Easy Mint Green Butterfly Crochet Summer Set

Have you ever started a crochet project, only to panic when you realize you joined your first round with a slip stitch instead of a chain? Or maybe you worried that crocheting a wearable garment would require advanced math and complex shaping that you just don’t know yet. It is a very common fear, especially when looking at a structured set like this. But here is the truth: this Mint Green Butterfly Crochet Summer Set is designed to be forgiving. The construction relies on classic granny squares, meaning you are building a garment out of simple, repeatable blocks. Even if your tension varies slightly, the nature of the granny square construction allows for a bit of flexibility. This project is approachable, structured, and incredibly rewarding to wear.

Maker Notes

When I first sketched out this design, my goal was to create something that felt fresh, feminine, and distinctly summery. I wanted a project that utilized a classic construction method—granny squares—so that intermediate crocheters could handle it with confidence. The mint green base gives it that vintage boho vibe I was chasing, but the real magic happens when you add the white butterfly appliques. Scattering them across the front panels adds a touch of whimsy and dimension without complicating the construction. This two-piece set, featuring spaghetti straps and high-waisted drawstring shorts, is perfect for warm weather, pool cover-ups, or casual outings. It is a project that feels special to make and even more special to wear.

Project Overview

This Mint Green Butterfly Crochet Summer Set consists of two coordinating pieces. The crop top features a granny square front and back panel connected at the sides, with chain loop spaghetti straps at each shoulder. The shorts use the same granny square construction for the body, finished with a ribbed waistband and a cute drawstring tie at the center front. White butterfly appliques are crocheted separately and sewn onto the front panels of both pieces. The backs remain plain, which keeps the look balanced and lets those butterflies really pop against the mint background.

Skill Level

This pattern is written for intermediate crocheters. You should be comfortable with joining granny squares, working in the round, seaming crochet fabric, and creating small appliques. If you are a confident beginner who has made a few granny square blankets or bags, you can absolutely tackle this project. Just give yourself extra time and read through the full pattern before you start.

Time Estimate

Plan for approximately 20 to 30 hours of work for a size Small/Medium, depending on your speed. The butterfly appliques alone add roughly 3 to 5 hours, so factor that in when planning your timeline.

Finished Measurements

The pattern is written for size Small, fitting a bust of 32 to 34 inches (81 to 86 cm) and hips of 34 to 36 inches (86 to 91 cm).

• Crop Top: Width across front panel: approximately 13 inches (33 cm). Length from top edge to bottom edge: approximately 8 inches (20 cm).
• Shorts: Width across front panel at hip: approximately 14 inches (35.5 cm). Total length from waistband top to leg hem: approximately 11 inches (28 cm). Inseam: approximately 2.5 inches (6.5 cm).

Size customization tips are included at the end of this pattern.

Materials You Will Need

Yarn

• Approximately 700 yards (640 meters) of DK weight yarn (light weight, #3) in Mint Green (Color A) for the main fabric.
• Approximately 100 yards (91 meters) of DK weight yarn in White (Color B) for the butterfly appliques.
• Choose a yarn with good stitch definition so your granny squares look crisp and clear.

Recommended Yarns

• Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend in Spearmint and White.
• Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Spearmint Green and Paper White.
• Drops Safran in Mint and Off White.

Cotton or cotton-blend yarns work best for summer wearables because they breathe well and hold their shape. Avoid yarns with high elasticity since granny square construction needs a stable fabric.

Hooks

• US Size E-4 (3.5 mm) for main fabric and butterflies.
• US Size D-3 (3.25 mm) for ribbing.

Notions

• Yarn needle for weaving ends and seaming.
• Scissors.
• Stitch markers (at least 6).
• Approximately 1.5 yards (1.4 meters) of ribbon or twisted cord for drawstring (0.25 inch or 6 mm wide).
• Small seed beads or flat-back rhinestones (optional, for butterfly centers).
• Sewing needle and thread if attaching beads.
• Rust-proof pins for blocking.

Gauge

With US E-4 (3.5 mm) hook:

• One completed granny square (4 rounds) = 4.25 inches (10.8 cm) square, blocked.
• For reference, standard double crochet (dc) gauge is 16 dc and 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm).

Gauge is critical for a fitted garment. Swatch at least two full granny squares and block them before you start. Adjust your hook size up or down as needed to match gauge.

