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Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern

Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern
4.3★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
1.8K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

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Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

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Stylish Touch

An elegant detail to elevate any look, combining traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities.

About This Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern

This pattern creates a wearable butterfly-shaped bag made from two mirror butterflies joined together with a crocheted strap. It features color changes, shaped wings (forewings and hindwings), and a decorative border for a polished finish. You will learn joining techniques and how to attach a strap for a functional, stylish accessory.

Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The design uses medium weight (size 4) yarn and a 4.5 mm hook for the main instructions. Clear row-by-row directions and color-change tips are included to help you follow along and achieve crisp color transitions.

Why You'll Love This Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it turns simple stitches into a striking, wearable piece that feels like art. I enjoy the balance between shaping and colorwork — each wing becomes its own tiny project. The way the two butterflies are joined gives the bag personality while remaining practical. I also love seeing how different color combinations completely transform the mood of the bag.

Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern step 1 - construction progress Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how versatile this pattern is for customization; you can swap the color palette to create totally different styles—try muted neutrals for a subtle look or neon brights for playful impact.

If you want a smaller or larger bag, change yarn weight and hook size: a bulky yarn and larger hook will make a chunky, roomy bag, while a finer yarn makes a delicate mini bag ideal for keys or as a gift.

I often add embroidered details over the wing panels once the motifs are assembled; a few satin stitches can add veins or patterns to the wings for more realism.

Try adding a zipper or magnetic snap to the top edge when assembling for extra security, or line the bag with canvas for durability if you plan to use it daily.

I also like to vary the strap: make it wider and padded for comfort, or use a chain strap threaded through the crochet for a dressier finish—sew it securely into the border for stability.

Consider swapping stitch types to change texture; for example, using half double crochets through a row can create a denser border that stands out around the wings.

Mix fibers for interesting finishes: cotton for crisp stitch definition on the wings and acrylic for a soft, sturdy border and strap.

To make a reversible version, work the border slightly wider and finish seams invisibly, or add a lined pocket to the inner side of the bag for tech storage.

If you want a flat bag instead of three-dimensional wings, block the motifs before joining and use fewer joining stitches when folding the wings to reduce depth.

For a playful touch, attach small charms or crocheted flowers at the center join or strap ends; I like adding a tiny pompom or tassel to personalize each bag.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Forgetting to crochet with the right side out can reverse the look of the wings; always orient your work so the tail from the foundation row is on the left and the right side faces out before starting each motif. ✗ Not securing color changes correctly leads to loose yarn tails and holes; stop before pulling through the last two loops, drop the old color, pull the new color through the last two loops and continue crocheting with the new yarn. ✗ Skipping stitch counts at the end of each row causes mismatched edges; write down or mark the stitch count after every row and confirm counts marked in parentheses match your work. ✗ Failing to fold and connect wings precisely results in an uneven bag shape; pin the lower part of the forewing to the top of the hindwing and sew with single crochet 11 stitches as instructed to align them before fastening off.

Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern

Make a whimsical Butterfly Bag that doubles as a statement accessory and a fun crochet project. This pattern guides you through making two butterfly motifs, assembling them into a bag, crocheting the strap and adding a decorative border. With clear row-by-row instructions and color-change tips, you will create a unique wearable piece to gift or keep. Perfect for crafters who enjoy colorwork and shaping.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Acrylic/Cotton yarn, Medium weight (size 4) - main colors for wings (quantities vary by color)
  • 02
    Pictured bag: mix of acrylic yarn ~166 g and cotton yarn for border and strap ~330 g
  • 03
    Tester yarn example: Red Heart acrylic weight 4, approx 310 g used with 3.5 mm hook (tester notes)
  • 04
    Tester yarn example: All acrylic weight 4 (black 'big twist' and greens 'loops and threads impeccable yarns') total around 406 g (tester notes)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook 4.5 mm (main pattern)
  • 02
    Crochet hook 3.5 mm (mentioned in tester notes)
  • 03
    Yarn needle for sewing and weaving ends
  • 04
    Scissors
  • 05
    Iron (optional - for pressing motifs if desired)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Abdomen :

Info :

Crochet in rounds.

