Hi everyone! I’m so excited to have my work featured here and to share with you one of my favorite designs - the Baby Butterfly Costume. I love designing baby makes and created this one especially for THN readers.
My name is Amanda Saladin and I share my free patterns at Love.Life.Yarn. I’ve been designing knit and crochet patterns since 2011 and have had my work featured in many publications including Vogue Knitting and Interweave Crochet to name a couple. I didn’t start blogging until a couple of years ago and really love the maker community I’ve found online.
My husband and I live just outside Nashville, TN with our four boys (all under age 10!), three cats and a yard full of chickens and ducks. I am a high school teacher by day, teaching my students about nutrition and child development, but at night I get my yarn out and create things once the kiddos go to bed.
Even though I hold a BS degree in apparel design, it took me a long time to join my love of yarn and my love of designing. I started designing knit and crochet patterns as a way to help make some extra money from home but it quickly evolved into something so much more fulfilling than that. The joy I get from seeing my designs created and enjoyed by others is what keeps me going. I am totally inspired by other makers and seeing what people create still amazes me.
I design patterns for the whole family but I have a lot of focus on baby makes because they are something that I find myself returning to time and again. There is just something about baby makes that excite me - the cute tiny clothes, colorful palettes, and whimsical designs all call to me, so when it came time for me to pick a project to submit to THN, it was a no-brainer!
The Baby Butterfly Costume is a onesie and hat set that uses only single crochet. I design my onesies based off of garments I kept from when my boys were babies (they grow SO fast!) and I use snap tape instead of buttons because it is so much easier to change diapers with snaps instead of trying to get buttons undone. It would be really easy to substitute buttons if you prefer, or you can use the snap tape as shown.
Supply List
Yarn: Lion Brand Feels Like Butta (100% polyester, 3.5oz/100g, 218 yd/199m): Charcoal (MC) 2 (3) skeins, 1 skein each Lilac (CC1), White (CC2)
Hook: US size H/8 (5.0 mm); US size I/9 (5.5 mm)
Notions: Yarn needle; stitch markers; ¼ yard of black snap tape
Skill Level
Intermediate
Sizes
Onesie: 6 (12) months, 17 (18)” chest; Hat: Baby (Toddler), 14 (16)” head circumference
Shown in size 12 months
Gauge
16 sts and 20 rows = 4” [10 cm] in sc with larger hook
Notes
Rounds are not joined unless noted. Place stitch marker in first st of each round to keep track. If only one number is given that number applies to both sizes.
Ch 3 at beginning of a row does not count as a dc.
Key
Ch - chain
Sc - single crochet
Dec - decrease
Sk - skip
Slip st - slip stitch
St - stitch
Sc2tog - single crochet 2 together
Onesie
Back
With larger hook, ch 13 (17).
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch and each ch across, turn – 12 (16) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Row 3 (Inc Row): Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st, turn – 14 (18) sts.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Rows 5-6: Rep Rows 3-4 – 16 (20) sts.
Rows 7-8: Rep Rows 3-4 – 18 (22) sts.
Rows 9-10: Rep Rows 3-4 – 20 (24) sts.
Rows 11-12: Rep Rows 3-4 – 22 (26) sts.
Rows 13-14: Rep Rows 3-4 – 24 (28) sts.
Rows 15-16: Rep Rows 3-4 – 26 (30) sts.
Rows 17-18: Rep Rows 3-4 – 28 (32) sts.
Rows 19-20: Rep Rows 3-4 – 30 (34) sts.
Row 21: Rep Row 3 – 32 (36) sts.
Work even in sc for 40 (45) rows.
Armhole Shaping
Row 1: Sl st in first 2 sts, ch 1, sc in each st to last 2 sts, leave rem sts unworked, turn – 28 (32) sts.
Rows 2-11: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Row 12: Ch 1, sc in first 7 (9) sts, leave rem sts unworked, turn – 7 (9) sts.
Row 13: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each st to end, turn – 6 (8) sts.
Row 14: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Row 15: Rep Row 13 – 5 (7) sts.
Work even in sc for 3 (5) rows.
Ribbing
Change to smaller hook, ch 4.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next ch, sc2tog last ch and first st of last row, turn – 3 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc blo in each st across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc blo in first 2 sts, sc2tog blo last st and 2nd st of last row, turn.
Rep Rows 2-3 across 5 (7) sts of Shoulder.
