Just a quickie from me as my plan to cram four days into two might have been a little bit much (if by a bit much, you understand that I mean that it's completely crackers.) My little Antler sweater is all done, just needs a little bath and a wee nephew to put it on. 
I got tiny little bike buttons, found and bought in a couple of colours from Jennie the Potter. A hand-spun, hand-knit sweater seemed to need hand-made buttons to be just right, and it's never too soon to start shaping the soul of a cyclist. 
I have a veritable mountain of yarn left over. After carefully spinning as much as the pattern asked for, I had way too much - an instinct I should have heeded in the first place, although at least it's a yarn error in the preferred direction. The sweater weighs 172 grams, and the leftovers - 165. I could just about make a whole other sweater! 
Actually, now that I think about it....
The Antler sweater is beautiful and the buttons are adorable. Doesn't Marlowe need a sweater?
Posted by: Risa at February 22, 2013 2:28 PMPerfect buttons...love them!
Posted by: Cheryl at February 22, 2013 2:28 PMAntler looks squishy, soft, and amazing! I love the buttons, looks like it's time to order some things :)
Posted by: Helen Arnold at February 22, 2013 2:35 PMButtons from a potter. Who'd have thunk it. But, they work!
Posted by: katie metzroth at February 22, 2013 2:38 PMMake a vest!
Posted by: Knitiot at February 22, 2013 2:40 PMActually if you take off the weight of the buttons and go for a v neck I'm sure it's doable!
He wouldn't need matching hat and mittens for very long would he?.
Such a beautiful sweater, and so beautifully crafted. I have a baby coming and newborns are small, aren't they?
...
Sorry, I really couldn't resist. I'll go make my own now, she said meekly, although I don't have lovely handspun!
Posted by: Deborah at February 22, 2013 2:42 PMI am so jealous of your beautiful hand spun! No lumps or bumps or thick and thins..I can only bow at your feet!
Posted by: Gayle at February 22, 2013 2:45 PMHow very perfect.
If only you could keep a sheep in your back yard (do you even have a back yard?) and could grow your own wool. Wait, wait! A sheep AND and an alpaca.
Oh yes, I know a potter who makes buttons.
Hey, here's a crazy idea -- hand-dye half of the remaining yarn and make something in stripes! Or hand-dye all of it and make a vest for the spring.
Disclaimer -- I have neither spun nor hand-dyed yarn myself. ;->
Posted by: lsb at February 22, 2013 2:50 PMAnother vote for a vest!!
Posted by: Melissa at February 22, 2013 2:53 PMI second that vote! Vests are adorable on little kids!
Posted by: Maddy at February 22, 2013 3:03 PMDo it! Make him another, but with contrasting coloured button bands! Hand dye with food colouring - Lucy and I do it all the time! It's not like you've got anything else to do! From one flat out busy person to another.
Posted by: Julia at February 22, 2013 3:18 PMHow about those little knitted pants? I forget the name but they are free on ravelry, I made some once and they go super fast!I am sure they take less yarn than a sweater.
p.s. I love the buttons too!
Here they go, perfect for a one year old! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kanoko-pants
Posted by: Angela at February 22, 2013 3:42 PMThe little sweater is absolute perfection.
I don't have any homespun, but I do have a whole raft of great nieces and nephews! Guess what sweater they're all getting next?
;o)
Just one word, Benjamin.
Aran.*
(with the understanding that others have already declared the category to be Vest.)
Posted by: rams at February 22, 2013 3:48 PMThat is a gorgeous sweater and I love the buttons! But that yarn looks so plush and squishable. Lucky Luis. Wearing that sweater is going to be like wearing a hug. :)
Posted by: luneray at February 22, 2013 3:51 PMSo cute -- both buttons and sweater. Of course, if you make another sweater, you'll need more of those cute buttons...or ones very like them. What a treat!
Posted by: Marg in Mirror, AB at February 22, 2013 3:51 PMBeautiful! Those buttons are so great. The perfect addition to a hand knit, hand spun sweater!
Posted by: sweetpeajenny at February 22, 2013 4:11 PMI made an Antlers sweater for my grandson and he looks so adorable in it! I love the pattern and it knit up so quickly. It took me longer to find the buttons for it than to knit the whole thing!
If you do a vest, please share so I can try too!
