And the Zebra Striper Sweater... she continues.
A Collar Completed
Button Band
Neck Band and Button Band Join
Button Positions Marked
Marking Button Hole Locations
I decided to post this last picture because I thought it might be of value to discuss how the buttons are positioned and the button holes located.
After you finish the button band (which is pretty straightforward picking up stitches and knitting a bit, knitting a turning row and then knitting the facing and sewing it down) you have to position the buttons. The pattern suggests locations for the top and bottom buttons, but the rest have to be evenly spaced between. I positioned the first two buttons and marked the positions by threading a piece of green yarn where I would sew in the button. Then I measured the distance between them, and divided the distance by the number of buttons to add plus 1 (this is the number of intervals between the button) and used that number to determine the distance between the remaining buttons and the edge buttons -- and marked those locations with the green yarn as well.
After that, I started on the button hole band. After 1 cm of knitting you have to place the button holes to correspond with the buttons. I pinned the sweater edges together to make sure the top and bottom of the bands were even, and then I used pins to mark the stitch that corresponded to the green marker on the button band. Since the button hole involved casting off three stitches, I used coil-less safety pins to mark the stitch plus the stitches on either side of it for casting off.
I'm now a bit past the turning row on the button band, so I've started to think about buttons. I am thinking about the following options:
After you finish the button band (which is pretty straightforward picking up stitches and knitting a bit, knitting a turning row and then knitting the facing and sewing it down) you have to position the buttons. The pattern suggests locations for the top and bottom buttons, but the rest have to be evenly spaced between. I positioned the first two buttons and marked the positions by threading a piece of green yarn where I would sew in the button. Then I measured the distance between them, and divided the distance by the number of buttons to add plus 1 (this is the number of intervals between the button) and used that number to determine the distance between the remaining buttons and the edge buttons -- and marked those locations with the green yarn as well.
After that, I started on the button hole band. After 1 cm of knitting you have to place the button holes to correspond with the buttons. I pinned the sweater edges together to make sure the top and bottom of the bands were even, and then I used pins to mark the stitch that corresponded to the green marker on the button band. Since the button hole involved casting off three stitches, I used coil-less safety pins to mark the stitch plus the stitches on either side of it for casting off.
I'm now a bit past the turning row on the button band, so I've started to think about buttons. I am thinking about the following options:
- Go simple: 6 red buttons that are a close match to the button band and blend into the background of the sweater.
- Go simple but contrasting: 6 pink buttons that match the pink stripes in the background of the sweater and pop out from the button band a bit -- but not too much.
- Go bold: really work the zebra theme: alternate black and white buttons and mirror the zebra stripes and the black and white trim detail.
This sweater screams for option 3.
Sweater looks wonderful. Of course, I can't see the "real" colors, but I tend to lean to the third option, since nothing else seems to tie the "zebra" stripe into the whole design and that option sounds as it would.
That is just so lovely!
I think option 3 is the way to go! It is a really nice sweater.
Go bold with the black and white buttons
All the detail on this project is so remarkable. The outfit is very Oilily! I am also thinking that the black and white buttons are the way to go with this.
Well, I have to slightly disagree. :-)
I think alternating black and white would be too much. I think ALL black buttons would be PERFECT. It would echo the black that is across the bottom up the front and really pull it all together. I also think the red OR the pink would be nice but when you have a wild zebra print, you've set a precedent of being daring. Pink or Red buttons, IMO, are a little tame. On the other hand, it IS possible to overdo a good thing- I think all black buttons can stand up to the daring print without making the whole thing too TOO.
I like Tam's idea of the black buttons. But whatever you choose will look great, as will the wearer!
I love the idea of little crocheted buttons. Then if you really wanted you could have black and white circles (in one button rather than alternating buttons), though admittedly all black buttons would be very classy and much easier. Maybe black buttons with a bit of a gloss to stand out?
I like the black button idea, m'self, but mostly I wanted to say that this sweater is exquisite. You've done beautiful work.
Gosh! I am going to differ with everyone, and go for the pink - or at least a single color. However, if it were I knitting the sweater, and the buttons were not terribly expensive, I would probably get several options the same size and lay then onto the sweater and try them out. I once that an ecru linen suit, on which I changed the buttons depending on the occasion and what I was wearing under it. It was like a whole new outfit. Buttons make a BIG difference.
Bold is beautiful! ;) What a gorgeous sweater.
I'm going to vote for all black buttons, for the same reasons that Tam listed. I think alternating B&W buttons will be too much. It's a small sweater, after all & it could get too busy too quickly.
That is such a pretty sweater, and so much thoughtful work behind it to make it all come together. Regarding the buttons I immediately pictured buttons with black and white spirals or alternating black and white circles in them (like a shooting target). Pink ones would look good too, but with buttons theory will only get you so far and seeing things in real life might change your opinion completely.
Looks gorgeous! I'd absolutely go wild on the buttons...black, white, or something with black and white. I probably wouldn't alternate black and white, but I think the red or pink would be too simple.
You are doing a beautiful job of finishing on that sweater. It is just gorgeous.
I too think all glossy black for the buttons.
I vote pink for the buttons.
I think alternating black and white buttons would look unbalanced, but if you find some cute black-AND-white buttons it might also be a good choice. And if you happen across any pink-and-black buttons, all the better.
Fabulous work on the sweater!!
Black buttons would definitely work, but it's the obvious choice, and it could make the sweater read as red, black, and white, making the cute colorwork fade into the background.
I'd consider picking up one of the other border colors - maybe blue/aqua? The contrast would pop against the red/pink and make the whole border stand out, not just the zebra part. And really, the zebra band will hold its own whether you match the buttons to it or not!
Go for bold! I like the idea of black buttons, but think stripes or circles on the buttons would be fabulous. The sweater looks great! The finishing is so neat. Was it difficult to do? You make it look effortless.
How about going even bolder? What about little buttons that look like zebras???
Benita
I agree that the 3rd option would look great. The sweater is adorable.