7 Best Metal Button Shanks For Heavy Weight Coats
Discover the 7 best metal button shanks for heavy coats. This guide evaluates durability and style to ensure your outerwear stays secure and looks polished.
Choosing the right hardware for a heavy coat is just as critical as selecting the perfect wool blend for a winter sweater. A beautiful hand-knit garment can be ruined or elevated by the weight, finish, and security of its closures. These seven metal shank buttons offer the structural integrity needed to withstand the tension of thick, dense fabrics. Finding the right balance between aesthetic appeal and functional durability will ensure your hard work lasts for seasons to come.
Laurel Burch Brass Shank: The Best Overall Choice
When you spend weeks working on a cabled coat, you need a button that anchors the fabric without pulling. The Laurel Burch brass shank is my top pick because it offers a perfect mid-weight balance that doesn’t overwhelm delicate stitch patterns.
The brass finish has a subtle, warm glow that ages beautifully alongside natural fibers like Corriedale or Highland wool. It provides enough heft to keep a heavy front band from sagging, which is a common issue when using lighter plastic alternatives.
Ultimately, this is the most versatile choice for a variety of coat styles. If you want a button that feels substantial in your hand but won’t drag down your buttonhole band, start here.
Benno’s Buttons Pewter Crest: Best for Durability
If you are knitting a coat meant for rugged, outdoor use, you need hardware that can take a beating. Pewter is a remarkably dense alloy, and the Benno’s crest design is built to withstand years of friction against thick felted wool.
These buttons feature a deep, reinforced shank that is ideal for securing through multiple layers of bulky yarn. Because they are heavy-duty, they won’t scratch or chip when bumped against door frames or car seats.
The trade-off is the weight; these are significantly heavier than brass or zinc options. Ensure you reinforce your buttonhole band with a bit of grosgrain ribbon on the inside to prevent the fabric from stretching under the button’s mass.
Dill Buttons Metal Dome: Best for Heavy Woolens
Heavy woolens often require a button with a smooth profile to prevent snagging on your knit stitches. The Dill Metal Dome is engineered with a rounded surface that glides easily through even the most textured buttonholes.
These buttons are particularly excellent for garments with a high "squish" factor, like those knit in bulky or super-bulky yarns. The dome shape distributes tension evenly across the shank, reducing the risk of the button tearing through the fabric.
Don’t let the simplicity of the design fool you; it is a workhorse. It is the perfect choice when you want the button to complement, rather than compete with, a complex stitch pattern like brioche or honeycomb cables.
JHB International Ornate Gold: Best Antique Look
Sometimes a project calls for a touch of heritage, especially if you are working with traditional patterns like ganseys or Norwegian sweaters. The JHB International Ornate Gold buttons provide that vintage aesthetic without the fragility of actual antique hardware.
The intricate detailing on these buttons adds a layer of sophistication to a simple stockinette coat. However, because they are ornate, they can sometimes catch on very loose, airy knits.
Use these on coats knit at a tighter gauge to ensure the button sits flush against the fabric. They are the perfect finishing touch for a garment meant to be a modern heirloom.
Buttons Galore Gunmetal: Best for Modern Coats
Modern, minimalist knitting often favors clean lines and monochromatic palettes. The gunmetal finish from Buttons Galore offers a sleek, industrial edge that pairs beautifully with dark gray or black wool.
These buttons are surprisingly lightweight despite their metallic appearance, making them ideal for coats that are already heavy due to the yarn choice. They won’t add unnecessary bulk to your button band.
If you are knitting a coat with a contemporary, oversized silhouette, these are your best bet. They provide a polished, professional finish that elevates the garment from "homemade" to "high-end."
Trimline Brushed Nickel: Best Minimalist Option
If your coat design relies on texture—like a series of cables or bobbles—you don’t want a shiny button distracting the eye. The Trimline Brushed Nickel button offers a matte, understated finish that blends seamlessly into your work.
Brushed nickel is incredibly resilient and resistant to tarnishing, which is essential for a coat you plan to wear daily throughout the winter. Its low profile ensures it won’t snag on scarves or jewelry.
This is the ultimate "quiet luxury" button. It serves its purpose without demanding attention, letting your knitting skills take center stage.
Dress It Up Vintage Silver: Best for Heavy Coats
When you are working with extremely heavy, dense fabrics like boiled wool or thick, double-stranded knits, you need a button with a wide, stable base. The Dress It Up Vintage Silver line excels here by providing a wide shank that stabilizes the button against the fabric.
The silver tone provides a bright, crisp contrast against deep jewel-toned yarns. It feels substantial and secure, giving you the confidence that your closure will hold even in windy conditions.
Always double-check your buttonhole size before sewing these on, as the shank is quite thick. You may need to work a slightly larger buttonhole in your pattern to accommodate the hardware.
How to Choose Shank Buttons for Heavy Weight Knits
The most important factor in choosing a shank button is the "shank height," or the distance between the button and the fabric. For heavy-weight knits, you need a longer shank to create a "bridge" over the thickness of the wool.
If the shank is too short, the button will pull tight against the fabric, causing the buttonhole to pucker and distort. Always account for the thickness of both the button band and the overlapping front when selecting your button size.
- Weight: Consider if the button is too heavy for your yarn; heavy buttons can cause sagging.
- Finish: Ensure the finish is smooth; rough metal edges can fray delicate fibers over time.
- Shank Type: Look for a sturdy, integrated metal shank rather than a plastic loop for longevity.
Essential Techniques for Sewing Heavy Shank Buttons
Never sew a heavy shank button directly through the knit fabric alone. You should always use a "backing button"—a small, flat button sewn on the inside of the garment—to distribute the tension.
When attaching the button, use a strong thread like buttonhole twist or a doubled strand of wool-nylon blend yarn. This prevents the weight of the coat from snapping the thread over time.
Leave a little bit of "thread shank" between the button and the fabric. This allows the button to sit comfortably on top of the buttonhole band, preventing the fabric from bunching up.
Troubleshooting Loose Buttons on Hand-Knit Coats
If your buttons start to sag or lean after a few wears, it usually means the buttonhole band lacks structural support. You can fix this by sewing a piece of twill tape or ribbon to the inside of the band where the buttons are attached.
If the button has torn slightly through the fabric, don’t try to sew it back into the same hole. Move the button slightly and reinforce the area with a small square of interfacing or a sturdy piece of felt on the inside.
Finally, check your thread tension periodically. Heavy coats put a lot of strain on closures, and even the best buttons need a quick "check-up" stitch every season to ensure they stay secure.
Selecting the right metal shank button is the final, vital step in completing your heavy-weight coat. By prioritizing durability, proper shank length, and structural support, you ensure your hand-knit piece remains a functional staple in your wardrobe for years. Never underestimate the impact of high-quality hardware on the longevity and appearance of your fiber arts projects. Choose carefully, sew securely, and enjoy the warmth of your finished garment.
