purlJam

<pattern>
# Beginner Friendly Dragon Crochet Pattern

## DESIGNED FOR
Beginners looking to create their first amigurumi dragon using simple shapes and basic stitches.

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
- **Length**: Approximately 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) from nose to tail tip
- **Height**: Approximately 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) tall when seated
- **Width**: Approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) at widest point

## MATERIALS

### Yarn
- **Weight**: Worsted (4/Medium)
- **Yardage**: 
  - Main Color (MC): 80-100 yards for body, head, limbs, tail
  - Contrast Color (CC): 40-50 yards for wings, belly, spikes (optional)
- **Recommended**: Any worsted weight acrylic or cotton blend
- **Suggested colors**: Green, blue, purple, red, or any dragon color you prefer!

### Notions
- **Hook**: US E-4 (3.5mm) or size needed to achieve gauge
- **Stuffing**: Polyester fiberfill, approximately 2-3 oz
- **Yarn needle**: For sewing and weaving in ends
- **Stitch marker**: To mark beginning of rounds
- **Safety eyes**: 9mm or 10mm (2 pieces) OR black yarn for embroidering eyes
- **Pins**: For positioning pieces before assembly (optional but helpful)
- **Scissors**

## GAUGE
Approximately 5-6 sc per inch in amigurumi (worked in continuous rounds with tight tension)

**Gauge is not critical for this project**, but working tightly will create a firmer fabric that holds stuffing better and looks neater.

## ABBREVIATIONS
- **ch**: chain
- **sc**: single crochet
- **inc**: increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- **dec**: invisible decrease (insert hook in front loops of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook)
- **sl st**: slip stitch
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)
- **rnd(s)**: round(s)
- **MC**: main color
- **CC**: contrast color
- **[ ]**: total stitch count at end of round

## PATTERN NOTES

### Techniques
- All pieces are worked in continuous spiral rounds unless otherwise noted (do not join rounds)
- Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round
- Work with tight, even tension for best amigurumi results
- Stuff pieces firmly as you go, especially before closing
- Count your stitches at the end of each round to catch errors early

### Construction Method
This dragon is made from separate pieces that are assembled at the end. All pieces use basic amigurumi techniques with simple sphere, cylinder, and cone shapes.

### Assembly Tips
- Pin pieces in place before sewing for best positioning
- Use matching yarn color and yarn needle for invisible seams
- Refer to assembly diagram/instructions for piece placement
- Stuff all pieces before attaching unless otherwise noted

---

## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### BODY (make 1 in MC)

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]
*(Stitch count check: 6 inc = 12)*

**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18]
*(Stitch count check: 6 times (1+1) = 18)*

**Rnd 4**: (2 sc, inc) around [24]
*(Stitch count check: 6 times (2+1) = 24)*

**Rnd 5**: (3 sc, inc) around [30]
*(Stitch count check: 6 times (3+1) = 30)*

**Rnds 6-12**: sc around [30]
*(7 rounds of even stitches)*

**Rnd 13**: (3 sc, dec) around [24]
*(Stitch count check: 6 times (3+1) = 24)*

**Rnd 14**: sc around [24]

**Rnd 15**: (2 sc, dec) around [18]
*(Stitch count check: 6 times (2+1) = 18)*

**Rnd 16**: sc around [18]

**Rnd 17**: (sc, dec) around [12]
*(Stitch count check: 6 times (1+1) = 12)*

**Stuff body firmly with fiberfill.**

**Rnd 18**: dec around [6]
*(Stitch count check: 6 dec = 6)*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 stitches, pull tight to close hole. Weave in end securely.

---

### HEAD (make 1 in MC)

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]
*(Stitch count check: 6 inc = 12)*

**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18]
*(Stitch count check: 6 times (1+1) = 18)*

**Rnd 4**: (2 sc, inc) around [24]
*(Stitch count check: 6 times (2+1) = 24)*

**Rnds 5-9**: sc around [24]
*(5 rounds of even stitches)*

**If using safety eyes**: Insert eyes between Rnds 6 and 7, approximately 6-7 stitches apart. Secure backing before continuing.

**Rnd 10**: (2 sc, dec) around [18]
*(Stitch count check: 6 times (2+1) = 18)*

**Rnd 11**: (sc, dec) around [12]
*(Stitch count check: 6 times (1+1) = 12)*

**Stuff head firmly with fiberfill.**

**Rnd 12**: dec around [6]
*(Stitch count check: 6 dec = 6)*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to body. Thread tail through remaining 6 stitches, pull tight to close hole. Do not weave in tail yet (use for assembly).

---

### SNOUT (make 1 in MC)

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: (sc, inc) around [9]
*(Stitch count check: 3 times (1+1) = 9)*

**Rnds 3-4**: sc around [9]
*(2 rounds of even stitches)*

**Stuff lightly with small amount of fiberfill.**

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to head. Do not close the opening—this will be sewn to the head.

---

### LEGS (make 4 in MC)

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]
*(Stitch count check: 6 inc = 12)*

**Rnds 3-6**: sc around [12]
*(4 rounds of even stitches)*

**Stuff leg firmly with fiberfill.**

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to body. Flatten opening and sew closed, or leave open for sewing to body.

