Papillon Scarf
This is a free crochet pattern for a scarf. It is made with simple crochet stitches, so it is a beginners project.
Papillon is the French word for butterfly. For this scarf I used the butterfly stitch, where you crochet 3 rows of chains together with a single crochet. This gives a special effect, where the chains spread out mimicking butterfly wings.
The scarf is meant to be a decorative scarf, since the big holes will not give any warmth. The mercerized cotton gives a nice shine to the project and it is also thick enough, so the project works up fast:-) This would be a perfect gift, when you have to crochet something in a short period of time.
Materials
Yarn 2 skeins Drops Muskat, #13 Marine Blue, 100% mercerized cotton 50g – 109yards/100m.
If this specific yarn is not available to you, you could substitute it with yarn that has some silk in it. Choose a yarn that is a little stiff and gives a good stitch definition.
Hook 4 mm US: G/6
Tapestry needle
Finished size
Width: 4 inches Length: 75 inches.
Pattern
Chain 16
Row 1 Chain 3, 16 dc.
Row 2 Chain 3, 2 dc, chain 6, skip 4, 3 dc, chain 6, skip 4, 3 dc.
Row 3 As row 2
Row 4 Chain 3, 2 dc, chain 3, 1 sc that crochets row 2,3 and 4 together, chain3, skip 4, 3 dc, chain 3, 1 sc that crochets row 2,3 and 4 together, chain 3, skip 4, 3 dc.
Continue working row 2,3 and 4 until you reach the desired length.
Last row: 3 chains, 16 dc across.
Cut yarn and weave in ends.
Below you see the charted version of the scarf:
Abbreviations
dc = double crochets
sc = single crochets
Note This pattern is written with US crochet terms.
If you are not familiar with these, see my conversion chart Crochet Terms in US, UK, German and Danish.
If you don’t know how to read crochet charts/diagrams read my Tutorial how to read Crochet Charts.
Download PDF pattern
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Copyright 2011 Birgit Tüchsen. All rights reserved. This pattern is intended for personal use only. Photocopying or reproduction of this pattern is not allowed in any form including electronic. It is not allowed to sell this pattern. It is also not allowed to sell items made from this pattern. All text, images, graphics and other materials on this website are subject to the copyright and intellectual property rights of the owner.
Making it now…….. It’s going to be gorgeous! Thanks for pattern!
Great! -
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Do you turn & chain 2 on the ends?
Hi Janet,
Every row starts with a chain 3, if it is that what you are asking about.
Hello!
I just am just about finished with this scarf and LOVE it!! Thanks so much for posting. I have one question about finishing. I’m just not clear how the last row I can do the 16 dc. Can you please help?
Thanks so much!
Hi Amber,
Great to hear you like the scarf!
In the last row you chain 3; 2 times: 1 double crochet in next stitch; 4 double crochets into the space where the butterfly stitch is crocheted; 3 times: 1 double crochet in next stitch; 4 double crochets into the space where the butterfly stitch is crocheted, 3 times: 1 double crochet in next stitch.
Hope this helps :-)
To make this a little wider (3 repeats across), would I begin with 24 or 27 chains? Is the pattern multiples of 8 ? A little confused as you mentioned to chain 16 plus 3.
Imade a sample using Bernat Softee Chunky using the pattern as above and it measures six inches wide and would like it a bit wider. I used a L hook and it is beautiful. Thank you for posting.
Hi Ann,
The pattern repeat is 7. So for a 3 repeat scarf, you will need 23 chains as a foundation chain (16 + 7).
In row 1 the first 3 chains are the turning chains.
Feel free to contact me, if you have any further questions.
I paid with a post and got no pattern!
Hi Ann,
You have to tweet abot the pattern. The Facebook option does’ seem to work.
I just finished the scarf after starting it yesterday morning. It worked up very easily. The only thing I changed was to make it 3 butterflies wide as odd numbers always look more balanced to me. I’ll be making more of this pattern for gifts and a charity sale. I think it will do well a variegated fiber and gearing by seasonal colors.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Maureen,
Great to hear the pattern worked out for you! As you can read in the comments to the scarf several people have changed the pattern with success: Made the scarf wider like you or made it to an infinity scarf.
Just did this scarf and ended up turning it into an infinity scarf…I love it. Thank you so much for the tutorial!
You are welcome Rose – I can imagine the pattern works as an infinity scarf as well!