Thanks for all the sharing you do with us!
Posted by: PatV at February 22, 2013 4:25 PMThe buttons are perfect. You're right hand made for handmade.
Posted by: judith Welller at February 22, 2013 4:31 PMThe wool looks so soft. I've never wanted to touch and squeeze anything you've made so much before!
Posted by: Sarah at February 22, 2013 4:46 PMI almost got some of those bike buttons at Madrona and now I so wish I had! She does amazing work.
Posted by: capsize at February 22, 2013 4:47 PMShouldn't he have a hat to go with the sweater? And, mittens?
Posted by: Anne at February 22, 2013 4:48 PMCould you dye it and make the same pattern? Or one size smaller for another baby?
adorable sweater! I love the yarn!!!! the buttons make it special!! nice job!
Posted by: janet brattin at February 22, 2013 5:17 PMPERRECT BUTTONS. PERFECT sweater for a one year old.
Posted by: Wendi at February 22, 2013 5:30 PMHow about a vest in the next size up?
Posted by: Stephanie at February 22, 2013 5:32 PMI love the hand-made buttons!
Posted by: Cleo14 at February 22, 2013 5:35 PMHow did you bind off the neck of the baby sweater? It has such a nice finish against the ribbing. Thanks :)
Posted by: marie at February 22, 2013 5:44 PMOh my those are lovely little buttons! And a perfectly precious sweater.
Posted by: Mya at February 22, 2013 6:26 PMHaving a "sad day" because I found out today that my 85-yr old Mom no longer remembers me, so I clicked on Yarn Harlot to see if you could cheer me up. Yes! The sweater is wonderful and the buttons are perfect. I want to go straight home and make one. Oh wait, I have to work so I can buy yarn.....there's always a flaw but thanks - your column is always a treat.
Posted by: Helen at February 22, 2013 6:53 PMWhat a little treasure! Those little buttons are perfection!
Enjoy your blog immensely. Thank you.
Posted by: Leslie at February 22, 2013 7:09 PMNot another sweater: make him rompers!
Posted by: Ruth F in PGh at February 22, 2013 7:17 PMMatching hat, booties and little trousers?
Your handspun is so lovely and even! The sweater looks amazing.
Posted by: Alicia at February 22, 2013 7:36 PMTHE BUTTONS ! i mean, the sweater !, but THE BUTTONS !
Posted by: Christine Arnone at February 22, 2013 7:39 PMThis sweater is just awesome, I want to make some for Clara and Ty. I am starting to learn to spin egged on by Tina and Debbie and I am loving it. Now I am hoping Josie will join the spinning inspired!
Posted by: linda in oregon at February 22, 2013 8:05 PMWhy not knit matching soakers (or whatever they are called these days). The buttons are wonderful and your spun wool looks so cushy-soft. Your little guy is lucky.
Posted by: Mary P at February 22, 2013 8:05 PMWhat an adorable sweater and buttons! Just lovely.
Posted by: MicheleinMaine at February 22, 2013 8:13 PMI'm with Marie @ 5:44 PM on the bind-off of the neck - please, a quick tutorial? It's perfect.
Posted by: GeniaKnitz at February 22, 2013 8:56 PMI second the soakers suggestion. You could probably make at least two with the yarn you have left. Kool-Aid dyeing is always fun. Just think how cute the baby's bottom would look dressed in soakers dyed grape purple or bright orange. Lime green would be fun too, if one were able to find it anywhere. The sweater is lovely, soft and squishy looking.
Posted by: marjorie at February 22, 2013 8:57 PMOooooh, that yarn is delicious! Doesn't that baby need a hat?
Posted by: Pat D at February 22, 2013 8:58 PM@ Helen. Hugs.
@ Stephanie. What a great sweater and love the buttons. But don't go getting all wild with this success.
Posted by: Leslie F at February 22, 2013 9:25 PMBeautiful.
Posted by: Samantha at February 22, 2013 9:34 PMI've got to second the idea of a sweater vest. In fact, a tennis sweater vest. The pullover kind, with a v-neck. And with a little contrasting yarn in the neck band, arm bands, and waist band. Cables on the front, plain back. With the right pattern, you should be able to make him one that will see him through the fall into early winter!
Plus, he'll easily be one of the most dapper toddlers in all of Canada.
