiful job on the knitting.
I like the ones that look like cinnamon buns!
I like the ones that look like cinnamon buns!
i like the flip side of the ceramic ones. although if toggles were offered as a selection, as another commenter suggested, I would vote for those immediately!
i like the flip side of the ceramic ones. although if toggles were offered as a selection, as another commenter suggested, I would vote for those immediately!
I love the orange but not with this yarn. I think the ceramic look nice. Although in the close up I saw pancetta and now I can’t unsee it.
I love the orange but not with this yarn. I think the ceramic look nice. Although in the close up I saw pancetta and now I can’t unsee it.
I vote for the flip side of the ceramic buttons. But before the final decision I would really try on the cloth covered ones; I think they have to be on the cardigan, on you, to really tell.
I vote for the flip side of the ceramic buttons. But before the final decision I would really try on the cloth covered ones; I think they have to be on the cardigan, on you, to really tell.
Ceramic! With the swirly side up. It echos the curves in the cables.
Ceramic! With the swirly side up. It echos the curves in the cables.
Ceramic!
Ceramic!
I like the ceramic, front (swirl) side. 🙂
I like the ceramic, front (swirl) side. 🙂
I like the flip side of the ceramic ones. I’m in love with the orange, but I think the flip-side ceramic win my vote!
I like the flip side of the ceramic ones. I’m in love with the orange, but I think the flip-side ceramic win my vote!
I would use the last ones….but not the flip side 🙂
I would use the last ones….but not the flip side 🙂
flip side ceramic. hands down. in my opinion, of course.
flip side ceramic. hands down. in my opinion, of course.
Hands down, I like the ceramic swirl ones.
Hands down, I like the ceramic swirl ones.
the orange are awesome
the orange are awesome
I like the ceramic ones. But toggles would look great too!
I like the ceramic ones. But toggles would look great too!
vote…cloth covered!
they are very pretty and unique
vote…cloth covered!
they are very pretty and unique
flip side or toggle. really toggle I think is the best option
flip side or toggle. really toggle I think is the best option
ceramic buttons, spiral side. Love those.
ceramic buttons, spiral side. Love those.
Toggle. Definately toggle. If funds are a bit tight, the flip side of the ceramic.
Toggle. Definately toggle. If funds are a bit tight, the flip side of the ceramic.
Ceramic, flip side.
Ceramic, flip side.
I like the orange Bakelite best. I love the ceramic buttons but I think the sweater and the ceramic buttons don’t do each other justice.
I like the orange Bakelite best. I love the ceramic buttons but I think the sweater and the ceramic buttons don’t do each other justice.
Ceramic, swirly side up. Although the Bakelite are a close second.
Ceramic, swirly side up. Although the Bakelite are a close second.
Ceramic plain…but I think a horn toggle would look really nice.
Ceramic plain…but I think a horn toggle would look really nice.
I’d go with the flip-side of the ceramic buttons. Or wooden toggles.
I’d go with the flip-side of the ceramic buttons. Or wooden toggles.
i like the reverse side of the ceramic ones, myself.
did you get my email about knit night this wednesday?
i like the reverse side of the ceramic ones, myself.
did you get my email about knit night this wednesday?
I like the spiral side of the ceramic ones.
I like the spiral side of the ceramic ones.
Have you considered a quick trip to the Button Emporium downtown? If you take your sweater with you the ladies that work there will help you find something spectacular. Of your choices I like the flip side of the ceramic the best.
Have you considered a quick trip to the Button Emporium downtown? If you take your sweater with you the ladies that work there will help you find something spectacular. Of your choices I like the flip side of the ceramic the best.
I love the orange ones, but if not those, the spiral side of the ceramic ones 🙂
I love the orange ones, but if not those, the spiral side of the ceramic ones 🙂
I vote for the ceramic buttons–either side. I think they draw the eyes away from the knitting less than the other two options. Good luck deciding!
I vote for the ceramic buttons–either side. I think they draw the eyes away from the knitting less than the other two options. Good luck deciding!
My first choice would be orange and second would be ceramic. I love the orange!! 🙂
My first choice would be orange and second would be ceramic. I love the orange!! 🙂
love the jazzy orange ones.
love the jazzy orange ones.
Love the first side of the ceramic ones. The spirals rock. Or the bakelite, but really, use the spirals. And yes, stash yarn deserves stash buttons – especially when they are as fabulous as these…
Love the first side of the ceramic ones. The spirals rock. Or the bakelite, but really, use the spirals. And yes, stash yarn deserves stash buttons – especially when they are as fabulous as these…
Okay, you’ve probably already decided, but I adore ceramic buttons in general, and those in particular look great with the hoodie.
Okay, you’ve probably already decided, but I adore ceramic buttons in general, and those in particular look great with the hoodie.
I like the ceramic flip side best with this cardigan.
I like the ceramic flip side best with this cardigan.
I like the ceramic spirals, me.
I like the ceramic spirals, me.
Orange! They pep up the sweater in a very you way.
Orange! They pep up the sweater in a very you way.
I like the vintage orange (unless they’re a lot brighter in person than in the photo!). Good luck choosing.
I like the vintage orange (unless they’re a lot brighter in person than in the photo!). Good luck choosing.
I love the orange and the spirals. And I can’t wait to see the sweater!
I love the orange and the spirals. And I can’t wait to see the sweater!
Ceramic. No question. And great job on the hoodie!
Ceramic. No question. And great job on the hoodie!
Ceramic. Right side up. Beautiful sweater!
Ceramic. Right side up. Beautiful sweater!
If it were my sweater, I’d do the flip side of the ceramic buttons.
If it were my sweater, I’d do the flip side of the ceramic buttons.
Ceramic, Right side up! Swirlies!
-K
Ceramic, Right side up! Swirlies!
-K
if i’m not too late to the party, i’ve got toggles you’re welcome to have if you want them. i think they’re unfinished wood so the color might be too light but if they work, they’re all yours.
if i’m not too late to the party, i’ve got toggles you’re welcome to have if you want them. i think they’re unfinished wood so the color might be too light but if they work, they’re all yours.
Wow. That is a tough choice. I don’t think you can go wrong. I like the ceramic spirals best… maybe. Argh. Tough choice.
Wow. That is a tough choice. I don’t think you can go wrong. I like the ceramic spirals best… maybe. Argh. Tough choice.
Ceramic, swirly side up. The bakelite buttons are awesome though – you should use them on something fancy!
Ceramic, swirly side up. The bakelite buttons are awesome though – you should use them on something fancy!
go to goodwill, find a cardi with great toggles, use toggles, recycle yarn, get another sweater out of the deal.
go to goodwill, find a cardi with great toggles, use toggles, recycle yarn, get another sweater out of the deal.
i like the flipped ceramic ones.
i love the bakelite but I would save them for someone else, with the green they are looking a weird color.
i like the flipped ceramic ones.
i love the bakelite but I would save them for someone else, with the green they are looking a weird color.
I like the orange followed by the ceramic, spiral side.
I like the orange followed by the ceramic, spiral side.
Kind of partial to the flip side of the ceramic.
Kind of partial to the flip side of the ceramic.
I love the spirals, but I think they get lost with that sweater. The bakelite ones are my faves for this!
I love the spirals, but I think they get lost with that sweater. The bakelite ones are my faves for this!
Ceramic… either side!
Ceramic… either side!