Flutter & Bloom Butterfly Hair Bow

An elegant butterfly-shaped hair bow with dimensional wings and a charming center knot.

🤍 1
Difficulty
🟡 Intermediate
Time
⏱️ 2-3 hours
Hook
🪡 D / 3.25mm
Yardage
🧶 approximately 80 yards
Finished Size
📏 4.5 inches wide x 3.5 inches tall
⚠️
Always make a gauge swatch before starting!
Gauge: 20 sc x 20 rows = 4 inches in single crochet
Adjust hook size as needed to match gauge.
📋

At a Glance

The Flutter & Bloom Butterfly Hair Bow is a free Intermediate-level wearable pattern with a D / 3.25mm hook . Estimated time: 2-3 hours. Finished size: 4.5 inches wide x 3.5 inches tall. You'll need approximately approximately 80 yards of yarn.

30 steps across 4 sections  ·  Free under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — you can sell finished items

🛒 Materials

DK Weight Yarn
80 yards in main color (cream, navy, or blush recommended)
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Crochet Hook
D / 3.25mm
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Hair Clip or Alligator Clip
1 piece, 1.5-2 inches wide, metal or plastic
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Fiberfill Polyester Stuffing
Small amount for dimensional shaping
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Yarn Needle
For weaving in ends and sewing components
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Stitch Markers
2 pieces, any color
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Fabric Glue or Thread
For attaching bow to clip
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📖 Abbreviations

ch — chain
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
sl st — slip stitch
inc — increase (2 stitches in same stitch)
dec — single crochet decrease
st(s) — stitch(es)
rnd — round
sp — space

📌 Before You Begin

💡

This pattern creates two upper wings and two lower wings that are sewn together to form the butterfly shape.

💡

The center knot provides structure and hides the seams where wings meet.

💡

Work with consistent tension to ensure even wing shaping.

💡

Stitch markers help track pattern repeats in the wing shaping sections.

💡

The bow is designed to attach securely to standard hair clips using either strong fabric glue or stitching.

🧶 Pattern Instructions

💡 Tip: Create symmetrical wings by placing your stitch markers at the center st of each row to ensure increases and decreases are centered.
  1. Row 1
    Ch 12. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (11 sts)
  2. Row 2
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (11 sts)
  3. Row 3
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, inc in next st, sc in next 7 sts, inc in next st, sc in last st. (13 sts)
  4. Row 4
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (13 sts)
  5. Row 5
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, inc in next st, sc in next 9 sts, inc in next st, sc in last st. (15 sts)
  6. Row 6
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (15 sts)
  7. Row 7
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 9 sts, inc in next st, sc in last 2 sts. (17 sts)
  8. Row 8
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (17 sts)
  9. Row 9
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 3 sts, dec, sc in next 7 sts, dec, sc in last 3 sts. (15 sts)
  10. Row 10
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (15 sts)
  11. Row 11
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, dec, sc in next 7 sts, dec, sc in last 2 sts. (13 sts)
  12. Row 12
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (13 sts) Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail for sewing.
Row counter:
💡 Tip: Lower wings are slightly smaller than upper wings to create proper butterfly proportions. Block all wings gently to even out stitch work before assembly.
  1. Row 1
    Ch 10. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (9 sts)
  2. Row 2
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (9 sts)
  3. Row 3
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, inc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st, sc in last st. (11 sts)
  4. Row 4
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (11 sts)
  5. Row 5
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st, sc in last 2 sts. (13 sts)
  6. Row 6
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (13 sts)
  7. Row 7
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, dec, sc in next 7 sts, dec, sc in last 2 sts. (11 sts)
  8. Row 8
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (11 sts)
  9. Row 9
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, dec, sc in next 5 sts, dec, sc in last st. (9 sts) Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail for sewing.
Row counter:
💡 Tip: The center knot should be densely stuffed to maintain its rounded shape and provide a strong attachment point for all four wings.
  1. Step 1
    Ch 8 and join with sl st to form a ring. (8 ch)
  2. Step 2
    Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around. (8 sts) Join with sl st to first sc.
  3. Step 3
    Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), inc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, inc in next st. (11 sts) Join with sl st to top of ch-2.
  4. Step 4
    Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around. (11 sts) Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail for sewing. Stuff lightly with fiberfill before final weaving.
Row counter:
💡 Tip: Test the clip's grip strength before final attachment. For extra security with heavier yarn, use thread to stitch rather than glue alone.
  1. Step 1
    Arrange the two upper wings so they are mirror images, with points facing upward and outward. Using the yarn needle and tail yarn, sew the inner edges (closest to center) of both upper wings to opposite sides of the center knot.
  2. Step 2
    Position the two lower wings below the upper wings, also as mirror images, with points facing downward and outward. Sew the inner edges of the lower wings to the center knot, positioning them slightly overlapping the point where upper wings attach.
  3. Step 3
    Ensure all four wings radiate evenly from the center knot, creating a symmetrical butterfly shape. Adjust wing angles as needed for a balanced appearance.
  4. Step 4
    Weave in all remaining yarn tails securely within the crocheted pieces, ensuring no loose ends are visible from the front.
  5. Step 5
    Apply fabric glue to the back of the center knot where it will contact the hair clip, or use needle and thread to hand-stitch the bow securely to the clip. Allow glue to dry completely before use if using adhesive method.
Row counter:

