For every item that has button closures, there will need to be button holes or button loops. Often patterns will have specific instructions for the button holes or loops they want you to to make, always be sure to review the pattern you’re working with carefully.
Pattern Specific Variations To Make Button Loops
Sometimes, I include technique variations that are for specific patterns. I always include directions for specific techniques in the pattern itself, so be sure to also read any patterns you’re working on closely.
Button Loop Variation for Medellín
Medellín is a light and comfortable piece, perfect for buttoning over your favorite at-home attire for a perfectly functional wrap. Slip it over almost anything to up your fashion statement and to ward off the chill of air conditioning or weather.
It uses two techniques to make the button loops: “bind off and make button loop” and also “make button loops.”
Bind Off and Make Button Loop
You begin working on the WS.
With 1 stitch on the right needle from BO, slip 2 stitches to the right needle, (BO1 by lifting the 1st stitch over the 2nd and off the right needle; slip 1 stitch to right needle) 4 times.
After completing these bind offs, slip the last stitch on the right needle back to the left needle. The yarn is coming from the last stitch on the right needle.
Make Button Loop
Turn your work to the RS, which puts the working yarn on the front of your work on the left needle. Move the working yarn to the back.
Use the right needle to pull up the top of the first stitch below the first BO. 2 stitches on left needle
*Work a cable cast on:
Cable cast on: put right needle between the end 2 stitches on the left needle, wrap right needle and pull up a loop on the RS. With loop on the right needle, use the tip of the right needle to BO 1 stitch on the left needle by pulling the 2nd stitch over the first.
Put the cable cast on loop onto left needle (2 stitches on left needle); repeat from * 4 times.
Pull stitch over last cast on loop. 1 stitch on the left needle
Put stitch on left needle onto right needle and turn work to WS.
K2tog-b.
Continue with bind off.
Applied I-cord & Button Loop Variation for Tangier
Keep the tension of the i-cord loose enough and the number of stitches picked up appropriate so your edge lies flat. Do not turn your work and keep the yarn in back.
Setup: Working with the cast on edge upward and the RS of the scarf facing, beginning at the right edge CO3 stitches onto a dpn or circular needle.
Applied i-cord: With yarn in back the cast on stitches on the right needle, *pick up a stitch in the cast on loops. 4 sts.
Push the 4 stitches to the right end of the needle and k2, k2tog-b; repeat from * to across the cast on edge.
Use left needle to (pull second stitch over first) 2 times. Cut the yarn and pull through the last stitch.
Button Loop: Pick up 2 (3) stitches inside the 2 Stockinette stitches and work 2 (3)-stitch i-cord for desired length or to to inside of opposite 2 Stockinette stitches. Before ending the button loop, be sure your button will fit through. Anchor bound off button loop to the opposite side. Keep the button loop as short as possible to prevent pulling.
Also see: techniques to Close Buttonholes here.