Foundation row :

Ch 17

Row 1 :

sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc 14, sc 3 into the next stitch, sc 14, sc inc, sl st and ch 1. (34)

Row 2 :

sc 16, sc inc, sc 16, sc inc, sl st and fasten off. (36)

Info :

Size: 3.5 cm x 12.5 cm

— Forewings (Left) :

Info :

Graph of the butterfly shown in the pattern. Colors: Light purple-1, medium purple-2, dark purple-3, blue-4 and white-5.

Info :

Attach your yarn-2 to the 3rd stitch of the abdomen with the right side facing up.

Row 1 :

Insert your hook and make a chain, sc in the same stitch (change to yarn-1), then dc 3, sc 1, ch 3 and TO. (5)

Row 2 :

2 dc inc (change to yarn-2), dc 1, dc inc, ch 3 and TO. (8)

Row 3 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc inc (change to yarn-1), tr 2, dc 4 (change to yarn-2), ch 1 and TO. (10)

Row 4 :

Sc 1 (change to yarn-1), sc 5 (change to yarn-2), sc 1, dc 2, dc inc (change to yarn-3), ch 3 and TO. (11)

Row 5 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc 2 (change to yarn-2), dc inc, dc 2, 2 tr inc, dc 1 (change to yarn-3), dc 2, ch 1 and TO. (15)

Row 6 :

Sc 3 (change to yarn-2), sc 7 (change to yarn-3), sc 4, sc inc, ch 3 and TO. (16)

Row 7 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc 2, tr 4, dc 4, sc 5 (change to yarn-4), ch 1 and TO. (17)

Row 8 :

Sc across the row, ch 3 and TO. (17)

Row 9 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 4, ch 1 and TO. (18)

Row 10 :

Sc 4 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 3, sc inc, ch 3 and TO. (19)

Row 11 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc 4, tr 2, ch 4, sl st to the 2nd tr, tr 2, dc 4, hdc 2, sc 3, sl st and fasten off. (20)

Info :

You have finished the left forewing. Let's work on the right forewing.

— Forewings (Right) :

Info :

Attach yarn-1 to the 28th stitch of the abdomen with the right side facing up.

Row 1 :

Insert your hook and ch 1, sc in the same stitch, dc 3 (change to yarn-2), sc 1, ch 3 and TO. (5)

Row 2 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc 1 (change to yarn-1), 2 dc inc, dc 1, ch 3 and TO. (8)

Row 3 :

Dc 3, tr 2 (change to yarn-2), 2 dc inc, ch 3 and TO. (10)

Row 4 :

Dc in the same stitch, dc 2, sc 1 (change to yarn-1), sc 5 (change to yarn-2), sc 1 (change to yarn-3), ch 3 and TO. (11)

Row 5 :

Dc 1 (change to yarn-2), dc 1, 2 tr inc, dc 2, dc inc (change to yarn-3), dc 2, dc inc, ch 1 and TO. (15)

Row 6 :

Sc inc, sc 4 (change to yarn-2), sc 7 (change to yarn-3), sc 3, ch 1 and TO. (16)

Row 7 :

Sc 5, dc 4, tr 4, dc 2, dc inc (change to yarn-4), ch 1 and TO. (17)

Row 8 :

Sc across the row, ch 3 and TO. (17)

Row 9 :

Dc 3 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2, dc inc, ch 1 and TO. (18)

Row 10 :

Sc inc, dc 3 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), sc 4, ch 1 and TO. (19)

Row 11 :

Sl st, sc 3, hdc 2, dc 4, tr 2, ch 4, sl st to the 2nd tr, tr 2, dc 4, dc inc and fasten off. (20)

Info :

You have finished the right forewing.

— Hindwings (Left) :

Info :

Attach your yarn-1 to the 10th stitch of the abdomen with the right side facing up.

