I have a jar of buttons that I bought several years ago. The buttons used to be kept in the plastic bag they came in, which resulted in button spillage, every single time. If only I had used the buttons quicker, I theorized, then I wouldn’t have to deal with annoying spills. I wasn’t as crafty back then but now I am and I’m in the mood to use some buttons!

Now, what to make?

The first thing I thought of was to make eyes. I tried to pick out a large flat button for the back and a smaller one for the front with button holes that aligned. Like so:

But now the eyes needed a face. No eyes without a face here…

Enter the alien:

This little guy was pretty easy to make. I even managed to write down what I did along the way – this is something I have failed to do, mostly because I tell myself I’ll remember and then I don’t. And I also remembered to take pictures along the way. Hooray!

The pattern is worked in the round and I used a 3.75mm hook/size 9 with Pattons Canadiana for the purple alien and Red Heart Soft Touch for the silvery grey alien. This is the first pattern I post, and as I mentioned, the first I properly write down so if there any mistakes or something is unclear, please let me know and I’ll do my best to figure it out.

Stitch guide:

st(s) = stitch(es)

sc = single crochet

sl = slip stitch

inc = 2 sc in one st

dec = 2 sts together

blo = back loop only

Body

Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch.

Round 1:  inc in each st around – 12sts

Round 2: 1 sc, inc, repeat around – 18sts

Round 3:  2 sc, inc, repeat around – 24sts

Round 4-8: Work even – 24sts

Round 9: 2 sc, dec, repeat around – 18sts

Round 10-14: Work even – 18sts

Round 15: 2 sc, inc, repeat around – 24sts

Round 16: 3 sc, inc, repeat around – 30sts

Round 17 & 18: Work even – 30sts

Round 19: 4 sc, dec, repeat around – 25sts

Round 20 & 21: Work even – 25sts

Round 22: 3 sc, dec, repeat around – 20sts

Round 23: Work even – 20sts

Round 24: All stitches blo, 2 sc, dec, repeat around – 15sts (this will create an edge to the bottom of the alien so it’s somewhat flat).

Make a dec in each remaining st until it’s impossible to make another sc ie. it’s time to fasten off and weave in the end.

 Hair

Ch 12, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, *sc in next ch, 2 dc in next ch, sl st, repeat two more times from * sl st in remaining chs. Leave enough yarn at the end for sewing on to the alien.