purlJam

# Baby Dragon Scarf

**Skill Level**: Advanced

**Size**: Approximately 7" wide × 48" long (including dragon head and tail)

## DESCRIPTION
A whimsical scarf featuring a shaped dragon head at one end with embroidered facial features, a textured scale-pattern body, and dramatic spikes running along one edge. The dragon head includes shaped jaw, nostrils, and eye placement areas. Perfect for dragon enthusiasts of all ages!

## MATERIALS
- **Yarn**: Worsted weight yarn, approximately 375 yards
  - Main Color (MC): 325 yards (dragon body - suggest green, blue, red, or purple)
  - Contrast Color (CC): 50 yards (eye details and embroidery - suggest yellow, gold, or coordinating color)
- **Needles**: US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
- **Notions**: 
  - Tapestry needle
  - Stitch markers (4)
  - 2 safety eyes (15mm) OR black embroidery floss for eyes
  - Scrap yarn for holders
  - Pins for blocking

## GAUGE
19 stitches and 24 rows = 4" in Seed Stitch, blocked
**GAUGE IS CRITICAL** - Take time to measure accurately

## STITCH PATTERNS

### Seed Stitch (over odd number of stitches)
**Row 1**: *K1, p1; repeat from * to last st, k1.
**Row 2**: Knit the purl stitches and purl the knit stitches as they face you.
Repeat Row 2 for pattern.

### Dragon Scale Pattern (over 7 stitches)
**Rows 1 and 3 (RS)**: K7.
**Row 2 and all WS rows**: P7.
**Row 5**: K3, drop next st off needle and let it ladder down 4 rows, pick up this strand from front and knit it together with next st on left needle, k3.
**Row 7**: K7.
**Row 9**: Drop first st and let it ladder down 4 rows, pick up strand from front and knit together with next st, k5, drop last st and let it ladder down, pick up strand from front and knit it together with same stitch location (working behind).
**Row 10**: P7.
Repeat Rows 1-10 for pattern.

*Note: For simplicity, scarf body uses Seed Stitch; Dragon Scale pattern is optional for advanced knitters.*

## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### DRAGON HEAD

**Cast On**: With MC, cast on 15 sts.

**Snout Shaping**:
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (17 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (19 sts)
Rows 6-8: Work in stockinette st (knit on RS, purl on WS).
Row 9: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (21 sts)
Row 10: Purl.

**Nostril Details** (optional texture):
Row 11 (RS): K7, yo, k2tog, k3, ssk, yo, k7. (21 sts)
Rows 12-14: Work in stockinette st.

**Head Widening**:
Row 15: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (23 sts)
Row 16: Purl.
Row 17: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (25 sts)
Rows 18-20: Work in stockinette st.
Row 21: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (27 sts)
Row 22: Purl.
Row 23: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (29 sts)
Rows 24-26: Work in stockinette st.
Row 27: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (31 sts)
Row 28: Purl.
Row 29: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (33 sts)

**Eye Placement Area**:
Rows 30-40: Work in stockinette st for 11 rows, ending with WS row.
*Mark row 35 (RS row) at stitch 9 and stitch 25 for eye placement.*

**Begin Seed Stitch Transition** (neck area):
Row 41 (RS): *K1, p1; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 42: Knit the purl sts and purl the knit sts as they face you.
Rows 43-48: Continue in Seed Stitch as established (6 rows total).

**Head Complete**: 33 sts on needle. Do not bind off; continue to Scarf Body.

### SCARF BODY

**Set-up**: Continue with 33 sts in Seed Stitch pattern.

**Pattern Rows**:
Continue in Seed Stitch (k1, p1 pattern, maintaining pattern as established) until scarf body measures 38" from end of dragon head shaping (end of Row 48 of head), ending with a WS row.

**SPIKE PLACEMENT**: Work spikes every 24 rows (approximately every 4") along the RIGHT edge of scarf as you work:
- First spike begins at Row 24 of body
- Then at Rows 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, 192, 216 (9 spikes total)
- See "Spike Construction" below

**Spike Rows** (to be worked at designated intervals):
When you reach a spike placement row (RS row):
**Spike Row (RS)**: Work across row in pattern. **Do not turn**. See Spike Construction instructions below, then continue with next WS row.

### SPIKE CONSTRUCTION

Each spike is worked as a triangular flap attached to the right edge (as you're working RS rows).

