Double Knit Button Band for Cardigans: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated at: 18/05/2025

Cardigans, those cozy companions on chilly days, often benefit from a beautifully finished detail: a sturdy, double-knit button band. This seemingly simple addition elevates the overall look and feel of your garment, adding a professional touch that significantly improves its durability. A well-crafted button band prevents stretching and provides a clean, crisp edge, showcasing the knitter's skill and attention to detail. Unlike flimsy single-layer bands, a double-knit version offers superior strength and prevents the buttons from pulling through the fabric over time.

This guide provides a comprehensive, easy-to-follow method for creating a perfectly formed double-knit button band, suitable for knitters of all skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner tackling your first cardigan, prepare to discover the simple steps that will transform your next project, leading to a beautifully finished garment you'll be proud to wear. Let's dive into the step-by-step process now!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Smaller needles than main fabric needles
  • Double-pointed needles
  • Circular needle (with a long cable)
  • Yarn
Safety Guidelines
  • Ensure your button band is wide enough to comfortably accommodate your buttons and prevent them from pulling through the fabric. A general guideline is to make it at least twice the diameter of your largest button.
  • Maintain consistent tension throughout the double knitting process to avoid unevenness in the button band, which can affect the appearance and functionality.
  • Before sewing on buttons, try them on the completed button band to ensure a proper fit and spacing. Mark button positions with pins or tailors’ chalk before sewing.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preparing to Knit the Button Band

    • Pick up 4 stitches, skip 1, repeat.
    • Experiment with different ratios (e.g., 3:4, 4:5) to achieve a flat, non-scrunching button band.
    • Pick up stitches from the very edge of the cast-off edge for a clean finish.
    • Start a new yarn for the button band, leaving a tail for weaving in later.
    Start a new yarn for the button band, leaving a tail for weaving in later.Start a new yarn for the button band, leaving a tail for weaving in later.Start a new yarn for the button band, leaving a tail for weaving in later.Start a new yarn for the button band, leaving a tail for weaving in later.
    Preparing to Knit the Button Band
    • Decide where you want your buttonholes and place stitch markers accordingly. Consider the cardigan's design (e.g., V-neck) and even spacing.
    Plan buttonhole placement: Decide where you want your buttonholes and place stitch markers accordingly. Consider the cardigan's design (e.g., V-neck) and even spacing.
    Preparing to Knit the Button Band

  2. Casting on and Joining the Button Band

    • Cast on an odd number of stitches (e.g., 13) using a tubular or Italian cast-on method on the same needle as the picked-up stitches. Flip the work to the wrong side.
    • Knit two stitches together through the back loop to join the cast-on stitches to the picked-up stitches.
    Join button band to cardigan: Knit two stitches together through the back loop to join the cast-on stitches to the picked-up stitches.Join button band to cardigan: Knit two stitches together through the back loop to join the cast-on stitches to the picked-up stitches.
    Casting on and Joining the Button Band

  3. Knitting the Double Knit Button Band

    • Work a pearl one, knit one pattern on the wrong side. On the right side, knit through the back loop, slip with yarn in front, repeat.
    • Continue the double knitting pattern until you reach a buttonhole marker.
    Work double knitting rows: Continue the double knitting pattern until you reach a buttonhole marker.Work double knitting rows: Continue the double knitting pattern until you reach a buttonhole marker.
    Knitting the Double Knit Button Band

  4. Creating Buttonholes

    • To create a buttonhole, work the right-hand stitches for a few rows, then jump to the left-hand stitches and work those for a few rows, creating a vertical slice.
    Work buttonholes: To create a buttonhole, work the right-hand stitches for a few rows, then jump to the left-hand stitches and work those for a few rows, creating a vertical slice.
    Creating Buttonholes

  5. Completing the Button Band

    • Continue double knitting until you've worked to the end of the picked-up stitches, joining the last stitch with the first using a Kitchener stitch.
    Complete button band: Continue double knitting until you've worked to the end of the picked-up stitches, joining the last stitch with the first using a Kitchener stitch.
    Completing the Button Band

Read more: Knitting a Reversible Basketweave Blanket: A Customizable Guide

Tips

  • Experiment with different stitch ratios to find what works best for your fabric and desired look.
  • Plan buttonhole placement carefully, considering the cardigan's design and desired button placement.
  • Practice tubular/Italian cast-on if unfamiliar. There are many helpful tutorials online.
  • Securely fasten the tail yarn during cast-on to prevent unraveling.
  • Practice Kitchener stitch/Italian bind-off before attempting on the final project.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Inconsistent Tension

Reason: Uneven tension throughout the button band creates a bumpy or wavy appearance.
Solution: Maintain consistent tension by using a tension gauge and practicing consistent needle pressure.

2. Incorrectly Placed Buttonholes

Reason: Buttonholes that are too close together or too far apart, or not evenly spaced, ruin the overall look of the cardigan.
Solution: Carefully measure and mark buttonhole placement before working them, ensuring even spacing.

FAQs

What yarn should I use for the button band?
Use the same yarn as your cardigan body for a seamless look and feel. Matching yarn weight and fiber content is crucial for consistent texture and drape.
How do I prevent the button band from curling?
Gently steam block the finished button band after sewing it to the cardigan. This will relax the stitches and help prevent curling. Using a larger needle size for the band can also reduce curling tendencies.
My button band is too tight/loose. What should I do?
If your band is too tight, try using a larger needle size or a looser tension when knitting. If it's too loose, use a smaller needle size or tighter tension. You may also need to adjust the number of stitches cast on for the band.