Free Dragon Pattern

Pattern Description:

This crochet pattern creates Winnie the Dragon, a whimsical gal with a more fluid and realistic shape, moving away from a “chibi” look. 

When made with Bernat Blanket Yarn, the finished dragon will measure approximately 3 feet. 

The pattern aims for an overload of cuteness, warning of potential wrist pain if completed in one sitting.

Materials Needed & Measurements:

• Yarn:
  • Chenille or blanket yarn (at least 2 colors required).
  • Color A: Used for Head, Body, Limbs, Ears (White, approx. 240g of Bernat Blanket Yarn).
  • Color B: Used for Horns and Wings (Tan, not much used).
  • Color C: Fur yarn for fur/feathery details (“Fur the Love” from Hobby Lobby, not much used).
  • Black yarn for embroidery.

• Hook: A 5.0mm, 5.5mm, or 6mm hook (crocheter’s preference). A 5.0mm Clover hook was used for testing.
• Notions:
  • Fiber Fill Stuffing.
  • Optional: Safety eyes (crocheter’s choice of size).
  • A yarn needle.
  • Scissors.
  • Optional: Stitch marker.
• Measurements: The finished dragon will be about 3 feet tall when using Bernat Blanket Yarn.

Stitches & Abbreviations Used:

• CH – Chain
• SC – Single Crochet
• HDC – Half Double Crochet
• INC – Increase
• HDC INC – A Half Double Crochet Increase
• DEC – Decrease
• MR – Magic Ring (probably won’t use)
• TW – Turn Work
• SLST – Slip Stitch
• INC the RND – 2 single crochets in each stitch of the entire round

Body

(Use Color A) Work in continuous rounds, stuffing firmly as you go.

• R1: CH 2, 4 SC into the first CH
• R2 – R6: 4 SC around [5 rounds]
• R7: INC, 3 SC
• R8 – R12: 5 SC around [5 rounds]
• R13: INC, 4 SC
• R14 – R18: 6 SC around [5 rounds]
• R19: INC, 5 SC
• R20 – R24: 7 SC around [5 rounds]
• R25: INC, 6 SC
• R26 – R30: 8 SC around [5 rounds]
• R31: INC, 7 SC
• R32 – R36: 9 SC around [5 rounds]
• R37: INC, 8 SC
• R38 – R42: 10 SC around [5 rounds]
• R43: INC, 9 SC
• R44 – R48: 11 SC around [5 rounds]
• R49: INC, 10 SC
• R50 – R54: 12 SC around [5 rounds]
• R55: INC, 11 SC
• R56-R60: 13 SC around [5 rounds]
• R61: INC, 12 SC
• R62 – R66: 14 SC around [5 rounds]
• R67: INC, 13 SC
• R68 – R70: 15 SC around [3 rounds]
• R71: x3 INC, 12 SC
• R72 – R73: 18 SC around [2 rounds]
• R74: (1 SC, INC)x3, 12 SC
• R75: (2 SC, INC)x3, 12 SC
• R76 – R77: 24 SC around [2 rounds]
• R78: (INC, SC)x3, 3 SC, (SC, INC)x3, 9 SC
• R79 – R83: 30 SC around [5 rounds]
• R84: (INC, 2 SC)x3, (2 SC, INC)x3, 12 SC
• R85: 36 SC around
• R86: (DEC, 2 SC)x3, (2 SC, DEC)x3, 12 SC
• R87 – R91: 30 SC around [5 rounds]
• R92: (DEC, SC)x3, (SC, DEC)x3, 12 SC
• R93 – R94: 24 SC [2 rounds]
• R95: (2 SC, DEC)x6
• R96 – R101: 18 SC around [6 rounds]
• Fasten off with a SLST and leave a long tail for sewing.

Head

(Use Color A) Work in continuous rounds, starting with a CH. You will work both sides of the CH to form an oval. Stuff firmly.

• R1: CH 5, (start in the 2nd CH from the hook) 3 SC, x3 SC in the last CH, TW, 3 SC, x3 SC in the last CH
• R2: 3 SC, INC, SC, INC, 3 SC, INC, SC, INC
• R3 – R4: 16 SC around [2 rounds]
• R5: 6 INC, 10 SC
• R6: INC, 8 SC, INC, 12 SC
• R7: (SC, INC)x6, 12 SC
• R8: (INC, 2 SC)x3 (2 SC, INC)x3, 12 SC
• R9 – R14: 36 SC around [6 rounds]
• R15: (DEC, 2 SC)x3 (2 SC, DEC)x3, 12 SC
• R16: (3 SC, DEC)x6
• R17: 3 DEC, 4 SC, 3 DEC, 8 SC
• R18- R19: 18 SC around [2 rounds]
• Fasten off with a SLST. The tail from the body will be used to connect the head. If using safety eyes, place them approximately between R7 and R8, about 8 stitches apart.

Front Arms

(Use Color A) Make 2. Work in continuous rounds. Stuffing is optional.

• R1: CH 2, 6 SC into the first CH
• R2: (INC, 1 SC)x3
• R3 – R10: 9 SC around (8 rounds)
• Close off with a row of SLSTs, fasten off, and leave a tail for sewing.

Thighs

(Use Color A) Make 2. Work in continuous rounds. Stuff lightly, you can add more as you sew.

