Crocheted Butterflies in King Cole Big Value DK 50g - 9160pdf - Downloadable PDF

King Cole Big Value DK Amigurumi Crocheted Butterflies – Pattern Summary (Leaflet 9160)

This downloadable PDF pattern from King Cole (Leaflet 9160) guides crocheters through making charming amigurumi-style crocheted butterflies, finished sizes ranging from approximately 17 to 24 cm. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and is worked entirely in crochet, making it a satisfying project for crafters who are comfortable with basic crochet construction and are ready to explore three-dimensional toy-making techniques.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces decorative and playful crocheted butterfly toys and accessories, constructed in the amigurumi tradition — a Japanese craft technique that uses continuous rounds of crochet to build up small, stuffed three-dimensional figures. Each butterfly is assembled from several individually crocheted components, including a body and head, wings, spots, and antennae, which are then sewn together and embellished with embroidered facial features. The pattern includes at least a Small Butterfly size, with the leaflet indicating that multiple sizes are available for the crocheter to circle and select.

Construction and Techniques

The butterflies are built using classic amigurumi construction methods. Key techniques used throughout the pattern include:

• Working in continuous rounds – The body, head, and spot components are crocheted in a spiral without joining rounds, using a stitch marker moved up at the end of each round to track progress. This is the hallmark technique of amigurumi and produces a seamless, smooth fabric ideal for stuffed figures.
• Magic ring / starting chain method – Each component begins with a short foundation chain (typically 2 chain stitches), with multiple double crochet stitches worked into the second chain from the hook to create a tight, closed starting circle.
• Increasing rounds – The body and head are shaped through a series of evenly spaced increase rounds, growing from 6 stitches up through 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 stitches, creating a rounded, domed shape characteristic of amigurumi heads.
• Flat wing construction – Unlike the body, the wings are worked in rows rather than rounds, beginning with a 40-chain foundation. The wing shaping uses a combination of double crochet stitches and strategic placement of increases at the centre point to create the distinctive butterfly wing silhouette.
• Slip stitch antennae – The antennae are formed by working an 8-chain length and then slip stitching back along the chain, producing a neat, firm cord-like structure.
• Embroidery for facial features – Eyes and mouth are added using embroidery in Black yarn, with vertical straight stitches forming the eyes and a small "U" shape forming the mouth, stitched directly onto the crocheted fabric.
• Making up and assembly – All components are pinned and sewn together. Notably, the spots are attached in pairs — one on the front of the wing and one on the back in the same position — and sewn through from front to back so both spots are aligned, adding a polished, professional finish.

Stitches Used

The pattern uses a focused set of crochet stitches, keeping the construction accessible while still producing detailed results:

• Chain stitch (ch) – Used for foundation chains and to begin components
• Double crochet (dc) – The primary stitch used throughout all components for body, head, wings, and spots
• Slip stitch (slst) – Used to finish rounds and to construct the antennae
• dc2tog – Double crochet two stitches together, a decrease stitch that reduces the stitch count by one; used in shaping
• dc3tog – Double crochet three stitches together, a decrease stitch that reduces the stitch count by two; used for more pronounced shaping
• Increases (2dc in next st) – Standard amigurumi increase method worked throughout the body and head shaping rounds

Materials – Yarn, Hook, and Tension

The pattern is