Abbreviations

Let me define every stitch and term you will encounter in this pattern:

• ch (chain): Yarn over, pull through loop on hook. This is the foundation for most crochet work.
• sl st (slip stitch): Insert hook, yarn over, pull through both loops at once. Used for joining and moving yarn without adding height.
• sc (single crochet): Insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops. A short, dense stitch.
• hdc (half double crochet): Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.
• dc (double crochet): Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through remaining 2 loops. A taller stitch used throughout the granny squares.
• tr (treble crochet): Yarn over twice, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops three times.
• sk (skip): Pass over the indicated stitch without working into it.
• sp (space): The gap or hole created between stitches.
• ch-sp (chain space): A space created by chains in the previous row or round.
• blo (back loop only): Work into only the back loop of the stitch, leaving the front loop unworked. Creates a ribbed texture.
• RS (right side): The front, public-facing side of your work.
• WS (wrong side): The back, hidden side of your work.
• st(s) (stitch/stitches): The individual loops of work.
• rep (repeat): Do the indicated section again.
• pm (place marker): Put a stitch marker to hold your place.
• MR (magic ring): An adjustable starting loop that can be pulled tight to close the center hole.
• rnd (round): One complete circuit when working in the round.

Special Stitches

Classic Granny Square (4 Rounds)

This is the building block for your entire set. Each finished square measures 4.25 inches (10.8 cm) after blocking.

Round 1: Make a MR. Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout). Work 2 dc into MR. Ch 2. (3 dc, ch 2) 3 times into MR. Sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. Pull ring closed. (12 dc total, 4 ch-2 corner spaces)

Round 2: Sl st into next 2 dc and into corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, work 2 dc into same corner ch-2 sp. Ch 2. Work 3 dc into same corner ch-2 sp. This completes the first corner. Ch 1. (Work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc into next corner ch-2 sp. Ch 1) 3 times. Sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (24 dc total, 4 ch-2 corners, 4 ch-1 sides)

Round 3: Sl st into next 2 dc and into corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, work 2 dc into same corner sp. Ch 2. Work 3 dc into same corner sp. Ch 1. Work 3 dc into ch-1 side sp. Ch 1. (Work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc into next corner sp. Ch 1. Work 3 dc into ch-1 side sp. Ch 1) 3 times. Sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (36 dc total, 4 ch-2 corners, 8 ch-1 side spaces)

Round 4: Sl st into next 2 dc and into corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, work 2 dc into same corner sp. Ch 2. Work 3 dc into same corner sp. Ch 1. (Work 3 dc into next ch-1 side sp. Ch 1) twice. (Work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc into next corner sp. Ch 1. (Work 3 dc into next ch-1 side sp. Ch 1) twice) 3 times. Sl st to top of beginning ch-3. Fasten off. (48 dc total, 4 ch-2 corners, 12 ch-1 side spaces)

Joining Granny Squares (Flat Join Method)

Hold two squares with wrong sides together so the right sides face out. Using your yarn needle and a length of Color A, whipstitch through the outermost loops of corresponding stitches and chain spaces along one edge. Work one whipstitch per stitch and one per chain space for an even seam. This creates a visible ridge on the wrong side only.

Butterfly Applique

The butterfly is worked in two parts: upper wings and lower wings, joined at the center bod.

How Many Squares Do You Need?

For the standard size Small, you will need a total of 24 squares (12 for the crop top, 12 for the shorts). Each panel (front and back) for both the top and shorts is constructed from 6 squares arranged 3 squares wide by 2 squares tall.

Crop Top Instructions

Front Panel Assembly

Arrange 6 granny squares in a grid: 3 squares wide and 2 squares tall.

• Step 1: Join the 3 squares in the top row. Lay the squares RS up in a horizontal line. Join square 1 to square 2 along their right/left edges. Join square 2 to square 3 along their right/left edges.
• Step 2: Join the 3 squares in the bottom row in the same manner.
• Step 3: Join the top row strip to the bottom row strip along their shared horizontal edges.

Checkpoint: Your completed front panel measures approximately 12.75 inches (32.4 cm) wide and 8.5 inches (21.6 cm) tall. After blocking, approximately 13 inches (33 cm) wide.

Repeat the front panel assembly using the remaining 6 crop top squares. The back panel is identical in size and has no butterfly appliques.

Back Panel Assembly

Create the front panel exactly as you did for the crop top: 6 squares arranged 3 wide by 2 tall, joined together. Repeat for the back panel.