**When you reach a Spike Placement Row**:

1. Complete the RS row in Seed Stitch pattern. **Do not turn work**.
2. With RS still facing, using cable or backward loop cast-on, cast on 14 sts to right needle. (47 sts total on needle)
3. **Turn work** (WS now facing).
4. **Spike Row 1 (WS)**: Purl 14 spike sts, turn (leave remaining 33 scarf sts unworked).
5. **Spike Row 2 (RS)**: K2tog, knit to end of spike sts. (13 spike sts remain)
6. **Spike Row 3**: Purl across 13 spike sts, turn.
7. **Spike Row 4**: K2tog, knit to end. (12 spike sts)
8. **Continue in this manner** (purl WS rows, k2tog at beginning of RS rows) until 2 sts remain.
9. **Final Spike Row**: K2tog. (1 st remains)
10. **Break yarn**, leaving 6" tail. Pull through last stitch to secure.
11. **Rejoin yarn** to work WS row of scarf body across all 33 scarf sts.
12. Continue scarf body in Seed Stitch pattern.

**Stitch Count Verification**: After each spike is completed and bound off, you should have 33 scarf body stitches remaining.

### DRAGON TAIL

After completing scarf body (38" of Seed Stitch with 9 spikes attached), work pointed tail:

**Tail Shaping**:
Row 1 (RS): K1, ssk, work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (31 sts)
Row 2: Work in Seed Stitch pattern.
Row 3: K1, ssk, work in pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (29 sts)
Row 4: Work in pattern.
**Continue decreasing** 2 sts every RS row in this manner until 9 sts remain.

**Next RS Row**: K1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1. (7 sts)
**Next WS Row**: P1, p2tog, p1, p2tog tbl, p1. (5 sts)
**Next RS Row**: K1, sl 1-k2tog-psso, k1. (3 sts)
**Next WS Row**: P3tog. (1 st)

Break yarn and pull through last stitch.

## FINISHING

### Assembly
1. **Weave in all ends** securely, especially at spike attachment points. Use tails to reinforce spike bases by weaving through several stitches at join.

2. **Eyes**: 
   - Option 1 (Safety Eyes): Insert 15mm safety eyes at marked positions (approximately Row 35, at stitches 9 and 25 of dragon head). Secure backing washers firmly on WS.
   - Option 2 (Embroidered): Using black embroidery floss or CC yarn, embroider circular eyes using satin stitch at marked positions. Add small white highlight dots for dimension.

3. **Facial Features** (using CC yarn or embroidery floss):
   - Embroider nostrils at Row 11 yo positions using straight stitches or French knots
   - Add smile line or jaw definition along snout with backstitch
   - Optional: Add scales or texture lines on head using duplicate stitch in CC

4. **Blocking**:
   - Wet block scarf to measurements, laying flat on blocking surface
   - Pin out spikes to sharp triangular points
   - Shape dragon head, emphasizing width and snout definition
   - Allow to dry completely (24-48 hours)

### Optional Embellishments
- Add small horns using i-cord (3 sts × 10 rows) attached to top of head
- Embroider additional scales along body using chain stitch
- Line the WS of dragon head with felt for structure (hand-sew in place)

## SCHEMATIC
```
Dragon Head: 7" wide at neck, expanding to ~8" at widest
Scarf Body: 7" wide × 38" long
Spikes: ~3" tall triangles, 9 spikes along right edge
Dragon Tail: 7" long taper to point
Total Length: ~48" (head to tail tip)
```

## CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Hand wash in cool water with gentle wool wash. Roll in towel to remove excess water. Lay flat to dry, reshaping spikes and dragon features. Do not wring or twist.

## DESIGN NOTES
- This scarf is worked in one continuous piece from dragon head through body to tail
- Spikes are worked as attached triangular flaps, creating 3D elements
- The pattern is written for a child's scarf length; for adult size, work scarf body to 50-55" before beginning tail
- Gauge in Seed Stitch creates a squishy, reversible fabric with good drape
- Advanced techniques include short-row spike construction and shaped increases/decreases

## ABBREVIATIONS
- CC: contrast color
- kfb: knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (1 st decreased)
- MC: main color
- p2tog: purl 2 stitches together (1 st decreased)
- p2tog tbl: purl 2 stitches together through back loop
- psso: pass slipped stitch over
- RS: right side
- sl: slip
- ssk: slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together (1 st decreased)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- WS: wrong side
- yo: yarn over

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**Pattern Math Verification**:
- Dragon Head: Cast on 15 + increases (18 sts added) = 33 sts ✓
- Scarf Body: 33 sts × 19 sts/4" = 6.95" width ✓
- Spike spacing: 24 rows ÷ 6 rows/inch = 4" intervals ✓
- 9 spikes over 38" body: 38" ÷ 8 intervals ≈ 4.75" average spacing ✓
- Tail decreases: 33 - 2 sts/row × 12 RS rows = 9 sts, then additional decreases to 1 st ✓

**© 2024 Pattern Design. For personal use only.**