A year and a half ago while I was still working at the local yarn shop, we got in an order of buttons that included the most adorable puppy-shaped buttons I had ever seen. I was determined to do something with them, so I found the pattern called Gig Gloves, by Grace Akhrem, which had 7 buttons on each mitt. The pattern was perfect - not too complicated, and it was clearly meant to show off anyone’s favorite buttons. While the appropriate amount of buttons had been ordered for my pattern in queue, the shop I worked at closed before they were able to come in and be in my possession. This is where I thought the story of the puppy buttons ended.
That is, until over a year later, I found my own yarns being sold at a local store where I happened to be at an event in which I had a fair amount of time to stand around and enjoy everything around me. And then I saw them: the puppy buttons! I immediately ordered 14 of them in the two different colors they had, and dyed up some Afghan Hound in Throw Me A Bone to match.
When the buttons were finally in my possession, I decided to save the little mitts as a project to work on during my wedding day and on my honeymoon. (And yes, I knit during my own wedding.)
The pattern is delightfully simple and quick, yet attractive. The basic form is a square knit in stockinette, with the edges being garter stitch. The only difference between the two hands is which side the buttons holes are made, and the thumb holes are made by easy m1s in whichever method you prefer. The strap at the bottom is purely decorative (because then you get to have an extra button!), and adds a nice little aesthetic touch. It’s knit separately and then attached after blocking.
I kept the buttons safe at the bottom of my project bag throughout my travels in Vancouver, and when I was finally ready to attach them, I realized the tapestry needle I had didn’t fit through their holes. I planned to resolve this issue by visiting a yarn store in the Downtown area, and while I purchased an appropriately-sized crochet hook to take care of the job, I never got around to attaching them for the rest of the trip.
While packing, I took a mental inventory of everything we brought, and one thing appeared to be missing: the puppy buttons. We searched EVERYWHERE, but they were nowhere to be found. The Tuesday after we returned to South Bend, I dreadfully called up the store to see how many (if any) buttons they had left. To my luck, they had enough for me to properly button up one mitt, and have ordered more for the second! After having the buttons in my possession for the second time, I attached them as quickly as possible to avoid any other extensions to this story.
I absolutely adore these gloves, and I look forward to getting the rest of the buttons so I can wear them out in the now chilly weather. The Afghan Hound is absolutely perfect for the warmth of the Merino and the softness of the silk, especially because I have sensitive skin.
