I have a few very plain cardigans, which are wardrobe staples for certain occasions, but which I fancied livening but not permanently.
I'm no great shakes at crochet, but I can manage a couple of simple stitches, which is how I made these:
It's no secret that I love pink and green, so if I'm wearing a skirt or dress in those colours, I can button up with my black cardi and little toning button covers. (a white cardigan would look good too)
Spring on the way? This little hyacinth button slip-on is just the thing on this fine soft cardi.
And when autumn chill has me reaching for my brown cardigan, a cosy button wrap brings cheer. (I know it's a weird place for a button, it's always puzzled me, but it really is up there, honest...)
Light was fading, by the time I got undressed and dressed again for the third time, but you can get the idea I hope!
I used hook size 3, and King Cole Bamboo cotton for most of these, and as Mandy is the crochet queen around here, I won't even try to write proper instructions, but I began with a sliding loop, or magic circle, as it was important that the central hole could be cinched up to fit tightly around a button. There are lots of tutorials for the magic circle on youtube, but I learnt from a book, and then it was simply 12 trebles into the ring for round one, followed by a colour change and 2 trebles into each of the 12 spaces and fasten off. Any shape of motif would do, as long as it has a sliding loop centre. Mini granny squares would be sweet, or petalled flowers.
I'll be back another day with more button fanciments.
Eleanor
xx
What a great idea!!! These button covers are so simple but make such an impression. Thanks for sharing,
Meredith
Posted by: Meredith | March 26, 2011 at 02:17 AM
What a brilliant idea, I am searching my wardrobe to find some buttons to cover.
Debbie x
Posted by: Debbie Roberts | March 26, 2011 at 07:51 AM
I absolutely love this. Those first ones are awesome. I wear so much black and grey and black I NEED to make a whole series of these.
No idea how to - no idea what a magic loop is, but off to try and find out.
Posted by: Scrapdolly | March 26, 2011 at 08:12 AM
Thats such a good idea....now I just need to learn to crochet :-S :-P
Posted by: caz | March 26, 2011 at 08:33 AM
Fab buttons Eleanor, great idea, I'm attempting to get to grips with crochet at the moment myself :D
C
xx
Posted by: Claireliz | March 26, 2011 at 08:56 AM
Much better idea than trying to pin on a brooch!As most of my wardobe is black/grey/brown I must persevere with the crochet hook and brighten up my tops.
Posted by: Catriona | March 26, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Great idea, they look fantastic :-)
Anne xx
Posted by: Anne | March 26, 2011 at 01:33 PM
Serious crochet cuteness, E.
X
Posted by: Mandy | March 26, 2011 at 03:02 PM
I smile everytime i see a Crochet circle....my friend tried to teach me how to do one and i ended up with a mangled mess !!!
Yours are lovely though x
Posted by: jayne | March 26, 2011 at 09:20 PM
Lovely, a great idea.
Posted by: Lynne V | March 26, 2011 at 09:56 PM
I love these they just make an ordinary jumper something special.
Posted by: Joy | March 29, 2011 at 10:54 PM