Who's Got The Button?

I couldn't help it. I was still waiting for my button order from Button Drawer, but darn it, I wanted to WEAR my new sweater.

So, I sewed on the button I picked up on Saturday, just because it was here, and headed off to work this morning.

And, yeah. I think I'm in love. The color--well, I adore this deep, rusty orange. Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in color 615, Orange. I've had it in my stash for two years, since I went to the store to buy it for the Cabled Jacket I wanted to make, except the LYS was out of the orange, and I had to get the apple green instead . . . which, really, I love, but it was the Orange I was lusting after, so I ordered enough for a sweater and it's sat in my stash ever since, waiting for the right pattern.

Well, this was it. It fits great. It's comfortable. Unlike other, aran-weight, cabled sweaters, it didn't make me feel like I'd immediately gained 5 pounds. It was warm without being too warm. The cut and fit is incredibly flattering. I just adore it. I'm almost tempted to make another one in another color, just to have more of them. I like it that much. The photo really doesn't do it justice.

But . . . the button was only temporary, right? And as luck would have it, my order came today.

Now, I think I've pretty much made up my mind as to which I like best on this sweater, but I value your collective opinion. And, here's the extra incentive--leave me a comment naming your pick for the best button for this lovely sweater. If you pick the button I like the best AND give me the best and/or most entertaining, creative reason why that button should be picked . . . I'll send you a prize. (And if you can somehow convince me that a different button is the one that should win, then you really deserve the prize!)

So, in no particular order, the contestants: (I apologize for the imperfect photos. I did try, but the lighting with-or-without-flash just didn't want to cooperate. Where possible, I included a link to a much better photo, though obviously, not one with the sweater.)

Copper. (This is the button I bought on Saturday and wore today.) Copper's color matches the hue of the sweater almost perfectly, with little, carved cut-outs. She enjoys sunsets on autumn days--colors that bring out her best.

Swirling Sun. A wooden button with a rustic feel, Swirling Sun likes cozy days near--but not too near--the fireplace. She loves the swirl of the smoke, but flames make her nervous.
 

Ringside. A shimmery, brown-copper, Ringside likes to think of herself as subtle but with her own, unique flair. She looks deceptively mild, but when the lights of the paparazzi hit, she shines.
 

Equator. A swirl of a sun, with a tortoise-shell center, Equator has a southwest feel, and a warm glow.

Triangle Knot. With a brassy finish, and her cabled good looks, this Celtic button feels like a shoe-in . . . or is her color too brassy for this orange beauty?

Luminosity. A shell-button, Luminosity has her own special appeal. Almost . . . alien . . . with her subtle colors and shine. (Hold your head to the side. Mom's calling this the "Martian" button.)

Serpentine. Intricate swirls of silver may not seem like the first choice for deep, almost red sweater, and yet Serpentine has a hand-knit flair all her own.
 

Shellarium. Another shell button, this one with a natural, copper glow.

Speckled Toggle. Disappointed in her photograph, Speckled Toggle is still sure you'll pick her for her natural wooden beauty and graceful shape.

 

And, of course, there's my original Buttons, but while she looks comfy on the sweater, I don't think she'd really be that good at holding it closed.

What's that?

Why, yes, I really DID buy all these buttons just to be able to see how they look.

What, you have a problem with the pursuit of perfection?

Comments

[Christina]

My vote is tied: Copper or Ringside.

[Kate]

I vote for the following button:

Copper

Reason: I think it's the most flattering...enough to draw you in, but doesn't make you stare uncomfortably at the wearer's ...ummm... "girl parts" (phrase courtesy of my man). :) So, if it makes someone want to get close, but they're going to need to buy you a drink to get closer... well, it does the trick!

ha ha ha
PS- it also doesn't distract from the beauty of the sweater!

[Julie]

Gorgeous sweater! And I like Copper.

[jess]

gorgeous sweater! I love that color!

I like copper -- it looks like it was meant to match the color exactly. It kinda melts into the sweater-- sometimes that's the look you're going for!

I really like swirling sun a lot! I like the texture of it and I think the deep brown looks great with the rusty orange.

I also like shellarium. It really stands out on the sweater, has a great texture-- but I wonder if it might be too ostentatious!

