A dark blue scarf with multicolored butterflies is draped over a wooden chair. A white teacup and saucer and a wooden bowl filled with yellow, blue, and red yarn balls sits beside the chair. Winter coats hang in the background.

Butterfly Waltz Scarf

crochet pattern | $6.99 USD

The Butterfly Waltz Scarf combines playful colorwork with a distinctive motif construction for a fresh, eye-catching design.

Perfect for adventurous makers, this intermediate-level pattern offers a rewarding challenge while still being approachable. With step-by-step instructions, stitch charts, and detailed photo and video tutorials, you’ll feel confident bringing this enchanting design to life.

How This Scarf Is Made

The trapezoid-shaped motif used in this pattern is both moderately challenging and exceptionally entertaining. A variety of stitches will keep your interest piqued as the butterfly takes shape with each new round. Tips and photos appear alongside the instructions to guide you through every step.

When the motifs are arranged, the butterflies appear to dance in pairs. Rows of motifs are joined into two strips with single crochet. The strips are then joined together the same way. A simple picot border finishes the scarf with a delicate touch.

Pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Concentration Level
Fair Amount of Focus Required: The motif features an involved stitch pattern, in which you will be working into and around specific stitches 2 or 3 rounds below. This may require fairly constant concentration for the first several motifs you make.

Stitches Used
Chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, half treble crochet, treble crochet, back post single crochet, front post double crochet, front post treble crochet, single crochet join, picot

Techniques Used
Adjustable ring (aka double magic ring), working in the round, chain color change, single crochet seam, double crochet seam, alternate beginning chain-3 (aka stacked single crochet), ability to read a crochet stitch chart is not necessary but may help.

Finished Measurements (approximate size after blocking)
9 x 62 inches (23 x 157.5 cm)

Hook and Yarn
Super Fine (CYC #1) Weight Yarn
approximately 980 yards in 6 colors

Each sample shown here was made with a D/3/3.25mm crochet hook and Manos del Uruguay Fino super fine (fingering) weight 70% extrafine merino wool/30% silk yarn (490 yds/448 m; 3.5 oz/100 g per hank).

Blue Sample
• 1 hank of Fino in the color #432 Admiral was used for the background in each motif
• 1 Fino mini skein set in the color #27 Esme was used for the butterflies in each motif

Lavender Sample
• 1 hank of Fino in the color #448 Whalebone was used for the background in each motif
• 1 Fino mini skein set in the color #20 Willa was used for the butterflies in each motif

Customization
To help you create a custom color palette for your scarf if desired, the pattern includes the approximate quantity (in yards/meters; ounces/grams) of each yarn color needed for one motif and the border. The bonus Coloring Sheet will help you plan your colors and layout, while the blank Color Combinations Chart will help keep you organized.

Additional Tools and Materials
Size D/3/3.25mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
Tapestry needle

Gauge
Though exact gauge is not essential, for best appearance it should be close.

Motif Rnds 1–4 = 2 inches (5 cm)
Finished Motif = 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) across top, 3 inches (7.5 cm) across bottom, 4 inches (10 cm) from top to bottom, blocked

I used a D/3/3.25mm crochet hook. Select the hook size that gives the best appearance for your choice of yarn and your tension.

A significantly different gauge may require more or less yarn than listed.

25-PAGE PATTERN INCLUDES
• Linked Table of Contents and bookmarks for easy navigation
• Instructions for each motif are illustrated with photos of each completed round
• Stitch chart for motif, plus individual stitch charts to illustrate each round
• Assembly diagram to guide layout
• Printable coloring sheet for planning your colors
• Bonus 2-page Yarn Color Combination guide with 24 possible Manos del Uruguay color palettes for inspiration

This Pattern Comes with Additional Resources to Help You Along
• Detailed instructions, photo tutorial, and video will walk you through how to crochet the motif (link and QR code in pattern, also see below).
• Pattern support. Please feel free to send me a message if you have any questions about the pattern. I’m always happy to help!

Videos

Crochet the Butterfly Waltz Motif: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Woman wearing a dark blue crochet scarf adorned with multicolored butterflies in shades of purple, red, blue, and yellow. Some butterflies face up, while others face down.
Crochet butterfly motifs in shades of blue, purple, red, and yellow are piled on top of each other.
A dark blue crochet scarf adorned with multicolored butterflies in shades of red, purple, blue, and yellow. Picots are used on the edges of the scarf, which are also wavy, to give is a nubby texture.
Woman wearing a lavender crochet scarf adorned with multicolored butterflies in shades of purple, blue, and green. Some butterflies face up, while others face down.
Crochet butterfly motifs in shades of purple, blue, and green are piled on top of each other.
A lavender crochet scarf adorned with multicolored butterflies in shades of purple, blue, and green. Picots are used on the edges of the scarf, which are also wavy, to give is a nubby texture.
A crochet butterfly motif in progress, which sits on a striped wooden board. Around the motif are scattered a pair of black scissors, bundles of purple and green yarn, and a wooden crochet hook.