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Finishing · Easy

Buttonholes

To crochet a buttonhole, chain a few stitches, skip the same number of stitches of the row below, and go on with the row. On the next row, work that many stitches into the space under the chain. The gap that is left is the buttonhole, and the number of chains sets how wide it is.

How to work it

  1. Mark the places

    Choose the buttons first. Mark where each button will go with a stitch marker, spacing them evenly with a tape measure, and mark the matching place for each buttonhole.

  2. Chain and skip

    The buttonhole row, in single crochet. After two stitches, two chains, marked, lie over two stitches of the row below that have been skipped, and the row goes on with a stitch in the next stitch. Nothing stands under the two chains: that gap is the buttonhole. One loop is on the hook.

    Work single crochet (UK double crochet) to the mark, which is a few stitches from the edge. Chain as many stitches as the button needs, skip the same number of stitches of the row below, and work single crochet in the next stitch and on to the end of the row.

  3. Work into the chain space

    The row after the buttonhole row. Two stitches, marked, are worked into the gap under the two chains: their feet go down past the chains into the gap, so the stitches close round the chains. The row has its full number of stitches again. One loop is on the hook.

    On the next row, work across to the chain. Work as many single crochet into the space under the chain as you chained, then go on with the row. The row has its full number of stitches again.

  4. Try the button

    Push the button through the hole. It should go through easily and not slip back out. If the hole is the wrong size, pull out the two rows and chain more or fewer stitches.

At a glance

Used for
the front of a cardigan, a jacket or any other piece that buttons
The rule
Chain a number, skip that number of stitches, and on the next row work that number of stitches into the chain space.
How wide
Sized to the button: the chain is a little shorter than the button is wide.
Rows
Two: the row with the chain, and the row that works into the chain space
Which side
By custom, buttonholes go on the right front of a woman's garment as it is worn, and on the left front of a man's.
A button loop
A loop of chain on the very edge of a piece does the job of a buttonhole. It is on the page about hanging loops and button loops.

A buttonhole takes two rows, so it is planned before the row it sits in is worked. With the places of the buttons marked first, each hole is made as the row comes to its mark.

The size depends on the button, which is why the buttons are chosen before the holes are made.

When it goes wrong

The button slips out of the hole.
The hole is too wide. Pull the two rows out and make it again with fewer chains, skipping fewer stitches to match.
The button will not go through.
The hole is too narrow. Make it again with more chains, skipping more stitches to match.
My buttonholes are not evenly spaced.
Mark the places with stitch markers before you start, measuring between them, and work each hole at its marker.

Variations

  • Button loops. Worked on the edge in the last row: work to the mark, chain enough to pass the button, and fasten the chain back into the edge with a single crochet.

Questions

How many chains do I make for a buttonhole?
As many as fit the button: the chain should be a little shorter than the button is wide. Try the button in the hole.
How many stitches do I skip?
The same number as you chained. Then, on the next row, the same number of stitches goes into the chain space, so the stitch count of the row does not change.
Which side do buttonholes go on?
By custom, on the right front of a woman's garment as it is worn and on the left front of a man's.

Where to go next

Stitches