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Delicate Butterfly Crochet Pattern

Delicate Butterfly Crochet Pattern
4.7★ Rating
6-8 Hours Time Needed
3.6K Made This
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Advanced Level

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

⏱️

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 Delicate Butterfly Crochet Pattern

Delicate Butterfly Crochet Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Each wing is carefully constructed with varying stitch heights from single crochet to double treble crochet, creating natural curves and organic shapes. The body features proper shaping with strategic increases and decreases for realistic proportions.

Why You'll Love This Delicate Butterfly Crochet Pattern

I absolutely love how this pattern transforms simple thread into something so delicate and lifelike! The cord technique was new to me, and I was amazed at how it gave the wings such beautiful dimension and prevented them from drooping. Working through the different stitch heights to create those organic wing shapes felt like sculpting rather than just crocheting. The satisfaction of completing each wing and seeing how they all come together is incredible. I especially love the tiny details like the curled antennae and the segmented body - they make this butterfly feel so realistic and special.

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

Switch Things Up

I love experimenting with this butterfly pattern to create unique variations! Try using variegated thread for an ombre effect across the wings - watching the colors transition naturally through the rows creates absolutely stunning results. I've also made mini versions using finer thread and a 0.4mm hook for delicate jewelry pieces and hair accessories.

For a bolder look, I sometimes work the small wings in a contrasting color to the large wings, creating a two-tone butterfly that really pops. Metallic thread mixed with regular thread gives gorgeous shimmer for special occasion decorations. I've even experimented with leaving the wings unassembled and using them as individual appliques on blankets, bags, and clothing.

Adding tiny beads to the wing edges during the final picot row creates extra sparkle and dimension. Another favorite modification is creating multiple butterflies in graduating sizes and arranging them in a shadow box frame for stunning wall art. The possibilities are truly endless with this versatile pattern!

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Forgetting to pull the cord tight enough during attachment rows results in loose, floppy wings that won't hold their shape properly ✗ Skipping the cord straightening step in row four causes permanent waviness that cannot be corrected in later rows ✗ Miscounting stitches between arches leads to uneven scalloped edges and asymmetrical wings that affect the overall butterfly appearance ✗ Not switching between back loops and front loops correctly when making the left wing creates identical wings instead of mirror images ✗ Stuffing the body too firmly makes it stiff and unnatural looking rather than having organic segmented appearance ✗ Pulling yarn too tightly when working treble and double treble crochet stitches causes wings to curl and lose their graceful shape

Delicate Butterfly Crochet Pattern

Create an enchanting decorative butterfly with intricate wing details and realistic structure using this comprehensive crochet pattern. This stunning butterfly features four distinct wings - two small and two large - each crafted with detailed stitch work and cord techniques for authentic dimension. Perfect for home décor, gift embellishments, or as a beautiful standalone piece, this pattern guides you through creating delicate lacy wings with scalloped edges and a charming segmented body complete with curled antennae.

Advanced 6-8 Hours

Materials Needed for Delicate Butterfly Crochet Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    DMC Babylo 20 crochet thread

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook 0.6mm
  • 02
    4-thread cord (minimum 65cm length for large wings)
  • 03
    Yarn needle for sewing
  • 04
    Scissors
  • 05
    Stuffing material (cotton fiber, polyester, or yarn scraps)
  • 06
    Pins for positioning pieces before assembly
  • 07
    Measuring tape

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Small Wing (Make 2):

Row 1:

10 ch, join into the ring

Row 2:

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

Row 3:

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

Row 4:

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

Row 5:

1 ch, turn. And work 56 sc in back loops

Row 6:

1 ch, turn. And work 56 sc in back loops

Row 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

Row 8:

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

Row 9:

Work 6 sc in each arch

Row 10:

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

Row 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:

Row 1:

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

Row 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

Row 3:

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

Row 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. (Later the waviness can NOT be correct)

Row 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

Row 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

Row 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

Row 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

Row 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

Row 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

Row 11:

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

Row 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)

Row 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

Row 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

Row 15:

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

Row 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)

Row 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

Row 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

Row 19:

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

Row 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)

Row 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

Row 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

Row 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

Row 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

Info:

Big left wing: Make as well as the right wing, with only two differences: Always SWITCH back loop to front loops and opposite (If the description says work on BACK loops you need work on FRONT loops. And opposite if the description says work on FRONT loops you need work on BACK loops). In those rows, where we have made arches, you LEAVE the cord before the work.

