Crochet buttons can give a quirky and warm touch. There are a few different ways to make a crochet button, but no matter how you do it, the button itself is highly customizable, making it easy to adapt to your project.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Method One: Simple Crochet Button
Step 1. Make a slip knot
Tie the crochet wool by making a slip knot near the tip.
Step 2. Make two chain stitches
Weave two chain stitches from the loop onto your hook.
Step 3. Make six single weaves
Weave two single stitches into the second chain stitch from the hook, which is basically the first interlocked chain stitch. Use a sliding stitch to close the last stitch to the first.
You should go for a lap with six points in total
Step 4. Make a chain stitch and make two single weaves in each stitch
Make a chain stitch from the loop on your hook to start a new round. Make two single weaves in each stitch from your previous round. Use a sliding stitch to join the first and last stitch together.
you should have a round with 12 points in all
Step 5. Make a chain stitch and make six pairs of two single weaves
Make a chain stitch from the loop on your hook to start a new round. Make a single two-stitch weave from the previous round six times along the round. Use a sliding stitch to join the first and last stitch.
You should do another round of six points in total
Step 6. Slip on the tail
Thread the tail into the stitches on the back of the button, using a basting needle if necessary.
- Use your hands to flatten the button a little.
- As you sew or weave your ponytail into the button, pull it all the way through to secure it.
Method 2 of 4: Method Two: Simple Crochet Button, Magic Ring Version
Step 1. Make a magic ring
Make an adjustable ring, known as a "magic ring", with your wool. Make a chain stitch to secure the ring.
Step 2. Make two chain stitches and make eleven double plaits
Make two more chain stitches from the loop on your hook. Row eleven double weaves around the magic ring. Pull the ends of the magic ring lightly to close it in a tight circle.
- Note that the initial pair of those two chain stitches will now count as a single double weave.
- Your circle should have 12 double weaves in total, counting the two starting chain stitches.
Step 3. Close the end
Trim the wool, leaving a long ponytail, and pull this ponytail through the loop on your hook to tie it tightly.
The tail should be at least 8 inches (20.32 cm) long
Step 4. Thread the wool into a basting needle
Insert the tail of the wool into the eye of a basting needle, loosely tying the end of the wool to the needle to hold it in place.
Alternatively, you can also just hold the wool in place with your fingers instead of tying it
Step 5. Close the circle
Insert the basting needle over the first of your double bindings and pull it out through the back circle of the last stitch.
- Note that you need to thread it through your first true double weave, not the initial two chain stitches.
- This should create the illusion of another stitch and give a clean look with a round edge on the front.
Step 6. Slip on the tail
Use the darning needle to thread the tail through the stitches along the back of the button, securing it while concealing it.
Method 3 of 4: Method Three: Decorated Crochet Button
Step 1. Make a simple crochet button
Each of the decorated buttons begins with one of the simple buttons described above. Since the dots are easier to see in the magic ring version, that's usually the preferred version, but you can experiment with both options.
Step 2. Create an edge of a contrasting color
Use a crochet hook and darning needle to thread a complementary color of wool through the edges of your double weaves into a magic ring-based button.
- Insert the hook into the loop on top of one of your double weaves. Grab the different colored wool from the other side and pull a loop across the front.
- With the loop still on the hook, insert the hook in the middle of the next double stitch on your button, pulling a new, second loop on your hook.
- Pull this second loop through the original one on your hook.
- Continue like this, working counterclockwise and pulling new loops in the middle of all the double weaves.
- When you pull the wool through the last stitch, cut the wool and pass the tail through the eye of a darning needle. Insert the needle under both loops of your first different colored stitch and back through the back loop of your last stitch. Pull the wool on the back of the button.
- Sew the tail to the back of the button with the darning needle.
Step 3. Make a central star or snowflake
You can make a simple six-pointed star or snowflake by weaving about 12 inches (30.5 cm) of different colored wool diagonally through the double weaves of a simple magic loop button with a darning needle.
- Cut a different colored piece of wool that measures 12 inches (30.5 cm).
- Thread the end of this wool through the eye of a darning needle.
- Insert the needle into the two loops of a double weave in your button. Working on the top of the button, insert the needle into the center of the button, pulling it out at the back.
- From the back, insert the needle a second time under two loops of the next double weave in your button. From the front, insert the needle back into the center of the button.
- Continue like this, creating six lines that extend from the center to the edge of the button.
