CUT METHOD SIMPLE VERSION

This method is quicker to work than the version on the preceding page, although it’s harder to make the results look as neat, and the hole isn’t quite as sturdy.

1 Decide where you want your buttonhole to be placed, and snip the stitch in that position using sharp scissors. For example, if you’re adding a hole into the middle of a band, pick the central stitch of the band. You will be left with a small hole in the fabric, with two cut ends of yarn.

2 Using a tapestry needle to unravel the yarn strands, carefully unravel the stitches either side of the cut stitch, until you have the number you need to accommodate the size of your button – here we have unravelled a total of three stitches.

3 You will be left with stitch loops above and below the hole, and two yarn threads at either side of the hole.

4 Using DPNs or circular needles, carefully put the stitch loops above the hole onto one needle, and the loops below the hole onto a second needle. Push the two yarn strands at the edges of the hole to the wrong side of the fabric.

5 Starting with the bottom needle, slip the first two stitches onto a new needle. Pass the first stitch over the second on your right-hand needle.

6 Slip the next stitch on the left needle onto your right needle, and slip this over the stitch already on the needle. Repeat until you have just one stitch remaining.

7 Turn your work so WS is facing you, and thread the yarn end closest to the remaining stitch onto a tapestry needle. Pull it through to the front of the work, and pass it through the remaining stitch on your knitting needle. Drop the stitch from the knitting needle and weave in the yarn end on the WS.

8- Turn your work 180 degrees and repeat steps 5 to 7 on the remaining live stitches.