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Butterfly Bag Pattern

Butterfly Bag Pattern
4.5★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
1.5K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

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Stylish Touch

An elegant detail to elevate any look, combining traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities.

About This Butterfly Bag Pattern

This pattern creates a wearable butterfly-shaped shoulder bag made from two crocheted butterfly wings joined together and attached to a strap. The wings are worked in rows with color changes and then a border is added to join the pieces. You will learn how to change color cleanly, fold and join wings, and finish with a sturdy strap and edge.

Butterfly Bag Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Designed for intermediate crocheters, the pattern uses medium weight yarn and simple shaping for charming wing details. Full assembly photos and step-by-step instructions help you finish a polished bag.

Why You'll Love This Butterfly Bag Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it transforms simple crochet motifs into a functional, fashionable bag that sparks compliments. I enjoyed designing the wing shapes and playing with gradient colors to create depth. The construction feels rewarding — you can see progress quickly as the wings take shape. I also love how customizable it is: you can change yarns, colors, and strap width to make each bag uniquely yours.

Butterfly Bag Pattern step 1 - construction progress Butterfly Bag Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Butterfly Bag Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Butterfly Bag Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easy it is to make this bag your own by swapping colors; try ombre gradients or high-contrast palettes for very different looks.

For a firmer bag, I often use a slightly smaller hook and add a fabric lining — it keeps the shape and protects your items.

If you want a mini version, use lighter yarn (sport or DK) and a smaller hook to make a cute keychain or coin purse.

Make the strap wider for comfort: chain more stitches at the start and work additional rows to create a cushioned shoulder strap.

Try embroidering small details or adding beads to the wing edges for a personalized, decorative finish that reflects your style.

I sometimes add a zipper or magnetic snap to the inner lining for extra security; sew it into the lining before attaching to the bag edges.

Experiment with textured stitches for the border rather than simple single crochet to create a different edge look and more structure.

Use wool or a sturdier acrylic for a vintage, structured feel, or cotton for a lighter, summery bag; each fiber changes the final drape.

I recommend testing color placement on a small swatch to see how the shades blend before committing to the full wing panels.

Want a crossbody? Lengthen the strap considerably and reinforce the attachment points with extra rows of single crochet for durability.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the note about crocheting with the right side out can flip your finished bag; always orient your pieces so the right side is facing out before joining. ✗ Forgetting that Ch 3 counts as a dc in rows will shift your stitch count; treat Ch 3 as one dc and begin dc rows from the 2nd stitch as noted. ✗ Not weaving in ends as you go makes finishing messy and harder; weave in loose ends progressively while you work each wing and color change. ✗ Changing colors incorrectly can leave loose loops and gaps; follow the color changing instructions by pulling the new yarn through the last two loops to complete the stitch cleanly. ✗ Overstretching the strap or using a very stretchy yarn without a lining will deform the bag; consider adding a lining or using a sturdier yarn for the strap to maintain shape. ✗ Not blocking or shaping the wings after finishing can make assembly difficult; lightly iron or block the wings if necessary so edges align when joining.

Butterfly Bag Pattern

Create a whimsical Butterfly Bag you can wear every day with this clear, beautifully photographed crochet pattern. You will make two butterfly wings, crochet a strap, and join everything together to form a wearable bag. The design uses medium weight yarn and step-by-step instructions so you can customize colors and add a lining if you wish. Perfect for makers who love playful accessories and creative finishing touches.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Butterfly Bag Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Acrylic/Cotton yarn in Medium weight (size 4).
  • 02
    Pictured bag: mix of acrylic yarn (approximately 166g) and cotton yarn for the border & strap (approximately 330g).
  • 03
    Tester note: Red Heart, weight 4 acrylic about 310g (used with size 3.5 mm hook in tester sample).
  • 04
    Tester note: All acrylic weight 4: black 'big twist' and greens from Loops & Threads/Impeccable yarns for around 406g in another sample.
  • 05
    Colors used in the pattern graph: Light purple (yarn-1), Medium purple (yarn-2), Dark purple (yarn-3), Blue (yarn-4), White (yarn-5).

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 4.5 mm
  • 02
    Crochet hook size 3.5 mm (used in some tester samples)
  • 03
    Yarn needle for sewing and weaving in ends
  • 04
    Scissors
  • 05
    Iron (optional, for shaping the wings after finishing)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Abdomen :

Infos :

Crochet in rounds. Foundation row: Ch 17.

