knitting buttonholes

[elizabeth_mn]

I finally got around to finishing the left sweater front, yay!  No photos yet because it isn't blocked and it looks like a big curled-edge lump.

I made a swatch in seed stitch to test buttonholes for the right front.  I tried a few different methods.  The two I like best are both from Maggie Righetti's Knitting in Plain English.  One is a 3-row double yarn-over eyelet type which makes a larger hole than an ordinary eyelet.  The other is called "the neatest buttonhole," and is worked horizontally in a single row.

Both were pretty, blended into the seed stitch very well, and made the right sized holes for the approximate size of buttons I want.

Here's the thing, though.  I'm worried about durability in a long-term sense.  Any knitters out there have any tips on durable buttonholes?  Any factors I should be considering?

Comments

[quincy134.livejournal.com]

I usually use either a small eyelet buttonhole for small buttons or "the neatest buttonhole" from Righetti. The latter seems most durable to me, in my limited experience (I've made more sweaters that have crocheted or i-cord button loops than ones with real buttonholes). For a really firm button band, some recommend knitting making the buttonband out of a double layer of knit fabric. You could do this by knitting the buttonband twice and folding it over (though this works best for buttonbands that are picked up and knit after the fronts are done).

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Thank for the input! I think my seed stitch edge would be too dense/lumpy to do a double layer, but I'm saving that tip for later. I think I've decided to go with the 'neatest buttonhole.'