8 beautiful butterfly cross stitch patterns to stitch today

Stitch beautiful butterflies to brighten up your home with our free patterns from a range of talented designers!

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Published: August 22, 2023 at 7:00 am

Prepare yourself for spring or just for a colourful boost whatever the season with these beautiful butterfly cross stitch patterns!

Butterflies are wonderful subjects for cross stitch thanks to their diversity. There's thousands of species of butterflies, in a variety of shapes, sizes and of course, beautiful colours.

Thread reflects their delicate nature, and stitching them allows you to focus on the intricacies of their wings through to their unique colours and patterns.

They are certainly a mindful subject to stitch, and when your finished stitching is hung in your home it will give you the positive feeling of being surrounded by nature.

Let's get stitching.

Yellow butterfly cross stitch pattern

yellow butterfly cross stitch pattern

First up is this beautiful butterfly cross stitch pattern, stitched in sunny yellow shades and designed by Amanda Gregory.

Bring your room to life with this quick and easy butterfly cross stitch pattern. We've framed our design in pride of place in a neutral frame with an aperture of 10x10cm (4x4in), but it would also make a lovely birthday or thank you card.

Butterfly cross stitch pattern


Butterfly cross stitch pattern for cards

mothers day cross stitch

Designed especially for you to enjoy, this easy-to-make butterfly cross stitch pattern by Amanda Gregory will be perfect to stitch and send.

Nothing says spring white like butterflies so stitch this pretty pair and make into a card for someone near and dear. Simply use white 14-count aida for a fresh finish.

  • Stitch count: 38 high x 36 wide
  • Design area: when stitching on 14 count aida or 28-count evenweave this design will measure 7x6.5cm (2¾x2½in)

Butterfly cross stitch pattern

For more designs like this, don't miss the latest issue of The World of Cross Stitching magazine.

Butterfly cross stitch pattern free
This cross stitch pattern originally appeared in a set of 41 quick-stitch butterfly motifs in issue 240 of The World of Cross Stitching). Find the set in The World of Cross Stitching app for Google Play or Apple Newstand!

Floral butterfly cross stitch pattern

butterfly cross stitch pattern 4

Stitch this beautiful butterfly cross stitch pattern for birthdays, thank you or sympathy cards, or just to send a hand-stitched greeting to a friend.

You will need

  • Zweigart 28-count white eveanweave, measuring 20 x 15cm (8 x 6in)
  • Stranded cotton as listed in the key
  • Size 26 tapestry needle
  • Oblong aperture card in lavender (click for our DIY aperture card tutorial)
  • Ribbon of choice

floral butterfly cross stitch pattern


Box lid butterfly cross stitch pattern

Free butterfly cross stitch pattern

You can never go wrong with pinks and purples, especially on a box full of treasures. Patch this sweet butterfly cross stitch pattern onto a kraft paper gift box from a local craft store for a quick hand-made gift for friends and family.

This is a great beginner's cross stitch project as the design size isn't too daunting at 40 stitches high x 39 stitches wide. We've stitched ours on to 14 count aida (you could also use 28-count evenweave) and we used a 7.5x7cm (3x2¾in) piece of fabric to stitch on to.

To turn your stitching into a box, simply cut around the edges of your stitching leaving a small border, fray a row of stitches around each side, then attach it to the top off a plain paper gift box using spray glue, double-sided tape or a light coat of PVA.

This design was stitched using DMC stranded cotton but the key includes Anchor and Madeira thread codes too so you can pick the threads you already have in your stash or your favourite brand.

Download your free butterfly cross stitch pattern and get ready to stitch!

Free butterfly cross stitch pattern


Hairgrip butterfly cross stitch pattern

butterfly cross stitch pattern 5

How about taking a butterfly cross stitch pattern to the next level and using it to make a brilliant hair slide to wear with pride, however old you are!

This brilliant butterfly cross stitch pattern was designed by Susan Bates especially to be stitched on plastic canvas and made into a hair ornament!

DIY cross stitch butterfly hair grips


Plant poke butterfly cross stitch pattern

butterfly cross stitch pattern 6

Awwhhh – these butterflies may be teeny weeny but we still think they pack quote a punch in this heartwarming butterfly cross stitch pattern.

Free plant poke cross stitch pattern


Heart hanging butterfly cross stitch pattern

butterfly cross stitch pattern 7

Sometimes you can't beat a bit of traditional cross stitch, and that just what you get in this timeless butterfly cross stitch pattern from kelsey Teare, designed to be displayed in a mini heart frame, and available for you to download for free from Gathered!

Free flower cross stitch chart


Butterflies are beautiful subjects for cross stitch

Butterflies are seemingly endless, which makes them the perfect subject for cross stitch. There's an abundance of colours, shapes and sizes to be discovered.

There's more where that came from!

If you enjoyed stitching these beauties, make sure you browse the rest of our free cross stitch patterns.

cactus cross stitch
Cactus cross stitch available for free