Tuesday, January 4, 2011

A team effort

This morning I read that gray is not going to one of this year's fashion colors.  So, I'd better show this off now.  And wear it now.  A lot!  Good thing snow is forecast.



On Christmas Eve, I found some gray wool in my stash and decided that I could make a scarf.  My design plan wasn't huge.  Cast on 20 stitches and knit in 1x1 rib until the yarn disappeared.  I was pleased with the feel of the wool/acrylic blend: so soft and cushy.  Towards the end, I could see that this would be a very short scarf.  I made a snap decision to add a buttonhole and just fasten it at the throat.  I did have a button in mind that I've always wanted to use somewhere.  I suspect that my subconscious is the much more creative part of my brain. 



And this is where the team comes in.  The button I wanted to use was slightly too small.  I only had one button that was truly big enough.  And, frankly, I thought it was a boring button.  Nothing like the funky one I wanted.  Andrea and Wendy suggested that a 'portmanteau' button would be a solution.  I thought this was a wonderful idea.  So, Anne drilled out the middle of the flat gray button and I inserted the metal shank of the fancy button and sewed it all onto the scarf.  I think it looks like a fancy hat now.  Perfect.

Now, there are 4 more of those funky buttons in my jar.  What can I do with them?

14 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

Wow!! What amazes me is that both of the buttons exactly match, they are the same color and the whole effect looks like one piece. What a beautiful, soft and unique scarf!! It seems that grey is NEVER in fashion, why is that? I love the color! It is lovely and a true neutral. I just found some grey jeans.

Rudee said...

The button...oh...how gorgeous! It's incredibly perfect.

Like black, I don't think gray ever goes out of style.

Anonymous said...

That button is super, it makes the scarf. Gray looks great on you, why not wear it.

Stephanie V said...

On behalf of the team - thank you!

I love gray - and the button - so no worries that it won't get worn. I was joking about just missing the 2010 fashion boat where gray was the 'new black'.

Being a 'woman of a certain age' I think I can wear what I Like. Or actually have.

Gill - That British Woman said...

I love gray, don't care if it's not a fashionable colour or not. Also fell in love with that button, it's just perfect for the "neck warmer."

Gill

Empty Nester said...

The whole thing turned out lovely. The button added just the right finishing touch.

Paws on the Run said...

It looks great!!

Lindy said...

A stunning scarf! The button added the extra punch.

deb said...

What a great idea to combine two buttons to make the one you wanted to use bigger! Love it.

Jeannette StG said...

Stephanie, what a great solution your friend had (and knew how to do it!) -you're blessed with friends like that:) Love the whole look!

Rachel Cotterill said...

That's very striking - who cares which colours are supposed to be in fashion?! It looks great :)

Joanna said...

Very cool looking and the button is perfect! Isn't it wonderful when a solution to a problem is actually an improvement as well?

Mimi said...

It's beautiful, Stephanie.
I love when a solution turns out to be creative and practical, and really do marvel at how a brain can find such a fantastic solution.
It looks really cosy, and I think you'll get loads of wear from it, maybe you'll start a new fashion?

Angie said...

Reminds me of a tippet ('a scarf-like garment' Wikipedia) made of silver fox fur, if I remember correctly. This is so much better!!!

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