Posted by: Anonymous, too at February 22, 2013 9:45 PMMy son was born in August (years ago), which meant he was just the right size for the bike seat come spring. He adored being behind me, and used to push my rear and say "Faster! Faster!" So here's hoping the snow melts early and the bike sweater can go for a ride on that adorable kid!
Posted by: fibersong at February 22, 2013 11:38 PMAdorable sweater and buttons for your nephew. I finished making Antler for myself a little over a week ago. The bicycle buttons are adorable, but the buttons I used may top them. You see, when I was about half way through knitting my sweater, I remembered that I had antler buttons - sliced from real deer antlers. I love that my Antler sweater has antler buttons.
Posted by: lyknnits at February 22, 2013 11:57 PMBeautiful! Plus the yarn looks as touchably squishy as you described it when you spun it. What a treat for your nephew. :-)
Posted by: Melinda at February 23, 2013 12:49 AMOr you could do a give away for your leftover homemade yarn~ |3
Posted by: Umbri at February 23, 2013 1:44 AMI realize you don't have much control over this, probably, but if you're planning your tour schedule you should come to Denver! My Knit Night would be so happy to see you!
Posted by: Shannon at February 23, 2013 2:05 AMThis reminds me I really need to knit a sweater for my one year old daughter. My problem is I always want to design everything I knit...I should let myself use other patterns now and then for fun.
Posted by: Rachel Erin at February 23, 2013 7:12 AMI adore the buttons and the wee sweater!
Posted by: Maureen at February 23, 2013 1:29 PMPrecious!!
Posted by: Trista at February 23, 2013 3:01 PMIt is never too early to start shaping the soul of a bicyclist. wiser words were never said. Love your eye for perfect!
Posted by: sheila at February 23, 2013 4:11 PMIs it just me or are the buttons on the girls side?
Either way looks great
Love love love the buttons and the sweater and the soul-shaping. And your yarn is gorgeous. What a lucky little Luis.
Posted by: uptownknitting at February 23, 2013 6:11 PMKettle dye the rest and make a little hat, scarf and mitten set to go with the sweater. Or..leave the yarn as is and make the hat,scarf,socks and mittens.
bjr
Oooh, that sweater is so adorable!
Posted by: AlisonH at February 23, 2013 11:05 PMOh a hat, for sure!
Posted by: Eva at February 23, 2013 11:39 PMA big thank you for your blog post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Posted by: retro jordan 11 at February 24, 2013 5:00 AMSnow pants to go with the sweater?
Posted by: Elisa at February 24, 2013 7:48 AMIs the pattern for that sweater available somewhere (I'm a fairly regular reader of your blog but missed it if you mentioned it before)? I have a 2-year-old nephew who needs a sweater almost exactly like that.
Posted by: BetsyinMO at February 24, 2013 9:47 AMTo BetsyiMO I believe it is Antler by Tincan knits. Find them on Rav or their webpage, http://www.tincanknits.com/pattern-PK-antler.html
Posted by: Judy11 at February 24, 2013 3:18 PMwhat a darling sweet sweater and buttons. Children's clothing grabs my soul...hm, little pants to peek out from under the sweater?
Posted by: cecelia at February 24, 2013 6:20 PMHi, Stephanie,
Lovely sweater. I took a spinning class today and I'm unbelievably chuffed that I produced a few yards of yarn. The idea that you can choose how thick the yarn should be and have it turn out as you wished is unbelievable to me. Beautiful spinning. I ended up with very tightly spun, kinky lace weight. The teacher kept giving me dabs of fiber from different tops, so the yarn has barberpole striping where they come together. I just love it. Now, what do you knit with a few yards of lace weight? Maybe an egdeing on something?
Your sweater is lovely and I'm sure the wee nephew willo love its warmth thsi winter. I'm assuming the daughter's piece will be next up.
Cheers,
JUlie in SAn Diego
The sweater is wonderful looking. I love the buttons with their just barely there color. Enough to show against the sweater without screaming "I'm a button!".
Posted by: Seanna Lea at February 25, 2013 8:34 AMDo love that antler sweater. Why not do it again with the leftovers and do the yoke in another color? The first thing that jumped to mind for me was a soft, fawnish brown.
Posted by: KarenJ at February 25, 2013 5:17 PM