How to Knit Loops to Fasten Wedding Dress Buttons

Knitted hooks can subtly fasten a long series of buttons.

Knitting simple button loops for a wedding gown can be an inexpensive way to incorporate hand-made elements into a bridal ensemble. Even beginning knitters can easily create a series of small pieces of knitted I-Cord to serve as button hooks. The I-Cord was inadvertently invented by famous knitter Elizabeth Zimmerman. To accommodate buttons larger or smaller than 1/4 inch in diameter, adjust both the length of the I-Cord and the gauge of the needles and yarn.

Things You'll Need

• 2 double-pointed 8/0 gauge knitting needles
• Super-fine pearl cotton yarn
• Embroidery needle

Instructions

1. Create the initial loop for casting on stitches, leaving an 8-inch tail in the yarn. This piece will allow the loop to be attached to the gown. Cast on two stitches.

2. Knit the stitches as usual. Instead of turning the right needle around, slide the stitches to the right end of the right needle. Move the needle from the right hand to the left hand, ensuring the yarn remains in back of the needle.

3. Knit the stitches and maintain a tight gauge, pulling the yarn across the back of the beginning of the I-Cord. Continue moving the stitches across the needle at the end of each row, instead of flipping the needles around, as typically is done in knitting.

4. Knit the I-Cord until it reaches a length of 1/2 inch. Cast off as usual and thread the reserved yarn through the embroidery needle. Sew the ends of the I-Cord together, forming a loop, and attach the hook to the wedding dress with a few stitches.

References

• Purlbee: Elizabeth Zimmerman's I-Cord