Fasten off.
Join yarn at opposite side and repeat from Armhole Row 12.
Front
With larger hook, ch 11 (15).
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn – 10 (14) sts.
Row 2: Work 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to last st, 2 sc in last st, turn – 12 (16) sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Rows 4-5: Rep Rows 2-3 – 14 (18) sts.
Rows 6-7: Rep Rows 2-3 – 16 (20) sts.
Rows 8-9: Rep Rows 2-3 – 18 (22) sts.
Rows 10-11: Rep Rows 2-3 – 20 (24) sts.
Rows 12-13: Rep Rows 2-3 – 22 (26) sts.
Row 14: Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st across – 27 (31) sts.
Row 15: Rep Row 14 – 32 (36) sts.
Work even in sc for 40 (45) rows.
Armhole Shaping
Work same as Back to Ribbing. Fasten off.
Neckline
With smaller hook, join yarn at neck edge, ch 3.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc2tog last ch and first st of last row – 2 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc blo in each st across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc blo in first st, sc2tog blo last st and 2nd st of last row, turn.
Rep Rows 2-3 around neck edge, working from one shoulder to another.
Fasten off.
Sew side seams.
Sew snap tape to Shoulder seams, overlapping ribbing. Tack Armhole edges. Sew snap tape to bottom of Front and Back, using photos as a guide. Snap tape should be on the RS of front and WS of back.
Sleeves
With larger hook, join yarn at underarm seam.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc 32 (34) sts evenly around, turn – 32 (34) sts.
Rnds 2-3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, turn.
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog – 30 (32) sts.
Rnds 5-6: Ch 1, sc in each st around, turn.
Rnds 7-9: Rep Rnds 4-6 – 28 (30) sts.
Rnds 10-12: Rep Rnds 4-6 – 26 (28) sts.
Rnds 13-15: Rep Rnds 4-6 – 24 (26) sts.
Rnds 16-18: Rep Rnds 4-6 – 22 (24) sts.
Rnds 19-20: Ch 1, sc in each st around, turn.
Rnd 21: Rep Rnd 4 – 20 (22) sts.
Work even in sc for 14 (18) rnds, turning at each end.
Ribbing
Change to smaller hook, ch 3.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc2tog last ch and first st of last rnd – 2 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc blo in each st across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc blo in first st, sc2tog blo last st and 2nd st of last rnd, turn.
Rep Rows 2-3 around Sleeve edge.
Fasten off.
Wing (Make 2)
With larger hook and MC, ch 4.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across; turn - 3 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc, 2 sc in last st; turn - 5 sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc 3, 2 sc in last st; turn - 7 sts.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc MC in first st, (sc CC, sc MC) three times; turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, sc MC, (2 CC1 sc in next st, sc MC) three times; turn - 10 sts.
Row 6: Ch 1, work even in colors as established; turn.
Row 7: Ch 1, 2 sc MC in first st, sc 2 CC1, (sc MC, sc 2 CC1) twice, 2 MC sc in last st; turn - 12 sts.
Row 8: Ch 1, sc 2 MC, (sc 2 CC1, sc 2 MC in next st) twice, sc 2 CC1, sc 2 MC; turn - 14 sts.
Row 9: Ch 1, sc 2 MC (sc 2 CC1 in next st, sc CC1, sc 2 MC) three times; turn - 17 sts.
Row 10: Ch 1, work even in colors as established; turn.
Row 11: Ch 1, sc 2 MC in first st, work in colors as established to last st, sc 2 MC in last st; turn - 19 sts.
Row 12: Ch 1, sc 3 MC, (sc 3 CC1, sc 2 MC in next st, sc MC) twice, sc 3 CC1, sc 3 MC; turn - 21 sts.
Row 13: Ch 1, sc 3 MC, (sc 2 CC1 in next st, sc 2 CC1, sc 3 MC) three times; turn - 24 sts.
Row 14: Ch 1, work even in colors as established; turn.
Row 15: Repeat row 11 - 26 sts.
Row 16: Ch 1, sc 4 MC, (sc 4 CC1, sc 2 MC in next st, sc 2 MC) twice, sc 4 CC1, sc 4 MC; turn - 28 sts.
Row 17: Ch 1, sc 4 MC, (sc 2 CC1 in next st, sc 3 CC1, sc 4 MC) three times; turn - 31 sts.
