Knitting is a wonderful and versatile craft that allows you to create beautiful and functional pieces. One skill that every knitter should have in their repertoire is how to make a button hole. Button holes are essential for adding buttons to garments like cardigans and sweaters, and they provide a practical and decorative element to your knitting projects.
Making a button hole may seem intimidating at first, but with a little practice, it becomes a simple and enjoyable process. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of creating a button hole in your knitting, so you can confidently tackle any buttoned project.
Step 1: Planning and Preparation
Before you start knitting your project, you need to determine where and how many button holes you want to include. Consider the size and placement of your buttons, as well as the overall design of your piece. It’s a good idea to make a swatch and practice making a button hole on it before starting your project to ensure you’re happy with the results.
Step 2: Marking the Button Hole Placement
Once you’ve decided on the placement of your button hole, use a removable stitch marker or a contrasting piece of yarn to mark the position on your knitting. This will help guide you as you work the button hole row.
Supplies Needed
- Knitting needles
- Yarn
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Stitch markers (optional)
- Button
Before you begin making a buttonhole in your knitting, gather all the necessary supplies. Make sure you have the correct knitting needles for your project and the yarn you are using. You will also need a tapestry needle to sew the buttonhole in place, scissors to cut the yarn, and a measuring tape to measure the buttonhole’s width and placement.
If you prefer, you can use stitch markers to mark the buttonhole’s placement on your knitting, although this is not necessary. Lastly, make sure you have the button you plan to use for your project, as this will determine the size and spacing of your buttonhole.
Step 1: Prepare Your Knitting
Before you can start making a buttonhole in your knitting, you need to prepare your project and determine where you want the buttonhole to be placed. Here’s how:
- Mark the buttonhole position: Take a stitch marker or a small piece of contrasting yarn and place it on the right side of your knitting where you want the buttonhole to be.
- Count the number of stitches: Count the number of stitches you have before the marker. This will help you determine how many stitches you need to bind off for the buttonhole.
- Choose the buttonhole size: Decide on the size of the buttonhole you want. Typically, buttonholes are either one stitch wide or two stitches wide. Keep in mind the size of your button when choosing the buttonhole size.
- Calculate the number of rows: Determine how many rows you want your buttonhole to span. This will depend on the thickness of your yarn and the size of your button. As a general guideline, buttonholes should be placed every 10-15 rows.
- Prepare your stitches: If you want a more reinforced buttonhole, you can work a few extra rows in a ribbing pattern or slip the first stitch of each row to create a neat edge. This will prevent the edges of the buttonhole from stretching out over time.
- Make a swatch: If you’re unsure about the size of your buttonhole or want to practice the technique, you can make a small swatch with the same yarn and needles to test your buttonhole before working it on your actual project.
Once you have prepared your knitting, you’re ready to move on to the next step of creating a buttonhole.
Step 2: Mark the Placement
Once you have decided on the size and location of your buttonhole, you need to mark its placement on your knitting. This will help you keep track of where to make the necessary stitches.
You can use different methods to mark the placement of your buttonhole, depending on your preference:
- Using stitch markers: Place a stitch marker on each side of where you want the buttonhole to be. This will create a visual guide.
- Using contrasting yarn: Thread a contrasting yarn through the stitches where the buttonhole will be located. This will create a temporary visual marker that can be easily removed later.
- Using safety pins or removable stitch markers: Attach safety pins or removable stitch markers to the stitches that mark the buttonhole placement. This allows for easy removal as you progress with your knitting.
Choose the method that works best for you and make sure the markers are securely in place.
By marking the placement of your buttonhole, you will ensure that your knitting stays on track and that the buttonhole is placed exactly where you want it.
Step 3: Set Up Your Machine
Before you begin making a buttonhole on your knitting project, you need to set up your machine properly. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth and successful process:
- Clear your work area: Remove any unnecessary items from your worktable and create a clean and organized space.
- Gather the necessary materials: Make sure you have all the tools and materials required for creating a buttonhole, such as yarn, knitting needles, a sewing needle, and a button.
- Choose the appropriate knitting machine: Select a knitting machine that suits your project and has the necessary features to create buttonholes.
- Set up the knitting machine: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to properly set up your knitting machine. This involves adjusting the tension, needle position, and stitch size according to your project’s requirements.
- Prepare the yarn: Choose a yarn that matches your project and thread it through the knitting machine’s tension mast and needle hooks.
Once you have completed these steps, your knitting machine will be properly set up and ready to create a buttonhole.
