I love shawls. I love that they add a little extra warmth, you can even wear them bandit-style under a jacket, and they can be small enough to scrunch together when you’re not wearing them (or hung on a hanger in your closet). Bring them to a chilly restaurant, leave one in your office for when it (inevitably) gets cool, or use one like a blanket when you have a bit of a chill at home. It’s a great way to dress up your outfit or add another layer when you need it.
But sometimes, they can be hard to keep on your shoulders. I end up futzing with them a lot and pulling them back up. Or knotting them to try and keep them in place.
Enter JUL Designs‘ Pedestal Buttons and Shawl Pins. There’s so much to love.
Pedestal Buttons
I love that these look like buttons but don’t require a button hole. They give me flexibility to grab the shawl how I want that day, but I can remove the button(s) and place them in a totally different place next time!
I treat these like jewelry when I’m not using them so I (try) not to lose the backs. Honestly, the biggest challenge for me is that I remember to take them off before taking the shawl off and don’t just leave them on after I’m done wearing it. I like to create folds and gathers and they’re not great for a shawl when they’re being stored (ask me how I know).
And a word of advice – screw them in well but not so tightly that it’s hard to unscrew. Or like me, you might need to ask your husband for help.
Shawl Pins
These are another way to affix a shawl without needing to pre-plan buttonholes. They work great because they allow you to place them in different spots as your mood changes, your outfit changes or your weight changes (that never happens, right?).
Either of these give you a way to add a little something extra to your outfit. And the best part – they’re not permanent so you can choose the right one for your mood or your outfit.
My Favorite Ways to Use JUL Buttons and Pins
There are lots of ways to use them, and I keep coming up with new ways and new styles too. I never thought I was a rectangular shawl person, but with JUL Buttons I think they can make a real statement.
Since I have a TON of triangular shawls, I’ll show you a few of my favorite ways to use them.
This is such a great way to wear a cowl. You know how you need to make a cowl wide enough to go over your head without messing up your hair? But then it ends up being too loose around your neck? Well, Pedestal Buttons are the answer. I often thought about using a shawl pin for this but decided against impaling myself in the process 😉
This is better.
More Ideas
JUL created a few videos to show you how to style with their pedestal buttons.
And here’s another one that shows both the pedestal buttons and their no-sew closures.
Win a Pedestal Button or Shawl Pin
Would you like one of your very own? Leave us a comment on this post: tell us which you would prefer – one of the shawl pins or the screw-in pedestal button styling tack – why you would choose the one over the others, and what you would use it on.
The fine print: One entry per email address. Leaving a comment here gives you one entry into the contest and also signs you up for both the Knotions and JUL Designs Newsletters. You can unsubscribe from either at any point and we never sell or rent your email address. It’s safe with us. The contest ends at 12 Midnight EDT on Sunday, October 8th, 2017.
Good luck!
Second Entry
A second way to win!
Post an image on Instagram of where you’d place the buttons/pin (Don’t have any yet? Use paper and removable stitch markers to indicate the placement) and use the hashtag #knotionsJULdesigns.
The fine print: This is a second entry so you need to comment here first. This is part of the same contest, so the contest ends at 12 Midnight EDT on Sunday, October 8th, 2017.
10% Off Now
Don’t want to wait? Laura from JUL gave me a coupon code just for Knotions readers. Pick any of the designs featured here from their website and use the code knotions10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase.
Definitely the button.
I have a number of shawl pins, but on lightweight/fine shawls, they end up dragging down the shawl (even light pins are sometimes too much). The button would be the perfect alternative
I would choose the pedestal button, as I really like the aesthetic it adds, and I have more than a few shawl pins already, including some lovely JUL pieces. In particular, I have a lace cowl that could really do with having a button to create some shape to it!
I LOVE the idea of the pedestal pin! Sometimes my smaller crescent shawls need a little something to keep them in place. A shawl pin can be awkward in those times, but without SOMETHING, one of the “tails” of the shawl always falls off my shoulders! Great idea!!
I would prefer a shawl pin because most of my shawls are knitted with fingering weight yarn and I am afraid that the buttons would be too heavy to use on them.
I’ve never seen the pedestal button before. I think it is clever but maybe a little chunky for my taste. I love the shawl pins! I was first introduced to this brand through The Fiber Factor contest put on my Skacel. They had a Jūl challenge and I’ve been wanting their products ever since!
The shawl pins are beautiful! But the pedestal buttons, what a clever solution to cinch a shawl! I like them because they are small and don’t have sharp ends.
Pedestal pin please
I’d definitely choose the shawl pin – they’re just so interesting looking!
Thanks for the contest and for the helpful pictures. I’ve never really understood – or seen a pedestal button worn. I would love to try a pedestal button as I do have a few shawl pins
The shawl pins are gorgeous, but i have several already and the pedestal buttons are new to me and look like they work great, so that would be my choice.