A simple technique to make a vertical buttonhole for knitting beginners

A lot of knitting projects need buttons to be fastened. Cardigans come to mind, but also pillow covers or pouches. Now, maybe you already know a simple technique for a buttonhole. But how do you make a vertical buttonhole? Well, it really couldn’t be easier and this tutorial is all about it.

someone showing a simple vertical buttonhole in knitting

In knitting, vertical buttonholes are actually much easier to knit than horizontal ones. It might be quite a bit more difficult to reinforce them but the basics are super simple and you only need to know how to knit a yarn over and how to knit two stitches together.

close up of a vertical buttonhole knitting on a table

Let’s dive right into it!

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Instructions: How to knit a vertical buttonhole

This vertical buttonhole is worked across one row only. It creates a small opening for smaller buttons and works very well placed on a band of ribbing.

Active Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Materials

Any yarn works. I am using the Schachenmayr Catania Grande in this tutorial

Tools

Any knitting needle works. I am using the Addi Olive wood needles here

Instructions

Knit up to the position where you want to place your buttonhole.
Add a yarn over.
Knit the next two stitches together.
Continue knitting in pattern.
In the next row, when you come across the yarnover, simply knit it according to your pattern. This example is knitted in stockinette stitch, so you purl across.

Notes

Instead of starting with a yarn over, you could also lead with an SSK and then add the yarn over. Try it out. I personally believe it looks a bit less neat but maybe it works for you!

Be aware that you would have to stop 2 stitches BEFORE you want to place the buttonhole in this case.

Bigger vertical buttonholes

a swatch with a slightly bigger vertical yarn over in knitting

If you need a slightly bigger vertical buttonhole, you can add a double yarn over instead of a regular one. The rest is just as easy.

Step 1: Add a double yarn over (so wrap the yarn around the needle twice instead of just once.

Step 2: Knit two stitches together.

Step 3: When you come across the double yarn over in the next row, drop one wrap.

dropping one wrap of the yarn over off the needles

Step 4: Knit the remaining wrap according to your pattern.

This way to work a buttonhole is great for simple projects. You will notice that these buttonholes are prone to wear out. So, I typically would try to avoid them in any projects where the buttons experience a lot of wear and tear. It can be the perfect choice for the dress of a doll or pillow cover.