- Thread the ends of the wool through the stitches on the back of the button to secure everything in place.
Step 4. Embellish with a flower
A floral decoration is slightly more complex and requires a different color of wool for the center and a second different color for the five petals.
-
For the center of the flower:
- Thread the wool into your darning needle.
- Pull the darning needle through the center of the button. Slip it into an inner ring in the center of the button and pull it up on the other side. Twist the wool around the tip of the needle.
- Pull the length of the wool through the two loops you just created.
- Repeat, working a similar stitch in each loop in the center of the button. Tie it on the back of the button.
-
For the petals:
- Thread the wool into the darning needle.
- Pull the needle up in the center of the button, from under the center of your flower. Do not pass it through the center of the flower, but on the edge.
- Insert the needle back into the center. Don't pull the ring you create; instead, leave enough thread to extend beyond the perimeter of the button.
- From the back of the button, insert the needle through the stitch at the edge of the button, pulling it towards the front and through the loop you created from the center.
- Pull to tighten the ring. The first petal should be ready.
- Thread the needle over the outer edge of the petal and back onto the back of the button.
- From the back, repeat the same steps, creating four more petals. Tie on the back after you're done.
Method 4 of 4: Method Four: Crochet Button Cover
Crochet a Button Step 17 Step 1. Make a magic ring
Form an adjustable ring out of your wool, commonly known as a "magic ring". At the end of the ring, make a chain stitch to secure it in place.
Crochet a Button Step 18 Step 2. Make ten single weaves Join the last weave with the beginning of the first with a sliding stitch
- If necessary, pull the ends of the ring to close it in a tight circle.
- This completes the first round.
Crochet a Button Step 19 Step 3. Make a chain stitch and make two single weaves in each stitch
Make a chain stitch to move on to the next round. Make two single weaves in each stitch of the previous round, joining the last to the first with another sliding stitch.
- This creates an increase, widening your circle.
- You should have a total of 20 crochet stitches in this round.
- After you have finished this round, compare it to the size of the button. If you are on the right track, you should make one more front turn to cover the front of the button.
Crochet a Button Step 20 Step 4. Make a chain stitch and increase a single yes and no weave
Make a chain stitch to move on to the next round. Make a single weave in the next stitch of the next round, then two in the next one. Continue all the way around the button, joining the last stitch to the first with another sliding stitch.
- You should have a total of 30 points on this round.
- Now, your button cover should be about the same size as the button. If it's slightly larger, that's fine too, because excess wool can be wrapped behind the button.
Crochet a Button Step 21 Step 5. Form the fourth round
Make a chain stitch to move on to the next round. Make a single plait in the first five stitches of the previous round, then make a single decreasing plait on the next two stitches from the previous round. Repeat all around, closing the ends with a sliding stitch.
- You should have 26 points on this round.
- The piece should begin to curl into a bowl shape.
Crochet a Button Step 22 Step 6. Add more decreases for the fifth round
Make a chain stitch to move on to the next round. Make a single weave in each of the next two stitches. Make a single decreasing weave on the next two stitches. Continue like this all around, joining the ends with a sliding stitch.
There should be 20 points on this round
Crochet a Button Step 23 Step 7. Decrease again for the sixth round
Make a chain stitch to go to the sixth round. Make a single decreasing weave in the next two points. Repeat all around, joining the last stitch to the first with a sliding stitch.
- This should give you a 10 point spin.
- Insert the button into the cover at this point. You may need to do this before making the last slip stitch, just to make sure the button fits.
Crochet a Button Step 24 Step 8. Decrease again for the seventh round
Make a chain stitch to move on to the next round. Make a single point decreasing on the next two points, and repeat all the way around. Join the last stitch to the first with a slip stitch.
- You should score five points in total for this round.
- At this point, the entire back of the button should be more or less covered.
Crochet a Button Step 25 Step 9. Secure and tuck the tails
Trim the wool, leaving an 8 inch (20.3 cm) long tail. Pull this tail through the loop on your hook to secure it, then thread the tail back and forth through the last few stitches to close the cover and secure the ends in place.
Advice
-
To make a single decreasing stitch, wrap the wool at the tip of the hook, insert the hook at the appropriate point, and wrap the wool at the hook from the other direction.
- Pull through this loop, wrap the wool again, and insert the hook into the next stitch.
- Wrap more wool from the other direction, and pull another loop to the front.
- Pull the last loop through the two on your hook to complete the stitch.
