THIS is the show-stopping project you have been waiting for. I am SO excited to share this pattern with you because it is genuinely one of the most impressive wearable art pieces I have ever designed. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it requires patience. But the finished result? Absolutely breathtaking.
This Pink Cherry Blossom Butterfly Cardigan combines structured crochet panels with delicate three-dimensional floral appliques to create a garment that looks like it belongs in a gallery. The butterfly motif spans the entire front of this cropped bolero-style cardigan, complete with wing veins, pearl bead accents, and the sweetest wooden butterfly buttons.
Plan for about 40 to 60 hours of stitching time, which makes this perfect for a dedicated project over several weeks. Once complete, you will have a one-of-a-kind piece that will absolutely turn heads. This makes an incredible gift for someone special, or treat yourself to wearable art you created with your own hands.
About This Butterfly Cardigan Crochet Pattern
This cardigan features a large butterfly motif that spans the entire front panel. You will construct it from four individual butterfly wing quadrants that join to a plain single crochet back and shoulder panels. The butterfly body runs vertically along the center front opening, accented with pearl beads and wooden butterfly buttons.
Three-dimensional floral appliques including roses, cherry blossoms, and leaves get sewn onto each wing quadrant after assembly. The hem, sleeve openings, and front edges are finished with a beautiful scalloped shell border. The back is worked in simple single crochet for a clean, unadorned reverse.
Construction order: back panel first, then two upper wing panels, two lower wing panels, shoulder and side seaming, butterfly body applique down center front, floral appliques, borders, beading, and button closures.
Skill Level
This pattern is rated Advanced. You will need confident familiarity with working multiple panels and seaming them together, tapestry crochet or overlay crochet for the wing vein details, three-dimensional floral construction, surface slip stitch embellishment, bead incorporation, and reading a multi-part construction schematic.
If you are a beginner or intermediate crocheter, I recommend completing several smaller garments before attempting this project. Build your skills with simpler cardigans first, then come back to this beauty when you feel ready.
Finished Measurements
The pattern is written for size Small/Medium as a cropped bolero-style cardigan.
Size customization guidance is provided at the end of the pattern.
Materials Needed
Yarn
You will need DK weight yarn (light #3) in six colors:
Yarn Suggestions
Lion Brand Yarn Feels Like Butta in Blush, Dusty Pink, and White works beautifully. This smooth DK-weight acrylic has excellent stitch definition and soft hand, ideal for the wing vein overlay work.
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK offers an affordable, wide-palette option with excellent color matching across the cream, blush, rose, and sage shades needed. Consistent twist and smooth texture make the scallop borders crisp.
Drops Safran (DK cotton-blend) gives a more structured, heirloom quality finish similar to the photographed garment. This cotton-blend gives the panels slight body so the wing motifs hold their shape without blocking stiffener.
Substitution note: Any smooth DK weight yarn that achieves the stated gauge may be used. Avoid fluffy, bouclé, or highly textured yarns as the wing vein overlay and scallop borders will be obscured.
Hooks
Notions
Gauge
20 sc x 24 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in single crochet with Color A and US E-4 / 3.5 mm hook, blocked.
Gauge is mandatory for this garment. Incorrect gauge will alter both finished dimensions and the proportional appearance of the butterfly motif across the front panels.
To make a gauge swatch: Chain 26 with Color A and hook E-4. Work single crochet (sc) in second chain from hook and in each chain across. (25 sc) Turn. Work sc in each st across for 28 rows. Fasten off. Block swatch. Measure interior 4 in / 10 cm square without counting edge stitches.
If your swatch is too large (fewer stitches per inch), go down one hook size. If your swatch is too small (more stitches per inch), go up one hook size.
Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions
Before we dive into the pattern, let me define all the stitches and terms you will encounter:
Special Stitches for This Crochet Tutorial
Shell Stitch (used in border)
Work 5 dc all into the same stitch or space. This creates a fan-shaped cluster used in the scalloped hem and edge borders. It looks fancy but is simply five double crochets stacked together.
Surface Slip Stitch (used for wing veins)
With RS facing and a length of Color B or Color D threaded onto hook, insert hook through the fabric between two stitches at your starting point, draw up a loop, then insert hook through fabric at the next point along your vein line, draw yarn through both the fabric and the loop on hook. Continue in this manner along the desired vein path. Do not pull too tightly or the fabric will pucker. Fasten off on the wrong side and weave in ends securely.
