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Butterfly Pattern

Butterfly Pattern
4.2★ Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
3.5K Made This
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Advanced Level

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

⏱️

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 a delicate crochet butterfly in Irish-lace style using fine thread and precise stitches. It includes a full small wing motif and step-by-step instructions for the larger right wing, with guidance for finishing and attaching pieces. The finished butterfly makes an elegant decoration for home or gifts and showcases beautiful textured arches and picots.

Butterfly Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Techniques include working over a multi-thread cord, back-loop-only shaping, attaching cords to rows, and decorative picot edging. Clear step photos and row-by-row instructions help you follow along.

Why You'll Love This Butterfly Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines classic lace motifs with modern shaping techniques to create a truly elegant butterfly. I enjoy the precision required when working over the cord — it gives the wings a structured, sculpted look I find very satisfying. The repeating arch sequences and picot edges are so rewarding, and each completed wing feels like a little triumph. I designed the steps to be clear and photo-assisted so you can recreate the intricate look with confidence.

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 suggesting ways to customize this butterfly to make it your own.

I often change thread color to create two-toned wings: work the body in a contrasting shade and the wings in a gradient or ombre set of threads.

Make the butterfly larger or smaller by switching thread weight and hook size — bulky thread with a larger hook creates a bolder statement piece, while finer thread produces a delicate ornament.

I sometimes add a light bead or sequin into the wing arches for a little sparkle; sew them sparingly so the lace remains the focus.

You can embroider small vein details on the wing surface after blocking for an extra level of realism and texture.

Try shaping the antennas from wire wrapped with thread or crochet a tiny cord for a soft antenna effect that matches the body color.

For wall art, stitch the finished butterfly to a fabric-covered stretched canvas and frame it for a lasting display piece.

If you want a wearable brooch, stiffen the wings lightly and attach a brooch pin to the back of the body, making sure to hide stitches and tails.

Make a set of smaller butterflies in pastel shades to use as appliques on baby blankets or as gift embellishments.

I encourage experimenting with picot sizes and arch spacing to change the wing silhouette — keep notes of what you try so you can reproduce variations later.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the cord attachment step can cause the wing to lose its defined edge; always attach the multi-thread cord where instructed and work the specified stitches over the cord to maintain shape. ✗ Working into the wrong loop (front vs back loop) will distort the ribbing and arches; pay attention to instructions that say 'back loops only' or 'front loops' and mark the row edges if needed. ✗ Neglecting to measure and prepare the cord length leads to running out mid-row; prepare a cord of at least the recommended length (minimum 65 cm) before starting the cord-based rows. ✗ Pulling stitches too tightly when working arches or picots creates uneven waviness; maintain consistent, slightly loose tension for lacy arches and block the finished wing gently to shape. ✗ Not hiding or securing tails as suggested can make sewing the motifs messy; hide the first tail into the middle of the motif and leave the second tail for sewing to the body, as instructed.

Butterfly Pattern

Make a delicate lace butterfly using fine crochet thread and small hooks. This pattern guides you through the small motif wing and a detailed larger right wing to build a beautiful decorative butterfly. Perfect for advanced crocheters who love intricate Irish-style lace work and shaping. Use DMC Babylo 20 and a 0.6mm hook for crisp, defined stitches.

Advanced 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Butterfly Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    DMC Babylo 20 (size 20 cotton thread) - main yarn used; quantity depends on size and number of butterflies
  • 02
    Four-thread cord (cord for structural row) - minimum 65 cm or longer for the big wing cord

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook 0.6 mm
  • 02
    Scissors
  • 03
    Yarn needle for sewing and hiding tails
  • 04
    Pins for blocking
  • 05
    Blocking board and starch/spray (optional)
  • 06
    Ruler or tape measure for cord length (minimum 65 cm)
  • 07
    Small crochet hook or needle for cord insertion (optional)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Crochet Symbols :

Info :

Crochet symbols reference shown in chart (chain, turning chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, treble, double treble, picot, mirror/reverse symbols and others are used in charts).

— Abbreviation :

Info :

slst – slip stitch. sc – single crochet. ch – chain. dc – double crochet. tc – treble crochet. dtc – double treble crochet. PR – previous row. rep – repeat.

— 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, 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 1 ch 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 to 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, *1 sc, 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, 3 ch-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

  • Attach each small wing to the butterfly body using the second tail left on the small wing; position the small wings symmetrically and sew securely using a yarn needle and matching thread.
  • Sew the big wings to the body by aligning the inner cord-attached edge to the body center; use the longer tail left from the cord-attachment rows to anchor and disguise the stitching.
  • Hide and weave in all tails: tuck the first tail of each small motif into the center of the motif and weave remaining tails into the body seams to finish cleanly.
  • Block each wing flat and shape gently with pins before final assembly; steam or spray starch lightly if needed to set edges and picot points.

Important Notes

  • 💡Prepare the four-thread cord in advance and ensure it is at least the minimum recommended length (65 cm) before beginning cord-attached rows.
  • 💡Follow loop instructions exactly (front loops only or back loops only) to achieve the intended ribbing and shaped profile of the wings.
  • 💡Block each wing after finishing to open arches and picots; pin to shape and let dry fully for best presentation.
  • 💡Keep stitch tension consistent and avoid pulling arches too tight to prevent unwanted waviness in the final wing edges.

This elegant lace butterfly pattern brings delicate, handcrafted charm to your home decor and handmade gifts. It combines structured cord work with airy arches and picot details for a truly timeless piece. Display it as wall decor, attach it to linens, or gift it to someone special. 🦋✨

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished butterfly size depends on thread tension and blocking, but using DMC Babylo 20 and the recommended hook you can expect a delicate lace butterfly approximately 20-25 cm across (estimate).

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, but changing yarn weight will significantly change size and proportion; if using a heavier thread, experiment with a larger hook and adjust cord length and arch spacing accordingly.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated advanced and uses shaping, working over a cord, and precise front/back loop work, so experience with intermediate-to-advanced crochet techniques is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most dedicated crocheters will spend around 12-15 hours completing both wings and finishing, though time will vary based on experience and finishing techniques.