2012 Button Challenge

Chuck, John, Angela, & Kyle

Over the weekend we ventured to Britex Fabrics - one of the most amazing fabric and notions stores I have ever seen.  It's 4 floors of floor to ceiling goodies and inspiration, and with a knowledgeable staff to boot!  They have been a San Francisco staple since 1952!

We asked our amazing button clerk, Angela, to select a button for each of us.  After being given a few hints about our style, she was given free reign over the thousands of buttons available.  Angela did an amazing job and said "nobody has ever asked me to just 'pick' before; this is fun!" 

Chuck and I told her John would want something classic and timeless... perhaps a bit rustic.  She came up with a beautiful metal colored button with an irregular edge. 

John and Chuck told her that I would want to knit something orange (which I might!) and I chimed in telling her other colors I like, also noting I love vintage inspired knits.  My button is coppery in color and I can't decide if it's wood or shell.

John and I told her that Chuck loved green (it's true).  We told her he'd probably knit something classic and modern.  Chuck button ended up being a super cool metal "cake" style button.

We chatted a bit about what the limitations were and came up with a small list of rules for the challenge:

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The Rules:

1. A button style will be selected for you; that button must be used in your sweater design
2. The "sweater" can be any type of top - pullover, cardigan, half zip, henley, etc.
3. Any method of fabrication can be used (knitting, crochet, weaving, etc) as long as it involves yarn and is made entirely by hand.
4. At least 6 buttons must be used on the item.
5. The garment must be for YOU (i.e. I will make a sweater for myself)
6. The deadline for the final piece is Stitches WEST, 2013 (February 21-24, 2013)

Part of the button wall at Britex Fabrics, San Francisco, CA

We all accepted the challenge, and purchased our buttons.  As the afternoon progressed, we were asking each other... "are you thinking about what you're going to do?" -- and we all were.  It's fun to start with the buttons.

I started to think about what I want to do and have a few ideas brewing.  I'm not sure how specific I'll be on the blog about the sweater... maybe I'll give hints as it progresses.  Certainly, I'll give an update when the sweaters are done so you can see what we each came up with.

Of course, we promised Angela at Britex that we'd come back to show her our finished sweaters.  (I wonder if she thinks we were serious!)

We have yet to decide exactly how to do the judging, although Angela certainly gets a vote!  Any ideas?