How To Knit Buttonholes

How To Knit Buttonholes

Some patterns will give you specific instructions on how to knit a buttonhole; others will simply tell you to make one without explaining how. Even if the pattern does give exact instructions, they may be for the most basic of buttonholes: yarn over and then k2tog. This makes a functional buttonhole but there are more choices than this. The way a buttonhole is constructed determines how strong it is and how neat it is. If you are using bigger buttons and want larger buttonholes, the basic buttonhole will only be as large the yarn over. Buttonholes are usually placed in the middle row of a buttonhole band. Since most bands are 5 or 7 rows, the buttonhole will be worked on Row 3 or 4; therefore, sometimes the buttonhole is worked on the right side and sometimes on the wrong side. Here are instructions for knitting 5 different types of buttonholes. Buttonhole 5 is the neatest buttonhole and seems complex but if you follow the directions step by step, you'll be fine.

-Basic Buttonhole Knit Over Two Rows

-Buttonhole Knit Over One Row

-Buttonhole Knit Over One Row

-Buttonhole Knit Over One Row
-Buttonhole Knit Over One Row

1-Basic Buttonhole Knit Over Two Rows

This buttonhole is only slightly more difficult than the most basic of all buttonholes where you work a yarn over and then k2tog. You should avoid using this buttonhole; it's extremely easy but the corners are very weak and it causes the stitches surrounding it to pull in and distort.
Right Side


Wrong Side Instructions:


Knit to the point where the buttonhole will be placed. Bind off the number of stitches needed for the buttonhole (this will vary depending on the W EIGHT OF YARN and how big the buttons are). Complete the row. Knit the next row in pattern. When you come to the point where you bound off the stitches, cast on the same number of stitches. Complete the row. Cast on using the Knit Cast On or the K Cablecaston

2-Buttonhole Knit Over One Row-Version A

You will need three stitches to work a two stitch buttonhole (you'll always need one additional stitch regardless of the number of stitches in your buttonhole); when determining the number of stitches you'll work between buttonholes, as with a cardigan, you will need to take this into account. I think this buttonhole is adequate for most cases. Be sure to work all the stitches tightly or you will find the corners begin to sag.
Right Side



Wrong Side Instructions:
Knit to the point where the buttonhole will be placed. Hold the yarn in front of the work. Slip the first stitch on the left needles as p. Move the yarn to the back of the work and leave it there. Slip the next stitch on the left needle as if to purl. Pass the first slipped stitch over the second slipped stitch. Continue in this way until you have bound off the required number of stitches for the buttonhole. Slip the last stitch you bound off back to the left needle. Turn your work. Move the yarn to the back of the work. Now cast on the same number of stitches that you bound off
plus one additional stitch.

Cast on using the Knit Cast On or thek cablecaston. Before the last step of the last cast on stitch, bring the yarn to the front of the work. Pull up the loop for the cast on stitch but before placing the loop on the left needle, bring the yarn to the front; it will then rest between two stitches. Turn. Slip the first stitch from the left needle to the right needle as if to purl. Pass the last cast on stitch over the slipped stitch. Continue knitting the row.

3-Buttonhole Knit Over One Row-Version B

You will need three stitches to work a two stitch buttonhole (you'll always need one additional stitch regardless of the number of stitches in your buttonhole); when determining the number of stitches you'll work between buttonholes, as with a cardigan, you will need to take this into account. This buttonhole is very similar to Buttonhole 2; the only difference is the way in which the buttonhole is closed.

Right Side

Wrong Side

Instructions:

Knit to the point where the buttonhole will be placed. Hold the yarn in front of the work. Slip the first stitch on the left needle K AS IF PURL. Move the yarn to the back of the work and leave it there. Slip the next stitch on the left needle as if to purl. Pass the first slipped stitch over the second slipped stitch. Continue in this way until you have bound off the required number of stitches for the buttonhole. Slip the last stitch you bound off back to the left needle. Turn your work. Move the yarn to the back of the work. Now cast on the same number of stitches that you bound off plus one additional stitch.
Cast on using the Knit Cast On or the k cable cast on. Turn. With the yarn still at the back of the work, slip the first stitch from the left needle to the right needle as if to purl. Pass the last cast on stitch over the slipped stitch.

4- Buttonhole Knit Over One Row-Version C

You will need three stitches to work a two stitch buttonhole (you'll always need one additional stitch regardless of the number of stitches in your buttonhole); when determining the number of stitches you'll work between buttonholes, as with a cardigan, you will need to take this into account. This buttonhole is very similar to Buttonholes 2 and 3; the only difference is the way in which the buttonhole is closed. This causes the wrong side to be slightly bulky.

Right Side


Wrong Side

Instructions:
Knit to the point where the buttonhole will be placed. Hold the yarn in front of the work. Slip the first stitch on the left needle k as if p. Move the yarn to the back of the work and leave it there. Slip the next stitch on the left needle as if to purl. Pass the first slipped stitch over the second slipped stitch. Continue in this way until you have bound off the required number of stitches for the buttonhole. Slip the last stitch you bound off back to the left needle. Turn your work. Move the yarn to the back of the work. Now cast on the same number of stitches that you bound off plus one additional stitch. Cast on using the Knit Cast On or the k cable caston. Turn. With the yarn still at the back of the work, slip the first stitch from the left needle to the right needle as if to purl. Knit these two stitches together.

Buttonhole Knit Over One Row-Version D

This is the best buttonhole I've ever knit. It's neat and firm, both sides look practically identical, and the amount of distortion it causes to the stitches that surround it is barely noticeable. . The instructions have been rewritten, making it a bit easier to follow.

Right Side

Wrong Side

Instructions:
Knit to the point where the buttonhole will be placed. Slip the first stitch on the left needle kasifk . Move the yarn to the front of the work and leave it there. Slip the next stitch from the left needle to the right needle as if to knit. Pass the first slipped stitch over the second slipped stitch and off the needle. Repeat until you have bound off the number of required stitches for the buttonhole. Slip the last stitch from the right needle back to the left needle. Turn. Bring the yarn to the front of the work. At the edge where the buttonhole was begun, cast on the number of stitches you bound off plus one additional stitch. The KTWISTED AS PURWISECASTON is a good choice. Turn. Slip the first stitch from the left needle to the right needle as if to knit. Pass the extra cast on stitch over the next stitch; then slip this stitch back to the left needle.



SOURCE:KNITTINGONTHENET