Buttons on crochet need a different approach than buttons on woven fabric
Crochet fabric is made of loops, not a tight weave, so a needle can split the yarn if you push it through the wrong way. The strongest method is to sew through the base of stitches rather than piercing the yarn itself, and to anchor your thread inside the crochet piece so the button stays put through washing and wear. You will need a needle that fits your yarn weight, thread that matches or blends, and scissors — most buttons on crochet fail because the thread was too thin or the anchor was too shallow.
The process takes about five minutes per button once you understand where to place your stitches. The button will last longer if you sew it on after the crochet piece is finished and blocked, because blocking sets the fabric and makes it easier to see exactly where to position the button.
Key Takeaways
- Thread your needle with yarn or thread that matches your crochet piece, and use a needle thick enough that you can see the eye clearly.
- Anchor your thread inside the crochet by weaving it through several stitches before you start sewing the button on.
- Sew through the base of crochet stitches rather than splitting the yarn loops themselves, which weakens the thread and damages the fabric.
- Sew the button with at least four passes through each hole to distribute the stress, and knot off inside the crochet piece rather than on the surface.
Choose thread or yarn that will not slip through the button holes
If your crochet is made from worsted-weight yarn, use the same yarn to sew the button on — it is thick enough to hold and will match the fabric. If your crochet is made from thinner yarn (fingering or sport weight), use embroidery thread or buttonhole thread instead, because yarn that thin can slip through the holes under tension.
Match the color as closely as you can, or choose a shade slightly darker than the yarn — thread shows less when it is darker. If the button is a solid color that contrasts with the crochet, you can use thread that matches the button instead, and the stitches will blend into the button itself.
Cut a length of thread or yarn about 18 inches long. This is enough to sew one button securely without running out, and short enough that the thread will not tangle as you work.
Anchor the thread inside the crochet before you sew the button
Thread your needle and hold it at the spot where you want the button to sit. Push the needle through the crochet from the back side (the side that will not show), coming out right where the button will go. Do not pull the thread all the way through — leave a 2-inch tail on the back.
Now weave the needle through the base of three or four crochet stitches on the back side, moving sideways rather than forward. This creates an anchor so the thread cannot pull out when you sew the button. Pull the thread snug but not tight — you should not see the crochet fabric pucker. Bring the needle back to the front, coming out at the same spot where you started.
This anchor step is what keeps buttons from falling off crochet. Skipping it is the most common reason buttons fail.
Sew through the button holes with four passes minimum
Position the button where you want it and push the needle up through one hole. Pull the thread snug and push the needle back down through the other hole, going into the crochet fabric about a quarter-inch away from where you came up. This spreads the stress across more stitches.
Bring the needle back up through the first hole and repeat — down through the second hole, up through the first. Do this at least four times. Four passes means the thread goes through each hole twice, which distributes the load so no single thread bears all the weight.
If the button has four holes, sew through two holes four times, then move to the other two holes and repeat. This keeps the button from rotating and wearing through the thread faster.
Finish by anchoring the thread on the back side
After your final pass through the button holes, bring the needle to the back of the crochet. Push the needle through the base of three or four stitches again, the same way you anchored at the start — weaving sideways rather than straight through. This second anchor keeps the button from pulling loose if the thread breaks.
Tie a small knot on the back side, inside the crochet fabric where it will not show. Trim the thread close to the knot. If you used yarn instead of thread, you can weave the tail through a few more stitches before trimming, which hides the end completely.
Avoid common mistakes that weaken the button attachment
Do not push the needle straight through the crochet fabric without anchoring first. This leaves the thread loose on the back, and the button will pull away from the fabric with normal wear. Anchoring takes 30 seconds and doubles the lifespan of the button.
Do not sew with only one or two passes through the holes. Each pass carries some of the load, and fewer passes means each thread bears more stress. Four passes is the minimum; six is better if you have time.
Do not pull the thread so tight that the crochet fabric puckers around the button. Tight stitches look neat but they stress the yarn and can cause it to break. The thread should be snug enough that the button does not move, but loose enough that you can slide a fingernail under it.
Do not sew the button on before blocking. Crochet fabric shifts as it dries, and a button sewn on before blocking may end up crooked or in the wrong spot once the piece is finished.
Reinforce buttons on pieces that will get heavy use
If the button is on a cardigan or coat that will be buttoned and unbuttoned many times, sew a small reinforcement button on the back side. Use a flat button about half the size of the main button, and sew it on with the same thread and the same number of passes. The reinforcement button distributes the stress across a wider area and prevents the main button from pulling through the crochet.
Reinforcement buttons are hidden on the back, so they do not have to match the front button. Many sewers use clear plastic buttons for this purpose because they are cheap and do not show.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sew a button on crochet with regular sewing thread?
Yes, if the crochet is made from thin yarn. Regular sewing thread is strong enough for most buttons and will not slip through the holes the way thin yarn can. Match the color as closely as you can, or use thread that matches the button instead of the crochet.
What if the button hole is too small for my needle?
Use a thinner needle, or enlarge the hole slightly by pushing a toothpick or small crochet hook through it a few times. Do not make the hole so large that the button moves around. If the button is too small for the crochet, choose a larger button instead.
How do I sew a button on crochet if it has a shank?
A shank button has a loop on the back instead of holes. Sew through the loop the same way you would sew through holes — at least four passes, with anchors on the back side. The shank holds the button away from the fabric, which actually makes it easier to sew because you have more room to maneuver the needle.
Will the button stay on if I wash the crochet piece?
Yes, if you anchored the thread properly and used enough passes through the holes. Wash the piece in cool water and lay it flat to dry. Do not put crochet with buttons in the dryer, because the heat and tumbling can stress the thread. Hand washing is gentler and makes buttons last longer.
What if I sewed the button on and it is already loose?
Cut the thread and remove the button. Anchor the thread again on the back side, sew the button back on with at least four passes, and anchor once more before knotting off. Loose buttons usually mean the anchor was too shallow the first time.