Row 1 :

sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc 14, sc 3 into the next stitch, sc 14, sc inc, sl st and ch 1. (34)

Row 2 :

sc 16, sc inc, sc 16, sc inc, sl st and fasten off. (36)

Info :

Size: 3.5 cm x 12.5 cm

— Forewings (Left) :

Infos :

Graph of the butterfly included. Colors: Light purple-1, medium purple-2, dark purple-3, blue-4 and white-5. Attach your yarn-2 to the 3rd stitch of the abdomen with the right side facing up.

Row 1 :

Insert your hook and make a chain, sc in the same stitch (change to yarn-1), then dc 3, sc 1, ch 3 and TO. (5)

Row 2 :

2 dc inc (change to yarn-2) dc 1, dc inc, ch 3 and TO. (8)

— Forewings (L) :

Row 3 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc inc (change to yarn-1), tr 2, dc 4 (change to yarn-2), ch 1 and TO. (10)

Row 4 :

Sc 1 (change to yarn-1), sc 5 (change to yarn-2), sc 1, dc 2, dc inc (change to yarn-3), ch 3 and TO. (11)

Row 5 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc 2 (change to yarn-2), dc inc, dc 2, 2 tr inc, dc 1 (change to yarn-3), dc 2, ch 1 and TO. (15)

Row 6 :

Sc 3 (change to yarn-2), sc 7 (change to yarn-3), sc 4, sc inc, ch 3 and TO. (16)

Row 7 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc 2, tr 4, dc 4, sc 5 (change to yarn-4), ch 1 and TO. (17)

Row 8 :

Sc across the row, ch 3 and TO. (17)

Row 9 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 4, ch 1 and TO. (18)

Row 10 :

Sc 4 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 3, sc inc, ch 3 and TO. (19)

Row 11 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc 4, tr 2, ch 4, sl st to the 2nd tr, tr 2, dc 4, hdc 2, sc 3, sl st and fasten off. (20)

Info :

You have finished the the left forewing. Let's work on the right forewing.

— Forewings (Right) :

Infos :

Attach yarn-1 to the 28th stitch of the abdomen with the right side facing up.

Row 1 :

Insert your hook and ch 1, sc in the same stitch, dc 3 (change to yarn-2), sc 1, ch 3 and TO. (5)

Row 2 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc 1 (change to yarn-1), 2 dc inc, dc 1, ch 3 and TO. (8)

Row 3 :

Dc 3, tr 2 (change to yarn-2), 2 dc inc, ch 3 and TO. (10)

Row 4 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc 2, sc 1 (change to yarn-1), sc 5 (change to yarn-2), sc 1 (change to yarn-3), ch 3 and TO. (11)

Row 5 :

Dc 1 (change to yarn-2), dc 1, 2 tr inc, dc 2, dc inc (change to yarn-3), dc 2, dc inc, ch 1 and TO. (15)

Row 6 :

Sc inc, sc 4 (change to yarn-2), sc 7 (change to yarn-3), sc 3, ch 1 and TO.

— Forewings (R) :

Row 7 :

Sc 5, dc 4, tr 4, dc 2, dc inc (change to yarn-4), ch 1 and TO. (17)

Row 8 :

Sc across the row, ch 3 and TO. (17)

Row 9 :

Dc 3 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2, dc inc, ch 1 and TO. (18)

Row 10 :

Sc inc, dc 3 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), sc 4, ch 1 and TO. (19)

Row 11 :

Sl st, sc 3, hdc 2, dc 4, tr 2, ch 4, sl st to the 2nd tr, tr 2, dc 4, dc inc and fasten off. (20)

— Hindwings (Left) :

Infos :

Attach your yarn-1 to the 10th stitch of the abdomen with the right side facing up.

