Butterflies in Your Knitting

Recently a reader asked me for more detailed instructions on how to knit a basic smocking stitch known as Butterfly Stitch. I used this stitch on a pillow when I was in high school and remembered enjoying the fun way it came together, with yarn strands worked into the front of the fabric that are then enclosed in a stitch to make the strands look more like a butterfly.

If you're uncertain about how to make this stitch from reading the instructions, check out this Butterfly Stitch tutorial. Once you make the stitch once or twice, you'll find it completely easy and won't even have to follow along with the stitch pattern instructions anymore because you'll know where to place your strands to make them line up with the previous ones.

This pattern is great for adding texture to home decor items like my pillow, or I could see a round of butterflies used along the bottom of a sweater (or even all over) to bring interest without a lot of work.