Making Dragonflies and Bug wings from yarn

Sitting at my desk surrounded by the various mediums that I work with, crochet hooks, yarn and crochet thread, I thought I might try my hand at something new. Bugs! I had mentioned to a friend that I was making butterflies for my daughters graduating class this year. She said she loved Butterflies and Fireflies.

Butterflies represent change and I was in the hopes that if I could give these new graduates their first pair of wings, they could take life as far as they wished! They've all worked very hard for the last 8 months learning the in’s and out’s of becoming a Dental Assistant, along with donating 160 hours each of their time for an extern-ship. It is time for them to spread their wings and fly into a new life.

I have the Butterfly pattern down pat, time to move into a different direction!

Hmmm, I thought ‘Fireflies’? I wonder if I could do that?

So I began my quest in making a firefly, I had black and neon green yarn, I could do this! What I ended up with is something that looks like one of those green flies you see flying around it’s favorite poo-poo platter. But in the process I did teach myself how to make wings! It’s a good thing to know right? One never knows when one will need a pair of wings.

So here is the pattern I have come up with for making wings for bugs.  First you must determine how big the wings will need to be.  I chose 1 ¼ inches.  

Using a smaller blend of yarn - Caron - Simply Soft and size F crochet hook.  (for demonstration purposes I used green so you could see the stitches) 

Chain 8 - slip stitch into the second chain (back loop only) from the hook and each of the rest of the chain back to the beginning. (6 stitches)  chain 1 turn.

Slip stitch into the 6 stitches chain 1 turn.

Skip 1st stitch and slip stitch into the next 4 stitches with single crochet in last stitch.

Chain 6 slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, chain 1 turn.

Slip stitch into next 3 stitches and 2 slip stitches in last, chain 2 turn.

Slip stitch into each chain and all other slip stitches (6 stitches), chain 1.

Slip stitch into center of wing (single crochet) draw up loop, slip stitch into very first stitch draw up loop and yarn over drawing through all 3 loops on the hook.  

You have now finished your wings!!  Attach them to whatever you wish!!

When my friend realized that she had said ‘fireflies’ she corrected herself and said she meant to say ‘Dragonflies’.  So now I was on a quest to make a Dragonfly.  Since dragonflies come in bright colors, I was all set with my materials!  I have plenty of bright colors to choose from.  This time I chose purple and green.

Again I was using the Caron - Simply soft yarn and the size F crochet hook.

Body of Dragonfly-

Chain 13 - slip stitch into the 2nd chain from the hook and each chain thereafter, (11 stitches), 2 single crochet at the top (head of dragonfly), slip stitch down the other side. Finish off, tuck in loose yarn.

Wings of Dragonfly -

In 4th stitch from head on the side attach new color yarn. *Chain 13, slip stitch in 2nd chain from hook, single crochet in next chain, half double crochet in next 3 stitches, 3 double crochet in next 3 chain, 2 half double crochet in next 2 chain, single crochet in last chain, slip stitch in body of dragonfly.

Moving down 2 stitch in body of dragonfly slip stitch and repeat from *. 2nd wing on same side is made. Finish off, tuck in ends.

Repeat on other side of dragonfly.

Slip bobby pin in back side of the Dragonfly and you have a nice hair accessory for someone special!

With bits and pieces of yarn scraps the uses are limited to your imagination!!  These make lovely quick gifts for those surprise birthday parties!!  Even if you’ve gotten a gift for someone, these will make a great addition to the wrappings!!  And what child doesn’t like bugs?   

For boys slip a safety pin in the back and he can wear his bugs on his jacket!  Or make a bunch for neat little toys.  Get him started on his bug collection early!!