Buttonhole question

pathfinder · 10-06-2008, 05:58 AM

Hi, I'm working on my first long sleeved sweater with buttons and I'm stuck on the buttonhole side. I did the Left Front and marked the button positions, so I get that, but then I'm lost on the Right Front. (It's the Debbie Bliss Alex sweater if anybody is familiar with that.) Ok, so it says: Work buttonholes to match button position as follows:
1st buttonhole row (right side) K2, k2tog, y2rn, skpo, k10, k2tog, y2rn, skpo, k to end, then
2nd buttonhole row: Working twice into y2rn, p to last 2sts, k2
So, I get that that is the top and bottom of the button hole, right? What I don't know here is: What a y2rn is and what it means by working twice into it.
But that's not my biggest problem!
Because then it goes on to say how much to cast on, ok, then goes into the pattern without saying when to stop and add in the button hole. I get that I'm supposed to do that at the markings of the other side, but...do I just interrupt the normal instructions and just plug in the buttonhole rows when I get there? Like, do I just interrupt, for instance my Dec row or Inc row when I get to the marker and just do 1st buttonhole row and then second buttonhole row and then just start in again wherever I left off? I hope this makes sense. If not, I'll write the hole Right Front directions and try to be clearer about my confused state.

Thanks, Kim

P.S. There are two rows of three buttons.

MerigoldinWA · 10-06-2008, 06:59 PM

To figure out where to put the buttonholes you can count the rows on the other piece you made and put the marks where you wanted the buttons. Count the number of rows from the bottom to where the buttons begin and the rows between. Say, if you have the button marked at the 30th row when you get to that row begin your buttonhole.

Quote:

1st buttonhole row (right side) K2, k2tog, y2rn, skpo, k10, k2tog, y2rn, skpo, k to end, then
2nd buttonhole row: Working twice into y2rn, p to last 2sts, k2
So, I get that that is the top and bottom of the button hole, right? What I don't know here is: What a y2rn is and what it means by working twice into it.

It takes the two rows to make the button hole. When it says to y2rn, it means to do what we call a double yarn over in the States. Then on the next row there will be two yarn over strands where you did that maneuver. When you get to them on the purl row you need to purl into each of the strands. I suggest you purl into the first one in the front like a regular purl, and into the second one do a purl through the back loop.

The double yarn over replaces the stitches you lose when you do the k2tog, and the skpo. You lose two and the double yarn over adds them back so you keep your stitch count.

pathfinder · 10-06-2008, 09:30 PM

Thanks for the advice MerigolinWA! I think I can figure out the y2rn from what you said and the purl advice is also helpful. Counting the rows sounds good and that just confirms for me then that I stop the usual pattern and then put in the buttonhole and then start back up again. I'm going to try it. The worst that could happen is I have to rip out and start it again in class in two weeks. It's all about the process for me though, so that's ok.

Ha, I just realized that your avatar is you wearing a monkey hat. I love it!

MerigoldinWA · 10-06-2008, 11:43 PM

Yeah, that's me in the monkey hat. I designed it myself and named the hat, "If Monkeys Could Fly". LOL

You might also measure the placement of the buttons with a measuring tape. Sometimes your gauge can get off and cause havoc with using row counts alone. If your gauge stays perfect it will be the best way but if it doesn't, let the tape measure help out.

pathfinder · 10-08-2008, 07:03 AM

Thanks for the tip about the measuring tape. Yes, I think I'll feel safer double checking with that. You've been great and I feel a bit more confident in attacking this. I'm so glad this forum is here to help newbie's like me get through the beginning stages!

That's so cool that you created the hat yourself. I dream of the day when I can do such things. Being an artist, painter, of course the first thing I think of is how I can manipulate the material to create something original. I saw your site at Ravelry and enjoyed seeing your husband sporting the same hat. You must get a lot of comments on it!