Whether you’re knitting a jacket or cardigan, the right buttons can really enhance your creative work. But the art of button selection is also a bit of a minefield when you’re relatively new to knitting, so let’s take a closer look at what you need to know:
The endless appeal of knitted garments
Knitting is a wonderfully beneficial activity that can greatly support mental health. Even better, as you improve your knitting skills, you can create beautiful garments that allow you to express yourself, whilst being functional, practical and designed to completely meet your own aesthetic.
What to consider when choosing buttons
It’s not actually that straightforward to choose a button and fit it! You might think that all you need to do is carefully measure the length of the knitted hole and choose a button that matches the diameter. You’ll also need to think about the stretch of the technique you used to create the buttonhole, and the yarn’s elasticity. For example, if your buttonhole is stretchy, you might need a bigger button than you’d think, unless you plan to reinforce the holes with a woven backing.
Learning to be flexible
Part of knitting means learning through experience, although you can make life easier by choosing ready-made kits that have correctly-sized buttons and other accessory pieces to take away the guesswork! You can visit The Wool Couture Company for a fantastic selection of knitting kit products.
Pick your timing
Another good strategy for finding the right buttons for your buttonholes is to wait until your project is finished and then use a button that you already have in your stash to find the right size. Note down the diameter and then head to your favourite knitting shop! You can also add a buttonhole to your gauge swatch, which is portable and will let you buy a great button in advance.
Trial and error, an increasingly experienced eye and a relaxed attitude will all serve you well when it comes to choosing the perfect button for your next project! And a readily accessible stash of backup button options!