Row 1 :

Insert your hook and ch 3, dc in the next stitch, tr 3 in one stitch, dc inc, sc inc, ch 1 and TO. (9)

Row 2 :

Sc inc, hdc 3, dc 1, dc inc, dc 1, tr 2 (change to yarn-2), ch 1 and TO. (11)

Row 3 :

Sc 1, hdc 2, dc inc, tr 2, dc 2, hdc 2, sc 1 (change to yarn-3), ch 1 and TO. (12)

Row 4 :

Sc 5, hdc inc, dc 2, tr inc, dc 1, hdc 1, sc 1 (change to yarn-4), ch 1 and TO. (14)

Row 5 :

Sc 3, sc inc, sc 5, sc inc, sc 4, ch 1 and TO. (16)

Row 6 :

Sc 9, hdc inc, dc inc, dc 2 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), sc 1, ch 3 and TO. (18)

Row 7 :

Dc 5, 3 dc inc, dc 3, ch 4, sl st to the last dc, sc 4, sl st 2 and fasten off. (21)

— Hindwings (Right) :

Info :

Attach your yarn-1 to the 21st stitch of the abdomen with the right side facing up.

Row 1 :

Insert your hook and ch 1, sc inc in the same stitch, dc inc, tr 3 in the same stitch, dc 2, ch 4 and TO. (9)

Row 2 :

Tr 1, dc 1, dc inc, dc 1, hdc 3, sc inc (change to yarn-2), ch 1 and TO. (11)

Row 3 :

Sc 1, hdc 2, dc 2, tr 2, dc inc, hdc 2, sc 1 (change to yarn-3), ch 1 and TO. (12)

Row 4 :

Sc 1, hdc 1, dc 1, tr inc, dc 2, hdc inc, sc 5 (change to yarn-4), ch 1 and TO. (14)

Row 5 :

Sc 4, sc inc, sc 5, sc inc, sc 3, ch 1 and TO. (16)

Row 6 :

Sc 1 (change to yarn-5), dc 2 (change to yarn-4), dc 2, dc inc, hdc inc, sc 9, ch 1 and TO. (18)

Row 7 :

Sl st 2, sc 4, ch 4, sl st to the 4th sc, dc 3, 3 dc inc, dc 6 and fasten off. (21)

— Border :

Info :

Here is the graph of the border. Row 1 is graphed in black. Row 2 is in purple and yellow. Attach your yarn to the last stitch of the abdomen with the right side facing up.

Row 1 (left forewing to the abdomen) :

Ch 1, sc 17, hdc 2, dc 2, ch 3, sl st to the 2nd dc, dc in the same stitch, dc 1, tr 2, dc 4, sc 16, ch 3, sl st to last sc, sc in the same stitch, sc 16

Row 1 (left hindwing to the bottom of the abdomen) :

sc 10, ch 2, sl st to the last sc, sc in the same stitch, sc 3, hdc 2, dc 4, hdc 2, sc 13, ch 3, sl st to the last sc, sc in the same stitch, sc 3, hdc 2, dc 2, sc 4, dc 1

Row 1 (right hindwing to the abdomen) :

dc 1, hdc 2, sc 4, ch 3, sl st to the last sc, sc in the same stitch, sc 12, hdc 2, dc 4, hdc 2, sc 4, ch 2, sl st to the last sc, sc in the same stitch, sc 11

Row 1 (right forewing) :

sc 15, ch 3, sl st to the last sc, sc in the same stitch, sc 15, dc 4, tr 2, dc 2, ch 3, sl st to the last dc, dc in the same stitch, dc 1, hdc 2, sc 17, sl st and ch 1. (214)

Info :

Then fold the butterflies into half, right sides in, and connect the lower part of the forewing and the top of the hindwing together by sc 11 and fasten it off. (Yellow part of the graph)

Info :

Attach the yarn to the 2nd ch of the top left corner of the left hindwing and work across the top edge using the graph instructions: ch 1, sc in the same stitch, sc 4, hdc 2, 2 dc inc, dc 9, hdc 9, hdc inc, hdc 7, hdc3tog, sl st 2, hdc3tog, hdc 7, hdc inc, hdc 9, dc 9, 2 dc inc, hdc 2, sc 5. Again, connect 2 wings together by sc 11 and fasten off.

