Makes very large butterfly - a somewhat challenging pattern but worth the effort.
Use thinner yarn (do not use bulky yarn) and smaller hook so it's not too large
Pattern does not lend itself to multiple colors. You could make the round head, Row 1 and antenna out of a contrasting color. Variegated yarn adds interest but somewhat obscures the stitch pattern.
original pattern on https://crochetcrosiahome.blogspot.com but pattern below has clarifications to instructions.
TIPS: This is a great pattern that makes a very large butterfly, but it can be a bit challenging to follow the pattern. To help orient you, look at the above photo. There are 4 wing segments - the middle part of each wing is a diamond shape and there is ruffly edging on each side.
Notice the edging is made up of stitches that are always worked on top of each other (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc).
The diamond shaped segments are made up of dc and sc stitches that get wider then get narrow, connected by chain stitches to the edging.
You'll be working the main body with the head and the 4 wings, but then adding the pointy part of each wing one-by-one.
Understanding this basic layout will help you interpret and stay on track with the pattern.
Make sure your stitch count is correct in the very beginning -- you want 8 sets of stitches that will become your 4 pair of wings. If you notice your work is getting to full/ruffly, you've probably made a mistake with your stitches so go back and check the pattern. Your work should lay fairly flat.
HEAD & MAIN PART OF BODY
START
Chain 3; do not join.
Make 12 dc into the 1st chain (this will serve as your ring).
Pull starting yarn tight to close ring.
ROW 1
Ch3. *Ch 1, 1 dc**. Repeat * to ** 7 more times, leaving last 4 sts unworked. Turn.
NOTE: Check to make sure you have made 8 loops.
ROW 2
Ch4. In 1st loop, *2dc, ch1*. Repeat * to ** 6 more times. In last loop, 2 dc, ch 1, 1 dc. Turn.
NOTE: Check to make sure you've created 9 ch1 spaces - you'll work in these spaces in next row.
ROW 3
Ch3. In first ch1 space (1 dc, ch1, 2dc, ch1). In next ch1 space, (4 dc, ch1). *In next ch1 space (2 dc, ch1, 2dc, ch1). In next ch1 space (4 dc, ch1)**. Repeat * to ** 2 more times. Turn.
NOTE: Check to make sure you've created five 2 dc/ch1/2dc clusters (edging) and four 4dc clusters (wings).
ROW 4
Ch 3. In first opening, (1dc, ch1, 2dc, ch1). Then over the next cluster of 4 dcs you made in prior row, work 2 dc in each for a total of 8 dc. Ch 1. *Find the next 2 dc/ch1/2dc cluster and in the ch1 space, work (2dc, ch1, 2dc, ch1). Then over the next cluster of 4 dcs, work 2 dc in each for a total of 8 dc. Ch 1** Repeat * to **. At the end, work 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc. Turn.
NOTE: This establishes the pattern where you're always making the 2dc/ch1/2dc above the prior one, which makes the border/edging. The wing areas are where you're making the 4/8 dc stitches.
ROW 5
Repeat same as for Row 4, but over the 8 dc stitches work 1 dc in each st (do not work 2 dc stitches in each) -- so you'll end up with the same number of stitches in this row - no increases. Turn.
ROW 6
Ch3, (1dc, ch1, 2dc) in edging, ch 2, 7 sc over the 8 stitches, ch 2. *(2dc, ch1, 2 dc) in next edging, 7 sc over the 8 stitches, ch 2**. Repeat to end in (2dc, ch1, 2dc). Turn.
ROWS 7-8
Same as Row 6 but adjust as follows:
Row 7: 6 sc over the 7 stitches, ch3 between.
Row 8: 5 sc over the 6 stitches, ch 3 between.
This finishes the body portion - you're now going to work the tips of each wing separately.
FINISH TIPS OF WINGS
ROW 1
Continue where you ended but you'll be working only in the stitches for one wing portion at a time.
Ch3, (1dc, ch1, 2dc) in edging, ch 3. 4 sc over the 5 stitches, ch 3. (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in edging. Turn.
ROW 2
Ch3, (1dc, ch1, 2dc) in edging, ch3. 3 sc over the 4 stitches, ch 3. (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in edging. Turn.
ROW 3
Ch3, (1dc, ch1, 2dc) in edging, ch3. 2 sc over the 3 stitches, ch 3. (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in edging. Turn.
ROW 4
Ch3, (1dc, ch1, 2dc) in edging, ch 1, (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in edging. Slip st to join. Break off.
NEXT 3 WINGS
With right side facing, in adjoining wing section attach yarn into the righthand edging in the ch1 space inbetween.
Repeat Rows 1-4 above for each wing portion.
This will complete the pointy tip portions of each wing to complete the butterfly.
ANTENNAE
In the round head, you'll be making the antenna in the center of the unworked top stitches. In the 2nd stitch, attach yarn and ch 10. In 2nd ch from hook, make 1 sc and sc down the rest of the chains. Slip stitch into head to join. Slip into next stitch and repeat to make 2nd antenna.
You want to make antenna so they're in the center and they lay somewhat flat with no holes/gaps.
Finish off.
FINISHING
Weave in loose threads.
For extra decoration, you can join some long loose tails of yarn to the bottom 2 wings.
Comments