Wooden Buttons for Knitwear, Cardigans and Jumpers

Wooden buttons for knitwear are chosen according to the thickness of the knit and the size of the buttonhole: 18L–22L for fine knits, 24L–28L for a medium gauge, 32L and above for chunky hand knits. Light buttons with a shank or a recessed centre are preferred, as they do not stretch the soft buttonhole. They are sewn on with yarn or a strong thread and with a thread shank.

Why wooden buttons for knitwear

Knitwear and wood are a natural pair. Both convey warmth, handcraft and comfort. Wood is lighter than horn and metal, so it does not pull on the knit or distort the front of the cardigan. The matt texture of wood suits wool, cotton, alpaca and mohair, and the wood grain complements the structure of the knit.

How to choose the size by knit

The table is a guide. The buttonhole size is decisive: in knitwear it is often an opening in the knit itself, which stretches. The button should pass through with slight effort, not freely.

Button shape

• Shank – the best choice for knitwear. The shank sits in the opening of the knit while the face stays flat. No holes are needed for the yarn to rub against.
• Recessed centre – the thread is hidden in the hollow and rubs less.
• Flat with 2 or 4 holes – for fine knits and machine knitwear.
• Domed – passes more easily through a soft buttonhole and does not snag.
• Toggle – on knitted coats and chunky cardigans, with a knitted or cord loop.

Wooden buttons for knitwear – how to sew them on

Knitwear is elastic and soft, so sewing on buttons differs from woven fabrics.

1. Thread or yarn. On hand knits the button is often sewn on with the same yarn split into thinner strands, or with a strong thread in the same tone. On machine knits polyester thread is used.
2. Reinforcement. Sew a small backing button or a piece of firm tape on the inside so the knit does not stretch under the button.
3. Thread shank. Leave a sufficiently tall thread shank, because knitwear is thick. With a shank button the thread shank can be lower.
4. Position. Sew the button to a stable stitch, not between stitches where the knit can open up.
5. Securing. Weave the thread end into the knit on the inside instead of tying a large knot.

You will find suitable sewing threads in our threads category.

Colour and coordination

• Tone on tone – light beech on ecru, walnut on brown; a classic and calm option.
• Contrast – dark wood on light wool or light wood on navy; the button becomes an accent.
• Dyed buttons – in the colour of the knit, with the wood texture remaining visible.
• Combination with patterns – on jacquard and Fair Isle knits, choose a button in one of the pattern colours.

Wood or horn for knitwear

Both materials are classics for knitwear. Horn buttons have a deep lustre and a heavier, luxurious presence – suitable for cashmere and classic cardigans. Wood is lighter, more matt and more informal in character – suitable for everyday, rustic and Scandinavian-style knitwear, as well as children's styles.

Washing knitwear with wooden buttons

Knitwear is usually washed by hand or on a wool programme, which is also suitable for wooden buttons. Fasten the buttons, turn the garment inside out and dry it flat so it does not lose its shape. Do not leave wet knitwear to dry on a radiator – this harms both the wool and the wood. Lacquered buttons withstand washing best.

Tips for knitwear manufacturers

In series knitwear, buttons are usually machine-sewn onto a placket reinforced with tape. Check a sample garment after washing to make sure the placket does not stretch under the weight of the buttons. In hand-knitted collections, where every item is slightly different, the natural variation in wood is an advantage – it emphasises the handmade character.

Common mistakes in choosing

• a button too heavy for thin knitwear, pulling the placket down;
• a button with sharp-edged holes that cut the yarn;
• a button too small for a chunky knit, slipping out of the buttonhole by itself;
• a natural finish without lacquer on knitwear that will be washed often.

How many buttons on a cardigan

A classic V-neck cardigan usually has five to seven buttons, while crew-neck styles with a longer placket have more. With chunky knits the number decreases, because the buttons are larger and spaced further apart. A good rule is for the top button to sit at the start of the neckline and the bottom one a few centimetres above the hem. When ordering wholesale, allow one spare button per cardigan.

Wooden buttons for knitwear from Polkom

Polkom, a manufacturer and wholesaler of garment accessories, offers wooden buttons with shanks, holes and toggles in various woods, sizes and finishes, suitable for machine and hand knitwear. We also make models with a logo. Send an inquiry with a description of the knitwear and we will propose samples.