Quick Gift Idea - Butterfly Crochet Bracelet: Pattern Overview

Project introduction

This is a pattern overview for a crochet bracelet formed from small butterfly motifs joined in a row, not a full tutorial. It suits a quick, pretty gift or a treat for yourself. The complete pattern is on the designer site, The Crafty Therapist, linked below for easy reference.

The designer describes crochet bracelets as eye catching and easy, with no need for thread, tiny hooks or complicated findings. Beads are optional: they add a polished finish, especially the stone beads shown, but plain butterflies still look decorative. Terminology is US, with UK equivalents in parentheses in the abbreviations.

Updated in January 2023, the pattern is free in the designer post. An ad free printable PDF is available to purchase, with additional guidance photos, so do not assume the PDF is free because the web version is. Begin with the Original designer’s pattern and instructions.

Hook & Other Materials

Use this combined checklist for yarn, hook, fastening and finishing tools. Checking bead hole size before you start matters, because the yarn must pass through the beads and the bead size influences the final length of the joined bracelet.

• Yarn: #2 weight 4 ply (Fingering weight) cotton. Sample: Drops Love You 9 Recycled Cotton. Substitute: Yarn & Colors Must Have.
• Crochet hook: US Size C (3mm)
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
• Fastening: 15-16mm magnetic jewellery fastening, or a 10mm button as an alternative
• Beads: 8mm beads with a 1-2mm centre hole. Sample Rose Quartz beads have a 1.5mm hole.
• Beading needle, if needed to bring yarn through the bead hole

The sample yarn is a recycled 100% cotton described as strong and slightly rustic, but not easily obtainable outside Europe. The named substitute is a 100% mercerised cotton. Other brands or DK cotton may work, though larger butterflies may require adapting the bracelet size.

Sizes/Finished Measurements

These lengths are measured unfastened, end to end, including the button fastening. A magnetic fastening makes the total about 0.5cm smaller, so consider that difference when choosing a size for the wrist you have in mind.

Skill Level

The source rates the project as advanced beginner to intermediate, a level that reflects working a small motif accurately, joining several motifs with beads, and adding a neat fastening to complete the bracelet.

Abbreviations used

• St: Stitch
• Sts: Stitches
• Sl st: Slip stitch
• Ch: Chain
• Dc: Double Crochet (UK: Tr, Treble)
• Hdc: Half Double Crochet (UK: Htr, Half Treble)

The starting ch-1 of a round counts as a stitch, and the stitch count is shown in bold at the end of the round. Before joining, check that the beads fit on your yarn and whether a beading needle is needed. Using the same bead size and checking gauge helps match the stated measurements.

Gauge

A completed butterfly measures 0.8 inch (2 cm) at the widest point of the upper wings. One butterfly with one bead measures 1 inch (2.5cm) across the centre. For the chain check, 7 ch equal 1 inch: work a swatch of 7 chains and measure it against that guide.

Butterfly

Each butterfly is worked in one round into a magic ring, using slip stitches, double crochet and half double crochet to shape the wings. The round count is 24. Finish with a 3 inch tail, pull the ring tightly closed, and weave in only the starting end, keeping the tail for joining. Motifs may be all one colour or mixed.

• Child: 5 butterflies
• Small: 6 butterflies
• Medium: 7 butterflies
• Large: 8 butterflies

Bracelet

Butterflies are joined in a straight row with a bead between each pair. Take the yarn end to the slip stitch between the top and bottom wings, thread on a bead, then join the next butterfly between its wings. Keep the connection snug without distorting the wings, secure the yarn, and weave in the end before repeating along the row.

• Centre length before fastenings, with 8mm beads, Child: approx. 4 3/4 inches (12cm)
• Small: approx. 5 3/4 inches (14.5cm)
• Medium: approx. 6 3/4 inches (17cm)
• Large: approx. 7 3/4 inches (19.5cm)

Fastenings add the remaining length. If fit is uncertain, measure the wrist with a tape measure and compare it with the size notes above before adding the closure.

BUTTON Fastening

With the right side up, join yarn at the back loop of the ch-1 between the top and bottom wings of an end butterfly. Work a short chain loop, join it with a slip stitch, and fasten off. Test the 10mm button through the loop and adjust the loop by changing the join point or chain number if the fit is not right. At the other end, work a short chain, leave an end for sewing, and sew on the button.

MAGNETIC Fastening

For all sizes, sew one part of the magnetic fastening at each end of the bracelet using a yarn end. This is the designer preferred closure because it is simpler to use than a standard jewellery clasp. If extra length is needed, add a bead at both ends before the fastener, which adds an extra 1.6 cm to the bracelet.

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