Bind Off Buttonhole

If you are using a large button, or maybe it’s an atypical shape, then some of the other buttonhole options may not work as well for you! And that’s ok, because there are just so many ways to work a buttonhole in your knitting. :o) One of the easiest ways to create a buttonhole the size that will work for your button is to do a Bind Off Buttonhole. (Also, this is the buttonhole at the top of the picture.)

Step 1: Once you get to where you would like to place your buttonhole, begin by binding off all but the last stitch you would like to bind-off, like normal. In the video, we want to bind-off a total of 2 sts, so 1 st is bound off like normal.

Step 2: Work the last st you would like to bind-off, you can work it as it appears, but in the video I work it as a knit st (even though it’s a purl st) to have it lay flatter in the next step. This was a personal preference, and is not necessary.

Step 3: Instead of working the bind off, we will be either k2tog or p2tog depending on the following st. In this case, the next st is a knit stitch. Because of this, we will k2tog. In order to k2tog, return the st you just worked back to the left-hand needle. Then, k2tog or p2tog to reduce the last st needed to decrease.

Step 4: When you get back to the space created by the sts you bound off, cast on the number you bound off (including the one you k2tog or p2tog). In this case, 2 sts. I used the Backwards Loop Cast On, as it is a super easy cast on. However, the Cable Cast On is another popular way to do this (and my typical preference due to final appearance).

You can compare this buttonhole method to the YO Buttonhole or the No Cut Afterthought Buttonhole. I also have a video on my blog here where I demo out different sized buttons for these 3 different buttonholes!