103

Buttonholes

C.i>t on aa munv new stitches on rhe righr nccdlc as rhe enrirc hut ton* hole Ls widc. Puli theac stitches a> tighr :v> possihlc. I hen knit or purl the last buttonhole stitch together with rhe next stitch the same way as ihc second stitch on the leń nccdlc lica. In rhe examplc shown on page 102, hotrom plu*to 2. the stitches are kntr together.

You durni J always work thesc buttonholes over an odd number of stitches in i X 1 ribbing, and start and end over a purl stitch. I here will he a knit stitch on both sides ot the

buttonhole to givo the rihhing u neat appearancc.

In 2 x 2 ribbing, the buttonholc has to be worked over an even nuntber of stitches. Ił it is only supposed to be 2 stitches wide and worked over 2 purl stitches, a romul buttonholc will look morę atrraetn e. It the buttonhole b 4 stitches widc, wi*rk it over 1 purl stitch, 2 knit stitches. and 1 purl stitch. If it is 6 stitches widc, work it over 2 purl stitches, 2 knit stitches, and 2 purl stitches.

In 2 x 2 ribbing, the buttonhole over 4 stitches begins with a purl stitch (top). A buttonhole over 6 stitches begins with 2 purl stitches (bottom).

Working with Contrast Yarn

Anothcr way for gciting rcally tight buttonholes is working an addirional row in a contrast yarn. The button-hole stitches are crocheted together Inter.

Without Contrast Yarn

...is another way you can work this buttonhole. To do this, cut a stitch in the middle of the buttonholc, carefully puli the yarn out on both sides. and put the stitches on thin cable needles. Crochet the buttonhole and sew in the yarn ends. The buttonholc will spread apart a little morę than one worked with contrast yarn.

IWork with a different-colored yarn over the desired number of stitches. There are 5 here. Then slip the stitches back onto the leń needle and work them once again with the original yarn. This means that you are knilting the buttonholes twice!

3 Crochet the open stitches of the bottom part, then top part, in 1 direction without using extra yarn. Draw the last stitch of the bottom part through the first stitch of the top part. Draw the last loop through to the wrong sidc and sew it in.

2 Puli the contrast yarn out and pick up the bonom 5 and top 6 stitches with cable needles (catch the half stitches of the stitches next to the ends on both sides).

Crocheting the stitches gives you a tight, durable buttonhole.

103