Picot (used in butterfly body)
Chain 3, then slip stitch into the first chain made. This creates a small decorative knot.
Reverse Single Crochet/Crab Stitch (optional edge detail)
With RS facing, do not turn at end of row. Insert hook into stitch to the RIGHT (working backward), yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops. Continue working right to left from your perspective, which creates a twisted, rope-like edge.
Standing Single Crochet
Make a slip knot on hook. Insert hook into designated stitch, yarn over, draw up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops. This counts as the first sc and is used when joining new color mid-panel for appliques.
Step By Step Pattern Instructions
Section 1: Back Panel
The back panel is worked from the bottom hem upward in single crochet with Color A. This is the simplest section, so it is a great warm-up before tackling the more complex wing panels.
Foundation: With Color A and hook E-4, chain 77.
Row 1 (RS): sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (76 sc)
Rows 2-10: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (76 sc)
Continue working sc in each st across every row without shaping until piece measures 7 in / 18 cm from foundation chain. This is the armhole split point. At gauge, this should be approximately 42 rows.
Checkpoint: After completing the first 7 in / 18 cm, the piece should be 76 sc wide and approximately 42 rows tall. Set a stitch marker at each edge of Row 42 to mark the beginning of the armhole shaping.
Armhole Shaping (Back)
Row 43 (RS): ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (74 sc)
Row 44: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (72 sc)
Row 45: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (70 sc)
Rows 46-50: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (70 sc)
Continue working even on 70 sc until armhole measures 7 in / 18 cm from armhole split markers. This brings the back to full length, approximately 14 in / 35.5 cm total height.
Shoulder Shaping (Back)
Work will now split for right and left shoulder sections to create the neck opening.
Right Back Shoulder:
Row (neck split): ch 1, sc in first 22 sts. Turn, leaving remaining sts unworked. (22 sc)
Work 2 more rows even on these 22 sts. Fasten off.
Left Back Shoulder:
Rejoin Color A in stitch 49 (counting from right edge), leaving sts 23 through 48 (26 sts) as the back neck opening.
Row (neck split): ch 1, sc in each of next 22 sts. Turn. (22 sc)
Work 2 more rows even on these 22 sts. Fasten off.
Checkpoint: The finished back panel should measure 15 in / 38 cm wide at the hem, taper to 14 in / 35.5 cm across the armhole section, and have two shoulder tabs each 22 sts / approximately 4.4 in / 11 cm wide.
Section 2: Upper Wing Panels
Each upper wing panel serves as both the front upper bodice section and the butterfly upper wing. The upper wing is wider at the outer edge (sleeve edge) and tapers toward the center front edge.
Right Upper Wing Panel
Foundation: With Color C and hook E-4, chain 46.
Row 1 (RS): sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (45 sc)
Rows 2-5: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (45 sc)
Begin Shaping: The outer (wing-tip) edge is on the RIGHT side of your work as you face it. The inner (center front) edge is on the LEFT.
Row 6: ch 1, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog at outer (right) edge. Turn. (44 sc)
Rows 7-8: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (44 sc)
Row 9: ch 1, 2 sc in first st (outer edge inc), sc in each st to end. Turn. (45 sc)
Row 10: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (45 sc)
Row 11: ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st across. Turn. (46 sc)
Row 12: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (46 sc)
Row 13: ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog at inner (left/neckline) edge. Turn. (46 sc)
Row 14: ch 1, sc2tog at inner edge, sc in each st to end. Turn. (45 sc)
Row 15: ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (45 sc)
Row 16: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each st to end. Turn. (44 sc)
Rows 17-18: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (44 sc)
Row 19: ch 1, sc2tog at outer edge, sc in each st across. Turn. (43 sc)
Row 20: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (43 sc)
Row 21: ch 1, sc2tog at outer edge, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog at inner edge. Turn. (41 sc)
Rows 22-23: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (41 sc)
Armhole Edge Shaping (Upper Wing)
Row 24: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each st across. Turn. (40 sc)
Row 25: ch 1, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (39 sc)
Row 26: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each st across. Turn. (38 sc)
Rows 27-28: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (38 sc)
Place stitch markers at both edges to note the shoulder join line.
