This project has been on the needles for over a year. That’s actually not a very long time for a sweater when I’m knitting it. We don’t discuss the other sweater I’ve got on the needles currently. Let’s just focus on this little beauty.
This one is called Manu by Kate Davies. I just love her style, and many of her designs go right into my favorites as soon as they come out. I started this one when I was pregnant with my littlest because I thought it would be cute to wear with a big belly. It didn’t make it that far before she was born, but over a year later I’m so glad I chose this one. It’s warm, dresses things up when I wear it, has awesome POCKETS, and…
…FABRIC BUTTONS! Seriously I can’t tell you how excited I am about these. I had this vision of fabric buttons as I was doing all the finishing (and it’s a lot of finishing, I mean i-cord bind-off on all the edges!). I thought I was going to have to shop around for the perfect buttons, and I was willing to wait. A chance encounter at Joann’s and I decided to just take a look…just to see you know. It turns out that you can get little inexpensive kits to make your own fabric buttons. I had some great vintage fabric from a pillowcase at home, made the buttons, and excitedly sewed them to the button band.
I love how each one is slightly different. I love how they just complete the sort of vintage look to the sweater. To say I am thrilled with this sweater would be an understatement.
A note on the sweater for you knitters: I did 7 buttons instead of 5 because I’m slightly larger busted. I didn’t want the button band to end too high up. I also did mine in a slightly different gauge and adjusted the size accordingly. Since all the vertical measurements are done in inches/centimeters you don’t have to worry about having a different row gauge. Also, I wish I’d thought to make my pleats symmetrical! I only thought about it afterwards when I saw that other people had done this.
Beautiful! You did a fine job on this one! Seeing it in person is even more beautiful.