This crochet butterfly keychain is a tiny two-color butterfly made in just two rounds: a ring of double crochet sets, then eight petals that fold into a butterfly with little antennae. It is a lovely scrap-thread project and works as a keychain, a bag charm, a hair clip or an appliqué. The video is made for beginners and walks through every stitch.
Watch the video, then use the written steps below. They are the video’s own subtitles, word for word, so you can follow along at your own pace.
What You’ll Need
Yarn: the video uses Aunt Lydia’s Classic 10 Crochet Thread (or a similar 4-ply thread) in two colors: one for the first round and one for the petals. Small leftovers are plenty.
Hook: the video uses a 2.0 mm hook.
You’ll also need: a stitch marker, a tapestry needle for weaving in the ends, scissors, and a keyring or clip to turn your butterfly into a keychain.
Shop the supplies: Aunt Lydia’s Classic 10 thread · 2.0 mm crochet hook · stitch markers · tapestry needles · keychain rings
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Watch the Video Tutorial
Step-by-Step: The Video Subtitles
These are the video’s subtitles, copied word for word. The headings match the chapters on YouTube, so you can jump straight to that part of the video.
Intro & Materials (0:00)
The crochet butterfly tutorial for beginners is here!
For beginners, start with this
butterfly.
A super detailed video tutorial.
Once finished, you’ll get a
butterfly charm. Use Aunt Lydia’s Classic 10 Crochet Thread (or similar 4-ply thread) and a 2.0mm hook.
Making the Slip Knot & Starting Ring (0:15)
First, let’s make a
slip knot.
Pinch the yarn tail between the thumb and index finger of your right hand.
Extend your left hand.
Wrap the yarn around your pinky finger.
Bring the yarn over your index finger.
Loop it around your middle finger once.
Use your thumb to pinch the point where the yarn crosses.
Insert the hook into the loop.
Pull the yarn through.
Yarn over and pull through the loop on the hook.
This is one chain stitch (ch).
First Round: Chain Stitches & First Double Crochet (0:41)
Yarn over, pull through the loop.
This is the second chain stitch.
Yarn over, pull through the loop.
This is the third chain stitch.
These three chain stitches will count as our first double crochet (dc).
Place a stitch marker on the third chain stitch.
Yarn over, we will slip stitch (sl st) here to join later.
Working the First Round (8 Sets) (1:00)
Insert the hook back into the original loop (ring).
Yarn over and work another double crochet (dc) into the ring.
So now we have two double crochets.
Chain two (ch 2).
This counts as one set.
We need to make 8 sets total.
One double crochet (dc).
Two double crochets.
Chain two (ch 2).
This is the second set.
Two double crochets.
Chain two (ch 2).
This is the third set.
Two double crochets.
Chain two (ch 2).
This is the fourth set.
You can tighten the ring as you go.
Two double crochets.
Chain two (ch 2).
This is the fifth set.
This is the sixth set.
Two double crochets.
Chain two (ch 2).
This is the seventh set.
Two double crochets.
Chain two (ch 2).
After the 8th set, let’s count them.
One set, two sets,
three sets, four sets,
five sets, six sets,
seven sets, eight sets.
Tightening the Ring & Joining the Round (2:43)
After 8 sets are done, tighten the ring.
Remove the stitch marker.
Insert the hook back into the loop (the center).
Insert into the stitch where the marker was (the first dc/ch-3 space).
Yarn over and pull the yarn through.
Then pull through the loop on the hook.
This is a slip stitch (sl st).
Changing Yarn Color (3:07)
Chain one (ch 1), cut the yarn.
Now the first round is complete.
Now we will change yarn color.
Right next to where we just cut the yarn,
insert the hook between the chain and the first double crochet.
Insert here.
Pull the new yarn through.
Chain one (ch 1).
Second Round: Making the Petals (6 DC in each space) (3:33)
Yarn over, into the next chain-2 space (the gap),
place these two yarn tails over the hook (to weave in ends).
Work 6 double crochets (dc) into this space.
One,
Yarn over,
insert hook into space, pull yarn through.
Yarn over, pull through two loops.
Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
That’s two double crochets.
Three,
Four,
Keep these yarn tails over the hook the whole time (to encase them).
This way they’re woven in.
Five,
Six.
Here,
at the point between the two double crochets (from previous round),
insert the hook.
Still keep the yarn tails over the hook.
Work a slip stitch (sl st).
Yarn over.
In the next chain-2 space, do the same thing.
Keep these yarn tails over the hook.
Work 6 double crochets (dc) into this space. One,
Two,
Three,
Four,
Five,
Six.
Again, between the two double crochets (from previous round), insert the hook.
Pull yarn through.
Then pull through the loop on the hook.
This is a slip stitch (sl st).
Two petals completed.
Weaving in Ends & Completing All 8 Petals (5:24)
There are 8 petals total.
Again, yarn over,
go to the next
chain-2 space, work 6 double crochets.
Just follow the same pattern.
Work 8 sets total.
Two double crochets,
Three,
Four,
Five,
Six.
Slip stitch (sl st) in the space between the two double crochets.
Three petals completed.
You can cut these yarn tails after weaving them in for a bit.
Yarn over, go to the next space, work 6 double crochets.
Now just continue with the same pattern
and finish this round.
Five double crochets,
Six double crochets.
After the last petal is done,
find the chain from the first petal.
On the very bottom chain stitch,
insert the hook there.
Pull yarn through.
Then pull through the loop on the hook.
This is a slip stitch (sl st).
Joining the Second Round & Making the Antennae Chain (6:39)
Do not cut the yarn. Chain 8 (ch 8).
One,
Two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Eight chains done.
Folding the Butterfly & Attaching the Antennae (6:53)
Then fold the butterfly in half.
Match up the two sides evenly.
Bring the yarn from the bottom around like this.
Bring it around to where the chain is.
Then bring our yarn
over to this side.
Pull it through, then pull through the loop on the hook.
Chain one (ch 1), leave a long tail.
Weaving in the Final Ends (7:29)
Cut the yarn.
Thread a tapestry needle.
We’ll weave in the ends.
On the back of the butterfly, weave the yarn through the stitches.
Then weave in the end.
Weave it through the inside of the butterfly like this.
After weaving, cut the yarn.
Adding the Center Antennae (Optional) (8:02)
Cut a small piece of yarn for the center (the first round color).
Meaning the yarn color used for the butterfly’s first round.
Insert the hook into the
chain (the antenna base).
Pull the yarn through.
Trim it a bit.
Cut them shorter.
These are the butterfly’s antennae.
Finished Butterfly! (8:28)
And now the crochet butterfly is complete!
Quick, start crocheting!
Bye bye, see you next time!
Butterfly Keychain Tips
- Use the stitch marker. The video marks the third chain at the start, which makes the slip-stitch join at the end of round 1 easy to find.
- Crochet over your tails. Keeping the yarn tails over the hook while you work the petals, as the video shows, hides them as you go and saves weaving later.
- Play with color pairs. The video shows purple with pink, and yellow with white. A light center with a bright petal color looks lovely.
- Make a batch. They are small and quick, so they are perfect for gifts, party favors and market tables.
More Keychains to Crochet
If you enjoyed this one, try the Crochet Biscuit Keychain, the Easy Crochet Keychain Tutorial, the Cute Crochet Owl Keychain, or browse 5 WOW Crochet Keychain Ideas. Love butterflies? See our 30+ free crochet butterfly patterns and the spectacular butterfly keychain.
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Happy hooking!
