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Butterfly Pattern

Butterfly Pattern
4.6★ Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
1.5K Made This
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Advanced Level

Designed for experienced crocheters, these patterns involve intricate designs and complex techniques to challenge and inspire.

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Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journey—perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

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Cozy Accent

A warm touch for your space that transforms ordinary corners into inviting nooks filled with handmade charm.

About This Butterfly Pattern

This pattern creates an elegant, lacy butterfly worked with fine thread to produce delicate wings and a corded structure. It includes both a small circular wing motif and a larger right wing with detailed arches and picot edging. The pattern uses photo steps and written instructions to help you follow each stage carefully.

Butterfly Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Designed for advanced crocheters, the pattern requires precision with back/front loop work and cord attachment. The finished butterfly makes a beautiful decorative accent or framed lace piece.

Why You'll Love This Butterfly Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it transforms simple thread into an intricate, sculptural butterfly full of movement. I enjoy the way the cord feeds through the stitches to create a beautifully dimensional wing edge. The combination of back-loop and front-loop work gives subtle texture that really elevates the piece. Working the tiny picot and arch details always feels rewarding and relaxing to me.

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

Switch Things Up

I love to switch colors when making this butterfly; try gradient threads for a fading wing effect or contrasting cord colors for a bold outline.

I also sometimes change thread weight and hook to make mini or large versions; using a thicker thread and larger hook gives a chunkier, more dramatic butterfly.

I often add tiny beads or sequins into the arches for a subtle sparkle—place them before closing each arch for secure attachment.

I recommend blocking and lightly stiffening the wings with diluted fabric stiffener or spray starch to keep the lace open and shaped beautifully.

I experiment with metallic threads or silk blends for a luxurious sheen; these change drape and shine, so test a small sample first.

I sometimes omit the cord and instead work extra front-loop stitches to create a softer, less corded edge for a different aesthetic.

For a whimsical look, add embroidered veins or a small crocheted body and antennae in a contrasting color and attach them centrally.

You can create a garland by making multiple butterflies and sewing them along a ribbon, or mount one in a small embroidery hoop as wall art.

Try combining this butterfly with floral crochet motifs to make a framed botanical scene for a special gift.

I encourage you to experiment with picot sizes and spacing along the edge to tune the waviness until you find the exact silhouette you love.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Working without a cord when the instructions require one leads to a floppy edge; attach and work over the 4-thread cord where indicated to keep wing shape and stability. ✗ Skipping back loop or front loop instructions will change the texture and fit of rows; follow 'back loops' and 'front loops' exactly to get the intended shaping. ✗ Using a larger hook or thicker thread will drastically change the finished size and tension; use the recommended 0.6mm hook with DMC Babylo 20 or adjust all counts and cord length accordingly. ✗ Not measuring the cord length can cause running out mid-row; prepare a minimum 65 cm cord as stated and leave extra to ensure you can attach and pull it when required.

Butterfly Pattern

Create a delicate lace butterfly using fine thread and a tiny hook. This pattern guides you through making small and large wings with corded structure for beautiful dimensional detail. Perfect for decorative applique, wall art, or framed lace projects. Follow the clear photo steps and written instructions to achieve a stunning result.

Advanced 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Butterfly Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    DMC Babylo 20 fine crochet thread (as shown on pattern) - color as desired
  • 02
    4-thread cord (cord has to be minimum 65 cm or longer) for wing structure and attachment

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook 0.6

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Small wing :

Round 1 :

10 ch, join into the ring.

Round 2 :

Work 21 sc, 1 slst into the 1st sc to join

Round 3 :

Then work around different crochets, and always make 1 ch between: 2 ch, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 4 tc, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc

Round 4 :

Work another round: *make 2 sc into the arch, 1 sc into the loop of PR* - rep till the end. Total 56 sc

Round 5 :

1 ch, turn And work 56 sc in back loops

Round 6 :

1 ch, turn And work 56 sc in back loops

Round 7 :

Turn. 3 ch, 3 dc in the same loop, then work: *1 ch, skip 2 loops, 4 dc in the next same loop* - rep till the end. 1 slst in the 3rd ch Total 19 rapport

Round 8 :

Then make arches: *1 sc in the 1ch of the PR, 5 ch* - rep till the end. 1 slst in the 1st arch

Round 9 :

Work 6 sc in each arch

Round 10 :

Work: *1 sc, 3 ch, 2 sc, 3 ch* - rep till the end

Round 11 :

Small wing is ready Cut the yarn, hide the 1st tail into the middle of motif, and leave the 2nd one to sew to the butterfly body.

— Big right wing :

Round 1 :

Work over the 4thread cord 43 sc (Cord has to be minimum 65 cm or longer)

Round 2 :

Turn and work without the cord in back loops only: 1 sc 1 hdc 1 dc 15 tc 5 dc 1 hdc 4 sc

Round 3 :

Turn and work: 1 ch 3 sc 2 hdc 17 dc 2 hdc 3 sc 1 sc over the cord

Round 4 :

Turn, attach the cord, and work together in back loop 21 sc (attaching the cord to the row) 1 sc over the cord only Pull the cord, straight the cord, make the wing align.

