💡

Want to make this pattern your own? Sign up to email it to yourself, save the printable PDF, or resize it for any size — every new account gets a free 7-day Maker trial.

Create your free account · no credit card

Lacy Openwork Butterfly Dragonfly Throw Blanket

An advanced lacy throw featuring alternating butterfly and dragonfly motifs in elegant openwork, perfect for layering on beds or sofas.

+ Save Pattern
🤍
Difficulty
🔴 Advanced
Time
⏱️ 40-50 hours
Hook
🪡 D / 3.25mm
Yardage
🧶 approximately 2200 yards
Finished Size
📏 48 x 60 inches
⚠️
Always make a gauge swatch before starting!
Gauge: 20 sc x 22 rows = 4 inches in single crochet
Adjust hook size as needed to match gauge.
📋

At a Glance

The Lacy Openwork Butterfly Dragonfly Throw Blanket is a free Advanced-level wearable pattern using Dk weight yarn with a D / 3.25mm hook . Estimated time: 40-50 hours. Finished size: 48 x 60 inches. You'll need approximately approximately 2200 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
2200 yards total, light neutral color (cream, pale gray, or white recommended for lacy effect)
Find on Amazon
Crochet Hook
Size D (3.25mm), aluminum or bamboo
Find on Amazon
Stitch Markers
4-6 removable markers
Find on Amazon
Yarn Needle
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Find on Amazon

📖 Abbreviations

View full dictionary →
ch — chain → sc — single crochet → dc — double crochet → tr — treble → dtr — double treble → sl st — slip stitch → sk — skip → sp — space → st(s) — stitch(es) → rep — repeat → tog — together →

Tap any abbreviation to look it up. Start a free 7-day Maker trial for full stitch details.

📌 Before You Begin

💡

This pattern alternates between Butterfly blocks (A) and Dragonfly blocks (B) in a checkerboard arrangement.

💡

Gauge is critical for this advanced pattern; swatch before beginning.

💡

Butterfly motifs are 12 x 14 inches; Dragonfly motifs are 12 x 14 inches.

💡

Each block is created separately then joined with sl st.

💡

Pattern uses advanced lacy openwork techniques including mesh and strategic stitch placement for delicate, airy effect.

🧶 Pattern Instructions

💡 Tip: Create a paper template to mark the four wing sections before beginning. Each butterfly block should measure approximately 12 x 14 inches. All four wings should be symmetrical with 10 stitches each.
  1. Row 1
    Ch 41. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (40 sts)
  2. Row 2
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, [ch 2, sk 1 st, sc in next st] rep across. (20 sc, 19 ch-2 sps)
  3. Row 3
    Ch 4, turn. Dc in first st, [ch 1, dc in next sc] rep across. (20 dc, 19 ch-1 sps)
  4. Rows 4-5
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st and ch-sp across. (40 sts per row)
  5. Row 6 (Upper Left Wing)
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 10 sts. Ch 2, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked. (10 sts)
  6. Rows 7-9
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, [ch 2, sk 1, sc in next st] rep to end. (5 sc and 4 ch-2 sps per row)
  7. Row 10
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st and ch-sp. (10 sts) Fasten off.
  8. Row 6 (Upper Right Wing)
    Return to Row 5, skip middle 20 sts, join yarn in 31st st. Ch 1, sc in same st and next 9 sts. Ch 2, turn. (10 sts)
  9. Rows 7-10
    Rep Rows 7-10 of Upper Left Wing. (10 sts)
  10. Row 6 (Lower Left Wing)
    Return to Row 5, sc in sts 1-10. Ch 2, turn. (10 sts)
  11. Rows 7-10
    Rep Rows 7-10 as before. (10 sts)
  12. Row 6 (Lower Right Wing)
    Return to Row 5, sc in sts 31-40. Ch 2, turn. (10 sts)
  13. Rows 7-10
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, [ch 2, sk 1, sc in next st] rep to end. (5 sc and 4 ch-2 sps per row through Row 9). Row 10: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st and ch-sp. (10 sts) Fasten off.
Row counter:
💡 Tip: Dragonfly blocks feature four narrow wings. The lacy mesh creates the delicate openwork characteristic of dragonfly wings. Upper Wing Left: sts 1-8. Upper Wing Right: sts 33-40. Lower Wing Left: sts 9-16. Lower Wing Right: sts 33-40.
  1. Row 1
    Ch 41. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (40 sts)
  2. Rows 2-4
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (40 sts per row)
  3. Row 5 (Upper Wing Left)
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 8 sts. Ch 2, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked. (8 sts)
  4. Rows 6-10
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, [ch 2, sk 1, sc in next st] rep to end for open mesh effect. (4 sc and 3 ch-2 sps per row)
  5. Row 11
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st and ch-sp across. (8 sts) Fasten off.
  6. Row 5 (Upper Wing Right)
    Return to Row 4, skip 24 center sts (sts 9-32), join yarn in 33rd st. Ch 1, sc in same st and next 7 sts. Ch 2, turn. (8 sts)
  7. Rows 6-11
    Rep Rows 6-11 of Upper Wing Left. (8 sts)
  8. Row 5 (Lower Wing Left)
    Return to Row 4, join yarn in 9th st. Ch 1, sc in same st and next 7 sts. Ch 2, turn. (8 sts)
  9. Rows 6-11
    Rep Rows 6-11. (8 sts)
  10. Row 5 (Lower Wing Right)
    Return to Row 4, join yarn in 33rd st. Ch 1, sc in same st and next 7 sts. Ch 2, turn. (8 sts)
  11. Rows 6-11
    Rep Rows 6-11. (8 sts) Fasten off.
Row counter:
💡 Tip: Pin blocks together on a blocking board before stitching to ensure alignment. Use a steam iron on low to gently block seams after assembly.
  1. Step 1
    Arrange 40 blocks in checkerboard pattern: 5 columns x 8 rows, alternating Butterfly (A) and Dragonfly (B). Row 1: A, B, A, B, A. Row 2: B, A, B, A, B. Continue alternating pattern for all 8 rows.
  2. Step 2
    Using yarn needle and matching yarn, whip stitch blocks together along all edges with tight, invisible stitches. Work horizontally first (joining rows), then vertically (joining columns).
  3. Step 3
    Verify assembled throw measures 48 x 60 inches (5 blocks wide x 8 blocks tall x 12 inches per block).
Row counter:
💡 Tip: The border provides a finished edge and frames the alternating butterfly and dragonfly pattern beautifully.
  1. Round 1
    Join yarn in any corner. Ch 1, sc around entire perimeter, working 3 sc in each corner st. (480 sts: 240 sc along length [48÷4×20×2] plus 240 sc along width [60÷4×20×2] plus corner increases)
  2. Round 2
    Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next st, [ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts] rep around. Work 3 dc in each corner sp. Sl st to top of ch-3.
  3. Round 3
    Ch 1, sc in each st and ch-sp around, working 3 sc in each corner. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Row counter:

