Learn how to crochet a beautiful butterfly with this free Rufflewing Butterfly crochet pattern – quick, easy, and perfect for beginners. Using only basic stitches, you’ll create a lightweight butterfly appliqué that’s ideal for decorating accessories, garments, or home décor. This step-by-step tutorial is a fun way to use up yarn scraps and add a handmade touch to your next crochet project.
Special thanks to my testers: Cheryl Freeman, Becky Hummel
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This pattern and photographs are the property of K.A.M.E. Crochet by Krisztina Anna Edomer and are for personal and non-commercial use. You may not alter or sell this pattern in any way. You may sell finished products, but please credit K.A.M.E. Crochet if you can. Thank you!
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Difficulty: Advanced Beginner
Finished Size: 8 cm/ 3” on widest point
Materials needed:
- 3 mm (5/0) size hook
- Hobbii Friends Cotton 8/4 in White (01) C1: 1 gram (4 metres/4.5 yards)
- Friends Cotton 8/4 Print in Pastel Rainbow (24) C2: 4 grams (13 metres/15 yards)
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional)
Stitches used and Abbreviations:
MR = magic ring
CH = chain
ST/STS = stitch/stitches
SLST = slip stitch
DC = double crochet
Beg3DCCL = beginning 3 double crochet cluster
2DCCL = 2 double crochet cluster
3DCCL = 3 double crochet cluster
Picot ST = picot stitch
{ } =indicates how many stitches go into the same stitch or used to repeat a small set of instructions between these brackets the number of times given
[ ] = used to repeat a longer set of instructions between these brackets, the number of times given
(This is only used for a full repeat, may contain smaller repeats)
Gauge: not critical for this project but may affect the yarn quantities required
Special Stitches:
Beginning 3DCCL (Beg3DCCL):
- Chain 2, yarn over, insert hook in same indicated stitch/space, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, leave the stitch unfinished. (2 loops on hook)
- Yarn over, insert hook in same indicated stitch/space, yarn over, pull, through, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
2 Double Crochet Cluster (2DCCL):
- Yarn over hook, insert hook in indicated stitch/space, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, leave the stitch unfinished. (2 loops on hook)
- Yarn over, insert hook in same indicated stitch/space, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
3 Double Crochet Cluster (3DCCL):
(Video help of how I make the 3DCCL stitch: https://youtube.com/shorts/fF35CfYQqhY?feature=share)
- Yarn over, insert hook in indicated stitch/space, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, leave the stitch unfinished. (2 loops on hook)
- Yarn over, insert hook in same indicated stitch/space, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, leave the stitch unfinished. (3 loops on hook)
- Yarn over, insert hook in same indicated stitch/space, yarn over, pull, through, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through all 4 loops.
Picot Stitch (Picot ST):
Chain 3, slip stitch back into first chain.
(Video help of how I make the picot stitch: https://youtube.com/shorts/LwP7eOjUnoU?feature=share)
Additional notes:
- Slip stitches do not count as stitches.
- If a row/round starts with a Chain 1 or Chain 2, that is not counted as a stitch, unless stated otherwise.
- US terms used throughout.
- At the end of every round, there’s going to be a note with the stitch count, so you can keep track of your work easily and avoid any mistakes. It’s written in a different color in bold
- Notes are written in a different color in (brackets) to help you through the pattern or tell you which stitches to work into or skip.
- You can start each round as I did in the pattern or you can use a standing stitch or chains, it’s totally up to you!
A FULL VIDEO TUTORIAL IS AVAILABLE HERE:
Instructions
To start: With C1 make aMR
(Video help of how to make a magic ring: https://youtu.be/xI4R2axWukg?si=HxyiwKKjfdHKrZgQ )
Round 1: CH 2 (doesn’t count as a ST), [3 DC, CH 2] 8 times into the ring, then pull the ring tight and join with a SLST in first DC
Fasten off.
(24 DC, 8 x CH 2 SP)
Round 2: Note: In this round we only work in the CH 2 spaces between the 3DCCL STS!
Join C2 in any CH 2 SP from previous round, {Beg3DCCL, CH 2, 3 DCCL} in same SP (Pic 1), [{3DCCL, CH 2, 3DCCL} in next CH 2 SP] 7 times, join with a SLST in first 3DCCL (Pic 2)
(16 x 3DCCL, 8 x CH 2 SP)
Round 3: SLST in CH 2 SP between the 3DCCL STS, CH 1, {1 DC+Picot ST} 8 times in same SP (Pic 1), SLST between the next 2 3DCCL STS (Pic 2), [{1 DC+Picot ST} 8 times in next CH 2 SP, SLST between the next 2 3DCCL STS] 7 times (Pic 3)
DO NOT FASTEN OFF!
Finishing:
Since you haven’t fastened off after Round 3, CH 15 and then cut the yarn. (Pic 1)
With color C2, make a slip knot and CH 10. Fasten off and leave the ends short on both sides. (Pic 2)
Fold the butterfly in half so the wings line up. Wrap the CH 15 strand around the center of the folded piece to form the body. While doing this, place the CH 10 piece underneath the wrap — these will be the antennae. (Pic 3) Finally, sew the end of the CH 15 down at the base to secure everything in place. (Pics 4-5)
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Thank you for choosing this pattern for your project! When you make it, I’d like to see it! Please tag me – @k.a.m.e_crochet or use hashtag #kamecrochet on Instagram or other social media so I can admire your projects.
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