A decorative green and gold beaded trim featuring hanging butterflies and tassels against a neutral linen background.

Emerald Flutter Butterfly Curtain Crochet Pattern

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The Emerald Flutter Butterfly Curtain is a hanging door or window curtain made of 25 crocheted butterflies on seven gold cords, under a green-and-gold lace valance. Small gold beads sit between the butterflies, and each cord ends in a larger bead and a gold tassel.

Each butterfly has a padded, ridged gold body, two antennae with ball tips, and four green fan-shaped wings. Green spokes run out from the body to a thick band of puff stitches, and a twisted gold crab-stitch edge outlines each wing. The palette is deep forest green and golden yellow.

This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished curtain measures 36.2 in (91.9 cm) wide by 72 in (182.9 cm) long. That length is the 6 in (15.2 cm) valance, the 60 in (152.4 cm) cord drop, and the 6 in (15.2 cm) tassels.

Construction is modular. You make the butterflies in parts, crochet the beads and cords, and wind the tassels. Then you work the valance flat in rows and attach everything to it.

Finished Size and Construction

  • Finished size: 36.2 in (91.9 cm) wide × 72 in (182.9 cm) long
  • Skill level: Intermediate
  • Terminology: US
  • Yarn weight: DK (#3) cotton
  • Hook: 3.5 mm (US E-4)
  • Number of pieces: 25 butterflies (each made of 2 upper wings, 2 lower wings, and 1 body), 7 cords, 38 small beads, 7 large beads, 7 tassels, 1 valance
  • Layout: 7 cords spaced 5 in (12.7 cm) apart; odd cords carry 4 butterflies, even cords carry 3, staggered
  • Piece size: each butterfly is 5 in (12.7 cm) wide × 4 in (10.2 cm) tall, and the antennae add 1 in (2.5 cm)
  • Size before valance: 30 in (76.2 cm) from the first cord to the last, with a 66 in (167.6 cm) drop including tassels
  • Valance (border) depth: 6 in (15.2 cm)

Materials

Use a smooth mercerized DK cotton. It shows the puff stitches clearly and won’t stretch under the weight of the strands.

  • Forest green: 250 g, about 600 m (wings, valance)
  • Golden yellow: 400 g, about 960 m (bodies, antennae, wing edges, cords, beads, tassels, valance accents)

These quantities include a margin of about 15%.

Tools:
– 3.5 mm (US E-4) hook
– Yarn needle
– Polyester fiberfill
– Stitch markers
– A piece of cardboard 6.5 in (16.5 cm) long, for the tassels
– Curtain rod up to 5/8 in (1.6 cm) in diameter
– Blocking mats, pins, and a spray bottle

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch: chain
  • sl st: slip stitch
  • sc: single crochet
  • sc2tog: single crochet 2 together
  • dc: double crochet
  • tr: treble crochet
  • dtr: double treble crochet
  • sk: skip
  • sp / lp: space / loop
  • BLO: back loop only
  • MR: magic ring
  • RS: right side

Puff stitch (puff): (Yo, insert hook in the stated place, yo, and pull up a loop to 0.5 in (1.3 cm)) 4 times, then yo and pull through all 9 loops on the hook.

Crab stitch (rev sc): Work from left to right. Insert the hook in the next stitch to the right, yo, pull up a loop, yo, and pull through both loops.

Gauge and Checkpoints

Gauge: 20 sc and 22 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm).

Make one complete butterfly first, and check it against these numbers:

  • Upper wing: 1.1 in (2.8 cm) after Row 2; 1.8 in (4.6 cm) after Row 4; 2.1 in (5.3 cm) after edging
  • Lower wing: 0.9 in (2.3 cm) after Row 2; 1.3 in (3.3 cm) after Row 4; 1.6 in (4.1 cm) after edging
  • Body: 2.75 in (7.0 cm) long
  • Assembled butterfly: 5 in × 4 in (12.7 × 10.2 cm)

If your butterfly is more than 0.25 in (0.6 cm) too large, change to a 3.25 mm hook. If it’s too small, change to a 3.75 mm hook. Keep the puff loops even, because loose puffs add width quickly.

