How to sew buttons onto a knitted cardigan

Here's the easiest way to sew buttons onto a knitted cardigan, or other knitting projects. This in-depth tutorial demonstrates my method of sewing buttons, and details reliable sewing techniques for knitters.
Do you do things differently? Share your favourite method in the comments!
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Making and mending in London, UK.
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[@kristinm3729]

As a person who's sewn many buttons on many knit and woven garments, I think this is a great tutorial. I do tend to prefer (for myself - a person with a projected bust on a narrow frame) stabilizing the button band with petersham and making more buttonholes /using smaller buttons. Otherwise, pull is almost inevitable, even if the sweater is not at 0 or negative ease. But for those without boobs that pop straight forward, sewing the buttons closer to the band seam works very well. :-)

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

Thanks for sharing, these are great ideas!

[@shireesmith2933]

Thank you for a very helpful tutorial

[@susanfryer1616]

Love the colour way of the green wool , useful method thankyou

[@julielargay4744]

This was super helpful! I've put off sewing on the 25 buttons of the cardigan I finished a few months ago, and this made it seem less daunting.

[@kjg9987]

Fantastic. Thank you for sharing so much wisdom.

[@margaretrichards8014]

Thankyou very much!

[@rhythmelia]

I just had a button fall off a store-bought knitted cardigan, and your clear and thorough instructions meant I sewed it back on and it looks great! The double-plying the thread idea blew my mind, and I liked the explanation/reminder of why to sew around the stitches rather than through the yarn. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@judybushey4911]

Very helpful video. I have been avoiding knitting cardigans as I wasn't sure how to sew on the buttons. I will give it a go now. Thanks!

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

That's great to hear!

[@davelarson4697]

As an aid to keeping the needle going where I want it to, I insert a crochet hook with the flat part of hook right under the stitch. (unfortunately I can't post a photo)

[@jennifercongdon4583]

You are a talented teacher. Thank you. Wonderful information.

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

I'm glad you found it helpful :)

[@BrendieR]

Thanks for another interesting and helpful video. I quilt a lot and use a stick-on leather patch to protect my finger. You can actually damage the nerve endings on your finger so it is vital to use something to protect yourself. xx

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

Yes definitely! I wish more people would take note, as I've found many people to be quite resistant to using a thimble.

[@jennymiles4426]

Thank you, so useful to have all the minutiae explained for those of us not professionally trained. In my career as Standby Costume on film sets I always used a thimble even though my sewing 'skills' were picked up through trial and error and experience - the thimble more than once stopped me bleeding onto a collar about to be shot in close-up! And now I know the correct use of the thimble thanks to your most eloquent instruction.

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

You're welcome! Trial & error is the best way to learn

[@shahrunmoinizadeh6392]

This was very interesting! I never thought of using sewing thread to put buttons on knits. I always used the yarn I made the project with. Also if giving as a gift, I thread spare button into spare yarn and add washing instructions tag to it. Then tie in a bow through a button hole.

[@katelewis5864]

That was really helpful - thanks very much!

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

You're welcome!

[@adriannaa2405]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

you're welcome :)

[@mrscraftalot]

Thank you for this tutorial. I really appreciate how detailed you are. Also, thanks for the thimble talk and demonstration. As a new sewist, I wondered how to use it. I have a question about button sizing. For every cardigan that I have made, I have always picked buttons that are too small. I've stopped adding buttons anymore because of this. Do you have a way for me to figure out what size button goes with given buttonholes? Thanks and take care!

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

There's no formula because there is so much variation in how you construct the buttonhole. The issue is that because the buttonholes are knitted, they stretch! It's best to knit a very firm type of buttonhole, but these are a bit complex. The easier knitted buttonholes using yarn overs or binding-off are very flexible, so you end up using a much larger button. For instance, these buttons I used were 2cm, and the YO buttonhole I created was only 1cm wide. You just have to try out different buttons and see, but don't be afraid if the buttons look really big...

[@mrscraftalot]

Thanks so much. This is very helpful.

[@PaperTiger]

I've just been knitting a cardigan and I took a few minutes the other to set the actual project aside and to knit a little ribbed swatch, to try out different buttonhole methods. I wasn't sure I was going to like the one that the pattern called for, so I tried two others. The swatch was the same needle size and same stitch (1x1 ribbing) as my actual button band, but didn't take very long to knit as it was only about 1" x 3". I got to try different buttons from my stash with the three different buttonholes I'd made in the swatch, though, and I found that very useful!

[@mrscraftalot]

Paper Tiger I like this idea! Thanks for sharing.

[@nordicwhale]

I prefer to off centre the buttonhole rather then the buttons as it is less obvious on an open cardigan.

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

that's a good idea!

[@judybostick3934]

Is there a reason you use regular thread instead of yarn to sew on the buttons? Just wondering. Also, in regards to the thimble, I went to a tailoring and design school in my twenties where I was taught to use a thimble. I am now 60 and can't sew without one on my finger. It's funny the things that become so much a habit. Love your videos.

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

It's never even occurred to me to see the buttons on with yarn. I'm not sure that I would fit a large tapestry needle through the holes of the buttons I tend to use.