I didn’t mean to just disappear again. I am finding that the list of things to do isn’t any shorter when you are retired, in fact that list just gets longer. And the list of course includes the occasional nap on the couch, and getting lost in a book for an entire afternoon, so sometimes the list doesn’t get done at all. And that is OK with me.
I’m making good progress on my Dockside Cardigan. I blocked the finished pieces this morning, I just have the sleeves left to knit, and then put it all together and put on the collar and bands.
Oh right, I’ll need buttons. Where do you all buy buttons? I haven’t finished a sweater with buttons in quite some time so have no idea where to shop.
Anyway, here are the pieces.
The pieces do match in size, it just doesn’t look like it from the angle that I took that photo.
I like how the ribbing on the front transitions into the decorative bands. It’s a bit hard to see since the fabric is dark due to being wet. And I see that I need to straighten out that ribbing edge.
I have a good bit of the first sleeve done. I discovered the utility of the “smart counters” in KnitCompanion while doing this. I knew they were there, but had never used them before. They are perfect for those “at the same time” shaping directions. Once you set up the individual directions, as you knit through each row, it pops up when you are supposed to start a shaping direction. And it doesn’t let you advance to the next row unless you’ve “cleared” the shaping counter by tapping it. It is ingenious.
The sleeves have the same shaping of the ribbing, every 4 rows you take out one of the rib repeats. I think I am going to love this sweater.
That’s all for now. I might have a finished project for you next time!
I used to buy buttons in the most amazing store in Los Angeles. Sigh. Now I shop on line and the site I like best is https://shop.buttons.com/ . Their descriptions are clear and the colors seem pretty true on my monitor at least. They do tend to bombard you with e-mail but you can always unsubscribe. Their prices are pretty good too.
The ribbing on that cardi is very good looking and it’s going to be a great sweater. I’ve been thinking of getting Knit Companion but I’ve read that it’s better for Apple users than Android and I don’t Apple, so…which do you use? Is the program useful to you?
Just got some great vintage buttons on Etsy.
If nothing in my button stash will do, and Etsy fails me, I make a Dorset button:
https://web.archive.org/web/20120121081809/http://www.craftstylish.com/item/42688/how-to-make-dorset-buttons/page/all
Always the right size and color.
The decreasing (or increasing) ribbing is beautiful.
My mother’s cigar box of buttons continues to provide for me. She had the habit of cutting buttons off of any garment that wasn’t going to be worn anymore, and she also made her own covered buttons. I seldom have to buy any new ones.
What beautiful ribbing!! …and perfect post! You deserve this. It is amazing how busy you can be retired! Enjoy!
That is a smart looking cardigan. I haven’t purchased buttons in a long time, but when I did, I found them on Etsy.
Oh, I like that ribbing! Nice effect.
Isn’t it amazing how often one doesn’t see crookedness in blocking until looking at the photos of it?