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Hi there! Thanks for such a great, simple pattern. I’m one of those people who can’t follow a pattern if it kills me, so I made a few tweeks others might be interested in. First of all, I made it into an infinity scarf/cowl instead of a long hanging scarf. To do this, I made the foundation chain but skipped the first row of double crochets. So I combined rows 1, 2, and 3 with my single crochet instead of 2,3, and 4, if that makes sense. Also, I doubled the width (32 instead of 16 in my foundation) and did half the length so it drapes nicely as an infinity scarf. Plus, it’s actually a tiny bit more for warmth. When I got to the end, I slip stitched the double crochets into the foundation chain where they lined up. You can’t see where it started! Thanks for the inspiration :)
Hi Sheila,
Thanks for the inspirational post! Stitch patterns can be used in many ways – I can imagine this pattern would work well as a cowl.
I too your pattern and made it into an infinity scarf – love how it turned out! thanks!
http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/90212798757407196_iJOinAIg.jpg
Hi Laura,
Love the way your scarf turned out – well done!
Thank you for this pattern! Not only is the scarf beautiful, but you have posted the first instructions I have been able to follow by just reading them – not by watching on Youtube! ; ) Thank you!
You are most welcome, Susan :-)
beautiful! looks like a christmas present to me. really glad mikey found you ! thanks so much. karenb/fredw
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Hi,
I have to tell you that I love the pattern. I have had several request from family, friends, and co-workers asking if I can make them one and make it available on my website when I get it up and running. I wanted to ask your permission. Would you mind if I used your pattern? I will make sure that I state you are the owner of the pattern. Thank you again. It is a lovely pattern.
Hi Rhonda,
Thanks for your comment! I would prefer, that you show pictures of the scarves on your blog and provide a link to my blog with the pattern.
I have never crochet anything before until I made this scarf. It was so easy to follow and I even made an extra hole across. I would love to send you a photo but I don’t know how. Thanks for the pattern. Giannetta.
Hi Ann,
Great that the pattern works out for you! Beads are a great idea to ‘pep up’ a scarf. I’ve used that idea for a hairpin lace scarf on this blog.
Love this pattern it’s on my hook now. I would add beads for a future one … possibly will play & use it for a beaded shrug ;)
Hi Ann,
Great that the pattern works out for you! Beads are a great idea to ‘pep up’ a scarf. I’ve used that idea for a hairpin lace scarf on this blog.
You are welcome :-)
Hello, I tried this pattern. It worked out very beautiful!!! Thank u for sharing the pattern.
Hi! I made this scarf and loved it. I am new to crocheting. Does it matter what type of yarn I use? I like anything cotton. How do I know what hook to use?
Hi Ellie,
It depends on what kind of result you want to achieve with the finished product:
I used mercerized cotton, because it is more solid than wool and it gives you a better stitch definition, so the lace effect will come out better. A yarn with bamboo or silk in it will give the scarf a nice sheen and stitch definition as well.
You could try doing the scarf with thicker/thinner yarn and experiment with different hook sizes. Make different swatches, where you use different hook sizes with the same yarn.
On Ravelry you can see the scarf made with different yarns.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/papillon-scarf/people
In Florida scarves are more for decoration, I made papillon as single design instead of two, lovely and decorative, just an extra loop around the neck for warmth. Thanks for the pattern.
Hi Deborah,
Thats what I thought, when I designed the scarf – it should be lacy for decoration.
Wish you had a blog, so I could see the scarf :-)
Beautiful. Wish you could add an icon that says printer view or for printer so we could print out without all the comments. Thanks
Hi Jacki,
There is a printerbutton next to the social sharing buttons at the bottom of the page.
awesome …thanks for telling me about the printer button…
Jacki
Thanks for the info re: the print button. However, when I hit the print button to print only the pattern, it started printing everything beginning on Page 13 !!!! Is there any other way to print ONLY the pattern? Thanks. Linda.
Just finished my first try of this pattern and it was so fun and simply gorgeous! It will make a great gift this fall! Thanks so much!
Yes, it is a quick project and perfect for a gift. Great, that it turned out to be pretty :-)
This pattern worked up really quickly, and looks cute. I had a small problem at first, with Row 3. When you do the 6 chains on that row, the next DC is actually skipping 6 (the chains on Row 2), not 4,(the DC s from row 1.=). Once I figured that out, everything else was easy!
I also used a foundation DC rather than chaining first and doing DC back along the chain. Made the scarf in a worsted-weight variegated which gave it a nice look.
I could do it easily.i like it
We are a group of senior citizens, and I’m one of the teachers. We do crochet and knitting. We wish to have a craft sale to make money to purchase a new wheelchair. Could you please give us permission to sell a few scarves from this pattern? At the moment, 2 ladies are crocheting, and 7 ladies are knitting. Thank you . Miriam Otera
Hi Miriam,
You are welcome to use my pattern for that purpose.
