This crochet butterfly pattern emerged pretty spontaneously. The other night, I was tired after a long day and, instead of picking up my WIP, I thought why not crochet a small butterfly. There’s something about playing with bright colours and designing a simple pattern that can be really relaxing after a long day. And when the butterfly was complete, I was thrilled with the result!
Butterflies are some of my favourite animals. They are so pretty and colourful – and play an important role in pollination. Plus, the the metamorphosis of a little caterpillar growing wings and turning into a beautiful butterfly is such a beautiful story (can you tell that Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar was one of my favourite books growing up??). So, of course, an amigurumi butterfly was inevitable!
About this Crochet Butterfly Pattern
This mini crochet butterfly free pattern works up to be just about 2.5 inches in height . If you’re wondering how to crochet a big butterfly, see our amigurumi butterfly rattle, which is larger (and can be made with or without a rattle insert).
This is an easy crochet butterfly pattern for beginners. If you’re looking for a quick amigurumi project, you can crochet this butterfly in under an hour (there’s something so satisfying about finishing a crochet project in one sitting isn’t there?)! I really like that you can use any colours that you want, because this makes for a great stash busting project – especially for those little bits and bobs of yarn that you can’t use for a larger project.
The pattern is very versatile. You can turn it into a butterfly crochet keychain or bag charm, a birthday party favour, or even to make a butterfly baby crib mobile. It would also make a very cute random act of crochet kindness (if you aren’t familiar with what that is, check out this awesome group on Facebook). This butterfly would also be a great quick item for your next craft fair (check out our craft fair tips)!
Now let’s get to our our free tutorial.
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Crochet Butterfly Free Pattern
This pattern is for your personal use only and cannot be sold, copied, or reproduced in any way without permission from the designers. You may sell finished objects made from this pattern in small quantities but please give credit to chaicoffeecrochet.com as the pattern designer.
Tools and Supplies You Will Need
- Yarn: You need a tiny amount of DK yarn in three colours. If you don’t have DK yarn, any yarn with the relevant hook will do.
- 2.75mm crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch marker
- Polyfill stuffing
- Two 6mm safety eyes
- Black embroidery thread
- Keychain ring
Stitches Used and Abbreviations
This pattern is written in US terms.
Ch: Chain
SC: single crochet
INVDEC: invisible decrease
INC: two SC in the same stitch
Finished size: Approximately 2.5 inches
How to Crochet a Butterfly
Head & Body
Using the head colour
Stuff as you go
Round 1: 5 SC into a magic circle (5)
Round 2: INC in each stitch around (10)
Round 3: (SC, INC) five times (15)
Round 4-6 (3 rounds): SC around (15)
Insert eyes between Rounds 5 and 6, approximately 3 stitches apart. Once you are satisfied with the placement of the eyes, remove the eyes and embroider eyelashes. Reinsert the eyes and put the washer firmly on the back.
Round 7: (SC, INVDEC) five times (10)
Round 8: (3 SC, INVDEC) twice (8)
Change to the body colour
Round 9: (3 SC, INC) twice (10)
Round 10-13 (4 rounds): SC around (10)
Round 14: INVDEC five times (5)
Round 15: SC around (5)
Fasten off. Insert needle in front loop of each stitch and pull tight to close. Embroider on a smile.
Antennae (make 2)
Using black embroidery thread.
Chain 3. Starting from the second chain from the hook, 2 sl st.
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Sew the antennae onto the head on both sides, between Rounds 1 and 2.
Butterfly Wings (Make 2)
Do not stuff.
Small bump
Using the wing colour yarn.
Round 1: 4 SC into a magic circle (4)
Round 2: INC in each stitch around (8)
Round 3-4 (2 rounds): SC around (8)
Fasten off.
Large bump and assembling the wings
Using the wing colour yarn
Round 1: 5 SC into a magic circle (5)
Round 2: INC in each stitch around (10)
Round 3-5 (3 rounds): SC around (10)
Do not fasten off. We will now join the two bumps of the wings. The bumps are joined in the same way we join legs for amigurumi.
Round 6: Sl st into the first unworked stitch of the small bump. SC in each of the remaining 7 stitches of the small bump and the 10 stitches of the large bump. (18)
Round 7: (SC, INVDEC) six times (12)
Round 8: SC around (12) Continue to SC until you reach the side of the wing and fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Sew the wing closed.
Make two wings and line them up, making sure that the bumps line up (i.e. the large bumps for both wings should be on top and the small ones at the bottom). Now whip stitch them together.
Sew the wings onto the back of your butterfly, with the large bumps on top.
If you’re crocheting a butterfly keychain, sew your butterfly onto a keychain ring, using a strand of head colour yarn to attach it.
Your small crochet butterfly is now ready!
We would love to see your finished amigurumi butterfly, so share it in our Facebook group Amigurumi with Chai Coffee Crochet or tag us on Instagram @chaicoffeecrochet
If you’re looking for more cute and quick crochet patterns, check out all the remaining patterns in our keychain series and our Kozu Palm Pals mini dolls.
How do you crochet a large butterfly toy?
If you would like to crochet a large butterfly, you can try our adorable Bella the crochet butterfly rattle. This butterfly amigurumi pattern stands at 6 inches tall with DK yarn and a 2.75mm hook. It actually makes for a really cute butterfly rattle or just as a cute amigurumi butterfly stuffed toy.
You can also crochet a large butterfly rattle using thicker yarn and a larger hook. This butterfly would look adorable with plush yarn!
How long does it take to crochet a small butterfly?
You can crochet this small butterfly in under an hour! How is that for a quick pattern? The pattern is so simple that it works up in just a jiffy.
Is it easy to crochet this small butterfly?
Absolultely! This small crochet butterfly requires basic stitches and techniques. It is a simple project and it works up so quickly.
How do I make a butterfly keychain?
If you would like to crochet a butterfly keychain, you can find a keychain ring with a jump ring. With pliers, you can open the ring enough to put it around your stitches and then use pliers to tighten it closed. If you don’t have pliers, you could also use a separate piece of yarn and sew the butterfly onto the keychain ring.