A crocheted butterfly ornament with a golden body and antennae surrounded by green and gold looped wings.

Butterfly

Upper Wing (make 2 per butterfly, green)

Row 1: MR, ch 1, 7 sc in ring, then pull the ring closed. Turn. (7 sc)

Row 2: Ch 5 (counts as dtr), ch 3, dtr in next sc, ch 3 5 times, dtr in last sc. Turn. (7 dtr, 6 ch-3 sps)

Row 3: Ch 2 (does not count), puff in first dtr, ch 1, (puff, ch 1) twice in next ch-3 sp 6 times, puff in top of turning ch. Turn. (14 puffs, 13 ch-1 sps)

Row 4: Ch 2, puff in first ch-1 sp, ch 1, puff in next ch-1 sp 12 times. Fasten off. (13 puffs, 12 ch-1 sps)

The dtr stitches become the open spokes, and Rows 3–4 make the two-deep puff band.

Edging, Rnd 1 (conversion round): With RS facing, join gold in the first puff of Row 4. Work 3 sc in the first puff, sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in next puff 11 times, sc in next ch-1 sp, 3 sc in last puff. Work 9 sc evenly down the row ends (2 in Row 4, 2 in Row 3, 4 in Row 2, 1 in Row 1), 1 sc in the ring, and 9 sc up the other side. Sl st to the first sc.

Count: (13 puffs + 12 sps worked 1 each = 25) + 4 extra corner sc = 29 across the arc. Add 9 + 1 + 9 for the sides and ring, for 48 sc.

Edging, Rnd 2: Ch 1, rev sc in each sc around. Fasten off. (48 rev sc)

Lower Wing (make 2 per butterfly, green)

Row 1: MR, ch 1, 5 sc in ring, then close the ring. Turn. (5 sc)

Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as tr), ch 2, tr in next sc, ch 2 3 times, tr in last sc. Turn. (5 tr, 4 ch-2 sps)

Row 3: Ch 2, puff in first tr, ch 1, (puff, ch 1) twice in next ch-2 sp 4 times, puff in top of turning ch. Turn. (10 puffs, 9 ch-1 sps)

Row 4: Ch 2, puff in first ch-1 sp, ch 1, puff in next ch-1 sp 8 times. Fasten off. (9 puffs, 8 ch-1 sps)

Edging, Rnd 1: Join gold in the first puff. Work 3 sc in the first puff, sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in next puff 7 times, sc in next ch-1 sp, 3 sc in last puff. Work 8 sc down the row ends (2, 2, 3, 1), 1 sc in the ring, and 8 sc up the other side. Sl st to join.

Count: (9 puffs + 8 sps = 17) + 4 corner extras = 21, plus 8 + 1 + 8, for 38 sc.

Edging, Rnd 2: Ch 1, rev sc in each sc around. Fasten off. (38 rev sc)

Body (make 1 per butterfly, gold)

Work in continuous rounds and mark the first stitch of each round.

  • Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
  • Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st. (12)
  • Rnd 3: Sc in each st. (12)
  • Rnd 4: Sc2tog 6 times. (6) This makes the neck.
  • Rnd 5: Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st 3 times. (9)
  • Rnd 6: Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st 3 times. (12)
  • Rnds 7–12: Sc in each st. On Rnds 8, 10, and 12, work in BLO to make 3 segment ridges. (12 per round)

Stuff lightly.

  • Rnd 13: Sc in next st, sc2tog 4 times. (8)
  • Rnd 14: Sc in each st. (8)
  • Rnd 15: Sc2tog 4 times. (4)

Fasten off and close the opening. The body is 15 rounds, which at gauge makes 2.75 in (7.0 cm).

Antennae (make 2): Join gold at the top of the head, just left of center. Ch 15, work a 5-dc bobble in the 4th ch from the hook, ch 1, sl st in each of the next 11 ch, and sl st into the head. Fasten off. Repeat just right of center. Each antenna is 1 in (2.5 cm) long.

Assembling a Butterfly

Using gold, whipstitch the ring point and the first 3 side stitches of each wing under the edge of the body. Angle the upper wings up and out to meet at Rnd 6, and the lower wings down and out to meet at Rnd 11.