— Body of the Butterfly:

Round 1:

In amigurumi loop (or sliding loop) make 1 ch and 6 sc. 1 slst into the 1st sc to join. Pull up the yarn to tight the ring. Then always work in back loops

Round 2:

Work around 1 row - 6 sc

Round 3:

Then work in each loop: 2 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc. Total - 9 sc

Round 4:

Then work in each loop: *1 sc, 2 sc* - rep till the end. Total 13 sc

Round 5:

Work needed round rows on a spiral per 13 sc. During the work put a little filler inside (or put cotton fiber, or polyester, or just unneeded left threads)

Round 6:

Measure the body length. The head has to be just over the wings

Round 7:

Make decreasing: 1 unfinished sc, then 1 more unfinished sc, then all 3 loops on the hook tie up together; 1 sc into the next loop. Work this way till 3 loops are left on the hook. Now start increasing (for the head): make per 2 sc in each loop. Continue till 15 sc in the round. Make 15 sc in 1 more row. Then make decreasing: *2 unfinished sc work together*. Work this way till 1 loop is left on the hook

— Antennas:

Right Antenna:

20 ch, 1 slst into the 8th loop from the hook. Then work slst all around little ring anticlockwise. Then do down with slst till the head, 1 slst in the beginning of the antenna

Left Antenna:

20 ch, 1 slst into the 8th loop from the hook. Then work slst all around little ring clockwise. Then do down with slst till the head, 1 slst in the beginning of the antenna. The body of the butterfly is ready

— Assembly:

Final Step:

Sew all parts to the body of butterfly. Cut the yarn, hide the tails, and steam the motif. Ready

Assembly Instructions

  • Position the body in the center and arrange all four wings around it before sewing to ensure proper placement and symmetry
  • Attach the two small wings at the top of the body, positioning them slightly angled upward for a natural butterfly pose
  • Sew the two large wings at the bottom section of the body, ensuring they mirror each other perfectly for balanced appearance
  • Use the tail yarn left from each small wing to securely stitch them to the body using small invisible stitches
  • Make sure all wings are firmly attached at their base but still maintain their dimensional curved shape without flattening
  • Steam or block the completed butterfly gently to set the shape and enhance the delicate lacy appearance of the wings
  • Hide all yarn tails carefully within the body structure so they remain invisible from all viewing angles

Important Notes

  • 💡The cord must be straightened properly in row 4 of the large wings - this cannot be corrected later
  • 💡When working the left wing, remember to consistently switch back loops to front loops throughout the entire pattern
  • 💡Keep consistent tension when working with the cord to ensure both large wings have identical structure and shape
  • 💡Count your arches carefully in each row as the number varies and affects the final wing shape significantly
  • 💡Stuff the body lightly and gradually as you work - overstuffing will make it too rigid and unnatural looking
  • 💡Use blocking pins to shape the wings before final assembly to ensure they dry in the correct curved position

This exquisite butterfly pattern combines traditional crochet techniques with innovative cord construction to create a truly dimensional and lifelike decorative piece. The intricate wing details with their scalloped lacy edges and the carefully sculpted body with curled antennae make this butterfly perfect for special occasions, home décor, or as a treasured handmade gift. While advanced in technique, the clear step-by-step instructions guide you through each unique construction method. 🦋 Happy crocheting! ✨🧶

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FAQs

What is the cord used for in this pattern and can I skip it?

The cord is essential for giving the large wings structure and preventing them from drooping or losing their shape. It's woven through specific rows to create internal support. Skipping the cord will result in floppy wings that won't hold the beautiful curved form.

How do I make the left wing different from the right wing?

The left wing mirrors the right wing by switching all back loop instructions to front loops and vice versa throughout the pattern. Additionally, when creating arches, you leave the cord before the work instead of after. This creates a perfect mirror image.

Why does row 4 emphasize that waviness cannot be corrected later?

Row 4 is when you pull and straighten the cord to align the wing properly. If you don't straighten it completely at this stage, the cord sets in a wavy position within the stitches, and later rows lock it in place permanently, resulting in a misshapen wing.

How long should I make the body before starting the head increases?

The pattern instructs to measure so the head will sit just above where the wings attach. Work spiral rounds until the body is approximately 2-3 cm long, then begin the decreases and increases for the head shaping.

What's the best way to create even spaces between arches?

Count the total stitches available and divide by the number of arches needed. Mark these points with pins before starting the arch row. This ensures symmetrical spacing and prevents uneven scalloped edges on the wing borders.

Can I use regular yarn instead of DMC Babylo 20 thread?

You can substitute with any fine crochet thread of similar weight, but using thicker yarn will create a much larger, less delicate butterfly. If you choose thicker yarn, increase your hook size accordingly and use thicker cord for wing support.