This is a free crochet tutorial for making a cute little crochet butterfly in just one round. It’s so easy and very quick to make and includes step-by-step photos to help you.
These sweet little butterflies are such pretty little things to make. You can use them as a crochet applique on cards or pictures, as well as a beautiful embellishment on a variety of crochet projects. The small and medium size is perfect for jewellery. For a gorgeous and easy to make bracelet using this crochet butterfly pattern, see my Butterfly Bracelet pattern.
The pattern uses US crochet terminology with UK shown within () in the abbreviations.
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Recommended Yarn
Depending on how big you want your crochet butterfly to be, you can use any yarn. Making crochet butterflies is a great way to use up scraps because they only use a very small amount of yarn.
Mercerized cotton is easy to work with and will result in a firm feeling butterfly. Softer cottons and acrylics or blends will result in a softer butterfly.
Yarns that don’t easily split are better to work with. However if your yarn is quite splitty, try using a bigger hook size. For more tips see How to Crochet with Splitty Yarn.
I raided my scraps and made 4 different sizes just by switching yarn and hook size:
Small: #2 weight 4 ply (Fingering weight) mercerized cotton and DK weight cotton with C-3mm hook. Yarn used: Light Purple – King Cole Giza. (firm feeling butterfly). Light orange – Rico Essentials DK. Both are the same size. I love the softness of Rico Essentials and it made a lovely soft feeling butterfly, but it is annoyingly splitty to work with!
Medium: #3 weight DK acrylic with E-3.5mm hook. Yarn used: Green – King Cole Cherished DK. This made a great size and softness for an applique for clothing etc.
Large: #4 worsted weight acrylic with G-4.5mm hook. Pink Speckles – Caron Simply Soft Speckle. Also made a good size and softness for a slightly bigger applique.
Extra Large: #4 worsted weight cotton with H-5mm hook. Yarn used: Dark purple and Yellow – Drops Paris. It’s very similar to Yarn and Colors Epic. Quite firm feeling and makes a really good size for a keychain or adding to a wallhanging/mobile.
NOTE ON SELLING ITEMS AND COPYRIGHT: The pattern and all images are Copyright Janferie MacKintosh, all rights reserved. You may not copy any part of this pattern or use photos without permission. You may sell finished items (handmade in small quantities by you). Design credit is appreciated (tag on social media or link to this post). Thank you.
For an easy printable ad-free version, complete with photos, you may purchase the low-cost PDF (US Terms with UK in abbreviations) below:
Hook & Other Materials
SMALL: C-3mm crochet hook
MEDIUM: E-3.5mm crochet hook
LARGE: G-4.5mm crochet hook
EXTRA LARGE: H-5mm crochet hook
Sharp scissors
Sizes/Finished Measurements
SMALL: 0.8″ (2cm)
MEDIUM: 1″ (2.5cm)
LARGE: 1.2″ (3cm)
EXTRA LARGE: 1.4″ (3.5cm)
Skill Level
EASY/ADVANCED BEGINNER: knowledge of basic stitches of chain, slip stitch, half double crochet and double crochet plus how to do a magic ring/circle is needed. All stitches are worked into the magic ring/circle, which can be fiddly for a beginner.
Abbreviations
St (s) – Stitch(es) | Sl st – Slip stitch | Ch – Chain | Dc – Double crochet (UK: Tr – Treble) | Hdc – Half double crochet (UK: Htr – Half treble)
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If you love crochet jewellery, you’ll also love my Spring Blossom Bracelet and matching necklace, both also free patterns. Or check out all my patterns (I have a great mix to get your creativity going).
I would love to see your gorgeous Butterfly. If you use Ravelry, please add this pattern to your favourites and show it off in a project too. I’d love to share it on social media. You can tag me @thecraftytherapist, use the hashtag #thecraftytherapist and or tag my page on Facebook @thecraftytherapy.
Notes
- Starting ch-1 of round counts as a stitch.
- Stitch count is shown in bold at the end of the round.
- Firmly pull the starting tail to close it fully.
Gauge
Not crucial for this project.
Instructions to make a Crochet Butterfly
Instructions are the same for all sizes.
Round 1: Make a magic ring/circle, ch 1, make all the stitches into the magic ring/crcle: sl st, 3 dc, *sl st, ch 1, sl st, 3 hdc*, repeat * to * once more, sl st, ch 1, sl st, 3 dc, sl st. No need to join. Pull magic ring/circle tightly closed and fasten off. 24
Weave in ends.
Crochet Butterfly Photo Tutorial
If you prefer a visual aid, please follow the instructions by photo number 01 – 12 below.
01: magic ring/circle, ch 1 02: sl st 03: 3 dc
04: sl st, ch 1, sl st 05: 3 hdc 06: sl st, ch 1, sl st
07: 3 hdc 08: sl st, ch 1, sl st 09: 3 dc
10: sl st 11: Close magic ring/circle, fasten off yarn 12: Butterfly complete, weave in ends
I hope you enjoy the pattern and find it easy. If you any problems at all, please get in touch with me so I can help.
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Thanks so much x