Peach Butterfly Lace Dress Crochet Pattern

I have a serious weakness for dresses that look like they belong at a cottage garden tea party, and this one is exactly that! Cream openwork squares topped with raised peach butterflies, a fitted waistband with sweet little chain windows, a full gathered skirt, and a broad fan border at the hem — all the romance, none of the sewing machine drama.

We build the dress in four stages: the motif bodice joined into a fitted tube, the peach waistband worked downward from the bodice, the cream lace skirt worked top-down with miniature butterflies near the hem, and finally the broad lace straps with their fluttery peach edging. The butterflies are dimensional, worked as fans and shells and sewn only at the centre, so their wing edges stay lifted and catch the light.

The pattern includes seven sizes, XS through 3XL, and it is rated intermediate to advanced — if you are comfortable with motif construction, joining squares, and working in the round, you can absolutely do this. Let me walk you through every stage.

Materials

• Fingering or sport weight cotton yarn in cream: 1,250 (1,400 / 1,550 / 1,750 / 1,950 / 2,150 / 2,350) yards for sizes XS (S / M / L / XL / 2XL / 3XL)
• Fingering or sport weight cotton yarn in peach: 400 (450 / 500 / 550 / 625 / 700 / 775) yards for sizes XS (S / M / L / XL / 2XL / 3XL)
• 3.0mm crochet hook, for motifs and bodice
• 3.25mm crochet hook, for the skirt if you need additional drape
• 2.75mm crochet hook, for firm edging if desired
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers and locking markers
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Rust-proof pins and blocking mats
• Optional: 1/4 inch (6mm) clear elastic, for inside the waist
• Optional: lightweight slip or custom lining
• Optional: small snaps, at the strap attachment points

Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• tr: treble crochet
• sp: space
• st(s): stitch(es)
• RS/WS: right side / wrong side
• rep: repeat
• sk: skip
• beg: beginning
• yo: yarn over

Special Stitches

• 3-dc shell: work 3 dc in the same stitch or space, making a small fan shape.
• 5-dc fan: work 5 dc in the same stitch or chain space — a fuller fan than the shell.
• Peach wing fan: in the same space, work (2 dc, 2 tr, 2 dc). This creates the butterfly wing shape.
• Picot: ch 3, then sl st in the first chain, making a tiny decorative bump.
• Dc2tog: yarn over, insert hook and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops, repeat in the next stitch, then yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on the hook (decreases by one stitch).
• Standing dc (optional): begin a new colour with a slip knot on the hook, yarn over, insert the hook, draw up a loop, and complete the dc normally, avoiding a slip stitch join.

Gauge & Size

• Finished size: XS to 3XL — finished bodice 30 (34 / 38 / 42 / 46 / 50 / 54) inches, finished waist 25 (28 / 31 / 35 / 39 / 43 / 47) inches, bodice height 9.5 to 12.5 inches, skirt length 19 to 25 inches, total dress length 30.5 to 39.5 inches
• Gauge: main lace 22 dc x 11 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) washed and blocked; butterfly square approximately 4.25 inches (10.8 cm); waistband 23 sts x 12 rows = 4 inches; skirt lace repeat approximately 3.25 x 3.25 inches
• Construction: bodice of joined butterfly squares in 2 rows, peach waistband with chain windows, top-down lace skirt, fan border, and lace straps
• Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Because the bodice is motif-based, square size matters more than raw stitch gauge — make a washed, blocked swatch first, and if your blocked square differs by more than 1/4 inch (6mm), change hook size before making all the motifs. The bodice is designed for 0 to 2 inches of negative ease, the waist fits snugly, and the skirt has generous positive ease.

Butterfly Square Motif

Make the number of squares for your size: 14 (16 / 18 / 20 / 22 / 24 / 26) motifs in total — 7 (8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13) around by 2 rows. Use cream for the square framework and peach for the raised butterfly. Each motif should block to approximately 4.25 inches square.

Step 1: With cream, ch 6 and join with a sl st to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in the ring, ch 3, (3 dc in the ring, ch 3) 3 times, join to the top of the ch-3. (Four 3-dc groups and four corner ch-3 spaces)

Round 2: Sl st to the next corner, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the same corner, ch 2, in the next corner work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc), repeat around with ch 2 between corners, join.

Round 3: Sl st to a corner, in each corner work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc), and over each side work ch 2, 3 dc in the ch-2 space, ch 2, join.

Round 4: Sl st to a corner, work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the corner, then repeat (ch 2, 2 dc in the next ch-2 space, ch 2, 2 dc in the next ch-2 space, ch 2, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the corner) around, join, fasten off.

Optional border round: if needed for sizing, add one round in cream — sc evenly around, placing (sc, ch 1, sc) in each corner. This adds about 1/4 inch (6mm) to each motif.

