Free Crochet Pattern - Butterfly Crochet Square - Tapestry Technique

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Attention!

This pattern is for personal use. You're welcome to sell or share pieces you make from it, but please credit Leticia Ribeiro Crochet Pattern as the designer whenever possible. Copying, redistributing, translating, or reselling this material — the text, the images, or the charts — is not permitted without my written permission.

If you have any questions, message me on social media — I'd love to see your square!

Happy crocheting!

INTRODUCTION TO TAPESTRY TECHNIQUE

This butterfly square was made using the tapestry crochet technique, worked with the Yarn Under Single Crochet (YUsc) method.
Tapestry crochet is a colorwork technique in which two or more yarn colors are used within the same row or round. Colors are changed mid-row, and the unused yarn is carried — trapped or encased inside the active stitches — instead of being cut and rejoined. This produces dense, woven, pixel-style pictures or geometric patterns with a clean, defined look on the right side of the work.

Stitch Choice

Tapestry crochet is usually worked in single crochet (US terms), since this stitch creates tight, square-like "pixels" that best define color-work charts.

The Yarn Under Single Crochet (YUsc)

The YUsc is a variation of the single crochet in which the hook is inserted under the working yarn (front to back) to pull up the loop, instead of over it. This produces a tighter, denser stitch with an "X" shape on the front, rather than the traditional "V" shape of a standard single crochet — giving tapestry pieces a crisper, more defined pixel look.

How to Work a YUsc:

1. Insert the hook into the designated stitch.
2. Yarn under (first pull): Bring the hook under the working yarn, front to back, so the yarn sits underneath the hook.
3. Pull up a loop: Draw the yarn through the stitch. You will have two loops on your hook.
4. Finish the stitch: Yarn over in the standard way (wrap the yarn over the top of the hook) and pull through both loops on the hook.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Finished Size: 10x10 cm

Materials:

Worsted Weight (#4) yarn, 100% cotton (Barroco Maxcolor - Círculo), Colors: Purple and Yellow.

Total yarn used: approximately 13 g (combined weight of all 2 colors)

3.5 mm crochet hook

Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Scissors

Estimated Time

Approximately 30 minutes. The actual time may vary depending on your skill level and familiarity with the tapestry technique.

2. ABBREVIATIONS

ch: Chain
sc: Single Crochet
st(s): Stitch(es)
RS / WS: Right Side / Wrong Side
Terminology
Standard US Crochet Terms

3. CHART READING & TAPESTRY TECHNIQUE

Each square on the chart represents 1 single crochet (sc), worked using the Yarn Under technique. The chart consists of 18 stitches × 17 rows, following the color changes shown.
The chart is read from the bottom-right corner, working in back-and-forth rows. Row 1 is the foundation row and is not labeled RS or WS. From Row 2 onward, even-numbered rows are the Right Side (RS) and are read from right to left. Odd-numbered rows (from Row 3 onward) are the Wrong Side (WS) and are read from left to right.
This also changes where you carry the unused yarn: on Right Side (RS) rows, carry it along the back of the work; on Wrong Side (WS) rows, carry it along the front of the work. Doing this keeps all color changes hidden on the wrong side, leaving the front of the piece clean and free of visible color-change mark.

Carrying the unused color in the Right Side

Start carrying unused color (Color B) and crocheting over it from the beginning of the row.

Changing Color in the Right Side

To change colors, complete the color change in the last yarn-over of the stitch: insert the hook, pull up a loop with the current color, then, with two loops on the hook, complete the stitch using the new color.

Turning your work to the wrong side

Color Change on the Wrong Side (WS)

4. General Recommendations

Working with tapestry crochet using two colors or more requires extra attention and is recommended for crocheters with some prior experience. If you are a beginner, practice on small swatches first and watch tutorials to become familiar with color changes.

You can make this piece using the tapestry crochet technique, intarsia, or a combination of both. Choose the method that you are most comfortable with or that best suits your crochet style.

Use the smallest hook size recommended for your yarn to achieve tighter stitches and a more defined design.

Adjust the tension of the carried yarn every 5–10 stitches by gently pulling it to prevent loose strands or excess bulk, without distorting the fabric.

Keep your yarn balls organized to prevent the strands from tangling. When turning your work, always keep the carried yarn on the wrong side.

Mark completed rows on the chart to make it easier to keep track of your progress.

When using the tapestry technique, it is normal for the carried yarn to be slightly visible on the right side of the work, especially when using highly contrasting colors. This is a characteristic of the technique and does not affect the finished result.

Once the piece is complete, block it if necessary to achieve the desired shape and final measurements.

4. CHART & ROW-BY-ROW INSTRUCTIONS

Color Key

Chart

Row-by-Row Instructions

Work Rows 1–17 in  YUsc, making 1 chain at the beginning of each row and turning your work at the end of every row. The turning chain does not count as a stitch. After completing Row 17, fasten off and weave in all ends.
Row 1 (Base row): With Color A, ch 19. Starting in the second chain from the hook, work in YUsc: Color A × 4, Color B × 2, Color A × 6, Color B × 2, Color A × 4.
Row 2 [RS]: Ch 1, Color A × 3, Color B × 4, Color A × 4, Color B × 4, Color A × 3.
Row 3 [WS]: Ch 1, Color A × 2, Color B × 5, Color A × 4, Color B × 5, Color A × 2.
Row 4 [RS]: Ch 1, Color A × 2, Color B × 6, Color A × 2, Color B × 6, Color A × 2.
Row 5 [WS]: Ch 1, Color A × 2, Color B × 6, Color A × 2, Color B × 6, Color A × 2.
Row 6 [RS]: Ch 1, Color A × 2, Color B × 6, Color A × 2, Color B × 6, Color A × 2.
Row 7 [WS]: Ch 1, Color A × 2, Color B × 14, Color A × 2.
Row 8 [RS]: Ch 1, Color A × 3, Color B × 12, Color A × 3.
Row 9 [WS]: Ch 1, Color A × 1, Color B × 16, Color A × 1.
Row 10 [RS]: Ch 1, Color A × 1, Color B × 16, Color A × 1.
Row 11 [WS]: Ch 1, Color B × 8, Color A × 2, Color B × 8.
Row 12 [RS]: Ch 1, Color B × 8, Color A × 2, Color B × 8.
Row 13 [WS]: Ch 1, Color B × 7, Color A × 4, Color B × 7.
Row 14 [RS]: Ch 1, Color B × 7, Color A × 4, Color B × 7.
Row 15 [WS]: Ch 1, Color B × 6, Color A × 6, Color B × 6.
Row 16 [RS]: Ch 1, Color B × 4, Color A × 10, Color B × 4.
Row 17 [WS]: Ch 1, Color B × 2, Color A × 14, Color B × 2.

Congratulations! Your Butterfly Square is complete! I hope you enjoyed making it and love the finished result.

I'd love to see your finished square! If you share it on Instagram or Pinterest, don't forget to tag me at @leticiaribeirocroche.

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