Wooden Buttons for Sewing, Knitwear & Crafts | Natural, Rustic & Toggle Buttons

There's a reason wooden buttons never go out of style: they bring warmth and texture to a garment that plastic and metal simply can't replicate. This collection gathers natural wood buttons, rustic finishes, toggle buttons and decorative wooden fasteners for knitwear, cardigans, coats, baby clothing and handmade crafts. Whether you're a knitter finishing a hand-knit jumper, a dressmaker working with linen and wool, or a parent sewing for a new baby, wooden buttons add a natural, artisan touch that pairs beautifully with the kind of handmade textiles Accessoires Leduc has supplied to Brussels makers for over 70 years.

Buying guide: choosing wood, finish and style

The first decision is hole count and shape. Classic 2-hole and 4-hole wooden buttons work for most garments and are sewn the same way as any other button — 4-hole for higher-stress areas like coats, 2-hole for a more decorative, vintage feel on cardigans and blouses. Toggle buttons are a different story: traditionally used on duffle coats, they're paired with a fabric or cord loop rather than a buttonhole, and work especially well on chunky knitwear and outerwear where a buttonhole would be too tight against bulky fabric.

Finish should follow the fabric. Light wood tones suit pale linens, baby clothing and Scandinavian-style knitwear, where you want the button to feel soft and unobtrusive. Dark wood and polished finishes pair naturally with denim, heavier wool coats and autumn-toned garments, adding a grounded, earthy contrast. Rustic burnt wood — slightly charred and textured — is a favourite for statement cardigans and craft projects with a deliberately handmade, imperfect aesthetic.

For knitting and crochet projects specifically, choose buttons that are lightweight relative to the fabric — a heavy wooden button on fine-gauge knitwear can pull and distort the fabric over time, so size up the knit's stitch density slightly around the buttonhole, or reinforce it with a small fabric backing.

Collector highlights

Toggle buttons carry a genuine piece of garment history — they were standard issue on military duffle coats, chosen specifically because they could be fastened with gloved hands in cold weather, which is exactly why they remain so practical on chunky knitwear today. Our rustic burnt wood finishes are especially popular with makers selling on Etsy and at craft markets, where a "no two exactly alike" character is part of the appeal rather than a drawback.

You might also like

For a more polished, marble-effect or metallic look, browse our 4-hole buttons in polyester, galalith and metal. If you're pairing toggle buttons with a fabric or cord loop, our sewing cords and drawstrings include cords ideal for toggle loops. And for bag projects using natural materials, our bag making webbing and straps in cotton complement wooden hardware beautifully.

Frequently asked questions

Are wooden buttons suitable for baby clothing?

Smooth, polished wooden buttons with securely set holes are commonly used on baby clothing, though for very young children always ensure buttons are firmly attached and check local safety guidance for fastenings on children's wear.

Can wooden buttons be machine washed?

Most wooden buttons tolerate gentle machine washing on a cool cycle, but for delicate finishes like burnt or painted wood, hand washing or a delicate cycle helps preserve the surface finish over time.

How do I sew on a toggle button?

Toggle buttons are sewn through their central hole or shank in the same way as any button, but instead of a buttonhole, the garment needs a fabric loop or cord loop on the opposite side for the toggle to pass through.

What wood tone works best with denim?

Dark wood and polished wood finishes complement denim particularly well, echoing the warm, worn tones of indigo fabric and adding a rustic, durable feel that suits jackets and workwear.

Are wooden buttons more durable than plastic?

Quality wooden buttons are highly durable for everyday wear and resistant to cracking, though they should be kept away from prolonged direct heat (such as ironing directly on the button) which can dry out and crack the wood over time.

Can I use wooden buttons for crochet projects?

Yes, wooden buttons are a popular choice for crochet, especially on items like baby cardigans, bags and amigurumi, where their lightweight, natural feel complements the texture of crochet stitches.