The Mariposa Butterfly knitting pattern is a quick knit that adds a touch of whimsy to walls, doorframes, and mobiles.
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Mariposa Butterfly
Knitting Pattern
Mariposa is a beautiful knitted butterfly that brings a bit of brightness and joy to any room!
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Sizes
Finished size:
10″ X 9″
Materials
Yarn:
40 yd variegated color DK weight yarn, for wings (try Urth Uneek)
(Pictured: hand-dyed by author)
10 yd Red Heart Soft in Pink, for body
Needles:
US #8/5.00 mm DPN
Other Materials:
thin craft wire
invisible nylon thread (optional, for hanging)
Notes
Gauge:
18 sts x 24 rows = 4″ x 4″
in Stockinette stitch
DK weight yarn
Abbreviations
BO – bind off
CO – cast on
k – knit
m – marker
p – purl
pm – place marker
sm – slip marker
st(s) – stitch(es)
yo – yarn over
Pattern
This knitted butterfly is knitted in three pieces: two wings and a body.
The wings are worked back and forth. They begin at the narrower end (near the body) and end at the flare (outside edge).
The body is made from 5 stitches of i-cord, which is worked in the round.
The wings are sewn to the body. Craft wire helps the wings keep their shape when the butterfly is aloft.
Left Wing
The left wing of the butterfly is on your left when facing the butterfly. It is worked back and forth from the body side to the outside edge.
Setup
With variegated DK yarn, CO 14 sts.
Knit 1 row, pm as follows: k2, (pm, k1) 3 times, pm, k4, (pm, k1) 3 times, pm, k2
Purl 1 row.
Small Left Wing
Begin increasing the left wing as follows:
Row 1 – (k to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo) 4 times, k to end [22 sts]
Row 2 – p all
Row 3 – k all
Row 4 – p all
Repeat Rows 1-4. [30 sts]
Repeat Rows 1-3. [38 sts]
On the next row, BO 11 sts purlwise and p to end. [27 sts]
Small left wing complete.
Large Left Wing
Work the remaining stitches as follows:
Row 1 – *k to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo* 3 times, k to end [33 sts]
Row 2 – p all
Row 3 – k all
Row 4 – p all
Repeat these 4 rows. [39 sts]
BO all sts. Weave in ends.
Right Wing
The right wing of the butterfly is on your right when facing the butterfly. It is worked back and forth from the body side to the outside edge.
Setup
With variegated DK yarn, CO 14 sts.
Knit 1 row, pm as follows: k2, (pm, k1) 3 times, pm, k4, (pm, k1) 3 times, pm, k2
Purl 1 row.
Small Right Wing
Begin increasing the right wing as follows:
Row 1 – (k to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo) 4 times, k to end [22 sts]
Row 2 – p all
Row 3 – k all
Row 4 – p all
Repeat Rows 1-4. [30 sts]
Repeat Rows 1-2. [38 sts]
BO 11 sts and k to end. [27 sts]
On the next row, p all.
Small right wing complete.
Large Right Wing
Work the remaining stitches as follows:
Row 1 – *k to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo* 3 times, k to end [33 sts]
Row 2 – p all
Row 3 – k all
Row 4 – p all
Repeat these 4 rows [39 sts].
BO all sts. Weave in ends.
Large right wing complete.
Body
With Red Heart Soft in Pink, CO 5 sts.
Work in i-cord until body measures 6″/about 1″ longer than the small side of the wings.
BO all sts.
I-Cord
I-cord is a tube that is knitted in the round with double-pointed needles.
To knit a 5-stitch i-cord, cast on 5 sts.
Knit 5 stitches.
Slide the stitches from the right side end of the left-hand needle to the left-side end of the left-hand needle.
Do not turn your work.
Put the left-hand needle in your right hand and the right-hand needle in your left hand.
Seriously, do not turn your work!
Knit the 5 stitches again, snugly pulling the working yarn across the back of the stitches you’ve already worked.
Things will look a bit wonky at first, but keep knitting, sliding, changing hands, and not turning and eventually, you’ll find you have an i-cord!
To finish your i-cord, snip your yarn and pull it through your live stitches in order. The tail can be sewn into the i-cord or tucked invisibly into the center.
Finishing
BO all sts. Weave in ends.
Block the wings.
Gently weave craft wire in and out of the Stockinette curl of both wings. Shape as desired.
Optional: Using nylon thread, hang in your desired location.
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