This is my first try at making a butterfly, without a pattern. I first attempted it in white, which was nice, but thought it would be nice in different colors. So keep in mind you can make this butterfly in any color you wish. Hope you like it and try it yourself. This was done with size #5 needle and #10 crochet threads. (And as I always say look at the picture often, it will help you to see where the directions may sometimes confuse you.)
Starting with the small red rings, cut off a good yard of thread from the ball.
Large right center of wing (right looking at picture)
R 3ds p 3ds p 3ds p 3ds cl (leave about 1/4 thread)
R 3ds + (attach to last picot of first ring) 3ds p 3ds p 3ds
Continue around in same manner till you have 8 rings
When making the 9th ring do not leave the 1/4 thread. This will make the point of wing and make it curve back down.
9th R 3ds p 3ds p 3ds p 3ds (this one you will have all 3 picots do not attach)
R 3ds + (attach to last picot of 9th ring) 3ds p 3ds p 3ds
R 3ds + 3ds p 3ds p 3ds
R 3ds + 3ds p 3ds p 3ds
R 3ds + 3ds p 3ds + (attached to first picot of first ring.) 3ds
Tie the two end threads together, do not make them the 1/4 pull a little tighter to make the corner .
When making the left side of wing reverse the work, start from bottom of pattern and work up. This way both sides of the wings will be facing with good side up.
The border of wing working off ball
Start at bottom of first ring made, working off the ball.
Stick your needle through the picot so the thread will close on it, once the ring is closed. (this should be the 8th one back from top, where you did not leave the 1/4 of thread. Do not pull the ch's to tight.) LJ=Lock Join, on each picot over pull the needle thread up through the picot and put needle through the loop, and tighten. This will lock it to the picot so the last chain does not pull out of shape.
Ch 6ds LJ to picot.
Ch 6ds LJ to next picot.
On the next ch make 3ds and a little "larger picot" 3ds this is where the wings will be attached.
Work up to top till you reach the 8th ring, this one do 3ds p 3ds LJ. next picot and 3ds p 3ds.
Now going down the side do the same 3ds p 3ds pulling these a little tighter so they make the sides flatter.
On the last picot to make the bottom corner of wing. Do 3ds p 3ds p 1ds LP 1ds p 3ds p 3ds pull off loosely and attach where you first started. First large wing is done.
Small bottom wings, working off ball
Put your needle through the end picot of the second ring made.(this will be next to where you first started the border of wing)
Large Red Ring 6ds p 6ds p 6ds p 6ds p 6ds close and hide ends
Working the border of small wing, working off ball
Starting from where you tied off the last chain on large wing, and working off the ball. Put your needle through the end picot.
Ch 6ds p 6ds LJ first picot of large red ring.
Ch 6ds p1ds LP 1ds p 6ds LJ
Ch 6ds LJ next picot.
Ch 6ds LJ next picot.
The last chain made is 10 ds and will be attached to the picot we made on the large wing.(with thread still on the needle, lay it on the side to make sure it is proper length from last picot to attach to top wing picot. It should lay flat and not curve out, but you do not want it to pull inward either.)
Make your left side of butterfly and attach to the picot we made on the first wing, if you find you need to you can sew through center of butterfly to make it a little less flimsy
I made this one with a little body part in middle. if you wish you can just attach wings and add antenna or you can do body. Working off ball,
body was made by doing 20 half stitches put needle through picot where wings are attached and do 10 half stitches. Once you pull up the two ends can be made as antenna. Tie a knot and leave about 2" of thread for antenna, tie knots at top.
