Button Hole Dilemma

Ah, the age old dilemma of how to place the button holes in hand knit fabric.  Many have fretted.  Many have researched.  Many have compared.  And still, each and every opportunity to place the button holes is another moment of angst.

Please understand that I am not referring to making button holes.  As in making a purposeful hole in knitted fabric through which a button easily passes and still holds firm.  Nay.  I refer to the actual holes in a button - - specifically a non-shank button where the stitching that holds said button firmly in place will show on the public side of the garment/object and thus the stitches through the button holes will compete with the knit stitches.  What to do?  How to minimize or maximize the impact to satisfy the wearer and not cause the public to question simple sewing skills.

My current dilemma is buttons for the cardigan.  You are welcome to weigh in with a thought.  But my mind is almost made up.

Here the button is placed in a traditional manner such that the holes make a lovely little square.  This presents, at minimum, three sewing options.

#1.  Sew in a vertical manner from the top left to bottom left and then from top right to bottom right, resulting in two vertical lines to mimic the vertical nature of stockinette and neckline ribbing.

#2.  Sew in horizontal manner from top right to top left and bottom right to bottom left, resulting in two horizontal lines to mimic the horizontal nature of the front ribbing through which the button shall eventually pass and upon which it lies.

#3.  Sew in an X pattern from the top right to bottom left and top left to bottom right, resulting in a cross pattern that mimics the leaning psso of the lace pattern.

In this second photo, the button is rotated so that the holes are in a diamond pattern.  Again, this presents, at minimum, three sewing options.

#1.  Sew in a + sign pattern from top to bottom and side to side so that the button has security no matter which direction it is yanked during a fit of frustration.

#2.  Sew in a diagonal pattern from center top to left side and from center bottom to right side, resulting in two parallel lines that oppose the psso slant of the lace pattern.

#3.  Sew in a diagonal pattern from center top to right side and from center bottom to left side, resulting in two parallel lines that mimic the psso slant of the lace pattern.

By now you understand this button hole dilemma.  I personally think that several of these options are totally wrong simply because the result would offend my personal sense of style.  Two of the options are clearly superior. 

I keep for getting.  Is it God or the Devil who is in the details?