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Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern

Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern
4.6★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
4.2K 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 Crochet Pattern

This pattern creates a decorative Butterfly Bag composed of two crocheted butterfly motifs joined together with a border and a long strap. You will work the motifs in rows and rounds, using color changes to create layered wing details. Techniques include dc, tr, increasing and joining sections to form the bag shape.

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

Includes full stitch instructions, color-changing tips and a border diagram to finish the bag. Perfect for makers who enjoy motifs and shaping to create wearable art.

Why You'll Love This Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it transforms simple stitch work into a striking, wearable butterfly design. I enjoy how the color changes let you play with gradients and accents to make each bag unique. The construction — two mirrored butterflies joined and bordered — is clever and satisfying to sew together. Making the strap and joining everything is a great way to practice finishing techniques and create a polished, gift-ready piece.

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

Switch Things Up

I love how easily you can customize this bag by changing the color palette; I often swap the purples for earth tones or bright rainbow stripes to suit my wardrobe.

I sometimes make the bag smaller or larger by using a different yarn weight and a correspondingly larger or smaller hook; a bulkier yarn makes a chunky, statement bag while thinner yarn creates a delicate mini version.

I like to add embroidered accents or small crochet flowers to the wings for a more personalized look; these simple additions can transform the mood of the design instantly.

Try different border stitches for texture — single crochet gives a neat edge while a row of puff stitches or shells creates a decorative frame.

I often line the bag with cotton fabric for durability and to prevent stretching; you can sew in a pocket for keys and phone to make it more practical.

For a crossbody style, lengthen the strap and use a soft yarn for comfort; for a shoulder bag, keep the strap shorter and firmer for stability.

I sometimes use metallic or variegated yarns in the outer wing rows to add subtle shimmer or movement to the color transitions.

You can experiment with different joining methods — mattress stitch gives an invisible seam, while single crochet joining offers a decorative ridge that matches the border.

To make it more playful, I convert the bag into a backpack by adding two straps and reinforcing the joins with extra stitching for strength.

If you prefer a stiffer bag, I will sometimes insert interfacing behind the lining or add a cardboard base covered in fabric for structure — this keeps the butterfly shape crisp and wearable.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the right-side facing convention will flip your motifs and make assembly confusing; always crochet with the right side out so tails and attachment points match the instructions. ✗ Changing colors incorrectly can leave long floats and bulk; stop before the last two loops and pull the new yarn through to change colors cleanly as instructed. ✗ Not counting stitches at the end of rows results in mismatched wing shapes; count the stitch totals shown at the end of each row and correct errors immediately. ✗ Forgetting to weave in ends as you go creates a messy finish and a lot of work later; weave in ends progressively and secure color changes to avoid loose tails.

Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern

Make a charming Butterfly Bag that doubles as a stylish accessory and a fun crochet project. This pattern guides you through creating two butterfly motifs, adding a durable border and strap, and assembling everything into a wearable bag. Clear instructions, color-change tips and diagrams help you achieve a polished finish for gifting or everyday use.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Acrylic/Cotton mixed yarn, medium weight (size 4) - pictured bag used approx 166g acrylic for wings and 330g cotton for border & strap
  • 02
    Light purple (yarn-1) - small amount for wing inner panels
  • 03
    Medium purple (yarn-2) - small amount for wing mid panels
  • 04
    Dark purple (yarn-3) - small amount for wing outer mid panels
  • 05
    Blue (yarn-4) - small amount for wing outer panels
  • 06
    White (yarn-5) - small amount for small accent spots
  • 07
    Red Heart worsted weight (#4) - example used approx 310g with 3.5 mm hook (alternate sample)
  • 08
    Tester yarn example: all acrylic weight 4 (black - big twist; greens - loops and threads) approx 406g

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 4.5 mm (recommended)
  • 02
    Crochet hook size 3.5 mm (used by some testers)
  • 03
    Yarn needle for sewing and weaving ends
  • 04
    Scissors
  • 05
    Stitch markers (optional)
  • 06
    Measuring tape (optional)
  • 07
    Iron for blocking/pressing motifs if desired
  • 08
    Pins for assembly (optional)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Abdomen :

Info :

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) :

Info :

Graph of the butterfly. 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)

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 left forewing. Let's work on the right forewing.

— Forewings (Right) :

Info :

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. (16)

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)

Info :

You have finished the right forewing.

— Hindwings (Left) :

Info :

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) :

Info :

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 :

Info :

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)

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)

Border Section :

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

Border Section :

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 necessary.

— 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.

— Assembly :

Info :

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

Info :

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

Assembly Instructions

  • Attach the strap to the bottom center of the abdomen by single crocheting across the abdomen bottom, aligning the strap edge with the wing edges and working right sides facing up.
  • After securing the left side, continue single crocheting along the edge of the strap to the top of the right wing, then sc across back to the bottom centre and slip stitch to fasten off.
  • Fold the butterflies right sides in and connect the lower part of each forewing to the top of its hindwing by single crocheting 11 sts to join those sections, then fasten off.
  • When joining two butterflies together to form the bag, pin or align both motifs carefully so the wings mirror each other and sew or sc join through corresponding border stitches for a neat seam.

Important Notes

  • 💡Crochet with your right side out for all parts; the tail from the foundation row should be on the left for consistent shaping.
  • 💡Ch1 counts as a turning chain and Ch3 counts as 1 dc; in all dc rows start from the 2nd stitch as instructed.
  • 💡Weave in loose ends as the work progresses to keep the motifs tidy and easier to assemble later.
  • 💡You can add a fabric lining if using soft yarn so the bag does not stretch too much when worn.

This Butterfly Bag pattern turns colorful motifs into a wearable statement piece you can be proud of. Create two mirrored butterflies, join them with a bold border and add a sturdy strap for everyday use. Whether you pick pastel gradients or bright contrasts, your finished bag will be unique and eye-catching. 🦋🧶

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FAQs

What size will the finished bag be?

Size varies by yarn and hook; sample dimensions shown in the pattern are roughly 9–10.5 inches width and 9–10 inches height for the butterfly motifs, with strap length adjustable to preference.

Can I use a different yarn weight?

Yes, but changing yarn weight will change the finished size; adjust your hook and expect to alter strap length and yarn quantities accordingly.

Do I need to block the butterflies before assembly?

Blocking or lightly ironing (following yarn instructions) can help flatten motifs for neater joining, but it is optional based on yarn type and desired finish.

Is this pattern suitable for beginners?

This pattern is rated intermediate due to shaping, color changes and joining; basic knowledge of dc, tr and increases is recommended for best results.