<p><strong>Option 1: yarn over (small circle)</strong></p>
<p>A yarn over generally works well. Do remember to reduce afterwards, so your stitch count stays the same. In your example that would be:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>k13, yo, k2tog, k12</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Knit the next row normally. Treat the yarn over as if it was a normal stitch.</p>
<p><strong>Option 2: double yarn over (larger circle)</strong></p>
<p>If you want a bigger buttonhole, it is possible to use a double yarn over. Remember to decrease on both sides in this case, so your stitch count remains the same. Use ssk for a left leaning decrease and k2tog for a right leaning one.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>k12, ssk, yo, yo, k2tog, k11</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Knit the next row normally, except the two yarn overs. You have two options for handling this one:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You can knit one and purl the other.</p>
</li>
<li><p>You can slip the first yarn over off the needle, so you only have one left. Then you knit that stitch <a href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/knit-in-the-front-and-back-2116509" rel="nofollow noreferrer">through both the front and the back</a>.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Option 3: bind off and cast on (long)</strong></p>
<p>Alternatively, you can make a long buttonhole. The top two options are a bit easier and are generally sufficient, but it's good to know a long buttonhole is possible too.</p>
<p>With the right side of your work facing you, you bind off a couple stitches. On the next row you cast them on again. For example (assuming flat stockinette):</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Row 1 (right side): k10, bind off 7, k10</p>
<p>Row 2 (wrong side): p10, cast on 7, p10</p>
</blockquote>
<p>You can use your favourite method to cast on the stitches on row 2 that works in the middle of a row, for example one of <a href="https://www.susannawinter.net/single-post/2018/10/26/5-Ways-to-Cast-on-in-the-Middle-of-a-Row-Tutorial" rel="nofollow noreferrer">these</a>.</p>
<p><sup><sub>I am not affiliated with either of the linked blogs. I simply believe they offer good explanation of the techniques. If they exist, or exist in the future, feel free to replace them with links to questions on this network instead.</sub></sup></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-21T12:48:14.480Z
2020-01-23T09:59:03.010Z
2020-06-18T08:35:49.040Z
Belle
<p>If knitting an item which needs a button to secure something - like a button on the back of a pair of glittens, (a fingerless glove with a retractable mitten) how would you knit this into a row? Assume, say a 27 st per row, and the loop would be in the absolute middle so st 14.</p>

<knitting>
How to knit a button loop?
Aravona
# How to knit a button loop?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-01-21)

If knitting an item which needs a button to secure something - like a button on the back of a pair of glittens, (a fingerless glove with a retractable mitten) how would you knit this into a row? Assume, say a 27 st per row, and the loop would be in the absolute middle so st 14.

**Tags:** knitting


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-01-21. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

**Option 1: yarn over (small circle)**

A yarn over generally works well. Do remember to reduce afterwards, so your stitch count stays the same. In your example that would be:

> k13, yo, k2tog, k12

Knit the next row normally. Treat the yarn over as if it was a normal stitch.

**Option 2: double yarn over (larger circle)**

If you want a bigger buttonhole, it is possible to use a double yarn over. Remember to decrease on both sides in this case, so your stitch count remains the same. Use ssk for a left leaning decrease and k2tog for a right leaning one.

> k12, ssk, yo, yo, k2tog, k11

Knit the next row normally, except the two yarn overs. You have two options for handling this one:

1. You can knit one and purl the other.
2. You can slip the first yarn over off the needle, so you only have one left. Then you knit that stitch [through both the front and the back](https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/knit-in-the-front-and-back-2116509).

**Option 3: bind off and cast on (long)**

Alternatively, you can make a long buttonhole. The top two options are a bit easier and are generally sufficient, but it's good to know a long buttonhole is possible too.

With the right side of your work facing you, you bind off a couple stitches. On the next row you cast them on again. For example (assuming flat stockinette):

> Row 1 (right side): k10, bind off 7, k10
>
> Row 2 (wrong side): p10, cast on 7, p10

You can use your favourite method to cast on the stitches on row 2 that works in the middle of a row, for example one of [these](https://www.susannawinter.net/single-post/2018/10/26/5-Ways-to-Cast-on-in-the-Middle-of-a-Row-Tutorial).

I am not affiliated with either of the linked blogs. I simply believe they offer good explanation of the techniques. If they exist, or exist in the future, feel free to replace them with links to questions on this network instead.


---

