The Buttons

Since there was a fair bit of interest in the crocheted buttons yesterday, I'm posting how I did them today.   Below are the instructions as they were written in the pattern*.  I made some modifications though, which I'll explain at the end.

The pattern calls for "button molds;"  I have no idea what those are, and a quick google search didn't help.  I just put a plain old button inside  and it worked fine.   For this sweater, the pattern recommends a size B crochet hook (2.25mm), which produces a nice, firm fabric.  The buttons I used were 7/8" diameter.

For each button:
Chain 3, join with slip stitch to form a ring.
Round 1:  6 sc in ring
Round 2:  2 sc in each sc (12 sc)
Round 3:  *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; repeat from * around (18 sc)
Round 4 and 5:  1 sc in each sc (18 sc)
Round 6:  insert button mold; *sc in next sc,  skip 1 sc; repeat from * around until mold is completely covered.
Fasten off.

sc = single crochet in US, or double crochet in British English

the back

Once I'd made my first button, I found that there was too much empty space inside, so I eliminated Round 5.  In other words, I only worked one round of single crochet after the increase rounds.

I also found it easier to work Round 6 all the way around once, and then insert my button into the cup-shaped space created.  This helped keep the button from slipping out as I finished closing it up.  To keep the back as flat as possible, I worked the last few stitches as slip stitches rather than as single crochets, and then left a tail long enough to use for sewing the button to the sweater.

There you have it.  Like I said, easy peasy!


*Design number 27, Vogue Knitting Magazine Fall/Winter 1963