Shoulder Tab (Right Upper Wing)
Row 29: ch 1, sc in first 22 sts only. Turn, leaving rem 16 sts unworked. (22 sc)
Rows 30-31: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn/Fasten off. (22 sc)
Left Upper Wing Panel
Work as Right Upper Wing Panel but mirror all shaping. The outer edge is now on the LEFT as you face your work. The inner (neckline) edge is on the RIGHT.
Checkpoint: Each upper wing panel should be approximately 9 in / 23 cm tall and taper from 45 sts at the bottom to a 22-st shoulder tab at the top.
Section 3: Lower Wing Panels
The lower wings are the squarish quadrants at the bottom front of the cardigan. Each features a Color D rose-toned square set within a Color B border.
Right Lower Wing Panel
Foundation: With Color B and hook E-4, chain 47.
Rows 1-4: sc in 2nd ch from hook (Row 1), then ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (46 sc)
Begin Color D Center Square Section
The center square occupies stitches 9 through 38 (30 sts), from Row 5 through Row 26.
Row 5: ch 1, sc in first 8 sts in Color B, join Color D and sc in next 30 sts in Color D, rejoin Color B and sc in last 8 sts. Turn. (46 sc: 8 B + 30 D + 8 B)
Rows 6-26: Continue this color arrangement, maintaining 8 sc in Color B at each side and 30 sc in Color D in the center. (46 sc per row)
Rows 27-30: ch 1, sc in each st across in Color B only. Turn. (46 sc)
Fasten off. The lower wing panel is 46 sc wide and 30 rows tall.
Left Lower Wing Panel
Work as Right Lower Wing Panel. The lower wings are near-identical rectangles.
Checkpoint: Each lower wing panel should be 46 sc wide and 30 rows tall, approximately 9.2 in / 23 cm wide and 5 in / 12.7 cm tall.
Section 4: Wing Vein Overlay
After all four wing panels are complete but before assembly, add the wing vein lines using surface slip stitch.
Right Upper Wing Vein Lines: Thread Color B onto hook. Starting from the approximate center of the upper wing panel where the butterfly body will run, work surface slip stitch in a curved arc toward the outer upper corner. Work 4 to 5 such arcs radiating from the center, spaced approximately 5 rows apart.
Repeat on the Right Lower Wing, starting from the inner-lower edge and arcing downward and outward. Add a second pass using Color D for veins within the rose-colored center square.
Mirror all vein lines for Left Upper Wing and Left Lower Wing.
Section 5: Assembly
Step 1: Shoulder Seam. Hold Right Upper Wing Panel and Back Panel with right sides together. Using a yarn needle and Color A, whipstitch the 22-st shoulder tab of the Right Upper Wing to the 22-st right shoulder tab of the Back Panel. Repeat for Left side.
Step 2: Side Seam and Lower Wing Attachment. With right sides together, align the top edge of the Right Lower Wing Panel to the bottom edge of the Right Upper Wing Panel along the side seam edge. Seam these together. Then seam the side edge of the Right Lower Wing Panel to the side edge of the Back Panel at the lower portion. Repeat for Left side.
Checkpoint: The garment should measure approximately 14 in / 35.5 cm from shoulder to hem at the back.
Section 6: Borders
All border rounds are worked with Color B unless otherwise stated.
Hem Border
With RS facing, join Color B at the right side seam at the hem edge.
Rnd 1: ch 1, sc evenly around entire hem edge. Target 162 sc. Join with sl st. (162 sc)
Rnd 2: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st. (162 sc)
Rnd 3 (Shell border): ch 1, sc in first st, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st (shell made), sk 2 sts, sc in next st; rep around, ending with sl st to first sc. (27 shells)
Fasten off.
Front Edge and Neckline Border
With RS facing, join Color B at lower right front edge.
Row 1: sc evenly up the right front edge, around the neckline, and down the left front edge. Target 206 sc. Turn.
Row 2: ch 1, sc in each st. Turn. (206 sc)
Row 3 (Shell border): ch 1, sc in first st, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, rep across. Fasten off.
Sleeve Opening Border
With RS facing, join Color B at the bottom of the right armhole opening.
Rnd 1: sc evenly around entire armhole opening. Target 68 sc. (68 sc)
Rnd 2: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (68 sc)
Rnd 3 (Shell border): ch 1, sc in first st, (sk 2, 5 dc in next, sk 2, sc in next) around. Join.
