Button band for the finishing aversionists
My circumnavigated cardigan now has a neat little button band.
The 'suggested' instructions in the pattern have it worked in garter stitch, but I'm just not that big of fan of the garter. I like the more tailored look of a folded hem. Sewing down that entire edge however, was something I wanted to avoid. Plus I think it defeats the point of a cleverly designed seamless garment. I wanted to pick up, knit, bind off and be done.
Hello Double Knit, nice to see you again.
I had swatched several different types of button holes, seeing what I liked best and what could possiblly be converted to double knit. I settled on the self-reinforcing button hole (found in Barbra Walker's treasury among other places). Another benefit of working this in double knit was I wouldn't have to fiddle with getting the two buttonholes on each layer lined up and be all floppy as in a true folded hem. After some more dk swatching I came up with a variation to use both strands at the same time so the two layers are held together. A very sturdy button hole and band materialized, mission accomplished.
The bind off creates a neat little tailored vertical line of stitches at the edge as well.
I simply continued it for the collar. I like to think this technique keeps in the spirit of the original garment.
Comments
I LOVE this! It's so beautiful! and yet very simple! I'll be remembering this!
Posted by: Nicole | April 18, 2007 09:32 AM
Awesome! As usual I am impressed by your skillz!
Posted by: P-la | April 18, 2007 10:41 AM
what a neat idea! there you go being all creative again!!!
Posted by: stacey | April 18, 2007 11:56 AM
Looks awesome!!!
Posted by: Reema | April 18, 2007 12:23 PM
Ooooooo, that's is VERY neat!!!! Looks lovely!
Posted by: Heidi | April 18, 2007 12:48 PM
Beautiful! Great job on deciding what band to do!
Posted by: Michelle | April 18, 2007 02:48 PM
Hooray! That's amazing and I DO like that you kept the spirit of the circumnavigation alive. Very wonderful.
Posted by: Francesca (Stuntmother) | April 18, 2007 06:07 PM
What a great idea for the button band! It looks fantastic, too.
Posted by: Becki | April 18, 2007 07:47 PM
So pretty, just like always! Nice job.
Posted by: Arleta | April 19, 2007 08:12 AM
Elegant! And I use the word not only to describe the appearance, but also in the sense of a mathematical proof: simple, sensible, perfect.
Posted by: Angela | April 19, 2007 01:55 PM
Way to go on completing the cardigan! It looks fantastic, and the button band works perfectly.
Have a great one!
-Regina
Posted by: Regina | April 19, 2007 11:31 PM
Very cool! It looks great!
Posted by: Brenda | April 19, 2007 11:45 PM
A double-knit button band - that is a COOL idea. I hate ribbed buttonbands, so I may steal this idea from you someday.
Posted by: kelp! | April 21, 2007 12:40 PM
I love this! Could you write up directions for making this button band? I'd like to try it out sometime.
Posted by: Lola LB | April 25, 2007 08:42 AM
I'm thinking of putting together a type of tutorial for this, but it will require some double knit basics first - which are in the works!
Posted by: Me (pieKnits) | May 7, 2007 10:43 AM
Brilliant idea - thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Chris | May 15, 2007 05:26 PM