If you are on Ravelry, you can see the pattern made in different types of colours and fiber content. – Just to get some inspiration.
I didn’t have to block the scarf, but the scarf might look better if you block it, when you use a different fiber type.
Good luck with your project!
Hi Lekeya,
I found a tutorial on about.com that explains the stitch:
http://crochet.about.com/library/blbutterflyst.htm
OK I’m stuck on row 4 in chain 3 and did 2 double crochet and then I chain 3, but I’m not getting the part about single crochet 2,3 and 4 together. One person say you have to work around and I’m still lost. I dont know where to put my hook at first.
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I think this is a lovely pattern, but am having trouble getting yarns to suit a lot of American patterns. Can you give me some advice on where to get this yarn in Australia? Many thanks
Hi Anne,
It says on Garnstudio’s website that http://www.nordicmart.com is shipping worldwide.
I just love the Pattern. Where can I purchase the yarn to make this scarf?
Hi Patricia,
I don’t know which country you live in. In the US you can get it here: http://www.nordicmart.com/
Hi :), please can you explain how to single crochet the chains together? I’m not sure how far along the chain to put the hook in, or how many single chains to put the hook through before completing the SC, and the chart does and doesn’t make sense to me! Sorry! Thanks!
Hi Steph,
I don’t understand where you get stuck. You crochet the chains and then you crochet row 2,3 and 4 together by making a single crochet in row 4 around those 2 rows beneath.
I have 2 tutorials on my blog, where you can read about how to understand crochet charts. If you understand those tutorials, you should be able to read the chart for the scarf.
Hope this helps :-)
Ah! Around the rows not through them! That’s where I’m going wrong! Thank you :)!!!!!
Hi Kim,
Glad to hear that the pattern worked out for you. Great idea to add beads to it :-)
Thanks so much for sharing this pattern. I added small beads and it turned out beautiful!
Love this, Birgit! Simple but effective. Drops Muskat is one of my favourite yarns for crochet too – just because of the lovely colour range.
Agree, the Muskat yarn is really great to work with!
I love ths scarf!! Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you for an EXCELLENT pattern. I LOVE the diagram – remarkably helpful. I wish everyone would do a diagram with their patterns. I started this last night, and think I will embellish the centers of the papillons with tiny beads or sequins.
That’s a great idea to put sequins or beads in the middle of the butterfly stitch.
If you have a blog, please put a link to a picture:-)
I would love to see a picture of the finished piece.
Please send me an email, if possible.
Beautiful, quick pattern. I just made one in a cotton hombre and it’s so adorable! Great color accent piece. Thanks so much.
This is gorgeous, and so simple! I’ll be able to make several as gifts. Thank you so much for sharing!
You are welcome, Amy:-)
This is the first time I’ve tried to crochet by chart. Normally at the end of the row you chain and then turn. I’m having a hard time not turning. I feel like I’m trying to crochet backwards. Am I doing something wrong? Do I turn? Help please!
you understood me perfectly. I wasn’t sure because some of the instructions said that one row was worked left to right and then the next row was worked right to left and nothing said chain one, turn. So I was a little confused. So basically you chain and turn between all rows then? That’s what I’m getting.
Yes, I don’t specifically mention the turns in my patterns. I just assume this when you go from one row to the other.
A turn is also indicated by the crochet chart as well. The front side (FS) of the pattern is indicated in the black parts of the chart, and the back side (BS) of the pattern that you work after the turn is in blue. This way, even if the pattern doesn’t specifically state for you to turn, you can tell if you are supposed to by looking at the chart colors!
Hope that helps!
This is lovely, even for the more experienced crocheter!
Hi Dana,
Glad you like the scarf:-)
Hi Tracy,
I don’t know if I understand your question right. You have to turn, when you go from one row to the other. Hope this helps:-)
Wow – that helps a lot, thank you so much :)
Hi L.K.
When you click the print button, you have 2 choices: You can either print the whole pattern or choose an interval. For example you could print page 1-3.
I don’t have a printer, so I cannot tell how many pages gives you the pattern without all the comments. If page 1-3 is not enough for the whole pattern, you could go on and get page 4 printed.
Hope this helps!
Hi Gianetta,
Way to go! Great news, that the pattern is easy to follow for a beginner crocheter. Under Tips & Tutorials you find a link to free Japanese crochet patterns. They are always charted and mostly very easy to follow, – maybe this has your interest as well.