How to Knit Buttonholes

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Knitting buttonholes is a crucial skill to have if you are knitting a sweater or other garment that you wish to fasten with buttons. There are a couple of different methods you can use to make button holes, which include the one row method and the two row method. Both techniques provide good results and they are both easy to learn. As you create buttonholes, it is also a good idea to keep some basic tips in mind to ensure that your buttonholes are strong.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using One Row

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Knit Buttonholes
    To start your buttonhole, take two stitches and slip them onto the opposite needle. Then, loop the first stitch you slipped onto the needle over the second stitch you slipped onto the needle. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Knit Buttonholes
    To continue binding off, you will need to slip another stitch over to the opposite needle. Then bind off the stitch by slipping the first stitch over the second stitch. [2]
    • Continue slipping off stitches and binding off if you are making a larger buttonhole. For small buttonholes, you may only need to bind off a couple of stitches. But for larger button holes, you will need to bind off more stitches. Keep going until the button hole is the length that you need it to be. [3]
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Knit Buttonholes
    When you finish binding off the stitches, you will need to turn your work around. Turn the work so that the opposite side is facing you. Then, begin to cast on stitches in the direction of the buttonhole. [4]
    • Cast on as many stitches as you bound off. For example, if you bound off four stitches, then cast on four stitches.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Knit Buttonholes
    After you finish casting on, knit one stitch to connect the cast on stitches to the opposite side of the buttonhole. Then, turn the work around again and knit as usual. [5]
    • If you only needed one buttonhole, then knit to the end of the row. If you need more than one buttonhole, then knit until you reach the next space for placing a buttonhole and repeat the process again.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Two Rows

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Knit Buttonholes
    For the first row, you will be binding off the stitches to create one side of the buttonhole. Begin by knitting two and then pull the first stitch you knit over the second one to bind off the first stitch.
    • Continue binding off by knitting one and pulling the first stitch over the second stitch.
    • Continue to bind off as many stitches as you need to create your buttonhole.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Knit Buttonholes
    When you finish binding off your required stitches for the buttonhole, resume knitting. Finish knitting to the end of the row or until you need to make another buttonhole.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Knit Buttonholes
    When you come back around to the space where you started the buttonhole, you will need to cast on additional stitches to cover the length of the buttonhole.
    • For example, if you bound off three stitches, then you will need to cast on three stitches.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Knit Buttonholes
    After you cast on enough stitches to cover the area of the buttonhole, resume knitting as usual. On your next round, knit across the stitches you cast on in the same manner as the other stitches.
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Creating Strong Buttonholes

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Knit Buttonholes
    Don't make the buttonholes too large or too small for your buttons. Measure the buttons and try to make the buttonholes slightly smaller than the buttons.
    • Try holding up the buttons against the buttonholes as you create them. This will help to ensure that you do not make them too large or too small.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Knit Buttonholes
    It is important to know where you want each buttonhole to be. Measure the area and place stitch markers so you will know where to place each buttonhole as you go.
    • You can also mark the placement spots with a small safety pin or paper clip.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Knit Buttonholes
    As you bind off, cast on, and knit over the areas with buttonholes, it is important to keep good tension. This will help to ensure that your buttonholes will be secure. Hold the yarn taut as you create the buttonholes to ensure that your buttonholes will be tight.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Knit Buttonholes
    If you do end up with buttonholes that are loose or too small, then you can use a knitting needle and some extra yarn to reinforce the buttonhole. Using a "yarn needle" and the same yarn that you are using to knit your item, stitch around the edges of the buttonhole, using the same "buttonhole stitch" that is used when sewing on fabric. This will reinforce the buttonhole. Or if your buttonhole is too long, stitch across one or both of the ends to make the buttonhole shorter.
    5. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    When the pattern says "yarn forward," which way is that?
    LibraryMouse
    Community Answer
    Towards you.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 6
  • Question
    Is work 2tog the same as knit 2tog?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the pattern. It might be either knit 2tog or purl 2tog depending on what comes before and after the 2tog.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
  • Question
    How do I start the first round to start the circle?
    crochet 4 beginners
    Community Answer
    Make ch4 and join to make a circle. Ch3 as first dc, make another 11 dc in the circle. Join last dc to first dc with a slip stitch, this is first row. Now in every row increase by 12 stitches.This way you get a flat circle. Increase in every row should be number of stitches you made in first row.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 1
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Things You'll Need

      • Yarn
      • Knitting needles, size according to instructions
      • Stitch markers or small safety pins to mark areas for buttonholes
      • Buttons

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Finish Knitting
      How to
      Knit the Knit Stitch
      How to
      Knit the Purl Stitch
      How to
      Knit a Scarf
      How to
      Cast Off (Bind Off) Knitting
      How to
      Cast On
      How to
      Knit a Scarf on a Loom
      How to
      Knit a Blanket on a Loom
      The Easiest Way to Finger Knit: A Full Beginner's Guide
      How to
      Knit on a Loom
      How to
      Finger Knit a Blanket
      How to
      Knit Socks on Circular Needles
      How to
      Knit a Circle
      How to
      Change Yarn
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLT7eb2W0kw
      2. ↑ https://blog.tincanknits.com/2015/04/27/one-row-buttonholes/
      3. ↑ https://blog.tincanknits.com/2015/04/27/one-row-buttonholes/
      4. ↑ https://blog.tincanknits.com/2015/04/27/one-row-buttonholes/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLT7eb2W0kw
      6. Videos provided by New Stitch a Day: Knitting and Crochet Video Tutorials

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Start your buttonhole by taking two stitches and slipping them onto the opposite needle, then looping the first stitch over the second stitch. Continue binding off in this manner, slipping another stitch over to the opposite needle, then slipping the first stitch over the second stitch. When you’ve reached a good length for your buttons, turn your work so the opposite side is facing you, then cast on as many stitches as you bound off in the direction of the buttonhole. Finish by knitting a stitch to connect the cast on stitches to the opposite side. To learn some tips to make your buttonholes durable, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 275,087 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement