This butterfly ornament is worked in fine cream cotton thread. It has two rounded upper wings, two smaller teardrop lower wings, and a slim beaded body with curled antennae. Each wing has a small flower near its base, open chain lattice, and a scalloped edge, and the upper wings carry a fan of treble rays.
It is made in one color, ivory or cream, so the texture does all the work. Hang it on a tree, tie it to a gift, or frame it. All instructions use US crochet terms.
The finished butterfly measures 4 in (10.2 cm) across and 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall. The antennae add 0.75 in (1.9 cm) above the head, and the hanging loop rises 2 in (5.1 cm) above that.
You make five pieces: two upper wings, two lower wings, and one body with antennae and hanging loop. The wings are worked in the round from a flower center, joined to the body, edged with scallops, and blocked.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 4 in (10.2 cm) wide x 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall, not counting antennae and loop
- Skill level: Intermediate (thread crochet)
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Size 10 cotton crochet thread (Lace, weight 0)
- Hook: 1.5 mm steel hook (US steel 8 in most brands)
- Number of pieces: 5 (2 upper wings, 2 lower wings, 1 body)
- Layout: Upper wings beside body segments 1–2; lower wings beside segments 3–4
- Upper wing size: 1.8 in (4.6 cm) wide x 1.75 in (4.4 cm) tall after border
- Lower wing size: 1.4 in (3.6 cm) wide x 1.6 in (4.1 cm) tall after border
- Size before border: upper wing 1.6 in (4.1 cm) x 1.55 in (3.9 cm); lower wing 1.2 in (3.0 cm) x 1.4 in (3.6 cm)
- Border depth: 0.1 in (0.3 cm) on each free edge
Materials
Use a mercerized cotton crochet thread in size 10. It holds stitch definition and takes blocking and starch well. Avoid fuzzy threads; the rays and lattice will blur.
- Cream / ivory, size 10 cotton thread: 6 g, about 32 m (35 yd) per butterfly
The quantity includes a margin of about 25% for your test wing, tails, and the hanging loop.
Tools:
- 1.5 mm steel crochet hook
- Fine tapestry needle
- Small scissors
- Foam blocking mat and rustproof pins
- Spray bottle with water
- Optional: spray starch
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- sk – skip
- st(s) – stitch(es)
Special stitch – Petal: (hdc, dc, hdc) all in the same stitch.
Special stitch – Scallop: (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) all in the same ch-4 loop. One Scallop = 7 sts.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge decides whether the wings fit the body. Make one upper wing first and check it before making the rest.
- Chain gauge: 10 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm)
- Upper wing flower after Round 2: 0.6 in (1.5 cm) across
- Upper wing after Round 4: 1.4 in (3.6 cm) wide x 1.35 in (3.4 cm) tall
- Upper wing after Round 5: 1.6 in (4.1 cm) wide x 1.55 in (3.9 cm) tall
- Lower wing flower after Round 2: 0.5 in (1.3 cm) across
- Lower wing after Round 5: 1.2 in (3.0 cm) wide x 1.4 in (3.6 cm) tall
- Body: 0.4 in (1.0 cm) wide x 1.9 in (4.8 cm) long
If your upper wing is more than 0.1 in (0.3 cm) too big after Round 5, change to a 1.25 mm hook. If it is too small, change to a 1.75 mm hook. Measure the wing pinned flat without stretching it.
Upper Wing (Make 2)
The upper wing starts with a six-petal flower. Uneven stitch groups in Round 4 create the rounded lobe and treble fan.
Ring: Ch 6, sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, 12 sc in ring, sl st in first sc. (12 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in next sc, Petal in next sc; repeat from * 5 more times, sl st in first sc. (6 sc + 6 Petals = 24 sts)
Checkpoint: the flower measures 0.6 in (1.5 cm) across.
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in same sc as join, ch 6, sk next Petal, sc in next sc; repeat from * 4 more times, ch 6, sk last Petal, sl st in first sc. (6 sc, 6 ch-6 loops)
Number the loops 1 to 6 in the order made. Loops 1 and 6 meet at the join; this side becomes the wing base.
Round 4 (shaping round): Sl st into loop 1. Work into each loop as follows, with no stitches in the sc between loops:
- Loop 1: (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) (7 sts)
- Loop 2: (sc, hdc, 5 dc, hdc, sc) (9 sts)
- Loop 3: 10 tr (10 sts)
- Loop 4: 10 tr (10 sts)
- Loop 5: (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) (7 sts)
- Loop 6: (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) (5 sts)
Sl st in first sc of loop 1. (7 + 9 + 10 + 10 + 7 + 5 = 48 sts)
The 20 trebles in loops 3 and 4 fan out into the sunburst rays at the top outer corner. The short groups in loops 6 and 1 keep the base narrow.