Row 1 :

Insert your hook and ch 3, dc in the next stitch, tr 3 in one stitch, dc inc, sc inc, ch 1 and TO. (9)

Row 2 :

Sc inc, hdc 3, dc 1, dc inc, dc 1, tr 2 (change to yarn-2), ch 1 and TO. (11)

Row 3 :

Sc 1, hdc 2, dc inc, tr 2, dc 2, hdc 2, sc 1 (change to yarn-3), ch 1 and TO. (12)

Row 4 :

Sc 5, hdc inc, dc 2, tr inc, dc 1, hdc 1, sc 1 (change to yarn-4), ch 1 and TO. (14)

Row 5 :

Sc 3, sc inc, sc 5, sc inc, sc 4, ch 1 and TO. (16)

Row 6 :

Sc 9, hdc inc, dc inc, dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), sc 1, ch 3 and TO. (18)

Row 7 :

Dc 5, 3 dc inc, dc 3, ch 4, sl st to the last dc, sc 4, sl st 2 and fasten off. (21)

— Hindwings (Right) :

Infos :

Attach your yarn-1 to the 21st stitch of the abdomen with the right side facing up.

Row 1 :

Insert your hook and ch 1, sc inc in the same stitch, dc inc, tr 3 in the same stitch, dc 2, ch 4 and TO. (9)

Row 2 :

Tr 1, dc 1, dc inc, dc 1, hdc 3, sc inc (change to yarn-2), ch 1 and TO. (11)

Row 3 :

Sc 1, hdc 2, dc 2, tr 2, dc inc, hdc 2, sc 1 (change to yarn-3), ch 1 and TO. (12)

Row 4 :

Sc 1, hdc 1, dc 1, tr inc, dc 2, hdc inc, sc 5 (change to yarn-4), ch 1 and TO. (14)

Row 5 :

Sc 4, sc inc, sc 5, sc inc, sc 3, ch 1 and TO. (16)

Row 6 :

Sc 1 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2, dc inc, hdc inc, sc 9, ch 1 and TO. (18)

Row 7 :

Sl st 2, sc 4, ch 4, sl st to the 4th sc, dc 3, 3 dc inc, dc 6 and fasten off. (21)

— Border :

Infos :

Here is the graph of the border. Row 1 is graphed in black. Row 2 is in purple and yellow. Attach your yarn to the last stitch of the abdomen with the right side facing up.

Row 1 (left forewing to the abdomen) :

Ch 1, sc 17, hdc 2, dc 2, ch 3, sl st to the 2nd dc, dc in the same stitch, dc 1, tr 2, dc 4, sc 16, ch 3, sl st to last sc, sc in the same stitch, sc 16.

Row 1 (left hindwing to the bottom of the abdomen) :

sc 10, ch 2, sl st to the last sc, sc in the same stitch, sc 3, hdc 2, dc 4, hdc 2, sc 13, ch 3, sl st to the last sc, sc in the same stitch, sc 3, hdc 2, dc 2, sc 4, dc 1.

Row 1 (right hindwing to the abdomen) :

dc 1, hdc 2, sc 4, ch 3, sl st to the last sc, sc in the same stitch, sc 12, hdc 2, dc 4, hdc 2, sc 4, ch 2, sl st to the last sc, sc in the same stitch, sc 11.

Row 1 (right forewing) :

sc 15, ch 3, sl st to the last sc, sc in the same stitch, sc 15, dc 4, tr 2, dc 2, ch 3, sl st to the last dc, dc in the same stitch, dc 1, hdc 2, sc 17, sl st and ch 1. (214)

Row 2 :

Sc 1, sc3tog, sc 8, hdc 5, dc 4, tr 3, dc 3, tr 5, dc 4, hdc 5, sc 14, then fold the butterflies into half, right sides in, and connect the lower part of the forewing and the top of the hindwing together by sc 11 and fasten it off. (Yellow part of the graph)

Info :

Attach the yarn to the 2nd ch of the top left corner of the left hindwing. ch 1, sc in the same stitch, sc 4, hdc 2, 2 dc inc, dc 9, hdc 9, hdc inc, hdc 7, hdc3tog, sl st 2, hdc3tog, hdc 7, hdc inc, hdc 9, dc 9, 2 dc inc, hdc 2, sc 5.

Info :

Again, connect 2 wings together by sc 11 and fasten off.

Info :

Attach the yarn to the 4th stitch counting from the right, after the ch 3, from the bottom of the right forewing. ch 1, sc in the same stitch, sc 13, hdc 5, dc 4, tr 5, dc 3, tr 3, dc 4, hdc 5, sc 8, sc3tog, sc 1, sl st and fasten off. (208)

Info :

You have now finished 1 butterfly. Make 2 in total. Iron the butterflies if neccessary.