Raised Butterfly Applique

Body: With peach, ch 8, beginning in the 2nd ch from the hook, sl st in 2 ch, sc in the next 3 ch, sl st in the last 2 ch, fasten off leaving a sewing tail. (7 sts)

Upper wing pair: Join peach to the centre-side opening of the square, about one round above the square centre, and in the same opening work a wing fan (2 dc, 2 tr, 2 dc), ch 1, sl st back into the opening. Repeat symmetrically on the opposite side.

Lower wing pair: Join peach one opening below the upper wings and work (2 hdc, 3 dc, 2 hdc) in the opening, ch 1, sl st to anchor. Repeat on the opposite side.

Lay the narrow body vertically over the centre of the four wings and sew through the centre only, leaving the wing edges free and slightly raised. Make two tiny ch-4 antennae at the top of the body if you like. For a crisp raised butterfly, steam-block the square before sewing the body, and shape the wings gently upward while damp rather than flattening them.

Joining the Bodice

Block every square to identical dimensions. Arrange half the motifs for the front and half for the back, allowing one motif to straddle each side if your total number is odd.

Join the motifs side to side with cream using a flat join — I like placing the squares right sides together and working a sl st through the back loops only, or whipstitching through corresponding edge loops for a nearly invisible seam. Join the two horizontal rows, keeping all the butterflies upright and centred, then join the short ends to form a tube and try it on: the tube should fit close to the bust without distorting the square openings.

Top Edge Round 1: With cream and the right side facing, work 1 round of sc evenly around the top edge, placing approximately 3 sc per motif corner area and 1 sc in each edge stitch or space, adjusting so the neckline lies flat.

Top Edge Round 2: Work 1 more round of sc, keeping the edge straight at the front and back centre — do not curve the neckline. Fasten off.

The square neckline is created by the straight motif edge plus the straps. Mark the strap positions so the inside edges sit approximately 6.5 (7 / 7.5 / 8 / 8.5 / 9 / 9.5) inches apart at the front, repeat at the back, and check that left and right are symmetrical.

Peach Waistband

Work downward from the bottom edge of the motif tube with peach. If your natural waist is smaller than the motif tube, decrease evenly in Rounds 1 to 3 until you reach the target waist circumference.

Round 1: Join peach at a side seam, ch 1, sc evenly around the lower bodice edge, aiming for a multiple of 4 stitches, join with a sl st.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around — if shaping is needed, work evenly spaced sc2tog decreases — join.

Round 3: Repeat Round 2 until the band measures about 3/4 inch (2 cm) and fits snugly.

Window Round A: Ch 1, sc in the first st, then repeat (ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in the next 2 sts) around, adjusting the final repeat if needed, join.

Window Round B: Ch 1, sc in each sc and work 2 sc in each ch-2 space, join.

Window Round C: Repeat Window Round A.

Window Round D: Repeat Window Round B.

Lower Band: Work 2 to 4 rounds of sc, maintaining the waist measurement, fasten off peach.

For extra stability, thread 1/4 inch clear elastic through the inside of the first and last solid waistband rounds and join the elastic ends securely without stretching the crochet excessively.

Skirt Setup

The skirt begins in cream at the lower waistband edge, using an 8-stitch module. Fullness is built gradually over the first 4 rounds.

Setup Round 1: With cream, join at a side seam, ch 3, dc in each stitch around, increasing evenly by working 2 dc in selected stitches until you have approximately 1.35 times the waistband stitch count, rounded to the nearest multiple of 8, join.

Setup Round 2: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, increasing 8 (8 / 16 / 16 / 24 / 24 / 32) stitches evenly for your size, keeping the total a multiple of 8, join.

Setup Round 3: Repeat (dc in the next 7 sts, 2 dc in the next st) around, join.

Setup Round 4: Dc evenly around with no increases, join. The skirt should now fall away from the waist in soft gathers rather than flaring rigidly.

Skirt Lace Repeat

Work this 8-round repeat until the skirt, measured from the lower waistband, is 5.5 to 6.5 inches (14 to 16.5 cm) shorter than your desired finished length. For a smoother transition into the butterfly band, finish after Round 4 or Round 8 of the repeat.

Round 1: Ch 3, repeat (dc in the next 3 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in the next 3 sts) around, join.

Round 2: Ch 3, repeat (dc in the next 2 dc, 3-dc shell in the next dc, ch 2, sk the ch-2 space, 3-dc shell in the next dc, dc in the next 2 dc) around, join.

Round 3: Ch 3, repeat (dc in the next 3 sts, ch 1, sk 1, ch 1, sk 1, dc in the next 3 sts) around, using the visible centre openings as guides, join.

Round 4: Ch 3, repeat (dc in the next 2 sts, 5-dc fan in the centre opening, dc in the next 2 sts, ch 2 over the filet area) around, join.

Round 5: Ch 3, repeat (dc in the next 3 sts, ch 2, sk the centre 2 sts/spaces, dc in the next 3 sts) around, join.

Round 6: Repeat Round 2.

Round 7: Repeat Round 3.

Round 8: Repeat Round 4, join.