Beads, Cords, and Tassels

Small bead (gold, make 38): MR, 6 sc (6). Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (12). Rnd 3: sc around (12). Rnd 4: sc2tog 6 times (6). Stuff it, close it, and leave a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. The bead is 0.75 in (1.9 cm) across.

Large bead (gold, make 7): MR, 6 sc (6). Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (12). Rnd 3: sc, 2 sc in next 6 times (18). Rnds 4–5: sc around (18). Rnd 6: sc, sc2tog 6 times (12). Stuff it. Rnd 7: sc2tog 6 times (6). Leave the opening unclosed. The bead is 1.25 in (3.2 cm) across.

Cord (gold, make 7): Ch 485, then sl st in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (484 sl sts) The cord should measure 60.5 in (153.7 cm). The top 0.5 in (1.3 cm) hides behind the valance, which leaves a 60 in (152.4 cm) drop.

Tassel (gold, make 7): Wrap yarn 30 times around the 6.5 in (16.5 cm) cardboard. Tie the top and cut the bottom loops. Wrap the neck 0.75 in (1.9 cm) below the top, and trim the tassel to 6 in (15.2 cm).

Make All Pieces

  • Green: 50 upper wings, 50 lower wings, and the green valance rows
  • Gold: 25 bodies with antennae, the edging on all 100 wings, 7 cords, 38 small beads, 7 large beads, 7 tassels, and the valance accents

Layout grid (distances are measured down from the bottom edge of the valance; B = butterfly center, o = small bead):

Inches  C1  C2  C3  C4  C5  C6  C7
  1     o   o   o   o   o   o   o
  8     B   o   B   o   B   o   B
 15     o   B   o   B   o   B   o
 22     B   o   B   o   B   o   B
 29     o   B   o   B   o   B   o
 36     B   o   B   o   B   o   B
 43     o   B   o   B   o   B   o
 50     B   o   B   o   B   o   B
 57     o   o   o   o   o   o   o
 60     large bead + tassel

In centimeters, the rows sit at 2.5, 20.3, 38.1, 55.9, 73.7, 91.4, 109.2, 127.0, 144.8, and 152.4 cm.

Odd cords carry 4 butterflies and 5 beads. Even cords carry 3 butterflies and 6 beads. Totals: 4 × 4 + 3 × 3 = 25 butterflies, and 4 × 5 + 3 × 6 = 38 small beads.

Joining

Mark the grid positions on each cord, measuring from 0.5 in (1.3 cm) below the cord’s top end. On the same cord, butterflies sit 14 in (35.6 cm) apart. Neighboring cords alternate, so the wings never overlap.

Butterflies: Center the back of the body on the cord, with the head toward the top. Using gold, whipstitch through each BLO ridge and through Rnd 6 into the cord. Tack the head once as well.

Small beads: Use the tail to sew through the bead and the cord 3 times, then bury the tail inside the bead.

Bottom finish: Push the last 1.25 in (3.2 cm) of cord into the open large bead, then cinch the 6-stitch opening closed around the cord. Sew the tassel’s tie strands up through the bead and into the cord.

Tension: Keep the stitches snug but don’t bunch the cord. A puckered cord makes the strand shorter.

Checkpoint: Each strand should measure 66 in (167.6 cm) from the valance edge to the tip of the tassel.

Border: Lace Valance

Border gauge: 5 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm), and 4 lattice rows = 2.2 in (5.6 cm).

Row 1 (green): Ch 182, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. (181 sc)

Rows 2–12 (green): Ch 1, sc in each st. Turn. (181 sc per row) These 12 rows measure 2.2 in (5.6 cm) and become the rod pocket.

Row 13 (gold): Ch 1, sc across. Turn. (181 sc)

Row 14 (green): Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 5, sk 3, sc in next sc 45 times. Turn. (46 sc, 45 ch-5 lps)

Row 15: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), sc in first lp, ch 5, sc in next lp 44 times, ch 2, dc in last sc. Turn. (45 sc, 44 lps, 2 half lps)

Row 16: Ch 1, sc in dc, ch 5, sc in next lp 44 times, ch 5, sc in 3rd ch of turning ch. Turn. (46 sc, 45 lps)

Rows 17–20: Repeat Rows 15–16 twice. The 7 lattice rows measure 3.85 in (9.8 cm).

