A matter of great importance

Posted on Posted in Uncategorized

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.
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B) Cloth-covered
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C) Ceramic
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I could also use the flip side of the ceramic:
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What do you think?

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122 Comments on “A matter of great importance”

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.)

  4. 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.)

  9. Love the orange with the green – three is just enough for contrast without getting too…too.

  10. Love the orange with the green – three is just enough for contrast without getting too…too.

  11. I like the ceramic, looks-like-a-cinnamon-bun buttons. Not as crazy about the other ones.

  12. I like the ceramic, looks-like-a-cinnamon-bun buttons. Not as crazy about the other ones.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.)

  20. 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.)

  27. 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!

  28. 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!

  29. 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.

  30. 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.

  31. 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.

  32. 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.

  39. 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!

  40. 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!

  73. 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.

  74. 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.

  77. 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!

  78. 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!

  83. 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…

  84. 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…

  85. Okay, you’ve probably already decided, but I adore ceramic buttons in general, and those in particular look great with the hoodie.

  86. Okay, you’ve probably already decided, but I adore ceramic buttons in general, and those in particular look great with the hoodie.

  93. I like the vintage orange (unless they’re a lot brighter in person than in the photo!). Good luck choosing.

  94. I like the vintage orange (unless they’re a lot brighter in person than in the photo!). Good luck choosing.

  105. 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.

  106. 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.

  109. Ceramic, swirly side up. The bakelite buttons are awesome though – you should use them on something fancy!

  110. Ceramic, swirly side up. The bakelite buttons are awesome though – you should use them on something fancy!

  111. go to goodwill, find a cardi with great toggles, use toggles, recycle yarn, get another sweater out of the deal.

  112. go to goodwill, find a cardi with great toggles, use toggles, recycle yarn, get another sweater out of the deal.

  113. 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.

  114. 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.

  119. I love the spirals, but I think they get lost with that sweater. The bakelite ones are my faves for this!

  120. I love the spirals, but I think they get lost with that sweater. The bakelite ones are my faves for this!