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How to Crochet a Button

Linda Permann, contributor

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Dig out your big but boring buttons and transform them into colorful crocheted fasteners.

Linda Permann

Here is what your button will look like after Round 1.

Linda Permann

After completing Round 2, measure it against the button. You should still need to make one more round to match the size of the button.

Linda Permann

Dig out your big but boring buttons and transform them into colorful crocheted fasteners.

Photo: Linda Permann

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Whether you're seeking the perfect closure for your newly finished cardigan or looking for a way to revamp the undesirable buttons in your stash, a crocheted button fits the bill. To make a crocheted button, you'll need to cover a form—a store-bought button works well for this. Here, I'll show you how to cover a 1-3/8-inch button. Keep in mind that the finished size is approximately 1-5/8 inches due to the added thickness of the yarn. Even though we're in the middle of summer, I'm already thinking about making a set for my winter coat. If you're familiar with crochet patterns, you can just read the round numbers (marked in bold), but if you'd like a little explanation of what's going on, feel free to read the entire text (which reiterates the pattern).

To get started, you'll need:

1-3/8-inch-diameter button(s) (The size is approximate. Since yarn is stretchy, you could also get away with a 1-1/2-inch-diameter button.)
Small amount worsted-weight yarn
Size F (3.75-mm) crochet hook
Blunt-tip yarn needle

Make a magic ring to start.
Round 1: Chain 1, 10 single crochet into ring, join with a slipstitch in top of first single crochet—10 single crochet.

Pull the end taut if necessary to close up the magic ring.

Here is what your button will look like after Round 1.

For the next round, you'll add an increase in each stitch so that the circle gets bigger to cover your button. An increase, in this case, would be an extra single crochet, so you'll make 2 single crochets in each stitch of Round 1.

Round 2: Chain 1, 2 single crochet into each single crochet of the round, join with a slipstitch in top of first single crochet—20 single crochet.

After completing Round 2, measure it against the button. You should still need to make one more round to match the size of the button.

In Round 3, add an increase in every other single crochet to continue building the circle outward.

Round 3: Chain 1, *single crochet in first single crochet, 2 single crochet in next single crochet; repeat from * around, join with a slipstitch in top of first single crochet—30 single crochet.

At this point, your crocheted circle should be just about the same size as your button. If it's a little larger, that's okay as the excess will wrap to the back in the next round. If there is still a sufficient amount of button showing, make one more round of single crochets—that is, make one single crochet into each single crochet of the previous round (30 single crochet) and then continue with Round 4.

You'll begin decreasing in the next round, which will start the "back" of the button cover. To make a single crochet decrease, yarn over, insert your hook in the indicated stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over, insert your hook in the *next* stitch, yarn over, and draw up a loop. Pull the last yarn-over loop through the other 2 loops on your hook—one single crochet decrease made.

When you make a single crochet decrease, you'll draw the last yarn over (the left-most loop in this photo) through the other two loops on your hook.

Round 4: Chain 1, *sc in each of the first 5 single crochets, single crochet decrease over next 2 single crochet stitches; repeat from * around, join with a slipstitch in top of first single crochet—26 single crochet.

The work should start to curl into a tiny bowl at this point. Make sure the right side is still facing out (the right side is the side facing you as you work the rounds. You may need to turn your "bowl" inside out before continuing. If you haven't already, you should also weave in the first yarn end, as from here on out you'll be closing the circle around the button.

For Rounds 5 and 6, you'll add even more decreases to decrease the size of the circle more rapidly.

Round 5: Ch 1, *single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, single crochet decrease over next 2 stitches; repeat from * around, join with a slipstitch in top of first single crochet—20 single crochet.

Round 6: Ch 1, *single crochet decrease over next 2 stitches; repeat from * around, join with a slipstitch in top of first single crochet—10 single crochet.

You will want to slide the button into the crochet cover at this point. You may need to do this before you join Round 6 to ensure that you can squeeze the button inside.

Slide the button inside the crochet work before joining Round 6.

Now it's time for the last round of stitches.

Round 7: Ch 1, *single crochet decrease over next 2 stitches; repeat from * around, join with a slipstitch in top of first single crochet—5 single crochet.

You should now have a pretty snug cover on the button. Fasten off, leaving an 8-inch tail.

Stitch back and forth across the stitches of the last round to close up the button cover.

Weave in the ends and your button is complete. You can sew it to your next crocheted or knitted project, or any garment you like. Just be sure to hand-wash the item so the buttons stay in good shape. As you make more buttons, feel free to experiment with the stitch height, color changes, yarn texture, and any other variations you can think of.

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Comments (6)

jenkordell1 writes: Wow, I've got a stash full of odds and ends buttons. My Crocheted sweaters will all have new buttons. Thank you !
keep those hooks and needles flying.

Jennifer
Posted: 9:13 am on January 29th

Lolos writes: Gorgeous !!! Thank you so much for sharing this.. Love it!!! I didn't try to make a button before but I think with your tutorial I will do that for sure... Thank you again... :-)
Posted: 3:04 pm on November 16th

Carolyninoz writes: Linda, I also had an idea of making them into hair ties for my little granddaughter. I did some with yoyos and they looked ever so cute and I think the buttons would too
Posted: 10:12 pm on October 2nd

kmd811 writes: I crochet towel toppers and this would look wonderful on my towels! Thanks!
Posted: 10:28 pm on September 15th

LindaPermann writes: Carolyninoz,
I'm glad you like it! I think it's a great idea for exactly that- yarn so unique and pretty that it needs a pretty button to match. It's also just a nice way to camoflauge those brown buttons we all have, and use up yarn scraps at the same time! They'd be cute on a card...I could see a row of button flowers.
Posted: 1:18 pm on August 22nd

Carolyninoz writes: Wow thank you for this. I knit handbags and sometimes I am at a loss for a clip or closure for the bag. I have stacks of buttons and this would make a great feature either in the same wool or a smart contrast. I can also see these as card decorations. I am into card making especially ATC's
Thanks for sharing
Cheers
Carolyn
Posted: 9:09 pm on August 18th

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