Pattern: Buttony by Katie Marcus
Yarn: Noro Shinano, 63% wool/35% silk blend
Needles: 5.5 mm Addi Turbos for body and arms; 4.5 mm Addis for the cuffs and collar.
Modifications: I added heaps of shaping around the bust -- I'm not of the big-boob variety to be sure, but I hate that boxy, puckered look that can come with hand-knits in the armpit. And I have a bad habit of looking like I'm drowning in over-sized sweaters. Because I knew I would want to use big buttons, I only made seven button holes, rather than then twelve instructed. I also puff-sleeved the shoulders a bit.
Comments: I’m not sure why I took so long to finish this – I got to just below the bustline in August and then got bored and pretended it hadn’t been cast on.
Then,
on 16 March I was inspired to get cardied. What I fool I feel to have
discovered the rest of it would only take a couple of evenings. Still,
I’ve very pleased with the result. It’s made me want to make more – a
whole cupboard full of self-made cardies, imagine that!
The yarn is possibly the nicest heavy weight yarn I've ever used. It was the first blend by Noro I ever came across -- Juju of jujulovespolkadots was kind enough to give me a couple of balls of it for a scarf, back in 2005 when I could just about afford a darning needle and not much else, and I loved it so much that I begged my mum to find me some more in Toronto when she came over later that year.
Shinano has virtually no knots or tangles or roughage hidden in the twist (it wasn't until I got to the left sleeve that I came across anything resembling straw, and there were no knots anywhere until the right cuff) so it confused me greatly when I heard people complain about Kureyon. It's too bad this yarn has been discontinued. I love it! (Incidentally, azalea has nearly two sweaters' worth for sale on Ravelry, should you be interested -- it comes erqsome recommended. I'm not sure that means much, but dude! Two sweaters' worth of yarn!)
The buttons, however, are my favourite part. They're large and smooth, like chocolate Minstrels. Matthew and I always get them when we go to the cinema, which might be why I've felt warm and slightly decadent every time I've worn it.
The yarn is possibly the nicest heavy weight yarn I've ever used. It was the first blend by Noro I ever came across -- Juju of jujulovespolkadots was kind enough to give me a couple of balls of it for a scarf, back in 2005 when I could just about afford a darning needle and not much else, and I loved it so much that I begged my mum to find me some more in Toronto when she came over later that year.
Shinano has virtually no knots or tangles or roughage hidden in the twist (it wasn't until I got to the left sleeve that I came across anything resembling straw, and there were no knots anywhere until the right cuff) so it confused me greatly when I heard people complain about Kureyon. It's too bad this yarn has been discontinued. I love it! (Incidentally, azalea has nearly two sweaters' worth for sale on Ravelry, should you be interested -- it comes erqsome recommended. I'm not sure that means much, but dude! Two sweaters' worth of yarn!)
The buttons, however, are my favourite part. They're large and smooth, like chocolate Minstrels. Matthew and I always get them when we go to the cinema, which might be why I've felt warm and slightly decadent every time I've worn it.
You've made me want to cast on for that yesterday. I love the buttons you chose. It looks fantastic.
Posted by: Celeste | March 28, 2008 at 06:47 PM
I love it - the yarn is so so pretty as well. Really lovely colour combination and I love the shaping. I had been put off Buttony because i wasn't sure how flattering it was but I love your modifications to it! It might have to join my rather large ravelry queue.
Posted by: Lara | March 26, 2008 at 03:10 PM
The sweater looks really great! The yarn and shaping really make it lovely.
Posted by: katie m. | March 26, 2008 at 09:07 AM
That looks great and you look great.
Posted by: Katie | March 25, 2008 at 03:30 PM
holy cow! that looks fantastic!
Posted by: Bee | March 25, 2008 at 01:36 PM
What a fantastic sweater! It looks gorgeous on you. :)
I've got a buttony (with big buttons!) in my future too. Definitely going to take a leaf from your book and do bust shaping. (Boxy and booby don't really mix!)
Anyway, great sweater! I love it!
Posted by: Emilie | March 25, 2008 at 10:36 AM
You always buy buttons when you go to the cinema? ;)
That cardi is bloody brilliant. I love the dangerous hints of colour hidden within the neutrals, and I love the shape, and it suits you so much. You've definitely avoided any boxing. Oh man, you've made me want to cast on for this now...
xx
Posted by: Sharon | March 25, 2008 at 10:04 AM
That is gorgeous. I'd fly to the UK to wrestle you for it. Absolutely beautiful.
Posted by: liz | March 25, 2008 at 07:03 AM
It looks great on you! I love the combo of the brown buttons and rich gray yarn.
Posted by: orata | March 25, 2008 at 01:07 AM
That is so supercool looking.
Posted by: Emma | March 24, 2008 at 11:00 PM
it turned out so cute! i love the color/button combo.
Posted by: melissa | March 24, 2008 at 08:46 PM
LOVE! Want...
Posted by: Justine | March 24, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Wow, it looks great!!!
Posted by: Laura | March 24, 2008 at 08:35 PM
I really like it! I've always loved this pattern, I just haven't made it yet. Its so cute!
Posted by: Jenni | March 24, 2008 at 08:17 PM