Yarn Button Tutorial

Today, I thought it would be nice to show you how to make that cute yarn button featured in my Hooded Scarf sewing pattern.  I've had a few emails asking if I made the button and if so, could I share how.  The answer to that question is no I didn't make that particular button, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.  

Ahh I couldn't resist.  

Anywho moving on.  As I was saying, I didn't make that one, it was an extra button from an Anthro sweater of mine, but I do know how to make them.

As you can see, you can make these buttons with many different types of yarn and embroidery floss colors (yellow button).  I prefer a mohair type of yarn, because I like the look of it and you can thread it through an embroidery needle.

Materials needed...

Yarn - About 2 yards will be enough for this project.  If you have too much yarn it will be difficult to wrap around the plastic ring.

Needle that is big enough to thread the yarn through.

Plastic ring - I used a 1 1/8" plastic ring found at Michaels.  However, the Anthro button has a center bar (I felt it), so I believe they used a belt buckle or something.

Directions

1.  With one end of the yarn, tie a knot around the ring.

2. Begin to wrap the yarn around the ring.  When you wrap the yarn, be sure to wrap the little yarn tail from the knot.  Do not cut the yarn once you have finished wrapping the ring.

3.  Once you have wrapped the entire ring, begin to fill in the center by stitching a Satin Stitch.  First, begin where you finished wrapping the ring (see #1) and insert the needle into the opposite side of the ring, making sure that you stay within the ring (see #2).  Next, pull the yarn through so that the yarn is taut.  After pulling the yarn through, insert the needle next where you began (#3). Pull the yarn up and through nice and tight again. Repeat these steps making sure your stitches are close together. Work your way to the opposite side of the ring.  If you find your ring is not thick or has some holes, repeat the stitching across to the other side again. 

4. When the button is nice and thick, decide which is the front and which is the back of the button.  Bring the yarn towards the back and begin to weave it through the yarn on the button (careful not to weave to the front of the button), making your way to the middle.  If you are going to sew the button to a sweater or some type of loose knit, you can use the yarn tale to do so.  Simply stitch the button to the loose knit using the yarn tale.  However for most fabrics, the yarn may be too thick to stitch with.  If this is the case, tie a knot and cut off the yarn tail.

5.  Thread your needle with matching thread and tie the thread to a couple strands of yarn.  Make sure the thread is centered and secure.

6.  Stitch your button to the fabric.

That's it!

To give you an idea of how they look on a sweater, here's the Anthro sweater from the original button.  

Cheers,

Jamie