Button Knot Bib

Button Knot Bib

Free Pattern:  Button Knot Bib

 

I've been thinking about how to make the basic bib more basic.    

I started thinking about making bibs again when we recently heard from our friends Damon and Ingrid.  My husband (Jim) and Damon used to work in the same office and they still work for the same company, (but in different cities) but hadn't corresponded for a while.  Of course, our fondest memories of Damon are of his Spicy Chocolate Coffee Truffle recipe!!  Yum.

Anyway, Damon had some NEWS to send us:  He and Ingrid were new parents to Gwyneth!!!  (She's the one with the yellow "braids" on the left!).

I also remember Jim telling me that after Damon and Ingrid moved to California, Ingrid began working in a yarn store.  At the time, I hadn't returned to knitting (I was on a 20 year sabbatical from knitting) so I didn't register a "bond".

 

Back to the bibs...  

The challenge then was how to sit down, finish the bib and not have to go hunting for buttons or decide what color buttons would look best, sewing that button on the bib, and, in the end, how to put a little more LIFE into my bibs. I can't be the only one who has noticed it's similarity to the humble cloth used in either the kitchen or bath. With this twist on the design, I think I may have come up with a solution:

I am calling it my Button Knot Bib but really it should be called the Button Knot Nine Lives Bib.  By positioning a couple of buttonholes at the top of the bib and using i-cords for straps, (which are secured by loose overhand knots at each end) the bib functions as a bib when needed.  When it's useful life as a bib is over, remove the i-cords and you have a wonderful dishcloth, washcloth, etc. with lots of life (and some handy "loops" in the corners for hanging on a hook, (the left over buttonholes)) left in it!

Here are some "instructional" photos for the knot challenged.

               

 

            

Here is a version using a single, longer strap which you button and un-button each time you use it.

 

                       

 

Wondering what to do with those left over i-cords?  Tie them together and you have some simple, washable softie toys for your baby.

       

 

Kind of reminds me of balloon art.  Remember balloon art?  Well, it's been taken to a whole new level!!