Round 5 :

Turn and work 12 sc with the cord (attaching the cord to wing) on front loops Then work 8 sc over the cord only

Round 6 :

Turn and work without the cord in back loops only: 1 ch 1 sc 1 hdc 1 dc 10 tc 5 dc 1 hdc 1 sc

Round 7 :

Turn and work: 1 ch 2 sc 3 hdc 4 dc 7 tc 1 dc 1 hdc 2 sc 1 sc over the cord only

Round 8 :

Turn and work 16 sc on back loops attaching the cord to the wing. Then leave the cord and make arches on the side of the wing. Try to measure even spaces between arches in every 3rd loop: 1 sc, 2 ch, 1 hdc, 2 ch *1sc, 2 ch* - rep 2 times 1 hdc, 2 ch 1 sc into the 3rd loop of the lower cord. Has to be 6 arches in total

Round 9 :

Turn and work 3 sc in each arch. Then 1 sc into the 1st loop of the wing Then grab the cord and work 11 sc on front loops and over the cord together (attaching the cord to the wing); and then work 13 sc over the cord only

Round 10 :

Turn and work without the cord on back loops only: 1 ch 1 sc 1 hdc 1 dc 13 tc 4 dc 1 hdc 1 sc

Round 11 :

Turn: 1 ch 2 sc 1 hdc 4 dc 10 tc 1 dc 1 hdc 3 sc 1 sc over the cord only

Round 12 :

Turn and work 14 sc on back loops attaching the cord to the wing. Then leave the cord and work without it: 1 sc, 2 ch *1 hdc, 2 ch* - rep 1 time *1 dc, 2 ch* - rep 7 times 1 hdc, 2 ch 1 sc into the 3rd loop of the lower cord (Make crochet on even distance from each other. Total 11 arches)

Round 13 :

Turn and work 3 sc in each arch. Then 1 sc into the 1st loop of the wing Then grab the cord and work 8 sc on front loops and over the cord together (attaching the cord to the wing); and then work 15 sc over the cord only

Round 14 :

Turn and work without the cord on back loops only: 1 ch 1 sc 1 hdc 1 dc 17 tc 7 dc 2 hdc 2 sc

Round 15 :

Turn: 1 ch 4 sc 3 hdc 4 dc 15 tc 2 dc 1 hdc 2 sc 1 sc over the cord only

Round 16 :

Turn and work 21 sc on back loops attaching the cord to the wing. Then leave the cord and work without it. Make arches: 1 sc, 2 ch *1 hdc, 2 ch* - rep 2 times *1 dc, 2 ch* - rep 9 times *1 hdc, 2 ch* - rep 1 time 1 sc into the last loop of the lower cord (Make crochet on even distance from each other. Total 15 arches)

Round 17 :

Turn and work 3 sc in each arch. Then 1 sc into the 1st loop of the wing Then grab the cord and work 16 sc on front loops and over the cord together (attaching the cord to the wing); and then work 11 sc over the cord only

Round 18 :

Turn and work without the cord on back loops only: 1 ch 1 sc 1 hdc 1 dc 16 tc 3 dc 4 hdc 1 sc

Round 19 :

Turn: 1 ch 2 sc 3 hdc 5 dc 13 tc 1 dc 1 hdc 2 sc 1 sc over the cord only

Round 20 :

Turn and work 26 sc on back loops attaching the cord to the wing. Then leave the cord and work without it. Make arches: 1 sc, 2 ch *1 dc, 2 ch* - rep 11 times In the end make 1 dc and 1 sc. (Total 13 arches)

Round 21 :

Turn and work 3 sc in each arch. Then 1 sc into the 1st loop of the wing Then grab the cord and work 24 sc on front loops and over the cord together (attaching the cord to the wing); and then work 1 sc over the cord only

Round 22 :

Turn and work sc till the end on back loops attaching the cord to the wing. Leave the cord and make 1 sc into the last loop The cord is NOT needed anymore

Round 23 :

Turn and work 1 slst into the 2nd loop, then work sc till the lower end of the wing on front loops. Note. On wing tops make additional 2 or 3 sc (on top edges we have made 1 sc over the cord only) On lower edges of the wing insert the hook between the vertical threads of cord loops

Round 24 :

Turn *3 ch, 1 dc into the 2nd loop, 3ch-picot, 3 ch, 1 dc into the 2nd loop* - rep all around the wing. Note. You can correct some waviness by skipping the more loops or working in each loop. Finish last arch approximately 0.5 cm till the end and work slst.

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew each small wing to the butterfly body using the second tail left from the small wing; hide the first tail inside the motif before sewing for a neat finish.
  • When attaching the big wings, align the corded center to the body and secure by sewing through the central rows where the cord was attached to anchor the wing firmly.
  • Pull and straighten the cord after attaching to make the wing align; adjust and pin the wing shape before securing with thread to maintain symmetry.
  • Add the picot edging around the big wing last, working evenly spaced picots; adjust waviness by skipping or adding loops as noted in the pattern before finishing.
  • Block the wings flat after finishing to open the lace and set the shape, using pins and a light starch or spray if desired for a crisp look.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use the specified crochet hook 0.6 and fine thread for the correct scale and detail of the lace butterfly.
  • 💡Prepare a 4-thread cord at least 65 cm long before starting the big wing to ensure you have ample length for attaching and pulling.
  • 💡Follow 'back loops' and 'front loops' directions precisely; switching loops changes texture and the way the cord integrates with the wing.

This lace Butterfly Pattern combines delicate stitchwork with corded structure to create an elegant decorative piece you can display or gift. The tiny picot edges and layered wings give a beautiful three-dimensional effect to your finished butterfly. Enjoy making and styling this intricate project—happy crocheting! 🦋🧶

You ask,

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

Size depends on thread and tension; using DMC Babylo 20 and a 0.6mm hook produces a finely detailed butterfly approximately similar to the photos—exact dimensions are not provided but expect a delicate, small-to-medium decorative piece.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

You can use different thread weights, but this will affect final scale and stitch counts; if changing weight, adjust hook size and ensure the cord length is proportionally longer for the big wing.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated advanced and uses fine thread with many back/front loop techniques and cord attachment, so experience with lace crochet and working small stitches is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters will spend 12-15 hours completing the butterfly due to the fine detail and careful cord work, though time may vary with experience and chosen thread.