Crochet Butterfly Pattern

At yesterday's craft morning I taught the butterfly, everyone seemed to really enjoy it and so I thought I would write out a really clear pattern with photos for it, as I didn't manage to find a proper one online. Enjoy :)

You can use any yarn and needle you like. For this I have used a single ply merino wool and a 1.75 needle.

Abbreviations:
Chain (ch)
Double Crochet (dc)
Treble (tr)


This pattern is written using UK crochet terms. For US terms, replace tr with dc and dc with sc.


Start by making a magic circle or if you prefer you can join a chain of 6 to form a circle.

Round 1


All the following stitches are made into the center of the circle: *3tr, 2ch, 3tr, 2ch*.


Repeat from * to * 4 times so you end up with 8 groups of 3tr separated by 2ch.


Join with a slip stitch in the top of the first treble of round 1.

(NOTE that if you made your initial circle using 6 chains (not the magic circle) replace the first treble with 3 chains i.e. 3ch, 2tr for the first of the 8 groups. Continue with 3tr, 2ch for the following 7 groups. Join with a slip stitch in the top of the 3ch.)


Round 2:


3ch.


Then make (3tr, 2ch, 3tr) into the next 2ch gap (circled in red in the image above)


Make (3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in the following six 2ch gaps.


In the last gap make (3tr, 2ch, 2tr) and join with a slip stitch in the top of the 3ch – the 3ch you made at the beginning of the round, acts as a treble.


You should now have eight groups of (3tr, 2ch, 3tr).

Round 3:


8tr in the following 2ch (the peak of the 'petal') then a slip stitch into the next gap (the space between the two 'petals'). Repeat this all the way around until you have eight groups of 8tr.


Join with a slip stitch into the last space. Fasten off.


Sew in the yarn end that’s in the center of the circle.

Antennae:


Make a chain in the length that you’d like your antennae to be (remember it will be folded in half). Fasten off and sew in the ends. Fold it in the middle.


Fold the circle in the middle to create a butterfly shape.


Fold it so the remaining yarn end is at the bottom center of the butterfly. Use this yarn end to sew the butterfly together along the center.


With the same yarn sew your antennae so they are fastened in the center of the initial circle.


And you're done!

Attach a pin at the back of the butterfly to create a lovely summer brooch. You can also attach a hair pin, magnet or simply sew it onto to clothing cushions etc.

Variations:


Create multi coloured butterflies by making each/some of the rounds a different colour.


Use metal wire to make the antennae. Add beads to the ends.

Please contact let me know if you spot any mistakes or have any questions.

This pattern was not developed by me, I am not sure who first came up with it. I have written this version of the pattern out and photographed it myself.