How to Make a Crochet Shawl Toggle
Photo tutorial & Video below
This diy tutorial will show you how to make a crochet shawl toggle that will allow you to extend the variety of choices to style your crocheted wearables. This shawl toggle also works for knit, but you may prefer to practice with lacy, open mesh designs for the toggle to fasten. I first started making these in 2012. As a matter of fact, these images are from the second time I ever made them. Since then, I’ve used them with many different shawls, scarfs, and cowls. Here are a couple of examples. Basically, you use it as you would a cufflink! (Thanks for the analogy, Diana!)
Christina Gehring says, “I see a toggle making project with my granddaughter on my horizon! My granddaughter loves to wear shawls. I’ve been hesitant about getting a four year old a shawl pin. She adores making things with fimo and would make beautiful toggles for her shawls. This is a perfect solution! Thank you so much for posting this Celina Lane 🙂“
The following Everyday Triangle Scarf is a new one-skein pattern. This beautiful accessory is just wide enough to tie loosely, but for an exact fit, use a crochet garment toggle in the back!
Pattern COMING SOON. Be sure to sign up for updates at the top of the page.
The next mini shawl is Coraline in Rio which you can find here: http://simplycollectiblecrochet.com/2016/01/coraline-in-rio-mini-wrap-crochet-pattern/ Notice the way it’s wrapped as a cowl? You can see that I rolled it and folded it around the neck using this exact crochet shawl toggle to hold it in place. Folding it makes for gorgeous rings accenting the texture of Coraline in Rio.
The following is Coraline in Spain- a new shawl pattern to be released here July 2017. (Check my Free Patterns Page if I have not updated this page.) Coraline in Spain felt a little more delicate so I was able to use larger, flat buttons to fit in the folds at the chest. Placing the toggle higher would keep the chill off your chest on a cooler day.
The materials required to make a crochet shawl toggle should match or at least fit your project and stitches. You can make a few ahead of time or wait until you have the completed project to measure the spaces so you can choose the right buttons. In this case, I’m working with mesh or lacy pieces and I had buttons to fit. Also, I’m using a strand of the exact yarn I used with Coraline in Rio.
So, you’ll need a yarn needle, yarn, buttons, and scissors. (Use the video and check out the closeups and transcript below!)
Thread the yarn through the yarn needle with both ends of the yarn so you have a loop. Then thread the needle through the front of the first button and through the back of the second button. Thread the needle through the front of that second button and through the back of the first button. The looped end will be left on the outside of the first button as shown in the next image. Be sure to leave a space the width of your thumb between the buttons. If you are using a chunky project, you will probably want more space and larger buttons.
Pull the needle through the end loop. Be sure to keep the inch space between the buttons. You can now pull the yarn taut and begin threading back and forth to create your toggle!
Sew back and forth, through the button holes, 3 times. Thread the needle back to center (between the buttons) and through the yarn piercing it with the needle so it stays in place. Be careful that it doesn’t end up too stiff or bulky. You want it to be malleable and shift a little in your piece.
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial! Tell your friends about this fabulous shawl toggle. Send me your toggle pics or pics of how you used yours! I’d love to see it.
Great idea…Thanks for sharing, Celina.
My pleasure, Angie! Thanks for coming by.
i will like to see how the toggle is to be worn or placed on the shawls cause i don’t see how you use it.
I’m so sorry. The video is coming soon! You basically use it like you would a brooch or pin.
The video is processing and will be in this post or you can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pm8FZwi4To
Please be sure to like the video and subscribe! Thank you!
Great tutorial on how to make one but how do we use a shawl toggle?
Hi, Mary. The video is coming soon! You basically use it like you would a brooch or pin. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for the updates or check back here within the next couple of weeks. It will be a pretty big video to produce.
The video is processing and will be in this post or you can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pm8FZwi4To
Please be sure to like the video and subscribe! Thank you!
I think this is a wonderful idea…however, my thick brain isn’t understanding how it holds the scarf. Any chance you could explain in detail how to secure the scarf? This really is something I’ve been looking for to go with scarves I make!
I’m so sorry. It’s like buttons. You push them into the stitches to hold the style you want much like barrettes in hair. I have some family things to attend to and I’ll work on a video to help. I have some great ideas! Family first. 🙂
The video is processing and will be in this post or you can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pm8FZwi4To
Please be sure to like the video and subscribe! Thank you!
Love it!!! Sadly I’m a visual learner too….. Looking forward to the video! All your hard work teaching us for free is VERY much appreciated!!! Thank you so much!!
Soon, I hope!
The video is processing and will be in this post or you can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pm8FZwi4To
Please be sure to like the video and subscribe! Thank you!
Oh, it’s like a cufflink. Well, if you use smaller buttons, you can use it on knits, too.
Indeed! Perfect analogy, Diana. Thank you.
You just gave me a fabulous idea. We cut down a bunch of trees on our property last year and my husband, a retired carpenter, has all kinds of fun tools I could use to make my own pieces for toggles and shawl pins from our own wood since it’s dried for over a year now. Now I have a great winter project!
You are so resourceful, Nadine! That is a wonderful idea. Please share your process with us or at least some pictures! You may email me at SimplyCollectibleCrochet@gmail[dot]com
I made one and I love it! I can finally wear my shawls without them slipping off. Thank you so much for this tutorial!
That’s great! I’d love for you to submit a pic. We’d all like to see. 🙂
http://simplycollectiblecrochet.com/submit-your-picture/
Very interesting, thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Emese
My pleasure, Emese! I like your site. 🙂
I made this scarf for my daughter, many people like and I have to order, although the plot is opened it gets hot because of the wire used.
Great feedback. Thanks, Gau!
I love the toggle idea. I have made lots of scarves but been waiting for the right wrap pattern. I think the Coraline series is the winner! I love both the Rio and the Spain featured in the video. Has the pattern been posted yet and I just missed it? I have looked but did not see it.
Hi, Julie! Thank you so much for your feedback! So glad you’ll get to enjoy the series. Coraline in Rio is here: http://simplycollectiblecrochet.com/2016/01/coraline-in-rio-mini-wrap-crochet-pattern/ Coraline in Spain is coming soon. (My family made a sudden move and I had some other changes, but it is to be released here on my site at the beginning of July.
Thank you Celina. I did find the Rio pattern, and then I discovered the Wine Country! I’m very much looking forward to Spain coming in July so I can add it to the list. I love them all! I think I see many wraps in my future!!!!! And probably some friends as well. They will make beautiful gifts!
That’s great, Julie! Thank you so much for your kind words 😀