8th December- Dorset Buttons

Chances are, if you make things, at some point you will need some buttons...
Now my first port of call is my button stash. Then, because of course no matter what I have it's never quite the right size, colour, or I don't have enough, I invariably end up on the Textile Garden website...

However, this advent calendar is about making, and it is possible to make buttons from yarn. I'm a particular fan of this because handspun yarn is precious, therefore projects that will use up leftover oddments are a very good thing!

In order to make a Dorset Button you take a ring, and then wrap and knot thread or yarn around it. The instructions here are nice and clear featuring line drawings, these instructions make a different style and is a photo tutorial.
Or, if you don't want to find your own rings, and don't have any handspun that is thin enough the kits from Beaker Button are lovely. I really like some other experimental ones, which would be a great way to display some beautiful yarns. 

This tutorial isn't for a Dorset Button, but for a way of covering a regular button with yarn, ideal if you need something slightly smaller. 

This post is part of my advent calendar 2016. Every day in December we're saying so long to 2016 by embracing learning, knowledge and creativity. Each day there will be a new post with a new skill or craft. You can read all the past posts here.