Row 21 (gold, conversion row): Ch 1, sc in first sc, 3 sc in next lp, sc in next sc 45 times. Turn. Count: 46 sc worked 1 per sc + (45 lps × 3 = 135) = 181 sc.

Row 22 (green): Ch 1, sc across. Turn. (181 sc)

Row 23 (gold, shell trim): Ch 1, sc in first sc, sk 1, 5 dc in next, sk 1, sc in next 45 times. Fasten off. Count: 1 + 45 × 4 sts = 181, giving 45 shells.

Why the math works: At 5 sts per inch, 181 sts make 36.2 in (91.9 cm). Because 181 = 4 × 45 + 1, the lattice, the conversion row, and the shell trim all come out even with no leftover stitches.

The depth adds up as follows:

  • Folded rod pocket: 1.1 in (2.8 cm)
  • Row 13: 0.18 in (0.5 cm)
  • Lattice: 3.85 in (9.8 cm)
  • Rows 21–22: 0.36 in (0.9 cm)
  • Shells: 0.5 in (1.3 cm)

That makes a total of about 6 in (15.2 cm).

Rod pocket: Fold Row 1 to the back of Row 12 and whipstitch it in place.

Attaching the cords: Sew the top 0.5 in (1.3 cm) of each cord behind Rows 22–23 at stitches 16, 41, 66, 91, 116, 141, and 166. The cords end up 25 sts (5 in, 12.7 cm) apart. The first and last cords sit 3.1 in (7.9 cm) from the edges, and stitch 91 is the exact center.

Final Blocking

  1. Before assembly, pin each butterfly to 5 × 4 in (12.7 × 10.2 cm) with the spokes spread evenly.
  2. Mist the butterflies and let them dry fully.
  3. Pin the valance to 36.2 × 6 in (91.9 × 15.2 cm), opening every loop and fanning each shell.
  4. Mist the valance and let it dry.
  5. Hang the curtain and lightly mist the cords so they straighten under their own weight.
  6. Comb the tassels with damp fingers and trim them level at 6 in (15.2 cm).

Final Quality-Control Checklist

  • 25 butterflies, each 5 × 4 in (12.7 × 10.2 cm)
  • 48 edge sts on every upper wing and 38 on every lower wing
  • Every body has 3 ridges and 2 antennae
  • 38 small beads and 7 large beads, firmly attached
  • 7 cords, each with a 60 in (152.4 cm) drop
  • Valance is 181 sts with 45 shells
  • Overall size is 36.2 × 72 in (91.9 × 182.9 cm)

Troubleshooting

  • Wings cup: The puff loops are too tall. Shorten them, or re-block the wings flat.
  • Wings ruffle: Redo the crab-stitch round more firmly.
  • Spokes sag: Snug each dtr before working the yarn-overs.
  • Cords are uneven: Place markers every 50 chains and recount.
  • Butterflies twist: Add a second anchor at the tail.
  • Valance is too wide: Rework it with a smaller hook. Don’t remove repeats, because that breaks the 4 + 1 math.

Care

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, roll the curtain in a towel to remove water, and dry it flat. Re-block the butterflies and tassels if they lose their shape.

A decorative beaded curtain with green and gold embroidered butterflies hanging in a wooden door frame.

Final Notes

The measurements build on each other. Wings of 2.1 in (5.3 cm) and 1.6 in (4.1 cm) make 5 × 4 in (12.7 × 10.2 cm) butterflies. These sit 14 in (35.6 cm) apart on 60 in (152.4 cm) cords spaced 5 in (12.7 cm) apart. A 181-stitch, 6 in (15.2 cm) valance holds the cords, and 6 in (15.2 cm) tassels finish them, for a 36.2 × 72 in (91.9 × 182.9 cm) curtain. Check each stage as you go and the curtain will come out at the planned size.

Happy crocheting!

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