Monday, August 8, 2011

A Simple Crochet Button

This is the button I came up with for my Thistle belt. It's quick to make and fairly sturdy.

This pattern should work with any yarn and appropriate size hook (mine were made with Patons Grace yarn and a size F hook). You will also need a darning needle.

You can click on any picture to make it larger.


Leaving a 4" tail, make a magic loop (there are lots of good tutorials out there for the magic loop, including this one from Lolly over at This Domestic Life):


Chain 1, then half-double crochet 12 in ring.

Tug on starting end of thread to close magic loop.


Slip stitch in first half-double crochet (hdc) to close the circle of stitches.


Slip stitch 11 more times with gentle tension, once in each hdc around the button.

See how the slip stitches make a sort of braid sitting on top of the button? This is the front of the button, by the way.


Cut yarn, leaving a 4-6" tail.

Pull end of yarn up and out of stitch, but DO NOT TUG.



We're going to make a nice seamless closure on the edge of the button.

Thread yarn onto darning needle, then pass the needle through the next stitch to the left, from FRONT to BACK.

The yarn should go through the back loop of the slip stitch AND the loop just behind that:


Now bring the needle to the right, and pass it from front to back through the back loop of your last slip stitch (where the thread was tugged out of the stitch).



Pull gently to close the loop.

Et voilà! A seamless edge.


Turn the button over, and GENTLY pass the needle through the stitches on reverse side of button, to a spot that is on the opposite side of the center hole from the original yarn end.



Gently tie the two ends in a double knot. And you're done!

You can use these yarn ends to attach the button to your project. Note: it will behave like a shank button, attached in the middle but rather wobbly.

When thread is left knotted in the middle,
the button will act like a shank button

If you want your button to sit flush against your project without wobbling, thread each yarn end on the darning needle (one at a time) and pass back through a few strands on each side until the ends come out of the button about 1/4" apart. It will now function more like a traditional 2-hole button.

For a button that sits flush against your project and doesn't wobble,
follow these steps.

Happy crocheting!

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24 comments:

  1. As easy and simple as this is, I think it is very very useful for a lot of people! :) I like how the slip stitches really finish the look of the button.
    Bookmarked this on Pinterest! :)
    xo
    wink

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  2. Great tutorial. Thank you - I will make buttons for cushion covers from this pattern. :-)

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  3. Thanks gals! My buttons have passed the wear-test and seem to be working out well.

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  4. Once again, a beautifully photographed tutorial. Love the color you used, too!

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  5. Mrs. M - Thank you so much. I used this pattern/tutorial and posted about the project here: http://appleblossomdreams.blogspot.com/2011/08/30.html.
    It was just what I needed!

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  6. Thank you, Astri. So glad it worked out well for you and thanks also for the link!

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  7. marciakoenig@earthlink.netMay 29, 2012 at 8:38 PM

    Thanks! This was just perfect for covering up a magnetic closure on a purse I crocheted.

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  8. This is a great photo tutorial! I linked to this post on my blog this morning. :)

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  9. Your like for the magic circle is DEAD. :(

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  10. *oops, I meant "link"

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  11. This is great! I like to put them as the center of my flowers on baby blankets instead of buttons. That way I don't have to worry about choking hazards! Thank you.

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  12. Thanks all! To yipsandhowls: I'm sorry about the link - it was to a blog that has been deleted. But I'm sure there are plenty of other Magic Ring tutorials out there.

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  13. I found a great magic ring/circle tutorial courtesy of Moogly on YouTube: http://youtu.be/pK8vTCcVu-4 Thank you, Sue, for a great button pattern. :-) I've added this to my fave patterns.

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  14. How do you make a larger button?

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  15. How do I make a larger button? Do you just continue to make more hddc in your loop?

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    Replies
    1. You could add more rounds, but be aware that the wider the button, the more it might bend or fold. For a slightly larger button you could try using double crochets instead of half-doubles. Good luck, and thanks for commenting! :)

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  16. Hi so glad I found you! I was searching for a crochet button & here it is.....Fantastic Cheers, but not only that...... curiosity got the better of me & having found your limpet mitt pattern I'm having a go at that too, with the help of your youtube videos I am succeeding THANKYOU SO MUCH
    Jo

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  17. Wonderful Idea so simple and the perfect finish to any project . Thank you.

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  18. Brilliant thank you very much, these buttons will finish off my baby booties perfectly.

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  19. Thanx ever so much for this fab pattern. I'm crocheting little purses for my great grandkids and needed a button pattern. This is PERFECT. I'll post a pic of them when they're done. ❤❤❤

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  20. Oh, my name is Carol Ann Reesh...thsnx again...

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