Info :

Attach the yarn to the 4th stitch counting from the right, after the ch 3 from the bottom of the right forewing and continue the border sequence: ch 1, sc in the same stitch, sc 13, hdc 5, dc 4, tr 5, dc 3, tr 3, dc 4, hdc 5, sc 8, sc3tog, sc 1, sl st and fasten off. (208)

Info :

You have now finished 1 butterfly. Make 2 in total. Iron the butterflies if necessary.

— Strap :

Info :

After finishing 2 butterflies, ch 8 (or till the desired width of the strap), sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, *sc across, ch 1 and TO*, repeat till you reach the desired length, including the border of the butterfly.

Info :

Then you may sc/ sl st/ sew the ends of the strap together, with wrong sides facing up.

Info :

Length of the strap should include part of the butterfly bag and the strap itself; crochet a long rectangle and connect the ends of the strap together.

— Assembly :

Info :

Start connecting from the bottom of abdomen. Connect the strap and the butterflies by sc from the bottom centre of the abdomen, with right sides facing up.

Info :

After sc across the left side of the butterfly, continue to sc along the edge of the strap, then connect back to the top of the right wing, sc across till you reach the bottom of the abdomen again, sl st and fasten off.

Info :

Repeat to connect both butterflies to the strap so the strap runs along both wing edges and the bag is secured.

Assembly Instructions

  • Fold each butterfly in half (right sides in) and connect the lower part of the forewing to the top of the hindwing by single crocheting 11 stitches, then fasten off to secure the wing join.
  • Attach the strap by single crocheting from the bottom centre of the abdomen with right sides facing up, work across the left side of the butterfly, then single crochet along the edge of the strap and connect back to the top of the right wing, finishing at the bottom of the abdomen and slip stitch to fasten off.
  • When connecting the strap to the butterflies, continue single crocheting along the strap edge and reattach to the top of the right wing to ensure continuous seam and even tension across the bag.
  • Pin wings and strap in place before sewing to ensure correct alignment and symmetry; adjust placement so motifs sit evenly when worn.
  • After attaching the border pieces and strap, weave in all ends and press the butterflies lightly if needed to shape and flatten seams before final assembly.

Important Notes

  • 💡Crochet with the right side out for all parts so the tail from the foundation row is on the left and the correct face shows when finished.
  • 💡Ch 1 counts as turning chain and Ch 3 counts as 1 dc; in all dc rows start from the 2nd stitch to keep counts accurate.
  • 💡Weave in loose ends as you progress to reduce finishing time and avoid loose yarn tails showing through color changes.
  • 💡If using soft yarn, consider adding a lining to the bag so the fabric does not stretch too much and to increase durability.
  • 💡Follow the color-change method exactly: stop before pulling through the last two loops, drop the old color, pull new color through the last two loops and continue to keep clean color joins.

This Butterfly Bag pattern transforms crochet stitches into a wearable statement piece that is equal parts playful and practical. Whether you make it in pastels, brights, or a bold monochrome, each bag becomes a small work of art you can wear every day. Make two butterflies, join them carefully, add a sturdy strap, and you have a unique bag ready to go out into the world. 🧶✨

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

Finished butterfly motifs measure approximately 9-10.5 inches wide depending on yarn and tension; full bag size will vary with strap length and assembly but the pattern gives motif measurements for reference.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, but changing yarn weight will change the final size and drape; adjust hook size accordingly and consider a lining if using soft or stretchy yarns.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated Intermediate. Basic knowledge of stitches like sc, dc, tr and increases, plus color changes, is recommended for best results.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete the bag in about 5-7 hours, depending on experience, color changes and how much time you spend on assembly and finishing.