let me just say, I just voted and though I love the wodden ones because this knit already has so many colors, I do think that the Sleek and minimal is best.

Well, if it's an opinion you're asking for...I've got a lot of them. And of course, we know that I have excellent taste. So,how about none of the above??? I think you can find a better choice for this sweater than any one of these three fine specimens. Too bad I'm not there to help you find it. However, if you must, if you really must, use one of these three, I vote for the pearly gray one.

Whimsical. The grey button would work on a more refined knit, and the Asian one is far too delicate and besides, the detail is lost amid all the color. Whimsical strikes the perfect balance.

I voted for the whimsical wooden, because it says "wood nympth" to me. They're all so pretty--it was hard to choose. I can see why you asked for suggestions. If you don't mind sewing on buttons, you could change your button to suit your mood. :-)

As a button, I'm all about the Asian flower, but I think the hippy flower is better suited, due to the colours in the yarn. I think the plain button is nice, but may be better used elsewhere?

At first I really liked the "Asian-Inspired Etched Flowers" button, but next to your varigated yarn, I just think that a simple solid would be best. So, my vote is with the "Grey Pearl Beauty."

I think the grey pearl is too dressy, too restrained for this fun and colorful sweater, and the Asian flowers one is too Asian for the style of the sweater. The whimsical wooden button is much more "wood nymph pouting in her fabulous sweater." It's a little Scandinavian, and what is more Scandinavian than a great, super-warm sweater?

I voted for the wooden flower. At first I thought I was going to like the shell one best, I love the grey with those colors. But for some reason it seems a little too...harsh? Uh, metallic, cold. A little too something. Big help, right?

My first instinct was to go with the gray pearl button, because of its simple, understated beauty, and that's the kind of stuff I go for, plus it looks great with all the colors in the sweater. But then I decided to be crazy (ha) and cast my vote for the whimsical wooden flower, because it's so pretty and complimentary to the lovely design elements and fun ("whimsical," if you will) personality in the sweater.

I like the whimsical flower one. The grey pearl is a little dressy for such as casual sweater and the asian inspired flowers button is competing for attention and, really, it not about the button. In my opinion, the whimsical flower one is perfect. The wooden factor says casual. The design is cute but doesn't draw the eye away from the main event. My two cents worth. :-)

Jules:
How about a green button? Otherwise I vote for the Asian one since it picks up the leaf motif. BTW I'm loving your pouty expression...very German/Austrian (I'm saying that the way we spoof "Ahnold" ROTFL).

I chose the asian flower button because it was more detailed. Sure, there is "over doing it", but with just one button I don't think you've crossed that line. Especially since the verigated yarn makes the leaves pop less. And with the leaves seeming subtle, a bit more embellishment on the sole button adds more to the sweater. Intricate additions force a bit of inspection and move the garment from expected to unexpected.

Grey pearl: seems too cool (color-wise) for a warm-hued sweater
Asian-inspired etched flowers: Too busy for a fairly "busy" sweater (I don't mean that in a bad way)
Whimsical flowers: Warm and simple, with a nature motif that echos the sweater nicely.

This is more thought than I've put into anything I've done yet this week. :)

Whimsical flower just looks fun and perfect for the design. Nice choice of buttons, however.

We're reading fairy tales around here and it occurs to me that the pearly gray button is like the porridge that is too cold. The Asian Floral calls too much attention to itself over the variegated yarn--too hot. Whimsical Wooden, however echoes the botanical theme of the sweater and is just right.

i REALLY think you should go with the whimsical wooden flower. while the pearly grey one is beautiful, it's just too flat and cold for such a warm and chunky sweater. it'll certainly disappear amongst all the colors and texture. it would be more appropriate for a more tailored, streamlined piece. the last one is too busy for a variegated yarn, and the themes dont match. the whimsical wooden flower, on the other hand, is chunky enough to hold up to the sweater with a simple design that doesnt clash with the patterns in the sweater. the curves in the little flower contrast and complement the lines in the sweater. trust me, you will not regret this choice.

You *must* use the Whimsical Wooden Flower! It has enough personality and interest to stand up to the rest of that amazingly gorgeous sweater. The other two just don't compete. Really. You'll be happier this way.

I asked almost exactly the same question on my blog today!

I like the pearly gray one--it's subtle against the colors of the yarn, yet it doesn't get lost. As pretty as that asian button is (and it really is) I think it's too "busy" against all the color changes of the yarn.

The Asian button clearly belongs on the sweater because the beautiful flower design echoes the lace detailing of the knit.

You know, when I saw the first picture, I thought "With those colors you want a wooden button" but when I saw them one at a time, I loved the grey pearl. And when I saw the whole sweater - you don't want the button calling attention away from the great details! Grey pearl. Understated.

Whimsical wooden flower all the way. But that just might be because I really like the word whimsical.

It sounds like what it means, you know?

I think the gray button disappears in the yarn--which could be the effect you're going for. I voted for the whimsical wooden flower over the asian one because the leaves on the asian design seem to compete with the pattern of the variegated yarn. I think the wooden flower is a nice, simple design that enhances and compliments the sweater.

I had to go for the button that almost got away. I love it so.
I've been trying to post to my blog all day, but, alas, technical problems with blogger...grrr...
Oh well
~m

i like the asian one as a button all by itself the best. but i like the "whimsical wooden" one the best for the sweater. the big leaves and handdyed yarn seem to scream out for a big, fun button.