Fasten off. Repeat for left armhole.
Section 7: Butterfly Body Applique
With Color B and hook E-4, chain 5.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch. Turn. (4 sc)
Row 2: ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (6 sc)
Rows 3-7: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (6 sc)
Row 8: ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (8 sc)
Rows 9-10: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (8 sc)
Row 11: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (6 sc)
Rows 12-13: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (6 sc)
Row 14: ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (4 sc)
Row 15: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (4 sc)
Row 16: ch 1, sc2tog, sc2tog. Turn. (2 sc)
Row 17: ch 1, sc2tog. Fasten off. (1 sc)
Thread 5 to 8 pearl beads onto Color B or coordinating thread and sew in a vertical line along the center of the butterfly body piece.
Pin the butterfly body strip vertically along the center front opening. The widest point should sit at the junction between upper and lower wings. Hand-sew in place.
Attach the two wooden butterfly buttons through both the butterfly body strip and the front edge at the wing junction points.
Section 8: Floral Appliques
Three-Dimensional Rose (make 6 total)
With Color D and hook D-3, chain 36.
Row 1: dc in 4th chain from hook, dc in next 2 chains, (ch 2, sk 2 ch, dc in next 3 ch) 7 times, dc in last 3 ch. Turn.
Row 2: ch 1, turn to work along bottom edge of foundation chain. In each ch-2 sp, work (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc). Fasten off leaving a 12-in tail.
Roll the strip from one end, coiling as you go, and use the tail to stitch through the base to secure layers.
Cherry Blossom (make 12 total: 6 in Color F, 6 in Color C)
With hook D-3, magic ring.
Rnd 1: ch 1, work 5 sc into ring, sl st to first sc to join. (5 sc)
Rnd 2: (ch 3, 2 dc in same st, ch 3, sl st in same st, sl st in next st) 5 times. (5 petals)
Fasten off. Pull magic ring closed.
Small Leaf (make 10 total)
With Color E and hook D-3, chain 10.
Row 1: sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in last ch. Now work back along the opposite side of the foundation chain: sl st in next, sc in next, hdc in next, dc in 3 next, hdc in next, sc in next, sl st in last. Fasten off.
Arrange and sew all appliques onto the wing panels as shown in the reference images, clustering roses with cherry blossoms and leaves in each wing quadrant.
Section 9: Finishing and Beading
Thread approximately 80 to 100 pearl beads along the front edges and hem border using a beading needle and coordinating thread. Space beads evenly along the scalloped shell border, placing one bead at the tip of each shell or between shells as desired.
For the butterfly body antennae, make a twisted cord or chain approximately 6 in / 15 cm. Fold in half and stitch the fold to the top center of the neckline. Curve the two free ends outward and upward to simulate antennae. Attach small picot loops or beads to the tips.
Block the finished cardigan gently using steam or spray blocking. Pin out the wing shapes to emphasize the butterfly silhouette and allow to dry completely before wearing.
Pattern Notes and Tips
1. The cardigan is designed to be worn open. The wooden butterfly buttons are decorative and do not carry structural stress.
2. When working colorwork in the lower wing panels, carry unused yarn loosely across the back or use separate bobbins for each color section to prevent puckering.
3. All floral appliques are sewn on after all panels are joined and bordered. Take your time placing them before stitching down permanently.
4. For the surface slip stitch wing veins, practice on your gauge swatch first. The key is maintaining even tension so the fabric does not pucker.
5. Right and left wings are mirror images. Pay close attention to which edge receives increases versus decreases as you work.
Caring for Your Finished Cardigan
Hand wash gently in cool water with mild detergent. Press out excess water without wringing. Lay flat on a towel to dry, reshaping the wing panels. Store flat or hung on a padded hanger to prevent stretching.
Thank you so much for choosing this pattern. I truly hope you enjoy creating your own wearable butterfly art. The process takes time, but watching those wings come together is incredibly rewarding.
If you make this Pink Cherry Blossom Butterfly Cardigan, I would absolutely love to see it. Tag me on Instagram or share a photo in my Facebook group. Your makes always brighten my day.
Save this crochet pattern to your Pinterest boards so you can find it whenever you are ready to start stitching. And please drop a comment below if you make one. I cannot wait to see your beautiful butterflies take flight!