Butterfly Bag in Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton - Downloadable PDF

Butterfly Bag Crochet Pattern – Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (Free Downloadable PDF)

The Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Butterfly Bag (Pattern Number M23142 TC) is a free, beginner-friendly crochet pattern that produces a cheerful, colorful tote bag adorned with decorative crocheted butterflies. Published by Lion Brand Yarn Company in 2023, this pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated Easy skill level, making it an excellent project for newer crocheters who want to practice working in the round and simple colorwork.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a roomy, rounded handbag with a finished circumference of approximately 36 inches (91.5 cm) at its widest point and a finished height of approximately 11½ inches (29 cm), not including the handles. The bag features a structured oval base that widens into a full, rounded body, with separately worked handles and charming three-dimensional butterfly motifs sewn onto the exterior. The overall effect is a bright, summery accessory perfect for warm-weather outings or as a fun craft gift.

Construction Techniques

• Worked in the round from the base upward: The bag begins with a foundation chain and is then crocheted in continuous rounds, building from an oval base up through the body of the bag. This seamless construction gives the finished piece a clean, polished look without visible seams along the sides.
• Magic Ring start: The pattern introduces a magic ring technique — wrapping yarn around the index finger, inserting the hook, and drawing up a loop before slipping the ring off the finger — which is used to begin elements worked from the center outward with a tightly closed center hole.
• Handles worked separately in continuous rounds (spiral): The bag handles are crocheted as independent tubular pieces worked in a spiral, then attached to the bag body. Working in a continuous spiral (without joining at the end of each round) creates a smooth, even tube ideal for sturdy handles.
• Butterfly motifs worked separately and sewn on: Each butterfly is crocheted as its own individual piece and then sewn onto the bag after the body is complete. This appliqué approach allows for precise placement and adds a playful, dimensional texture to the surface of the bag.
• Stitch markers used throughout: The pattern calls for stitch markers to track key positions in the round, particularly at the curved ends of the oval base, ensuring accurate shaping as rounds are added.

Stitches Used

• Half double crochet (hdc): The primary stitch used throughout the bag body and base. Half double crochet creates a fabric that is slightly taller than single crochet but denser than double crochet, resulting in a sturdy yet flexible bag structure. The gauge for this pattern is 16 hdc + 12 rows = approximately 4 inches (10 cm).
• Picot: A decorative stitch used in the butterfly motifs, defined in the pattern as: chain 4, slip stitch in the 4th chain from the hook. Picots create small, delicate loops that add a lacy, ornamental detail to the butterfly wings.
• Slip stitch (sl st): Used within the picot construction and for joining rounds where applicable.
• Chain stitch (ch): Used for the foundation chain of the bag base, for beginning rounds, and as part of the picot stitch definition.

Materials – Yarn

The pattern is designed specifically for Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton® (Art. #761), a worsted weight cotton yarn. A total of six colors are used across the project:

• Color A – #098 Ecru: 3 balls (used for the main bag body)
• Color B – #102 Aqua: 1 ball
• Color C – #144 Magenta: 1 ball
• Color D – #172 Grass: 1 ball
• Color E – #186 Amber: 1 ball
• Color F – #103 Pink Lemonade: 1 ball