✂️ Finishing

After assembly, gently block the entire butterfly bow by laying it flat on a clean towel, arranging the wings in an aesthetically pleasing position, and allowing it to dry completely (approximately 24 hours). This helps set the shape and creates a more polished appearance. Once dry, adjust wings if needed to achieve the desired dimensional effect. Attach the completed bow to your hair clip using either strong fabric glue applied to the back of the center knot, or by stitching it securely with matching yarn or thread through the clip base and the densest portion of the knot. Ensure the attachment is very secure, as this will be the stress point when wearing. For extra durability, use both methods—glue and stitching combined. Trim any visible loose threads with scissors.

🧺 Care Instructions

Hand wash the butterfly hair bow in cool water with a gentle detergent designed for delicate fabrics. Avoid twisting or wringing; instead, gently squeeze soapy water through the fibers. Rinse thoroughly in cool water until all soap is removed. Gently squeeze out excess water with a clean towel. Air dry completely in a flat position or hanging shape away from direct heat or sunlight. Do not machine wash, machine dry, or use a hair dryer. Remove the bow from the hair clip if washing. If the bow becomes matted or needs reshaping after drying, gently steam it with a garment steamer held at least 6 inches away, or reshape by hand while damp and allow to air dry. With proper care, this bow will maintain its shape and beauty for years of use.

🤖 This pattern was generated by AI and may contain errors. Always test your gauge before starting.

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Questions About This Pattern

Absolutely — just match the weight (Dk). You'll need about approximately 80 yards, so make sure your substitute has enough meterage. Acrylic is budget-friendly and machine-washable; wool gives better stitch definition and drape.
This intermediate pattern assumes you're comfortable with basic stitches. You'll use ch, sc, hdc, dc and a few more (see the Abbreviations section above). If increases and decreases are new to you, a quick 10-minute tutorial on YouTube before you start will make the pattern much smoother.
Usually it's the joining or finishing — where individual sections meet and need to align. Read through the entire pattern once before you start so there are no surprises. Use stitch markers generously to track your place, especially in rounds. If a section looks wrong, count your stitches before proceeding — catching an error early saves a lot of frogging later.
For this pattern, gauge is "20 sc x 20 rows = 4 inches in single crochet". For decorative or non-fitted items it's less critical, but matching gauge ensures you use the right amount of yarn and get the proportions the pattern intends. If your swatch is too small (too many stitches/inch), go up a hook size. Too large — go down.
Hand wash the butterfly hair bow in cool water with a gentle detergent designed for delicate fabrics. Avoid twisting or wringing; instead, gently squeeze soapy water through the fibers. Rinse thoroughly in cool water until all soap is removed. Gently squeeze out excess water with a clean towel. Air dry completely in a flat position or hanging shape away from direct heat or sunlight. Do not machine wash, machine dry, or use a hair dryer. Remove the bow from the hair clip if washing. If the bow becomes matted or needs reshaping after drying, gently steam it with a garment steamer held at least 6 inches away, or reshape by hand while damp and allow to air dry. With proper care, this bow will maintain its shape and beauty for years of use. A general rule: when unsure about the yarn, hand wash in cool water with a drop of gentle detergent, squeeze (don't wring), and block flat to dry. This is safe for almost every fiber.
Each section builds on the last, so yes — follow them in order. That said, some finishing sections (like embellishments or optional edging) can be skipped if you prefer a simpler look. Read through all sections before starting so you understand how the pieces fit together and can plan your yarn usage across sections.