Knit a Scarfette with Vintage Buttons: a Tutorial

This quick, easy knitting project requires a skein of bulky yarn , one with varying thickness would be best, two large knitting needles ( I used size 10mm) , a yarn needle and at least 2 large vintage buttons. This is a wonderful project to use hand spun yarn that you have made or purchased ( there are so many great spinners selling their yarn on etsy). 1. I spun this incredibly soft yarn last spring . I really worked at getting a thick and thin texture with some little supercoils here and there. I had just enough for this little project. So take your yarn and needles and cast on 20 stitches. 2. Knit 4 rows plain. 3. You can continue to knit plain but it will look and feel nicer if you try this very simple two row pattern. Row 1 knit one, * wrap the wool once over your right needle , knit two together*. Repeat this * until the last stitch and knit one. Row 2 knit every stitch including the wrapped stitch. Repeat these two rows until you have a rectangle about 17 inches long or are getting low on your yarn. This is the simplest of lace patterns and opens up the texture accentuating the handspun yarn. Here is a close up of the pattern. 4. Knit 4 rows plain and then cast off. 5. One nice thing about the holes in the pattern is you don't need to make button holes . Now sew in you ends, easy to hide in this texture and thread a needle to secure your buttons. I picked two sets of two vintage buttons from my stash and decided to make "reversible" buttons because I couldn't decide between them. I sewed them onto the plain knitted rows , one of each on either side of the scarfette. Here is a close up to show you what I mean. It looks kind of like a button sandwich. 6. You can wear this in so many different ways . I only got a chance for a few pictures this morning before I had to run off to work but you get the idea. You can also change the thickness and length of the scarfette depending on the size of the person you are making it for or the amount of wool you have. I will post a few pictures of a few other examples I made last winter. I hope this inspires you to think about learning how to spin your own wool.

Comments

[tamara]

I love those scarves.

[tamara]

I love those scarves.

[Karen]

Gorgeous handspun! Did you use a wheel or drop spindle? And the scarfette is a great way to use up small amounts of wool.

[Rachel]

That is gorgeous! I think you might be the most productive blogger on the planet! Linking...

[mayaluna]

Beautiful spinning, Margie! I absolutely love the colors in your wool. This is another great one...why do I love your mirror photo shoots so much!? Hope you had a great day at work...

[Patricia]

I love the nubby texture of your yarn! The scarf looks like just what I need to make for chilly mornings like today.

[robyn]

love this! i actually just posted about it over at my blog!

[jen]

eeeks! this is a great tutorial, and now i'm really excited!!! i have some beautiful ceramic buttons from a local potter, and have been looking for a simple knitting project to use them on. i have 20 projects half-started, but i'm putting this at the top of the list!

[inkberryblue]

Your scarfettes are gorgeous, Margaret. They're earthy and, at the same time, elegant. I love the beautiful colours and textures. Thank you for the inspiration. =]

[Berlinswhimsy]

Oh, I love it!! I have some handspun just perfect for this application...

[Lindsay]

beautiful scarf. Don't you just love the handspun available on Etsy? I spin my own, but I never knit/crochet with it, I just buy it from others!

[Geo]

Those are kill-me-dead gorgeous!

[lena]

These are fantastic! i never really liked long scarves, because i never know where to put the loose ends, but this is really perfect! thank you so much for sharing!

[jenn]

very cool. How many yards of yarn do you need?

[Mathyld / encore petite]

You spun this yarn ?!?
It's so pretty I could EAT it ! Preciously soft and eye-candy colours ...
x x x
___mathyld___