How to crochet buttons

I love these! I've gotten to the point now that every pattern I have that required buttons, I use these little crocheted buttons. I've even started adding them to patterns that don't call for buttons because they secure my accent flowers. I'm hoping to post an example later this week of a pattern with an accent flower and how to bring the whole thing together.

They only take a couple minutes and are a GREAT solution for leftover yarn scraps at the end of a skein.


Notes:
I normally say use whatever hook you are comfortable with, but these buttons need to be small so you can use them. Because of that, I recommend using an E/3.5mm hook. It will give the buttons the right size when you are finished.


Pattern:
Ch 4 and join with sl st to form a ring.

RND 1: Ch 1. Sc until you fill the ring easily. (No less than six, no more than twelve-ish). Depending on the size button you want, you can adjust the number of sc you put in the ring. For the purposes of the pattern, it really doesn't matter.

For this button, I did 8sc in the ring for RND 1.

RND 2: Ch 1. 2 sc in same st as joining and in each st around. Sl st in ch 1 to finish round.

RND 3: Ch 1. [Insert hook into same st as joining, YO and pull through, insert hook into next st, YO and pull through, YO and pull through all loops on hook] DEC made. DEC in each st around. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing later.

This is from the back/working side. As you dec, the sides will fold in on themselves. This is correct. When you are finished, squish the button flat, and the second layer adds a bit of firmness to the button.

This is the finished button from the front. Very simple, but super cute.