Knitting patterns using the butterfly stitch, also called the bow or bowtie stitch. This is one of my favorite stitches. It's fun to knit - just slip stitches on 3 or more rows, and then pick up the slipped stitch in another row. It's easy but the effect is charming. Updated 4/28/23
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
All links on this site are for informational purposes, but please note that some links are to affiliate sellers that pay me a small commission on purchases.
Free Patterns
Butterflies Baby Blanket
Baby blanket with striped border of butterfly or bow stitch surrounding a cable center. Size 34" x 46". Great stashbuster Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Mary Maxim
- Get the free knitting pattern. You need to add to cart and checkout without payment info
- See more Striped Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns
Bow Stitch Fingerless Arm Warmers or Mitts
Easy fingerless mitts featuring the bow stitch or butterfly stitch. 3 sizes. Designed by Janis Frank who allows you to sell any of the arm warmers, gloves or mitts you make from this pattern. Worsted weight yarn. Web version is free.
- Get the free knitting pattern - web version. Scroll down the target page to see the pattern.
- Buy the PDF knitting pattern at Etsy
- See more Easy Fingerless Mitts Knitting Patterns
Bow Slippers Knit Flat
Easy slippers featuring the bow stitch or butterfly stitch. Knit flat on two needles. Sizes girls' size 9 to a woman's size 12. Designed by Janis Frank. Worsted weight yarn. Web version is free.
- Get the free knitting pattern - web version
- Buy the PDF knitting pattern at Etsy
- See more Slippers Knit Flat Knitting Patterns
Starburst Bag
Striped tote with easy slipped butterfly stitch and moss stitch sides and handle. Size 36cm by 29cm bag (excluding gusset). Designed by Jo Allport. Aran weight yarn. A kit is also available for less than $20.
Cute as a Bug Baby Bonnet
This bonnet with butterfly stitch border comes in two versions, one with ribbed edge and stockinette crown and one with garter edge and garter crown. There are also two versions of the butterfly pattern; ‘big and small butterflies’ and ‘just big butterflies’. 0-3 months. Designed by Cecilie Clark. DK weight yarn. Pictured projects by aswimmy and le-petite
Butterfly Wash Cloth
Square for dish or wash cloth or afghan square with the butterfly stitch. Designed by Joan Barnett. Great with multi-color or solid yarn. Worsted weight yarn. Pictured projects by MamaMellie and knittenpearl.
- Get the free knitting pattern at the Internet archive
- See the Ravelry page
- See more Wash Cloth Knitting Patterns
Butterfly Beret
Hat knit with a butterfly stitch crown. Medium/Large brim and Small brim. Designed by Rachel Iufer. DK weight yarn. Pictured project by E-Dogg.
Butterfly Baby Cardigan
Seamless top down cardigan with butterfly stitches on the sleeves and lower front and back. Designed by Pyropagan Knits. Worsted weight yarn. Pictured project by mkmclearen who used bulky yarn to increase the size.
More Free Patterns
Fly My Butterfly Socks
These top-down socks feature the butterfly stitch on a slip stitch 2 color with only one color used per round. Perfect for using one variegated yarn with a contrasting solid yarn. Designed by imawale imawale. Fingering weight yarn. Pictured projects by the designer and bleusheep
Uproar of the Butterflies Mitts
Fingerless mitts with butterfly stitch. Designed by Maria Sanderleaf. Fingering weight yarn. Pictured projects by the designer, KnitTwix, and lostgargoyle
Butterfly Stitch Cowl
Approximate Finished Measurements: 9” width x 34” circumference after blocking. Designed by Vanessa Ewing for Plymouth Yarn. Sport weight yarn.
Treetops Baby Blanket
Striped baby blanket using the butterfly stitch. 31" x 35". Designed by Darlene Dale. Rated easy by most Ravelrers. Pictured projects by LYSgirl (who used one of my favorite yarns Berroco Modern Cotton) and Icyflames
- Get the free knitting pattern on the Internet archive.
