
Learn how to easily knit a butterfly with this fun quick knit pattern. Knit them up in a variety of color combinations. Add knitted butterflies as embellishments to clothes, hairpins, notebooks, and more. This is a great little yarn-buster project to help you use up scrap yarn in a fun way!
The butterfly embellishment size is approximately 3.25” wide x 2.5” tall with size 7 US needles and worsted yarn. Using smaller or larger materials will alter the size of your finished butterfly accordingly. Find all of your materials, techniques, with free written pattern instructions flat on straight needles below. Enjoy knitting up these fun quick-knit little cuties!
WATCH KNITTED BUTTERFLY VIDEO INTRO
MATERIALS to Knit a Butterfly
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My samples were created with size 7 US knitting needles and worsted weighted acrylic yarns. Feel free to use any size yarn, fiber, and needles for your creative project.
• Yarn in any weight, fiber, & color of your choice
• Knitting Needles sized appropriately for your yarn
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle
KNITTING TECHNIQUES to Knit a Butterfly
Need to brush up or learn a new technique? Check out my entire library of Knitting Techniques to help you along as you knit up this project. If you’re new to knitting, you’ll love my Absolute Beginners Knitting Series!
• Slip Knot
• CO = Cast On Long Tail Method
• CCO = Cable Cast On (Increase)
• K = Knit Stitch
• K2Tog = Knit Two Together (Decrease)
• KFB = Knit Front and Back (Increase)
• Slip 1 = Slip One Stitch Purlwise
• SSK = Slip, Slip, Knit (Decrease)
• BO = Bind Off
BUTTERFLY KNITTING PATTERN
Click to Play Step-by-Step Video Tutorial

Knitted Butterfly Embellishment
Learn how to easily knit a butterfly with this fun quick knit pattern.
Materials
- Yarn - 42 yards of Worsted Weight in any fiber and colors of your choice
Tools
- Knitting Needles - Size 7 US straight needles
- Tapestry Needle
- Scissors
Instructions
Cast On 8 Stitches
- Row 1: K1, KFB, K4, KFB, Slip 1 (10 Sts)
- Row 2: K1, KFB, K6, KFB, Slip 1 (12 Sts)
- Row 3: K1, KFB, K8, KFB, Slip 1 (14 Sts)
- Row 4: K1, KFB, K10, KFB, Slip 1 (16 Sts)
_____ - Row 5: K1, SSK, K10, K2Tog, Slip 1 (14 Sts)
- Row 6: K1, SSK, K8, K2Tog, Slip 1 (12 Sts)
- Row 7: K1, SSK, K6, K2Tog, Slip 1 (10 Sts)
_____ - Row 8: BO 3, K5, Slip 1 (7 Sts)
- Row 9: BO 3, K3, CCO 5 (9 Sts)
- Row 10: K9, CCO 5 (14 Sts)
_____ - Row 11: K1, KFB, K10, KFB, Slip 1 (16 Sts)
- Row 12: K1, KFB, K12, KFB, Slip 1 (18 Sts)
- Row 13: K1, KFB, K14, KFB, Slip 1 (20 Sts)
_____ - Row 14: K19, Slip 1 (20 Sts)
- Row 15: K19, Slip 1 (20 Sts)
_____ - Row 16: K1, SSK, K14, K2Tog, Slip 1 (18 Sts)
- Row 17: K1, SSK, K12, K2Tog, Slip 1 (16 Sts)
- Row 18: K6, K2Tog, K2Tog, K5, Slip 1 (14 Sts)
- Row 19: K5, K2Tog, K2Tog, K4, Slip 1 (12 Sts)
BO: All 12 Stitches
_____
ABDOMEN
CO: 14 Stitches
BO: 14 Stitches
_____
ANTENNA
Braid 3 strands of yarn, knotting them to secure on either side until your braid is approximately 2” in length.
_____
FINISHING
Slightly fold bottom portion of wings overlapping top portion, tack with yarn to secure. Tack abdomen over the center of wings, add an antenna, weave in ends. Fly away!
Notes
Butterfly Size: Approximately 3.25” wide x 2.5” tall with size 7US needles and worsted yarn. Using smaller or larger materials will alter the size of your finished butterfly accordingly.
Knitting Techniques
• CO = Cast On Long Tail Method
• CCO = Cable Cast On (Increase)
• K = Knit Stitch
• K2Tog = Knit Two Together (Decrease)
• KFB = Knit Front and Back (Increase)
• Slip 1 = Slip One Stitch Purlwise
• SSK = Slip, Slip, Knit (Decrease)
• BO = Bind Off
Recommended Products
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THANK YOU FOR VISITING STUDIO KNIT
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Happy Knitting to You!