Hello, sunshine! ☀️ What we’re making

Today we’ll crochet a cheerful daisy appliqué with a tiny red butterfly perched on the petals—just like the photo you shared. This project is 100% beginner-friendly: you’ll work a round yellow center, add eight soft white petals, then make a one-ring butterfly and a slim black body with antennae. The finished appliqué lies flat, so it’s perfect for decorating bags, hats, jackets, baby blankets, bookmarks, and greeting cards. You can also glue on a magnet or brooch pin for a quick gift.

This tutorial uses US crochet terms, explains every step, and gives stitch counts so you can crochet with confidence—even if this is your first time.

Materials & Tools

• Yarn weight: DK / Light Worsted (Category 3). Cotton gives crisp petals; acrylic gives a softer puff.
• Colors:
  1. Yellow (flower center)
  2. White (petals)
  3. Red (butterfly wings)
  4. Black (butterfly body & antennae)
• Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4) for tidy stitches, or 4.0 mm (G-6) if you crochet tightly.
• Notions: yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker (optional), small amount of fabric glue (optional for securing ends on the back), brooch pin or magnet (optional for finishing).
• Finished size: with DK yarn and a 3.5–4.0 mm hook, the daisy measures about 9–11 cm (3.5–4.25 in) across.
• Gauge: not critical for an appliqué. Aim for a firm fabric with no gaps.

Safety note: If the appliqué will be used for baby items, sew everything securely and avoid small glued embellishments.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR = magic ring
• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble (triple) crochet
• inc = increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec = decrease (single crochet 2 stitches together)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round
• BLO = back loop only
• FLO = front loop only

Counts at the end of rounds appear in ( ).

Construction Overview

1. Daisy center: a flat yellow circle worked in rounds.
2. Petals: eight identical white petals, each formed over three base stitches of the yellow circle. We join white in BLO so a tidy yellow ridge shows at the front.
3. Butterfly: all four wings are made in one magic ring with red yarn.
4. Butterfly body: a slim black chain is slip-stitched for thickness; short chains create antennae.
5. Assembly: sew the butterfly to the daisy. Weave in ends and block if desired.

Part 1 — Daisy Center (Yellow)

With yellow, make a MR.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring, pull tight, sl st to first sc. (6)
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around. (12)
• Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around. (18)
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around. (24)

Fasten off yellow. We’ll join the petals to this round in BLO so a pretty yellow rim remains visible on the front.

Want a larger daisy? Add Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around (30), then work 10 petals (each petal over 3 sts). For the version in the photo, 24 sts and 8 petals look perfect.

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Part 2 — Petals (White, worked around the center)

Join white with a sl st to the BLO of any stitch of Rnd 4.

Each petal uses 3 base stitches. You’ll make 8 petals all the way around.

Petal repeat (work 8× around):

• Sl st in next st (BLO).
• In same st: (sc, hdc).
• In next st: (dc, tr, ch 1, tr, dc).
• In next st: (hdc, sc).
• Sl st in the same last st to anchor the petal tip.

Repeat the Petal repeat seven more times. You should have 8 petals, each spanning 3 base sts with a silky oval shape.

Fasten off and weave the white join neatly to the back. If your petals curl, a light steam or gentle blocking will help them sit open and rounded.

Why BLO? Working petals into BLO leaves the front loop untouched, creating a neat yellow ridge that frames the center—very daisy-like!

Part 3 — Butterfly Wings (Red, made in one magic ring)

This clever little butterfly is crocheted all at once. The upper wings are slightly larger; the lower wings are smaller, just like in the photo.

With red, make a MR. Work all the following into the same ring:

1. Upper right wing: ch 3, 3 tr, 3 dc, ch 3, sl st.
2. Lower right wing: ch 2, 2 dc, 1 hdc, ch 2, sl st.
3. Lower left wing: ch 2, 1 hdc, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st.
4. Upper left wing: ch 3, 3 dc, 3 tr, ch 3, sl st.

Gently tighten the ring to bring all four lobes together—don’t yank too hard or the center may pucker. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to the daisy.

If you prefer crisper edges, add a round of sl st around each wing lobe before fastening off (optional).

Part 4 — Butterfly Body & Antennae (Black)

Body: With black, ch 12. Turn and sl st back through each ch to the start. This creates a firm, narrow body. Fasten off leaving long tails at both ends for sewing (one tail for the head end, one for the tail end).

Antennae: With black, ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in remaining chs to create a slim cord. Make a second antenna the same way. You can also make tiny picots on the tips: (sl st, ch 3, sl st in first ch).

Set the body and antennae aside for assembly.

Assembly

1. Place the butterfly on the daisy so it sits on the right side of the petals, tilted slightly (as in your photo). Pin in place.
2. Sew the wings: Thread the red tail and make small stitches through the red stitches and a tiny bit of white beneath. Secure only the inner edges so the wing tips lift naturally. Weave in the red tail on the back.
3. Attach the black body: Lay the black chain across the wing center. Use one tail to stitch the head end near the top wings; use the other tail to tack down the lower end between the lower wings.
4. Add antennae: Stitch the two antenna cords to the top of the body. Let them curve outward.
5. Tidy the back: Weave all ends toward the center back and trim. Add a dot of fabric glue over tails if the appliqué will get lots of wear.
6. Block (optional): Lightly steam the petals and wings, shaping the curves with your fingers. Allow to dry flat.

That’s it—your daisy with butterfly is ready to brighten anything!

Round-by-Round Quick Reference

Center (yellow)
R1: 6 sc in MR, sl st to join (6)
R2: inc around (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24) — leave BLO free for petals

Petals (white, worked into R4 BLO, make 8):
For each petal over next 3 sts: sl st in st; in same st (sc, hdc). In next st (dc, tr, ch 1, tr, dc). In next st (hdc, sc). Sl st in same st to anchor. Repeat around.

Butterfly Wings (red, all in one MR):
(Ch 3, 3 tr, 3 dc, ch 3, sl st) — upper right
(Ch 2, 2 dc, hdc, ch 2, sl st) — lower right
(Ch 2, hdc, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st) — lower left
(Ch 3, 3 dc, 3 tr, ch 3, sl st) — upper left
Tighten ring, fasten off with long tail.

Body (black): ch 12, sl st back along chain; fasten off with tails for sewing.
Antennae (black, make 2): ch 6, sl st back; optional picot at end.

Tips for Beginners

• Smooth magic rings: If MRs feel fiddly, start with ch 2 and work the first round into the 2nd chain from hook. You’ll get nearly the same result.
• Even petals: Keep the tr stitches in the center of each petal and the shorter stitches at the sides. This makes a natural oval shape.
• Neat color joins: When joining white to the yellow center, grab BLO only and snug the first sl st; that tiny detail keeps the center crisp.
• Tension: If petals ruffle, your tension might be loose—try a smaller hook. If petals curl inward, block lightly or go up a hook size.
• Invisible sewing: Match your sewing yarn to the piece you’re attaching (red for wings, black for body); pass your needle under horizontal bars rather than through full stitches on the front for nearly invisible seams.
• Flat backs for appliqués: Keep the back smooth by weaving ends in one direction. If you plan to glue the appliqué to a card or magnet, test your glue on a scrap first.