Joining Front and Back

• Step 1: Hold front and back panels with WS together and RS facing out. Whipstitch the left side edge of the front panel to the left side edge of the back panel from bottom corner to top corner. Repeat for the right side edge. Your piece now forms a tube.
• Step 2: Do not seam the top edges together. The top edges remain open to form the neckline and armhole openings.
• Step 3: With RS facing, attach Color A with a sl st at the top right corner of the front panel. Work 1 sc into each dc and 1 sc into each ch-sp along the top edge of the front panel only. Continue the sc edging around the top edge of the back panel. (Approximately 51 sc across front top, 51 sc across back top)
• Step 4: Work 1 round of sc around each armhole gap separately to finish.

Spaghetti Straps

Attach Color A at the shoulder seams and chain to the desired strap length, then secure to the back panel.

Shorts Instructions

Front and Back Panels

Create the front panel exactly as you did for the crop top: 6 squares arranged 3 wide by 2 tall, joined together. Repeat for the back panel.

Assembly

• Step 1: Whipstitch the left side edge of the front panel to the left side edge of the back panel from top corner to bottom corner. Repeat for the right side edge. Your piece now forms a tube approximately 25.5 inches (64.8 cm) in circumference.
• Step 2: Lay the tube flat with seams at the sides. Mark the center bottom edge of both front and back panels. From the center of the bottom edge, measure 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) up toward the center on both panels. This is your crotch seam height.
• Step 3: Whipstitch the center bottom edges together from the center outward, working 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) along each side. The remaining open sections become your two leg openings.

Leg opening finish: Attach Color A with sl st at one leg opening. Work 1 round of sc evenly around. Sl st to join. Fasten off. Repeat for the other leg. (Approximately 63 sc per leg opening)

Ribbed Waistband

Using US Size D-3 (3.25 mm) hook and Color A, work rounds of sc in blo around the top edge of the shorts to create a ribbed texture.

Adding the Butterfly Appliques

Sew the white butterfly appliques onto the front panels of both the crop top and the shorts.

Size Customization Tips

• To size up: Add more granny squares to each panel. One additional column (4 squares wide instead of 3) adds approximately 4.25 inches (10.8 cm) to width. One additional row adds the same to height. Adjust waistband length and strap length accordingly.
• To size down: Use 2 squares wide by 2 squares tall for extra-small sizing, producing panels approximately 8.5 inches (21.6 cm) square.
• For longer shorts: Add 1 row of squares to both panels and increase the inseam allowance.
• To scale the entire garment: Use a larger hook with the same yarn for larger squares and a larger overall garment.

Blocking and Finishing

Wet blocking is recommended, especially for cotton yarns. Submerge each finished piece in cool water for 15 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water without wringing. Roll in a clean towel to remove moisture. Lay flat on a blocking mat and pin to finished dimensions. Allow to dry completely (12 to 24 hours).

Pin the butterfly wings open while blocking to help them hold a slightly dimensional, open position.

Weave in all remaining ends on the WS, working tails in two directions for security.

Care Instructions

• Machine wash on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag using cold water if using cotton-acrylic or pure acrylic yarn. Lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry.
• For pure cotton yarn, hand wash in cool water with gentle soap and lay flat to dry.
• Do not iron directly on the fabric. If needed, hold a steam iron 1 to 2 inches above the surface.

FAQs

Can I make this set in a different yarn weight?

While the pattern is designed for DK weight yarn, you can use a different weight by adjusting your hook size. However, be aware that the finished measurements will change, and you may need to alter the number of squares to achieve your desired fit.

How do I adjust the length of the shorts?

To make the shorts longer, add an additional row of granny squares to both the front and back panels before assembling. You will also need to increase the inseam allowance when seaming the crotch.

What if I don’t like the spaghetti straps?

You can easily modify the straps to be wider by working multiple chains or adding a strip of crochet fabric along the shoulder seams for a more substantial look.

How do I attach the butterfly appliques securely?

Use a yarn needle and weave the ends through the stitches of both the applique and the garment panel. Weave in two directions for security to ensure they stay attached during wear.

Is this pattern suitable for absolute beginners?

It is written for intermediate crocheters. However, a confident beginner who has made granny squares before can tackle this with extra time and careful reading of the instructions.

I really hope you love making this summer set as much as I loved designing it. There is something so satisfying about watching those granny squares come together into a wearable piece, and those little butterflies add the sweetest finishing touch. If you make this set, I would absolutely love to see it! Tag me on Instagram or share a photo in my Facebook group. Seeing your finished projects is honestly the best part of sharing patterns. Save this pattern to your Pinterest boards so you can find it when you are ready to start, and drop a comment below if you give it a try. I cannot wait to hear how yours turns out!