Row 18: Ch 1, work even in colors as established; turn.
Row 19: Ch 1, sc 4 MC, (sc 2 CC1 in next st, sc 4 CC1, sc 4 MC) three times; turn - 34 sts.
Row 20: Ch 1, work even in colors as established; turn.
Row 21: Ch 1, sc 4 MC, (sc 5 CC1, sc 2 CC1 in next st, sc 4 MC) three times; turn - 37 sts.
Row 22: Ch 1, work even in colors as established; turn.
Row 23: Ch 1, sc 4 MC, (sc 2 CC1 in next st, sc 6 CC1, sc 4 MC) three times; turn - 40 sts.
Row 24: Ch 1, work even in colors as established; turn.
Row 25: Ch 1, sc 4 MC, (sc 7 CC1, sc 2 CC1 in next st, sc 4 MC) three times; turn - 43 sts.
Row 26: Ch 1, work even in colors as established; turn.
Row 27: Ch 1, sc 2 MC in first st, sc 4 MC, (sc 7 CC1, 6 MC) twice, 7 CC1, 4 MC, sc 2 MC in last st - 45 sts.
Row 28: Ch 1, sc 7 MC, (sc 5 CC1, sc 8 MC) twice, sc 5 CC1, sc 7 MC; turn. Cut CC1.
Row 29: Ch 1, 2 sc MC in first st, sc MC to last st, 2 sc MC in last st - 47 sts.
Row 30: Ch 1, sc even in MC; turn.
Row 31: Ch 1, sc 2 MC in first st, sc 8 MC, (sc 3 CC2, sc 10 MC) twice, sc 3 CC2, sc 8 MC, sc 2 MC in last st; turn - 49 sts.
Row 32: Ch 1, sc 9 MC, (sc 5 CC2, sc 8 MC) twice, sc 5 CC2, sc 9 MC; turn.
Row 33: Ch 1, sc 2 MC in first st, sc 8 MC, (sc 5 CC2, sc 8 MC) twice, sc 5 CC2, sc 8 MC, sc 2 MC in last st; turn - 51 sts.
Row 34: Ch 1, sc 11 MC, (sc 3 CC2, sc 10 MC) twice, sc 3 CC2, sc 11 MC; turn.
Row 35: With MC, ch 1, sc 2, hdc 2, dc 6, tr 5, dc 2, hdc, sc, sl st in next st, sc, hdc, dc, tr 5, dc, hdc, sc, sl st in next st, sc, hdc, dc 2, tr 5, dc 6, hdc 2, sc 2.
Fasten off.
Sew wings to underarms and side of body as shown.
Leg Edging
Join yarn at left side seam of Leg opening.
Sc evenly around, working 3 sc in corners. Fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Hat
With larger hook, make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in magic ring, pull tight to close, join with sl st to first sc – 6 sts.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around – 12 sts.
Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 18 sts.
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 24 sts.
Rnd 5: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 30 sts.
Rnd 6: *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 36 sts.
Rnd 7: *Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 42 sts.
Rnd 8: *Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 48 sts.
Rnd 9: *Sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 54 sts.
Rnd 10: *Sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 60 sts.
Size Toddler Only
Rnd 11: *Sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around – 66 sts.
All Sizes
Work 15 (18) rnds even – 60 (66) sts.
Ribbing
Change to smaller hook, ch 5.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 ch, sc2tog last ch and first st of last rnd, turn – 4 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc blo in each st across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc blo in first 3 sts, sc2tog blo last st and 2nd st of last rnd, turn.
Rep Rows 2-3 around.
Fasten off.
Antennae
With RS facing and MC, join yarn to hat where you want the antennae.
Ch 5. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 ch, sc2tog last ch and same st as join. (4 sts)
Fasten off.
Antennae Top
Ch 4.
Rnd 1: 9 dc in 4th ch from hook, join with sl st in t-ch. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Weave the tail through the tops of the 9 dc and top of t-ch. Pull tight to form a ball.
To make top of antennae, sew gathered spot to top of stem.
Repeat on opposite side for second antennae.
Weave in ends.
I had such a blast designing this pattern - and the photoshoot with my youngest son’s bestie was just as much fun! I’d love to see photos of finished butterfly costumes - you can tag me on Instagram.
.png)
Seeing what you all create with these designs is what inspires me, so pick up that hook and yarn and start your next project today!
