There are a few different projects and patterns here on Moogly that call for buttons. And adding the right buttons to nearly any project can up it's appeal! But sometimes the right buttons come with holes far too small for a yarn needle - and digging out matching sewing thread and the tiny sewing needles might not seem worth the effort. But there's a quick, easy, and free way to thread small button holes with the yarn you used for the rest of your project!
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The button shown in the video and photo tutorials below is a leftover from the Get Whale Soon Tissue Box Cover. I didn't want to try to find matching thread and sew on the buttons, especially for such a quick and easy project. What I wanted to do was use the yarn I was using for the rest of the project, and just weave in it with my yarn needle with the rest of the ends, without having to worry about thread peeking through and ruining the look.
But the shank on the back of these buttons was way too small for any of my yarn needles - even my Susan Bates Finishing Needles, which fit through nearly everything else. So I used this quick and easy trick!
How to Thread Small Button Holes with Yarn Video Tutorial
In this tutorial I used some random unlabeled crochet thread. But if you don't have crochet thread, then run to the bathroom and grab the dental floss! The key is to use something that's thin, but has a bit of stiffness to it - not drapey and thin like sewing thread. You need to be able to thread the hole in your button without a needle - as if you were stringing beads.
Cut a length of thread or floss, about 12" long. Thread one end through the hole in the button.
Thread the other end of the thread or floss back through the hole, so that it forms a loop on one side and both ends are sticking out the other side.
Carefully thread your yarn through the loop of the floss.
Pull both ends of the floss, so that the loop comes through the hole in the button, pulling the yarn with it!
And that's it! Carefully pull one end of the yarn on through and you'll be ready to sew your button on using yarn - and it'll be more secure and sturdy for it too. You can use this trick with buttons with shanks, or buttons with multiple holes.
I hope this tutorial has helped you out with your future yarny projects! I know it's one I love having in my arsenal. If you've got other such things you'd like to see a video tutorial for, please let me know!
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soleillucie says
Génial !!!!
Jackie says
This is so great! Thank you very much 🙂 I was wondering if you had any advice for stringing beads (size 6 glass) onto embroidery thread. If my needle fits through the holes, the thread doesn't fit through the eye of the needle lol! Any help you offer would be wonderful. I've followed your blog for a while and it is so helpful and I love your patterns! Thank you!!!
Tamara Kelly says
I'm not very experienced with beads myself, but I have had several comments saying that people do use this method with beads as well!
Pia Thadani says
Brilliant! You are officially my hero.
Jennie says
Thank you so much for sharing this! Just a few days ago I had to put yarn through small holes in a button, and because it wouldn't go thru, I gave up and didn't use the button. After this, I won't have any problems!
Tamara Kelly says
Ah, hope it's not too late to save that other project! 😀
Lisa Natterer says
Your tricks, hints and tipps make life easygoing and are more than precious; your patterns are even for beginners like me easy to follow, which I appreciate as well - thank you so much, Tamara! Sincere regards from Vienna, Lisa
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you so much Lisa!
Suzanne ulrich says
I have used this technique with beads. I was knitting something and needed to add beads. I made a loop of sewing thread and pushed it through the hole in the bead. Into that loop I pulled a loop of the yarn I was knitting with, then pulled the loaded sewing thread loop through the bead. I now had the loop of yarn I needed to knit through. That same thing works if you have trouble threading a yarn needle. The loop of thread substitutes for a needle threaded. Thanks for the reminder!
Pamela says
Great idea! I use a sewing needle threader. 🙂
Dot says
I use dental floss threaders, which are a stiff wire-like length of plastic, with a flexible loop on one end. They're good for threading yarn or pearl cotton through needles as well as buttons. Or for pulling an errant yarn end through to the wrong side.
Penny says
That is brilliant! Thank you so much for sharing!!!!
Chatty_twilight_13 says
This is so great! Thanks!
Patty says
I have found that a product like "Fray Check" works really well if you need to thread any kind of fiber which has an end that frays so you can't get it through a button or bead hole. I used to use white glue, gel glue, etc. but they never worked very well. This does.
A bit of very thin craft wire can also substitute for a needle threader or bead threader if the yarn is thin enough to go through the hole twice. Use the above product if your yarn/floss/etc. is thin enough for once through, but not twice. Simply cut a length of wire, fold it in half, leaving a bit of a loop at the halfway point, and twist the two ends together. Trim the ends so they are the same length and you have an "instant" threader.
Tamara Kelly says
Great tips Patty, thank you!
Lexy Moore says
GENIUS!!!!
Christie says
You can also use a twister tie from a bread loaf. Be sure to strip it of the plastic coating. Works wonders!!! :o)
Tamara Kelly says
Ooo, good one Christie, thank you!
Marrie says
OOO.. that's such a clever idea :P.. haha
Maya Vanderpool says
This is the exact same thing I do when I go to floss my teeth because I have braces 😀
Marrie says
😉 But.. there is no braces on your emoticon's teeth
Haha ♥