Step 4: Perform the First Row
Now that you have created the buttonhole, it’s time to perform the first row of knitting. This row will help secure the buttonhole in place and create a neat finished edge around it.
- Start by knitting the number of stitches specified in your pattern before the buttonhole. For example, if your pattern instructs you to knit 10 stitches before the buttonhole, knit those stitches.
- Next, knit the stitches that make up the buttonhole. They should be the same number of stitches that you cast off in the previous step.
- Continue knitting the remaining stitches in your row according to your pattern.
It’s essential to follow your pattern carefully to ensure that you are knitting the correct number of stitches and rows. This will help maintain the overall shape and symmetry of your knitting project.
If your pattern doesn’t provide specific instructions for the first row after creating the buttonhole, you can continue knitting in your desired stitch pattern or as instructed by your pattern.
Remember to keep your tension consistent while knitting the first row to ensure an even and professional-looking finish.
Once you have completed the first row after the buttonhole, you can continue following your pattern’s instructions for the rest of your knitting project. Make sure to pay attention to any shaping or stitch pattern changes that may occur.
By following these steps and carefully knitting the first row after creating the buttonhole, you are one step closer to completing your knitting project with a functional and attractive buttonhole!
Step 5: Continue Knitting
After creating the buttonhole, it’s time to continue knitting the rest of your project. This step will vary depending on the pattern you are working on, but here are a few general guidelines to follow:
- Follow the pattern instructions for the next row or round. Make sure to knit or purl the stitches as indicated.
- If the buttonhole is not on the edge of your work, continue knitting in the established stitch pattern.
- If the buttonhole is on the edge of your work, you may need to adjust the number of stitches you cast on or bind off to maintain the stitch pattern.
- Continue knitting until you reach the desired length or until the pattern instructs you to make another buttonhole.
- Remember to keep track of your rows or rounds if necessary, especially if you need to make multiple buttonholes.
It’s important to read and understand your knitting pattern to ensure you follow the correct instructions for your specific project. Take your time and enjoy the process of creating your knitted piece!
Step 6: Complete the Button Hole
Once you have worked the desired number of rows for your button hole, it’s time to complete the hole.
- First, knit or purl the specified number of stitches for the button hole.
- Next, bind off the same number of stitches to create the button hole opening. You can use any bind off method you prefer.
- Continue working in pattern until you reach the end of the row.
- On the next row, make sure to cast on the same number of stitches that were bound off for the button hole. This will close the hole and create a neat edge.
- You can use any cast on method you prefer. Some common methods include the backward loop cast on, the long-tail cast on, or the cable cast on.
- Once the button hole is complete, continue working the remaining rows of your project.
Remember to always follow the pattern instructions for the specific button hole placement and size. You can use stitch markers to mark the beginning and end of the button hole to make it easier to count the stitches.
Completing a button hole in knitting may require some practice and experimentation to get the desired result. Don’t be afraid to try different methods and techniques until you find the one that works best for your project.
FAQ:
What tools do I need to make a buttonhole in knitting?
To make a buttonhole in knitting, you will need a knitting needle, a crochet hook, a tapestry needle, and scissors.
Can I make a buttonhole without using a crochet hook?
Yes, you can make a buttonhole without using a crochet hook. Instead, you can use a tapestry needle to pick up stitches and create the buttonhole.
What is the best stitch to use for a buttonhole?
The best stitch to use for a buttonhole is the yarnover or eyelet stitch. This stitch creates a small, decorative hole that is perfect for buttons to go through.
How do I determine the size of the buttonhole?
To determine the size of the buttonhole, you will need to measure the diameter of the button you plan to use. Add a little bit of ease to this measurement and subtract the width of the button band. This will give you the number of stitches to cast on for the buttonhole.
Can I add a buttonhole to an already finished knitting project?
Yes, you can add a buttonhole to an already finished knitting project. You will need to pick up stitches along the edge of the fabric where you want the buttonhole to be and then follow the steps for making a buttonhole.
What is the purpose of a buttonhole in knitting?
The purpose of a buttonhole in knitting is to allow for the attachment of buttons or other fasteners to secure the garment. Buttonholes are commonly used in cardigans, sweaters, and other types of garments that require closure.
Do I need to reinforce the edges of the buttonhole?
Reinforcing the edges of the buttonhole is not necessary, but it can provide added durability. You can reinforce the edges by sewing a few stitches around the buttonhole with a tapestry needle and matching yarn.