Checkpoint: 1.4 in (3.6 cm) wide x 1.35 in (3.4 cm) tall.
Round 5 (lattice): Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 4, sk 2 sts, sc in next st; repeat from * 14 more times, ch 4, sk last 2 sts, sl st in first sc. (16 sc, 16 ch-4 loops)
Check: the sc land on sts 1, 4, 7 … 46, and the last ch-4 skips sts 47 and 48. Number the ch-4 loops 1 to 16. Loops 16 and 1 sit on either side of the join at the wing base.
Checkpoint: 1.6 in (4.1 cm) wide x 1.55 in (3.9 cm) tall. Fasten off with a 4 in (10.2 cm) tail.
Lower Wing (Make 2)
The lower wing is a smaller teardrop with a five-petal flower and a gentle point.
Ring: Ch 5, sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, 10 sc in ring, sl st in first sc. (10 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in next sc, Petal in next sc; repeat from * 4 more times, sl st in first sc. (5 sc + 5 Petals = 20 sts)
Checkpoint: 0.5 in (1.3 cm) across.
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in same sc as join, ch 5, sk next Petal, sc in next sc; repeat from * 3 more times, ch 5, sk last Petal, sl st in first sc. (5 sc, 5 ch-5 loops)
Checkpoint: 0.8 in (2.0 cm) across.
Round 4 (shaping round): Sl st into loop 1, then work:
- Loop 1: (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) (5 sts)
- Loop 2: (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) (7 sts)
- Loop 3: (sc, hdc, 2 dc, tr, 2 dc, hdc, sc) (9 sts)
- Loop 4: (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) (7 sts)
- Loop 5: (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) (5 sts)
Sl st in first sc. (5 + 7 + 9 + 7 + 5 = 33 sts)
The single tr in loop 3 forms the teardrop point.
Checkpoint: 1.0 in (2.5 cm) wide x 1.2 in (3.0 cm) tall.
Round 5 (lattice): Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 4, sk 2 sts, sc in next st; repeat from * 9 more times, ch 4, sk last 2 sts, sl st in first sc. (11 sc, 11 ch-4 loops)
Check: the sc land on sts 1, 4, 7 … 31, and the last ch-4 skips sts 32 and 33. Loops 11 and 1 sit at the base.
Checkpoint: 1.2 in (3.0 cm) wide x 1.4 in (3.6 cm) tall. Fasten off with a 4 in (10.2 cm) tail.
Body with Antennae and Hanging Loop (Make 1)
The body is a column of small rings: one head plus six segments.
Head: Ch 5, sl st in first ch to form a ring. Ch 1, 10 sc in ring, sl st in first sc. (10 sc) Sc 1 is the top of the head. Sl st in each of next 5 sc to travel to the bottom (sc 6).
Segment (work 6 times): Ch 4, sl st in first of these ch to form a ring. Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, sl st in first sc. (6 sc) Sl st in each of next 3 sc to reach the bottom of the ring.
Each segment is about 0.25 in (0.6 cm). Number them 1 to 6 from the head down. Fasten off.
Checkpoint: 0.4 in (1.0 cm) wide x 1.9 in (4.8 cm) long.
First antenna: Join thread with sl st in sc 10 of the head. Ch 10, sl st in 4th ch from hook to form a small curl, sl st in each of next 6 ch, sl st in sc 10. (1 curl + 6 sl sts)
Hanging loop: Sl st in sc 1. Ch 40, sl st in sc 1 to close the loop. Sl st in each of the 40 ch to firm the loop into a cord. (40 sl sts) The loop rises 2 in (5.1 cm) above the head.
Second antenna: Sl st in sc 2. Work as the first antenna. Fasten off.
Checkpoint: each antenna stands 0.75 in (1.9 cm) above the head.
Make All Pieces
All pieces are cream:
- 2 upper wings (48 sts in Round 4, 16 ch-4 loops in Round 5)
- 2 lower wings (33 sts in Round 4, 11 ch-4 loops in Round 5)
- 1 body (head + 6 segments, antennae, and loop)
The lace is reversible. Turn one upper wing and one lower wing over so the fans and points mirror each other.
Layout (front view):
antenna loop antenna
[ head ]
[Upper wing L] [seg 1] [Upper wing R]
[Upper wing L] [seg 2] [Upper wing R]
[Lower wing L] [seg 3] [Lower wing R]
[Lower wing L] [seg 4] [Lower wing R]
[seg 5]
[seg 6]
Place each upper wing with its fan at the top outer corner. Place each lower wing with its point toward the bottom outer corner.