- See the Ravelry page
- See more Easy Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns
Maquereau Hat and Mitts
A two-color variation of the butterfly stitch creates a colorful pattern inspired by mackerel skies in this slouchy hat and matching fingerless mitts. 4 sizes. Designed by Thorn Maiden Designs. Great way to showcase beautiful variegated colorways against a contrasting solid. DK weight yarn.
- Get the free HAT knitting pattern
- Get the free MITTS knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend yarn at Amazon
Easy Butterfly Baby Hat
A simple baby beanie featuring a band of butterfly stitches as an accent. 3 sizes, newborn/preemie, 3 – 9 months, 9 – 18 months. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Melisa Darnieder. DK weight yarn. Pictured project by DianeW
Touché Skirt
Straight skirt knit with the butterfly stitch and a ruffled lace hem. Waist is adjustable as it has elastic inserted during finishing. Skirt is straight so the length can be easily adjusted. Sizes X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large. Designed by Tina Marrin and excerpted from KnitKnit: Profiles + Projects from Knitting's New Wave. Worsted weight yarn. Pictured project by DrSocksPhD
- Get the free knitting pattern on the Internet archive.
- See the Ravelry page
- Get KnitKnit: Profiles + Projects from Knitting's New Wave at Amazon
- See more Skirt and Dress Knitting Patterns
Butterfly Stitch Hat
Beanie with all over slipped stitch that is customizable for all sizes from baby to adult. Designed by Sofiya Cremin. Pictured project by alittlecraftynest
Patterns for Purchase
Butterfly Stitch Hat
Pretty baby hat knitting pattern knit in the round with an amazing staggered butterfly stitch pattern that will look adorable on your little one. Sizes: 0-3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 2T+. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by LittleRedWindow.
Butterfly Stitch Baby Dress
Short sleeved baby and toddler dress with fastenings at shoulder for easy dressing and an easy slip stitch that looks like butterflies or bows. To fit ages: 0-3 years. DK weight yarn. Dress in Sirdar Snuggly 100% Cotton 5279 designed by Sirdar. A kit is also available
Butterfly Stitch Cowl
This buttoned neckwarmer is one of the patterns and 220 stitches in The Complete Photo Guide to Knitting 2nd Edition by Margaret Hubert. Sport weight yarn.
Knit Socks For Those You Love - 11 Original Knit Designs
These Butterfly Bow socks are one of Edie Eckman’s 11 original knit designs for cozy hand-knitted socks. Leisure Arts has packed the 64-page Knit Socks for those you Love book with customizable designs, some of which can be adapted to fit men, women, kids, and even babies! Detailed how-to diagrams, stitching guides and yarn information are included to make a wide variety of socks from bright tweed socks to toeless yoga socks and everything in between. Designs range from easy to intermediate skill levels and yarn weights range from superfine to light weight.
Baby Hat with Butterfly Stitch Trim
Sizes 6 months, 12-18 months. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Yelena Chen.
Mermaid Skirt and Top
The Splash Mermaid Costume is a 2 piece pattern of a skirt with a long tail ending in fins and a cropped top. Both are knit in butterfly stitch to look like scales, only prettier. Sized for 5T but can easily be adapted. Designed by Tina Marrin. One of the patterns in New Knits on the Block. Worsted weight yarn. Pictured projects by charmingberry and missjenni
Sweet Butterfly Baby or Child Cardigan
This sweater features the butterfly stitch on the bodice and back and is worked seamlessly from the top-down with set-in sleeves. Two versions are available: Baby for sizes 6-12-18-24 months. Child for sizes 4-6-8-10-12 y. Designed by Christelle Nihoul.
UNAVAILABLE! Juniper Poncho
UNAVAILABLE! The designer still has an Etsy shop but this pattern isn't in it. Link to desinger's shop is below. Pullover poncho with rolled collar, garter stitch shoulders, and butterfly stitch design. Quick knit in super bulky yarn. Designed by HobiholikFashion.
