the blue blog archives: really, two days for a button band, really?!

I have lost count of how many times I have knit the button bands of my hey teach sweater. When you repeatedly have to rip and reknit because you keep changing your mind about how you want things to look, it's best not to count, eh?

I first knit the button band as instructed, but decided I didn't like the wider (5 row) button band with the narrow (2 row) ribbing around the collar. Rip. I reknit the button band to be 3 rows, was satisfied and proceeded to the buttonhole band. I realized too late that I'd have to work the buttonhole row earlier if I wanted to shorten the band. Rip. Then I had to rework the buttonhole instructions since I was now on a RS row instead of a WS row. Rip. Then I decided I didn't like the buttonhole placement. Wouldn't it be nicer if there were a button right at the ribbing under the lace? It irked me that the button wasn't centered there. Rip. One last try.

If it weren't currently raining cats and dogs, I'd celebrate finally having finished these buggery button bands by going out to get some buttons right away. But, it seems, I will have to wait one more day.

posted by alison at 11:42 am | in summer knits

Comments

Perfection takes some work! It looks gorgeous and even though the unknitting is a pain in the keister, it is well worth the effort to have something you will love.

Posted by: Seanna Lea at June 19, 2009 12:28 PM

The button placement bothered me too when I made mine last year. Good Luck getting it all put together!

Posted by: MommyKnitsJen at June 19, 2009 12:32 PM

I notice you did not do the sleeves. Did you finish off the armholes or do you have other plans for the sleeves?

Posted by: patsy at June 19, 2009 1:57 PM

I think you have improved on the design and I've made notes for my own which is sadly waiting in the basket while I give my attention to baby sweaters.

Posted by: Angie at June 19, 2009 2:23 PM

I just haven't gotten to the sleeves yet, Patsy. I thought, hey, I'll just quickly get these button bands done and.... yeah, right. ;0)

Posted by: ALISON at June 19, 2009 4:05 PM

All's well that ends well, right? And here's hoping that your sleeve yarn matches up.

Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport at June 19, 2009 4:50 PM

Oh, the pains of being a perfectionist! ;P At least you'll know you'll be completely satisfied with the result at the end.

Posted by: C at June 19, 2009 5:31 PM

Nothing wrong with doing a Happy Dance in the rain...
I may have set a world's record on ripping out button bands on a self-designed sweater, years ago. I stopped counting at 11. *sigh*

Posted by: gayle at June 20, 2009 9:44 AM

wow...i have had whole sweaters that went that way...i feel your button pain :( glad it is finally done though :)

Posted by: lesley at June 22, 2009 1:12 AM