Miniature Butterfly Band

The small peach butterflies are sewn at regular intervals around the lower skirt, about 3.5 to 4.5 inches (9 to 11.5 cm) above the fan border. Make 7 (8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13), or more as desired.

Body: With peach, ch 5, in the 2nd ch from the hook work a sl st, then sc in the next 2 ch, sl st in the last ch. (4 sts)

First upper wing: Join the yarn at the upper side of the body and work (2 dc, 1 tr, 2 dc) into the same attachment point, sl st to the body.

Lower wing: Work (2 hdc, 2 dc, 2 hdc) into the lower side attachment point, sl st to the body, fasten off.

Repeat the wings on the opposite side. Weave the tails toward the centre and use them to sew the butterfly to the skirt. Pin the butterflies with equal spacing — one centred over each broad lace panel, or every second panel depending on size — and sew only the bodies and inner wing edges so the outer edges stay dimensional.

Fan Border

Switch to peach. If your stitch count is not a multiple of 6, adjust by increasing or decreasing a few stitches in Border Round 1.

Border Round 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around, join.

Border Round 2: Ch 1, repeat (sc in the next 3 sts, ch 3, sk 3 sts) around, join.

Border Round 3: Sl st to the first ch-3 space, ch 3, 6 dc in the same space, then work 7 dc in each next ch-3 space around, join. This creates the first fan tier.

Border Round 4: Ch 1, sc in each dc, and between fans work ch 2 over the valley, join.

Border Round 5: Sl st to the first ch-2 valley, ch 3, 8 dc in the same valley, then work 9 dc in each next valley around, join. For a less ruffled hem, use 7 dc in each valley instead of 9 dc.

Border Round 6: Ch 1, sc in every dc, working (sc, ch 2, sc) in each fan centre, join, fasten off peach.

Picot Round: Join cream at any fan edge and repeat (sc in the next 3 sts, picot) around, spacing the picots evenly and placing one picot at the high point of each fan centre, join and fasten off.

Straps (Make 2)

The straps are cream lace bands about 1.75 to 2.25 inches (4.5 to 5.7 cm) wide before their flutter edging.

Foundation: With cream, ch 13.

Row 1: Dc in the 4th ch from the hook and in each ch across. (10 dc plus the turning chain)

Row 2: Ch 3, turn, dc in the next 2 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in the next 3 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in the last 2 sts.

Row 3: Ch 3, turn, dc in each dc and 2 dc in each ch-2 space.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until the strap reaches from the front neckline marker over the shoulder to the back marker with 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) of negative ease — a typical length is 13 to 16 inches (33 to 40.5 cm), depending on size and torso length.

Fasten off, block both straps to equal length, pin them to the bodice and try the dress on before seaming permanently, then sew the strap ends securely along at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the bodice edge.

Flutter Edging: Join peach at one long strap edge, ch 1, sc evenly along the edge. Next row: repeat (sk 1 sc, 5 dc in the next sc, sk 1 sc, sl st in the next sc) along the edge, adjusting the spacing near the ends so the last shell finishes neatly. Repeat on the opposite long edge for a fuller flutter — for the photographed look, emphasise the outer shoulder edge and keep the inner neckline edge lighter, with simple sc plus picot.

Finishing & Assembly

Neckline Round: With cream, work 1 round of sc around the entire neckline, including the strap inner edges, working an sc2tog across each square corner transition if needed to keep the neckline flat.

Optional peach accent: work 1 very narrow round of peach sl st around the neckline, keeping your tension relaxed.

Weave in all ends on the wrong side, and reinforce the motif joins at the underarms and side seams with a few hidden whipstitches.

Wash gently in cool water with mild detergent, press the water out in a towel without wringing, and block flat to the schematic measurements: pin the square neckline straight, shape the butterflies upward, open the filet diamonds, and spread the fan border evenly. Let it dry completely, then try the dress on — if the waist relaxes too much, add the clear elastic inside the waistband, and if the straps stretch, shorten them by one pattern repeat and reattach.

The dress is intentionally unlined; wear it over a slip, or add a lightweight lining hand-sewn loosely to the inside upper bodice and lower waistband so the crochet can still stretch independently — and never stitch through the butterfly wings or the fan edging. Hand wash or use a delicate cycle in a mesh bag with cool water, reshape while damp, dry flat, and store folded rather than hanging.

Tips

For the closest match to the design, keep your motif joins narrow and your colours soft — fine matte cotton in warm cream and gentle peach shows the lace and butterflies at their best.

Trust your gauge swatch and try the dress on as you go; the adjustment checkpoints in this pattern are there so you can match your own measurements instead of relying only on standard sizing.

Need more bust room? Add one motif around the bodice, or add the optional cream border round to every square. For a longer skirt, simply repeat the 8-round skirt lace sequence before the miniature butterfly band.

Take your time with the butterflies — they are the heart of this dress, and a few extra minutes shaping the wings upward during blocking is worth every second.