How to Crochet Covered Buttons
Article by KarensVariety.com

Beautiful buttons can turn an ordinary garment into a unique fashion item. Often, when you purchase a blouse, the buttons are quite ordinary. You can remove the buttons and cover them with crochet thread to match or complement the colour, and reattach them.

Button covers can be made with yarn or thread; the smaller the size thread and needles, the more intricate the button cover. You can make your own buttons using small rings (which can be purchased) and covering the rings with thread.

 

Abbreviations:

ch  chain  ss  slip stitch  dc  double crochet  tr  treble

	Round Button: Chain 3 and join into a circle with a slip stitch. 1st Round: Work 6 dc into the circle, joining with a ss in the first dc. 2nd Round: Work 2 dc into each dc of previous round, join with a sl st into first dc. 3rd Round: Work 1 dc into each dc of previous round, joining with a sl st into first dc. Repeat 3rd round until button mould is covered. Last Round: * Miss 1 dc, 1 dc into next dc; repeat from * to end, join with a sl st into first dc. Slip crochet cover over button mould. To secure, draw thread through each stitch around on under side, tighten and knot. Leave an end of thread to sew on the garment.
	Ring Button: Work a round of close dc all around the ring, joining with a sl st into first dc. Across the back of the ring, work strands of yarn diagonally across ring and sew to the garment through the centre of these threads.
	Irish Crochet Button: Wind yarn 8 times around the end of a pencil, slip off and work 16 dc into this ring, ss to first dc. Round 1: (5 dc in front loop of next dc, miss 1 dc) 8 times, ss in first dc Round 2: 1 ch, working behind first round (miss 1 dc of foundation round, 1 dc in back loop of next dc of foundation round, 3 ch) 8 times, ss in first dc Round 3: (3 dc in each ch sp) to end, ss in first dc Round 4: 1 dc in same st, (1 dc in back loop of each dc) to end, ss in first dc Round 5: 3 ch (1 tr in each dc) to end, ss in third of 3 ch Continue in rounds working 1 dc through both loops of each st until work is large enough to fit over button mould. Fasten off. Thread yarn around edge, fit over mould, draw up and fasten off.
	Flower Button: With main colour, make 10 ch and ss to form a ring. Round 1: 3 ch, 4 tr in ring, remove hook from loop and insert in 3rd of 3 ch, draw loop through, (3 ch, 5 tr in ring, remove hook from loop, insert in top of first tr and draw loop through) 7 times, 3 ch, ss to top of 3 ch. Fasten off. Round 2: Join contrast colour to first ch sp, 3 dc in same ch sp, (3 dc in next ch sp) to end, ss in first dc. Continue in rounds working 1 dc through both loops of each st until work is large enough to fit over button mould. Fasten off. Thread yarn around edge, fit over mould, draw up and fasten off.
	Star Button: With main colour, make 4 ch, 11 tr in fourth ch from hook, ss to top of 3 ch. Round 2: Change to contrast colour, 1 dc in same st (1 dc in next tr, 3 ch, ss in last dc - picot worked, 1 dc in next tr) 5 times, 1 picot in next dc, ss in back loop of first dc Round 3: Work main colour 3 ch, 4 tr in same st (miss 1 picot, 5 tr in back loop of next dc) 5 times, ss in top of 3 ch Round 4: With contrast colour 3 ch, 1 tr in next tr, 3 tr in next tr, 1 tr in next 2 tr (1 tr in next 2 tr, 3 tr in next tr, 1 tr in next 2 tr) 5 times, ss in top of 3 ch. Round 5: With contrast colour 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in back loop of each tr) to end, ss in back loop of first dc Round 6: As Round 5 Round 7: 2 ch, 1 tr in next dc (leaving last loop of each on hook, work 1 tr in next 2 dc, yarn over hook and draw through all 3 loops) 20 times, ss to first tr Round 8: 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in each st, ss to first dc Continue in rounds working 1 dc through both loops of each st until work is large enough to fit over button mould. Fasten off. Thread yarn around edge, fit over mould, draw up and fasten off.

Optional Finish: Work an additional row of sc around the outer edge of the button.