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Buttonhole couronne icon
Buttonhole couronne

  • Hedebo ring
  • Ring
  • Couronne
  • Crown
  • Buttonhole ring
Buttonhole couronne main image

​Buttonhole couronnes are small circles of buttonhole stitch which are detached from the fabric.  They are worked around various sized knitting needles or wooden dowelling to produce different sized rings which are then applied to the fabric or lace.

They have similarities with buttonhole wheels, but the central hole is normally much larger and the ring is more raised.

Buttonhole couronnes are a traditional feature of Hedebo embroidery from Denmark, hence their alternative name of Hedebo rings (hedeboringe in Danish).  Hedebo embroidery is a whitework tradition from Zealand in Denmark, it rose in popularity towards the end of the 18th century when peasant reforms are credited with giving more free time for women to embroider.

Couronnes are used in other whitework and needlepoint lace techniques: Point de France from the late 17th century; sparingly in Point de Venice à reseau from the late 17th/early 18th century; and in Carrickmacross from 19th century Ireland.  More modern laces also use couronnes: Point de Colbert from France; Rosaline from Belgium; and Youghal from Ireland.

add_circleMy Stitches
Raised Looped Buttonhole Detached Circular Embellishment Stumpwork Whitework Needlepoint lace

Buttonhole couronne is generously sponsored by Sandra Force

Method

Any type of thread can be used for this stitch.

In this sample, the thread is wrapped 3-4 times around the stick, but you can decide how many wraps you need for your project.

If you are right-handed, wrap the thread anticlockwise and work the buttonhole stitches from left to right. If you are left-handed, wrap it clockwise and work the stitch from right to left.

After removing the burronhole couronne from the stick, you can use the tail thread in order to attach the couronne to another one or to the fabric later on.

Couronnes can be attached to your base fabric at either one point, or two to four points using a fine thread in a matching colour if required. Bring the needle up on the outside of the circle and take it back down through the centre of a stitch.

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Buttonhole couronne method stage 1 photograph
1

To make a buttonhole couronne, use a knitting needle or a hedebo stick if available.  Hold the threads firmly in place on the stick.

Buttonhole couronne method stage 2 photograph
2

Wrap the thread around the stick. This will be the core of the couronne.

Buttonhole couronne method stage 3 photograph
3

Take the needle down behind the wrapped thread and bring it through the loop to make the first buttonhole stitch.

Buttonhole couronne method stage 4 photograph
4

Tighten the buttonhole stitch firmly.

Buttonhole couronne method stage 5 photograph
5

Make the second stitch just to the right of the first.

Buttonhole couronne method stage 6 photograph
6

Continue around the stick, placing each buttonhole stitch firmly against the previous one to form a tight circle of stitches.

Buttonhole couronne method stage 7 photograph
7

Complete the buttonhole couronne by taking the thread up through the first buttonhole stitch. Leave the tail thread for later use.

Buttonhole couronne method stage 8 photograph
8

Remove the buttonhole couronne from the stick.

Buttonhole couronne

Structure of stitch

Raised Looped Buttonhole Detached Circular

Common uses

Embellishment

Embroidery Techniques

Stumpwork Whitework Needlepoint lace

Related Stitches

Buttonhole stitch Buttonhole wheels

Identifying Buttonhole couronne

Buttonhole couronnes have similarities with buttonhole wheels but there are two main differences: firstly, couronnes are worked independently from the fabric and then applied and so will normally be slightly raised; secondly, the central hole is normally larger for a couronne than a buttonhole wheel.

References

Examples of Buttonhole couronne

Needlepoint lace

The dressmaking pin in the small image gives an indication of the size of the buttonhole couronnes