Joining
Each wing joins to the body at two points through its two base loops. Each wing loop joins to one body segment.
Upper wing: Insert hook through ch-4 loop 16 and the side sc of segment 1 (the sc halfway between its top and bottom). Sl st. Ch 2. Insert hook through ch-4 loop 1 and the side sc of segment 2, sl st. Fasten off.
Lower wing: Sl st through ch-4 loop 11 and the side sc of segment 3. Ch 2, then sl st through ch-4 loop 1 and the side sc of segment 4. Fasten off.
Repeat on the other side with the mirrored wings.
Tension: Keep the ch 2 between joins relaxed so the wing lies flat. If the wing cups toward the body, rework with ch 3.
Size checkpoint: Before the border, the butterfly measures 3.6 in (9.1 cm) wide (1.6 + 0.4 + 1.6 in). The lower wings tuck about 0.1 in (0.3 cm) behind the upper wings.
Border
The border is a row of Scallops along the free edge of each wing. Each row starts and ends beside the body.
Border gauge: One Scallop covers one ch-4 loop and measures 0.3 in (0.8 cm) along the edge. The border adds 0.1 in (0.3 cm) on each free edge.
Upper wing border: Join thread with sl st in ch-4 loop 2. Work 1 Scallop in each of loops 2 through 15, sl st in loop 15. Fasten off. (14 Scallops = 14 x 7 = 98 sts per upper wing)
Lower wing border: Join thread in ch-4 loop 2. Work 1 Scallop in each of loops 2 through 10, sl st in loop 10. Fasten off. (9 Scallops = 9 x 7 = 63 sts per lower wing)
Total border: 98 + 98 + 63 + 63 = 322 sts.
Why the math works: Each ch-4 loop spans 3 sts of Round 4, and the Scallop puts 7 sts over that span. The edge lies farther out than Round 4, so it needs extra length. The arch of each Scallop absorbs that length without ruffling. The base loops (16 and 1 on the upper wing, 11 and 1 on the lower) are already used for joining. That leaves 16 − 2 = 14 loops to edge on each upper wing and 11 − 2 = 9 on each lower wing.
Checkpoint: upper wings now measure 1.8 in (4.6 cm) wide and lower wings 1.4 in (3.6 cm). Total width: 1.8 + 0.4 + 1.8 = 4.0 in (10.2 cm). Total height: 1.75 + 1.6 − 0.1 = 3.25 in (8.3 cm).
Final Blocking
- Weave in all tails along the lattice chains.
- Spray the butterfly evenly until damp.
- Lay it on the mat right side up and pin the body straight.
- Pin the tip of every upper wing Scallop, keeping 4 in (10.2 cm) total width.
- Pin the lower wing Scallops, opening each ch-4 loop into a clear oval.
- Spread the treble rays into an even fan.
- Shape the antenna curls and straighten the hanging loop.
- Mist with spray starch if you want a crisp ornament.
- Let dry completely, at least 6 hours, before unpinning.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Upper wings: 48 sts in Round 4, 16 ch-4 loops in Round 5, 14 Scallops
- Lower wings: 33 sts in Round 4, 11 ch-4 loops in Round 5, 9 Scallops
- Wings mirror each other left to right
- Body has a head and 6 segments
- Both antennae have a closed curl
- Hanging loop is firm and centered
- Finished size is 4 in (10.2 cm) x 3.25 in (8.3 cm)
- No tails visible from the front
Troubleshooting
Treble fan ruffles. Tension is loose in Round 4. Use a smaller hook and re-block firmly.
Wing cups instead of lying flat. Round 3 chains are too short. Add 1 ch per loop.
Lattice loops look uneven. Each ch-4 must skip exactly 2 sts; recount.
Wings droop. Add a tacking stitch at the outer base corner, or use starch.
Body twists. Travel the full number of sl sts to the bottom of each ring before starting the next.
Antennae flop. Work the sl sts firmly and starch them lightly.
Care
Hand wash gently in cool water, roll in a towel, and re-block flat. Store flat or in tissue to protect the lace.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is simple. A 0.6 in (1.5 cm) flower grows to a 1.6 in (4.1 cm) upper wing, and a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) flower grows to a 1.2 in (3.0 cm) lower wing. The 0.4 in (1.0 cm) body joins them at four segments for 3.6 in (9.1 cm) of width. The 0.1 in (0.3 cm) Scallop border brings the butterfly to 4 in (10.2 cm) wide and 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall. Check each step, and your ornament will hang flat and balanced.
Happy crocheting!