Buttons are so hard! :)

[kathy b]

Speckled Toggle brings the beauty of the brunette into harmony with the sweater. She knows her job is to enhance the sweaterand knitter not outshine them. . She is also a bit Chappy colored. Speckled Toggle is just the right finish to this gorgeous handknit.

[Beth]

Copper is very nice - I can definitely see the appeal there. But for some reason, Triangle Knot is calling out. As long as it's not too large - the weaving knot would complement the cables. So there's my vote.

I've bookmarked the Button Drawer site - not that I need any more buttons ever in my lifetime - you've got lots of good choices there.

[Carole]

I like Copper. My reason? It's already on the sweater. Is that entertaining enough for ya?

[minnie]

i like shellarium. it's kicky without being pretentious (how's that for a hollywood phrasing?). it's subtly shiny, but not overtly so. i'm sure shellarium likes long walks in the park during the autumn, but is adaptable to office and bedroom environs

[jane]

swirling sun. i just liked it best. no creative juices flowing at 12:10 AM, but i'll forego my shot at the prize just to cast my vote :)

great job on the sweater!

[Renee]

Hey! I was very drawn to that orange cashmerino aran when I was buying the yarn for my doubleknit scarf. It's gorgeous! I went the safe route and picked purple to go with the purple and olive Dune, but I'm still thinking about that orange....

I can't pick a button - they pretty much all look really good!

[Jane]

I really like Copper the best. It looks like the matches the sweater color the best, and the little diamond pattern around the edge more or less echoes the look of the knitted fabric. I'm a huge fan of cashmerino aran, too.

[Rosemary]

Swirling sun--although attractive in its own right, the concentration is on the sweater, where it should be, as the observer approaches, the design of the button becomes apparent. It is always good to have an overall impression and then a closeup to keep up the inerest.

[Rosemary]

I don't know where my comment went. I go for the swirling sun. The focus will be on the sweater with this button which is where the focus should be. The overall impression draws in the viewer and the close up of the button, gives the viewer a little something special. It is very rich looking

[greta]

oh, giggle.
how to CHOOOOSE?
I think the solution is to make
four or five more sweaters and
make the buttons interchangeable.
BEAUTIFUL sweater!

[Michelle]

The sweater looks beautiful on you! I like the copper button also. But it hard to pick because I like more than one!

[Wendy]

I think copper looks best -- but I don't have a creative reason why. It just looks perfect!

[Nancy J]

Although copper matches the sweater, Triangle Knot mimics and correlates the cables to the button(s). And, it's always good to have a button stash!

[JessaLu]

I like how copper blends in with the sweater yet...doesn't. However, I am choosing triangle because I am a celtic girl at heart ;o)

[Chris]

Copper. The button is nearly the same as the sweater, which could cause the button to get lost... except for the small diamond cutouts, which subtly distinguish the button from the surrounding fabric.

My second choice is Equator. The sun on this button coalesces with the orange of the sweater and the openness of the button between the sun's rays only serves to enhance this effect of warmth, light, and coziness.

[Bethe]

I'm partial to Luminosity. She's got a bit of shine, a little bit of brown, and just that little bit of orangey sliver on the edge pulling it all together. What can I say? I march to a different drummer.

[Lizzy B]

Heh, I'm definitely strutting to the beat of my own drummer... I LOVE Ringside. I think the sharp geometry is a great way to echo the sweater's front silhouette of a triangle. It reminds me of a beautiful yet strikingly simple piece of jewelry that is perfect for any occaision.

Copper and the Triangle Knot are pretty too, but Ringside has stolen my heart.

[margene]

THe sweater is darling and looks comfy. Copper is my choice too as it blends into the color of the sweater without distracting the eye. There is so much going on with the cables and such that a button with a bit of character but not too much show off factor is great. It doesn't hurt that it's already ont the sweater, either. You could make a cardigan and use all the rest of the buttons on it just for fun;-)

[Lu]

I like Copper, because it does not stand out. You want people to notice you, not the button, right?

[Erica]

I'm voting for Triangle. Intricate, echoing the detailed cabling of the sweater with at wonderful color complementing the sweater and the wearer.

[Risa]

While I like copper, my vote would go to Ringside. Since the sweater has but a single button, it really needs to be a special one. That's not to say Copper isn't special, it just doesn't have the right pizzazz for that lovely cable work. It's bold without being overly fussy.