• R1: CH 2, 6 SC into the 2nd CH from the hook
• R2: INC the RND
• R3: (1 SC, INC)x6
• R4: (2 SC, INC)x6
• R5: 6 DEC, 12 SC
• Fasten off with a SLST and leave a tail for sewing.

Feet

(Use Color A) Make 2. Work in continuous rounds. Stuff lightly.

• R1: CH 2, 6 SC into the 2nd CH from the hook
• R2: (INC, 1 SC)x3
• R3 – R8: 9 SC around (6 rounds)
• Close with a row of SLSTs, fasten off, and leave a tail for sewing.

Ears

(Use Color A) Make 2. Work in continuous rounds. Do not stuff.

• R1: CH 2, 3 SC into the 2nd CH from the hook
• R2: INC the RND
• R3: (1 SC, INC)x3
• R4: 9 SC
• R5: (2 SC, INC)x3
• R6 – R7: 12 SC around [2 rounds]
• R8: (3 SC, INC)x3
• R9: (3 SC, DEC)x3
• R10: (2 SC, DEC)x3
• R11: (1 SC, DEC)x3
• R12: 6 SC
• Fasten off with a SLST and leave a tail for sewing.

Horns

(Use Color B) Make 2. Work in continuous rounds. You can stuff these lightly before sewing.

• R1: CH 2, 3 SC into the 2nd CH from the hook
• R2: 2 SC, INC
• R3: 3 SC, INC
• R4: SC 4, INC
• R5: DEC, 1 SC, INC, 2 SC
• R6: DEC, 1 SC, INC, INC, 1 SC
• R7: 1 SC, INC, INC, INC, 1 SC, DEC
• R8: 9 SC around
• R9: DEC, 2 SC, INC, 4 SC
• R10: 3 SC, INC, INC, 4 SC
• R11: 11 SC around
• Fasten off with a SLST and leave a long tail for sewing.

Wings

(Use Color B) Make 2. Work in rows.

• R1: CH 8, (start in 2nd CH from hook in every row) 1 SC, 6 HDC, CH 1, TW
• R2: 4 SC, CH 3, TW (SC across the top for a smoother look here)
• R3: SC, 4 HDC, HDC INC, CH 1, TW
• R4: 4 SC, CH 3, TW
• R5: SC, 4 HDC, HDC INC, CH 1, TW
• R6: 4 SC, CH 3, TW
• R7: SC, 4 HDC, HDC INC, CH 1, TW
• R8: 4 SC, CH 5, TW
• R9: SC, 7 HDC, CH 1, SC along the top of the wing towards the original tail to make it look more even.
• Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.
• Optional: SC the fur yarn (Color C) along the outer parts of the wings.

Tail Pieces

(Use Colors B and C)

• Tail Piece #1 (Make 1): Start in Color B. CH 13. Change to fur yarn (Color C) and start in the 2nd loop from the hook. 2 SC, 10 HDC, TW to the unused side, 10 HDC, 1 SC, 1 SLST. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.
• Tail Piece #2 (Make 2): Start in Color B. CH 9. Change to fur yarn (Color C) and start in the 2nd loop from the hook. 2 SC, 6 HDC, TW to the unused side, 6 HDC, 1 SC, 1 SLST. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.

Assembly

Recommended assembly order:

• Ears to Head: Fold ears to create an indent. The front/top of the ear should be around R12 towards the top of the head, and the bottom/front at about R13/14 for a slanted look. Place them about 12-13 stitches apart for a sleepier look, or 8-9 stitches apart for a sprightlier look (when viewed from the top).
• Horns to Head: Sew horns just at the top of and behind the ears, trying to make them as even as possible from the center. You can choose to stuff them lightly.
• Head to Body: Ensure the flat side of the belly is facing down and the increases of the back are lined up with the top of the head.
• Fur Stripe: Using fur yarn (Color C), SC a straight line from the tip of the tail all the way to just above the eyes. You can add some HDCs and DCs at the midway point to make the back appear more arched.
• Thighs to Body: The back of the thigh (where decreases are) should start around R75/76, and the front around R80/81. Place thighs evenly on both sides so the feet lay flat. Stuff more if needed during sewing.
• Feet to Thighs/Body: Place the feet so they lay flat, facing slightly outward, and ensure the body doesn’t look lopsided. Secure the feet to the thighs to prevent flopping.
• Arms to Body: Place arms just below the neck, facing out as if sprawled. Ensure they don’t make the body look lopsided from the front.
• Wings to Body: Line up the top inner corner of the wing (where the sewing tail is) with approximately R90 or the front of where the arms lie. For a slanted look, sew them a stitch further away from the center every other round. The wings should be able to drape over the arms.
• Tail Pieces to Tail: Sew Tail Piece #1 to the center of the end of the tail. Once secure, sew Tail Pieces #2 and #3 on either side of it.

Finishing Touches:

• Nose Slits: Embroider with black yarn. Placement is preferential, but often from the top of R1 to R2, about 2-3 stitches apart, slanted upwards.
• Fluffy Yarn on Horns (Optional): Wrap some fur yarn around the base of the horns once for a feathery look and secure it in a few spots.
• Eyes (Optional): If not using safety eyes, you can embroider eyes. Placement can be between R7-10 with a slight slant down, and eyelashes about 1 stitch long.
• Blush (Optional): Add some blush to your dragon for an extra level of cuteness.