— Border (continued) :

Info :

then fold the butterflies into half, right sides in, and connect the lower part of the forewing and the top of the hindwing together by sc 11 and fasten it off. (Yellow part of the graph)

Info :

Attach the yarn to the 2nd ch of the top left corner of the left hindwing. ch 1, sc in the same stitch, sc 4, hdc 2, 2 dc inc, dc 9, hdc 9, hdc inc, hdc 7, hdc3tog, sl st 2, hdc3tog, hdc 7, hdc inc, hdc 9, dc 9, 2 dc inc, hdc 2, sc 5.

Info :

Again, connect 2 wings together by sc 11 and fasten off.

Info :

Attach the yarn to the 4th stitch counting from the right, after the ch 3, from the bottom of the right forewing. ch 1, sc in the same stitch, sc 13, hdc 5, dc 4, tr 5, dc 3, tr 3, dc 4, hdc 5, sc 8, sc3tog, sc 1, sl st and fasten off. (208)

— Strap :

Info :

After finishing 2 butterflies, ch 8 (or till the desired width of the strap), sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, *sc across, ch 1 and TO*, repeat till you reach the desired length, including the border of the butterfly.

Info :

Then you may sc/ sl st/ sew the ends of the strap together, with wrong sides facing up.

Info :

Length of the strap should include part of the butterfly bag and the strap itself. First, crochet a long rectangle. Then, connect the ends of the strap together.

— Assembly :

Info :

Connect the strap and the butterflies by sc from the bottom centre of the abdomen, with right sides facing up.

Info :

After sc across the left side of the butterfly, continue to sc along the edge of the strap, then connect back to the top of the right wing, sc across till you reach the bottom of the abdomen again, sl st and fasten off. Repeat to connect both butterflies to the strap.

Info :

Start connecting from the bottom of abdomen. After, connecting one side of the bag, continue to sc along the edge of the strap.

Info :

You are done! Tag the designer in photos with your Butterfly Bag.

Assembly Instructions

  • Attach the strap and butterflies by single crocheting from the bottom centre of the abdomen with right sides facing up, working evenly so the wings are centered.
  • After single crocheting across the left side of a butterfly, continue to single crochet along the edge of the strap to secure the strap to the wing before connecting to the next wing.
  • When joining the forewing and hindwing together, fold each butterfly in half right sides in and connect the lower part of the forewing to the top of the hindwing by sc 11, then fasten off.
  • Sew or slip stitch the ends of the strap together with wrong sides facing up after you reach desired strap length; include the width of the butterfly border when measuring.
  • Make two identical butterflies, block or gently iron if necessary for cleaner edges, then position and pin both butterflies before final sewing to ensure symmetry.

Important Notes

  • 💡Crochet with your right side out for all parts, meaning the tail from the foundation row is on the left for consistency.
  • 💡Ch 1 counts as turning chain and Ch 3 counts as 1 dc; in all dc rows start from the 2nd stitch.
  • 💡Weave in the loose ends as work progresses to keep the inside of the bag neat and reduce finishing time.
  • 💡Use a lining if using soft yarn so the bag does not stretch too much; this will also protect contents and stabilize the shape.

Thank you for making the Butterfly Bag — I hope it brought a little handmade joy to your day. Try different colorways to make each bag unique and special. Share your finished photos and tag the designer so we can admire your beautiful work! 🦋🧶

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FAQs

What size will the finished bag be?

Size varies with yarn and hook: example measurements in the pattern include an orange butterfly sample at approx 10.5 inches width x 9 inches length with a 36 inch strap, and a blue sample approx 9.5 inches width x 10 inches length with a 30 inch strap.

What hook size should I use?

The pattern lists a 4.5 mm hook in the materials; some tester samples used a 3.5 mm hook. Use the hook recommended for your yarn weight and desired fabric drape.

Can I change yarn weight or colors?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights and colors, but this will alter the final size and drape. If you change weight, adjust hook size and consider adding a lining for structure.

Do I need to block the wings before assembly?

Blocking or lightly ironing the wings can help shape the edges and make joining easier, especially if your yarn is soft or the wings are slightly uneven.