Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Unraveled Wednesday: 5/4/22

I'm joining Kat and fellow Unravelers for Unraveled Wednesday, as the Antler cardigan inches slowly towards completion. 

I've reached a stopping point, but it's for a good reason. I knit the non-buttonhole button band, then picked up stitches for the buttonhole side of the button band. As I approached the buttonhole row, I thought I should decide what type of buttonhole I wanted to knit. After trying a few two and three-stitch buttonholes and having them look fairly sloppy, I decided that it might be smarter to have buttons in hand, and then I could make an educated decision about what type of buttonholes would work. I'm favoring eyelet buttonholes (yo, k2tog) now because they look the neatest and hide nicely in the purl stitches of the ribbing, but we'll see.

I paused my knitting, took a piece of deer antler out to the shop, and tried to cut a slice of the antler for a button. It worked but it would have been the thickest button you've ever seen. I cut a few more slices and finally got one that looked okay. I used the Dremel to try and drill two holes in the slice, but the slice cracked. After several more attempts, I finally had a slice of the right thickness with two holes in it. Then it was time to polish it with some fine-grit sandpaper. Ninety minutes later I had one passable button that I had spent a total of almost four hours on. I think I'll need seven buttons, so I was feeling quite discouraged. (So discouraged I couldn't even take any photos of the mess I had made.) I came in and checked antler buttons on Etsy, and within 15 minutes I had ordered a set of 10 buttons from a guy in MT for $10.95. So the sweater is on hold until I get the buttons and can decide if they will work and what type of buttonholes will be best. I was kind of disappointed with myself for not being able to produce decent-looking antler buttons, but then I remembered I didn't raise the sheep or spin the yarn myself, and there wasn't any shame in buying buttons. People do that every day! :-) I'm not a person who buttons sweaters but it seems kind of silly to knit a cardigan but not have any buttons or buttonholes on it. 

In reading, I didn't finish any books this week but have been busy adding books to my pile and dipping into them occasionally. The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki, The Winners by Fredrik Backman, Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer, and of course, Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart are all on my Currently Reading shelf. I need a good rainy day so I can stay inside and actually finish some books. 

What are you making and reading this week?

12 comments:

  1. Your sweater is looking marvelous and will look even more marvelous with some fancy antler buttons on it! (Although, I am immensely impressed at your button making attempt!)

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  2. someone gave me two antler buttons and I treasure them and they are on a sweater but I did not realize the amount of work they put into making them for me!! Cannot wait to see you buttons on your sweater.

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  3. Your Antler Cardigan is gorgeous Bonny! I'm sorry your button making career has ended already, but I certainly understand. I'm glad you could find Antler buttons on Etsy! Young Mungo is going slow for me - it's a tough read. But, you may get your rainy day today...and if not, then certainly by Friday and Saturday!

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  4. The sweater is really, really gorgeous, Bonny. And good for you for finding the perfect buttons. (Why re-invent the wheel????) I can't wait to see it all put together and ON you! Those buttons are going to be the perfect finishing touch. XO

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  5. The sweater is looking amazing! There is something to be said for making your own buttons, but given the time and frustration involved, I think you are wise to outsource it. I hope the buttons you ordered arrive quickly so you can finish up the sweater.

    I'm hoping to get back to Young Mungo this week!

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  6. No shame in buying buttons. I can't wait to see them. The sweater is gorgeous. The antler buttons will just be the icing on the cake.

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  7. Oooh, that button project sounds like a real fezzle! I think your choice to purchase them instead was brilliant.

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  8. Yay for being so close to a finish - and for letting someone else do the dirty work to make those buttons. Your sweater is going to be amazing! (and I hope you wear it all the time ... and somedays buttoned up!) Not really wanting to wish you a rainy day, but you did ask for it!

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  9. Well, you learned something in your efforts. Antler buttons are not easy to make, so leave to the folks with lots of practice. Hooray for not driving yourself crazy over it, Bonny, but it was a great idea. I have several cardigans without buttons, and I like them just fine, but I never button up a cardigan. I can hardly wait to see it finished. It is very, very pretty. I am trying to read The Lincoln Highway, and I am finding it very unevenly edited. There are many passages that I think are irrelevant to the story, and I get a bit bogged down in them. Maybe it's just not the right time to read it. Not making anything, except a mess!

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  10. Your sweater is looking so good and I can't wait to see it finished with the antler buttons you ordered!

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    1. Thanks, Debbie! I'm anxiously awaiting my buttons (but I do have plenty of other knitting to work on in the meantime)!

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  11. The sweater looks fabulous. As far as making your own buttons, your time is precious. I think you made a highly reasonable button decision.

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