I just had to share this with you before is begins it’s journey to California.
The crocheted Magnolia’s form the main focus of the arrangement, but the butterfly adds the pizazz. I would give you the name of the species, but my friend and entomologist is not handy at the moment- that said, it’s as long as you arm. 🙂
Creating this butterfly was quite a challenge, but well worth it. As I wanted it anatomically correct, I sought out my neighbor, who had a collection of this species. What a help that was.
Butterfly Structure
The upper wings are constructed with a wired support at the top vein, the lower have the wired vein on the inner edge. Both are secure with these wires to the crocheted body, which itself is constructed over #26 wire.
The method I used was to crochet the “rise” (or shape of the vein, using sc to tr variations), then reverse slip st in front loop to created a raise edge. This is just like reverse single crochet, but with a slipped stitch. This method gives you complete flexibility in shaping wings, as you are always going back to the beginning and working on the right side.
I used a black pearl bead for the head and the two body wire ends for the antennae. Hard as Nails black finished the job.
The details on the upper created using satin stitch and #40 thread. The black dots on the lower wing are black seed bead, (#11), the silver satin stitch is #100 nylon thread.
I created a mount for the butterfly with a crocheted button, attach to a stem wire. I have found that the most stable method for all my flowers is making a 90 degree bend (about and inch) at the top of the wire, then bending the inch portion into a circle that ends up centered over the main stem. * A small vice is very helpful to hold the main stem while you bend the circle.
All of this project is made with #40 thread, and a .06 hook. The flowers were made with #20 thread and 1.0 hook.
*Crocheting over wire- Make a foundation chain of desired length. Holding wire (#26)in left hand lay wire on thread between hook and working thread. Chain one st, securing wire. Holding wire in left hand, and insert hook in second chain st from hook(lying just below wire), push hook under wire, yarn over hook and pull loop through. Yarn over once more and complete single crochet. Continue down foundation chain to last stitch. I always make 3-7 sc in last stitch before the return. Bend wire until it lies flush with the bottom of foundation chain. Work single crochet down opposite side, inserting hook in loops of previous row, making sure that your hook goes under the wire every time.
- You can secure the beginning tail after the turn, by laying it along the wire.
Happy crocheting- KT
Creative Knitting - Beyond Knit and Purl 
Wow, this is incredible. I had to zoom quite a bit to see it wasn’t some real monster butterfly! How tricky is it to get the wire in and shape it?
Crocheting over wire is easy. Crochet a chain as long as you need , lay the wire over the thread at the hook, chain one to secure. Holding the wire in left hand, cont- single crochet down the foundation chain, making sure the hook goes under the wire for each stitch. Try it!