How to Knit a Cool and Breezy Button Curtain

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Tina Hilton, contributor

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A knitted curtain provides a gauzy, romantic view.

Tina Hilton

Cotton yarn and faux mother-of-pearl buttons would make a good substitute.

Tina Hilton

I swatched with a size 13 and a size 19 needle to see which would create the best fabric.

Tina Hilton

A knitted curtain provides a gauzy, romantic view.

Photo: Tina Hilton

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Yarn and buttons make a splendid combination! Especially when it's mother-of-pearl buttons and 100% linen yarn.

Cotton yarn and faux mother-of-pearl buttons would make a good substitute.

Supplies

• Size 13 straight knitting needles
• Louet Euroflax sportweight 100% linen yarn
• Big-eye sewing needle
• Mother-of-pearl buttons, 1/2-inch diameter (I began with more than 300)
• Curtain rod
• Café clip rings

I swatched with a size 13 and a size 19 needle to see which would create the best fabric.

Gauge
14 stitches x 13 rows over 4 inches or 3.5 stitches per inch (14  divided by 4 = 3.5) and 3 rows per inch (13 divided by 4 = 3.25).

Lay the fabric flat and spread out the stitches before measuring for gauge.

Abbreviations
K1: knit one
K2tog: knit 2 together
Yo: yarn over
Yob: yarn over with button

Stitch Pattern
K1, *yob, k2tog, yo, k2tog* repeat to the end of the row, K1.
K1, (*yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog* repeat to the end of the row), 5 rows.
Repeat these six rows until the desired curtain length.

Getting Started

Measuring the window will ensure that your curtain will fit to your specifications.

Measure the width and height of your window, taking into consideration how you are going to be hanging the curtain. I am using a spring café rod that goes in the inside of the window frame, so I measured inside the window frame itself. If your curtain rod hangs above the window, measure from the rod.

Cast-on formula. Once you figure out how many stitches per inch you have, determine how many stitches you need to cast on to get to the curtain width you need. If you are hanging the curtain on a café rod and desire a curtain that just covers the window, cast on the number of stitches that will create that flat look. If you want a drapey look, cast on more stitches to give you that look. A standard drape would measure twice the width of the window. Here is the formula I used to get the basic dimension:
Window dimensions: 27 inches wide x 35 inches tall
Basic cast-on calculation: 27 x 3.5 (number of stitches per inch) = 95 (94.5)

Adjust cast-on to match stitch pattern. The stitch pattern is 6 stitches plus 2 extra (one at each end of the row). The number of cast-on stitches needs to be divisible by 6 and include the 2 extra stitches. Here’s the formula I used:
95 divided by 6 = 16 (15.83)
16 x 6 + 2 = 98 is your magic cast-on number!

Button distribution. The easiest way to place your buttons is on a random basis as it pleases you. If you want to make sure that you have enough buttons for the entire curtain without running out three-quarters of the way through the project, here is a formula to determine how to place the buttons:
Row calculation: 3 rows per inch: 3 x 35 (length desired) = 105 rows
On each row, I have 16 pattern repeats. If I add 1 button per pattern repeat, I will have 16 buttons per row.

Number of buttons (280) divided by number of buttons needed for a row (16) = 18 (17.50). This means I can have buttons on 18 rows.

105 total rows divided by 18 rows = 6 (5.83). Every sixth row will be a button row. Whew!

As I said, place the buttons randomly if you wish to skip the math drama.

Begin knitting

If you run out of buttons before you finish the curtain, cut the yarn and reload more buttons and keep going.

Thread a big-eye sewing needle and string on the number of buttons you will be using for your project. Loosely cast on the number of stitches needed to cover your window. Begin the stitch pattern, distributing buttons at random or according to your button distribution calculation.

Pull your button to the front when you are doing the yarn over with button.

Once you complete the first row with buttons, the others will be easy.

The buttons remind me of tiny seashells caught in a fishnet.

Continue in the stitch pattern until you reach your desired length. Bind off loosely and weave in any ends, ending with a knot to keep the linen ends firmly in place.

Hang your lovely new curtains and enjoy the refreshing spring view!

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Comments (17)

Lisalaj writes: How did you figure out how much yarn you needed?
Posted: 6:39 pm on July 29th

AerisMom writes: xyzabc-you load the buttons on the yarn with a needle before you start then work them into your fabric as you go, it takes a little practice to get used to knitting/crocheting with the odd shapes, but it adds to your design! i hope i was able to help
Posted: 11:57 am on August 7th

XYZABC writes: Hi Tina, The curtain looks wonderful, but I m not able to make out how you loaded the buttons in between the yarn? whats the trick ?


Posted: 1:10 am on June 18th

XYZABC writes: Hi Tina, The curtain looks wonderful, but I m not able to make out how you loaded the buttons in between the yarn? whats the trick ?


Posted: 1:10 am on June 18th

SMVG writes: I used this idea to make a curtain for a baby's room. I added some small bunny rabbit buttons and it was adorable! Thanks for the great ideas.
Posted: 3:20 pm on April 18th

ChessWidow writes: I think this would also be a good use of some reclaimed yarn from thrift store finds. I might go back and pick up a couple of the cotton or linen sweaters that I passed up because of the finer yarn.
Posted: 6:05 pm on April 3rd

anablia writes:

FANTASTIC. SO MANY WONDERFUL IDEAS!
THANK YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I'M YOUR PORTUGUESE FAN
Posted: 11:52 am on April 2nd

K1Drink2 writes: Tina ... you have such a fertile brain! LOVE the idea ... Wouldn't it be cute, too, as a shower curtain (over a liner, of course) in a beach house. Little fish buttons and shells in tropical colors ...
Posted: 10:19 am on March 30th

PoochPal writes: What I love about this window covering is that you still see the glorious view through this lacey curtain dappled with buttons. Great idea to use sea shells or even glass beads could glisten when the sun shines through... Thanks Tina!!
Posted: 9:15 pm on March 24th

ewephoric writes: tina does it again!!! what an original and inventive idea. i just love it.
Posted: 10:06 pm on March 21st

TheKat writes: I love this! All my windows are currently *undressed* (uncompleted remodeling) but I have acquired a few crocheted curtain panels on eBay to hang eventually -- one or more of your panels will fit right in. Plus, I have a whole mess of mother-of-pearl buttons in the button box I inherited from my MIL. Thanks!
Posted: 12:02 pm on March 21st

cjms writes: What a great Spring project - light and airy with style. I have a small window in my front door and I can't wait to use your design to make a window covering. I have a bunch of small sea shells and I'm planning to drill a small hole in them and use them instead of buttons. Keep up the wonderful ideas and patterns. I can't wait to see what other ideas you come up with.
Posted: 7:07 pm on March 20th

Tina_Hilton writes: I am so glad you like it! What I didn't share with you is that it is big enough to go around my waist for a sexy beach cover up. Now I have to figure out how to pull off a beach vacay!
Posted: 9:04 am on March 20th

LauraMM writes: I love this! Very beautiful!
Posted: 8:52 pm on March 19th

erika_kern writes: That is so lovely. It reminds me of the sea. . .
Posted: 4:47 pm on March 19th

CalPatch writes: i LOVE this idea! as soon as i find a house to live in, i am SO making this!!!
Posted: 11:12 am on March 19th

LindaPermann writes: this is great! plus i was just wondering what the heck to make out of euroflax, and this is quite a nifty idea!
Posted: 2:40 am on March 19th

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