✂️ Finishing

Weave in all ends securely with yarn needle, working ends into nearby stitches on the wrong side. Gently block the finished throw on a large, clean surface, pinning edges to measurements and allowing to dry completely (24-48 hours). This evens out the lacy openwork and creates uniform sizing. If necessary, steam block on low heat with a pressing cloth to enhance the delicate appearance. Do not stretch excessively; the throw should be soft and drape naturally.

🧺 Care Instructions

Hand wash in cool water with mild wool wash or delicate detergent. Avoid twisting; gently squeeze soapy water through fibers. Rinse several times in cool water until water runs clear. Gently press out excess water without wringing. Lay flat to dry on a blocking mat or clean towel, reshaping to finished dimensions. Do not tumble dry or expose to direct heat sources. Lacy openwork is delicate; handle with care, especially when wet.

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

What's wrong with this pattern?

✓ Thanks for your feedback — we'll review it shortly.

📸 Made by our community

See how real makers brought this pattern to life

📷 Sign in to share
📷

Be the first to share a photo of your finished make!

Pattern photo

Report this photo

Questions About This Pattern

Absolutely — just match the weight (Dk). You'll need about approximately 2200 yards, so make sure your substitute has enough meterage. Acrylic is budget-friendly and machine-washable; wool gives better stitch definition and drape.
This pattern uses techniques that require precision and experience. Expect stitches like ch, sc, dc, tr and potentially complex shaping. If you're newer to crochet, try a few intermediate patterns first to build confidence with stitch counts and tension before tackling this one.
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 22 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 in cool water with mild wool wash or delicate detergent. Avoid twisting; gently squeeze soapy water through fibers. Rinse several times in cool water until water runs clear. Gently press out excess water without wringing. Lay flat to dry on a blocking mat or clean towel, reshaping to finished dimensions. Do not tumble dry or expose to direct heat sources. Lacy openwork is delicate; handle with care, especially when wet. 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.
👋

Welcome back — still making this?

You've read this pattern before. Crocheters who come back a second time are usually mid-project.
Sync your row counter across every device, free.

🧶

Row counter that follows you

Switch from phone to tablet without losing your place

📚

Save this pattern to your library

Plus anything else you come across

💝

Free — no credit card

Generate 5 custom patterns per month too

Sync my row counter — free I already have an account
🧶

Wait — don't leave empty handed!

Enter your email and we'll send you 3 free beginner patterns + a gentle starter guide.

No spam — just cozy crochet goodness

We'll never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

💝

Perfect! Check your inbox

Your patterns are on their way.