Choosing the buttons is one of my favourite parts of finishing a cardigan. You've spent hours choosing your yarn, getting the fit right and knitting all those rows, so it's worth taking a little time over the finishing touches too.
I'm often asked which buttons I'd choose for a particular cardigan, and there really isn't one answer. The size and weight of your knitting, the colour of your yarn and the look you're trying to achieve all make a difference.
After more than 30 years working with buttons and haberdashery, I've helped with rather a lot of cardigans! So here are a few of the things I look at when helping a customer choose.
Start with the button size
Before looking at colours and designs, check what size button you need.
If you're knitting from a pattern, have a look at the materials or notions section as the designer will often recommend a button size. If your cardigan is already finished, you can measure the buttonhole instead.
The button needs to pass comfortably through the buttonhole without being so small that it slips back through when you're wearing the cardigan.
The weight of the knitting matters too. A tiny button can get a little lost on a chunky cardigan, while a very large or heavy button may pull on a fine knit.
Think about your yarn
I always look at the yarn as well as the cardigan itself.
If you've used a beautiful tweed, variegated or hand-dyed yarn, you don't necessarily need to find a button that matches the main colour exactly. Picking out one of the smaller colours running through the yarn can work really well.
Natural materials are another lovely option. Wood, shell, corozo and horn-effect buttons work with an enormous range of yarn colours.
And don't be afraid of contrast. Sometimes the button you wouldn't immediately think of is the one that brings everything together.
Let your knitting do some of the work
Have a look at the design of your cardigan.
If you've knitted lots of cables, lace or textured stitches, you may decide that a simpler button is all it needs.
With a plain cardigan, you have a little more freedom to make the buttons part of the design. Glass and metal buttons, patterned designs, hand-dyed buttons or an unusual shape can completely change the finished look.
Neither approach is better. It's simply a case of deciding what you'd like people to notice first – the knitting, the buttons, or a combination of the two.
Don't feel you have to match everything
This is probably one of the things I say most often when helping customers choose buttons.
Your buttons don't have to be an exact match for your yarn.
Going a shade darker can work beautifully. You could choose a contrasting colour, pick out a colour from a flecked yarn or use a natural button that works with the overall colour rather than matching it.
If you're choosing online, look at the photographs carefully and read the size and material information. Remember that colours can look slightly different from one screen to another.
Choosing cardigan buttons online
I know choosing online can be more difficult than standing in front of a tray of buttons and trying them against your knitting.
That's where I'm very happy to help.
If you've found a few buttons you like but can't decide, send me a photograph of your cardigan or yarn. You can also send the knitting pattern if that helps. I'll have a look and suggest some options from the shop that I think will work.
You don't need to know the technical name for the button you're looking for either. Tell me the size, colour and roughly what you have in mind and we'll go from there.
Helping somebody find the right button for a project is still one of my favourite parts of the job.
Can I visit and choose my buttons in person?
Yes!
If you're local to Cornwall, or you're visiting the area on holiday, you can book an appointment to come and visit us at the Buttons & Things Co workshop.
You're welcome to bring your cardigan, knitting or yarn with you and we can look at different buttons together. Being able to put several styles next to your knitting can make choosing much easier.
As well as buttons, we also have roving wool, needle-felting supplies and a small selection of haberdashery available at the workshop.
Visits are by appointment, so please book before coming along.
A few final thoughts from me
Don't leave the buttons as an afterthought.
They may be small, but you'll see them every time you wear your cardigan. The right buttons can bring together the colour, yarn and style and make your finished knitting feel complete.
Have a browse, try something you might not normally choose and, if you get stuck, ask me.
I'm always happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cardigan Buttons
What size buttons should I use for a cardigan?
Check your knitting pattern first, as it may give you a recommended button size. If your cardigan is already finished, measure the buttonholes. The button should pass through comfortably but shouldn't be so small that it slips back through while you're wearing the cardigan.
Finer knits tend to suit smaller, lighter buttons, while thicker and chunkier cardigans can usually take something larger.
What are the best buttons for a hand-knitted cardigan?
There isn't one type that's best for every cardigan. Wood, corozo, shell, resin, metal and glass buttons can all work well on knitwear. Consider the weight of your knitting, the size of the buttonholes and the style you want before choosing.
What buttons work well on chunky cardigans?
Chunky knits can usually carry a larger button without it looking out of proportion. Wooden, corozo, horn-effect and larger decorative buttons are all good options to consider.
What buttons are best for a lightweight cardigan?
Smaller and lighter buttons generally work well with finer knits. Shell, corozo, resin and smaller metal buttons can all be good choices. Avoid anything unnecessarily heavy that could pull on a delicate knitted button band.
Do cardigan buttons need to match the yarn?
Not at all. You can match your yarn, choose a shade lighter or darker, use a contrasting colour or pick out one of the smaller colours in a tweed or variegated yarn.
How many buttons do I need for a cardigan?
If you're knitting from a pattern, the number of buttons should be listed in the materials or notions section. If you're replacing buttons on an existing cardigan, count the buttonholes before ordering.
It's always worth checking before you buy – especially when you've found a button you love!
Can you help me choose buttons online?
Yes. Send me a clear photograph of your cardigan or yarn and tell me the button size you need if you know it. I'm very happy to suggest suitable buttons from our range.
Can I bring my cardigan to your Cornwall workshop?
Yes. Visits to our Cornish workshop can be booked by appointment, and you're very welcome to bring your cardigan, knitting or yarn with you. We can look at different colours, sizes and styles together and find something that works.
Where can I buy cardigan buttons in the UK?
Buttons & Things Co is a small family-run business based in Cornwall, with more than 30 years of experience in buttons and haberdashery. We stock buttons for knitting, sewing and crafts, including wood, shell, corozo, metal, glass, resin and hand-dyed designs.
You can shop with us online, and if you're in Cornwall you can also book an appointment to visit our workshop and choose your buttons in person.
Happy knitting,
Lou
Buttons & Things Co