Some new buttons, a new sweater, and a surprise

This past week I've been busy buying things and I'm very excited with my haul so far.

I bought some (more) vintage buttons, and I really love these.  I can't seem to get a good photo of them, but they are black cut glass with a purpley-blue iridescent glaze.  I bought some purple variegated dk yarn at Stitches South to make a lace cardigan with and I think these buttons will be really beautiful on it  - when I actually start knitting the sweater :)

And I started a knitted tank top using the variegated bamboo dk I blogged about previously (see here).  I chose the broken rib pattern because I think the variegated yarn might do something really interesting at the neckline, but I'm still not sure I like what the yarn is doing through the body.

Lastly, I just preordered A Stitch in Time, Volume 2, which features vintage knitting patterns from 1930 to 1959.  I have Volume 1, and although I haven't made any of the patterns, I can spend hours look through this book.  And the preorder comes with a bunch of other goodies!!  I can't wait to receive this package!!!

Well, I have to get back to my knitting.  I want to finish this broken rib tank in time for my wedding anniversary next week!

For the Love of Vintage Buttons

My latest obsession is vintage buttons.  They come in such wonderful shapes, patterns, and colors.  Why don't they make buttons like this anymore?

It started a few years ago.  I went into a notions shop in Pittsburgh to replace some buttons on a jacket I had bought.  I left the store with the buttons I needed, plus about 20 more vintage buttons that I just had to have.
 

My favorite from this trip is a large brown and green deco button.  I have yet to use it, because I want the perfect piece for it.

I'm lucky to have both my grandmother's and my aunt's button boxes and the boxes are filled with wonderful treasures.  (I love that women had the good sense to save buttons back in the day.)  And I've put these buttons to good use.

Now I have started buying vintage buttons on the internet and its getting out of hand (ssh, don't tell my husband).  I often go searching for the right buttons to go on sweaters I'm knitting, but to be honest, I buy multiple styles of buttons for most projects. 

Some of my recent purchases are these embroidered linen buttons.  I actually found 5 of them.  I'm not sure I'll ever find something to put them on, but they're great and I love them.

And I also love these little pink flower buttons.  I bought them to put on a baby sweater, but I ended up changing my yarn and they no longer worked for the project.  Maybe next time :)

My next sweater is going to be a purple lace cardigan and I'm on the search for just the right vintage buttons (even though I haven't started the sweater yet).  Wish me luck!

P.S.  I am working on another knitting pattern and should have it posted in a couple of weeks.