---

### ARMS (make 2 in MC)

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: (sc, inc) around [9]
*(Stitch count check: 3 times (1+1) = 9)*

**Rnds 3-5**: sc around [9]
*(3 rounds of even stitches)*

**Stuff arm lightly with fiberfill.**

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to body. Flatten opening and sew closed, or leave open for sewing to body.

---

### TAIL (make 1 in MC)

**Rnd 1**: 4 sc in magic ring [4]

**Rnd 2**: (sc, inc) around [6]
*(Stitch count check: 2 times (1+1) = 6)*

**Rnd 3**: sc around [6]

**Rnd 4**: (2 sc, inc) around [8]
*(Stitch count check: 2 times (2+1) = 8)*

**Rnd 5**: sc around [8]

**Rnd 6**: (3 sc, inc) around [10]
*(Stitch count check: 2 times (3+1) = 10)*

**Rnds 7-12**: sc around [10]
*(6 rounds of even stitches)*

**Stuff tail with fiberfill as you work.**

**Rnd 13**: (3 sc, dec) around [8]
*(Stitch count check: 2 times (3+1) = 8)*

**Rnd 14**: (2 sc, dec) around [6]
*(Stitch count check: 2 times (2+1) = 6)*

**Rnd 15**: (sc, dec) around [4]
*(Stitch count check: 2 times (1+1) = 4)*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to body. Thread tail through remaining 4 stitches, pull tight to close. Do not weave in tail yet (use for assembly).

---

### WINGS (make 2 in CC or MC)

Wings are worked in rows (not rounds) to create a flat teardrop shape.

**Row 1**: Ch 2, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook, turn [3]

**Row 2**: Ch 1, inc in each st across, turn [6]
*(Stitch count check: 3 inc = 6)*

**Row 3**: Ch 1, sc across, turn [6]

**Row 4**: Ch 1, inc, 4 sc, inc, turn [8]
*(Stitch count check: 1 + 4 + 1 = 8)*

**Row 5**: Ch 1, sc across, turn [8]

**Row 6**: Ch 1, inc, 6 sc, inc, turn [10]
*(Stitch count check: 1 + 6 + 1 = 10)*

**Rows 7-8**: Ch 1, sc across, turn [10]

**Row 9**: Ch 1, dec, 6 sc, dec, turn [8]
*(Stitch count check: 1 + 6 + 1 = 8)*

**Row 10**: Ch 1, dec, 4 sc, dec, turn [6]
*(Stitch count check: 1 + 4 + 1 = 6)*

**Row 11**: Ch 1, dec, 2 sc, dec, turn [4]
*(Stitch count check: 1 + 2 + 1 = 4)*

**Row 12**: Ch 1, dec twice [2]
*(Stitch count check: 2 dec = 2)*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to body. 

**Optional**: Work a row of sc around the entire edge of wing for a cleaner finish before fastening off.

---

### SPIKES (optional - make 3-5 in CC)

These small triangular spikes add detail to the dragon's back.

**Rnd 1**: 3 sc in magic ring [3]

**Rnd 2**: sc around [3]

**Rnd 3**: sc around [3]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to body. Do not stuff.

**Alternative**: If spikes seem too difficult, you can embroider small triangles with CC yarn using straight stitches, or skip this detail entirely.

---

## ASSEMBLY

### Order of Assembly
1. Attach snout to head
2. Add facial features (eyes, nostrils, mouth)
3. Attach head to body
4. Attach legs to body
5. Attach arms to body
6. Attach tail to body
7. Attach wings to body
8. Attach spikes to back (optional)

### Detailed Instructions

**SNOUT TO HEAD:**
- Position snout centered on lower half of head, slightly below eyes
- Pin in place
- Using yarn needle and matching yarn, whipstitch the opening of snout to head
- Weave in ends securely

**FACIAL FEATURES:**
- If not using safety eyes, embroider eyes with black yarn using satin stitch or French knots
- Embroider two small nostrils on snout with black yarn (small straight stitches or French knots)
- Optional: Embroider a smile line under snout with black yarn using backstitch

**HEAD TO BODY:**
- Position head centered on narrower end of body (the end you finished on)
- Pin in place—head should sit slightly forward on body
- Using yarn needle and long tail from head, whipstitch head to body all around
- Weave in end securely inside body

**LEGS TO BODY:**
- Position two legs on front underside of body, approximately 4-5 stitches apart
- Position two legs on back underside of body, approximately 4-5 stitches apart
- All four legs should allow dragon to sit upright
- Pin each leg in place
- Using yarn needle and long tails from legs, sew legs securely to body
- Weave in ends inside body

**ARMS TO BODY:**
- Position arms on sides of body, just below where head attaches
- Arms should point slightly forward and down
- Pin in place
- Using yarn needle and long tails from arms, sew arms securely to body
- Weave in ends inside body

**TAIL TO BODY:**
- Position wider end of tail centered on back end of body, opposite from head
- Tail should curve naturally
- Pin in place
- Using yarn needle and long tail from tail, sew tail securely to body all around
- Weave in end inside body

**WINGS TO BODY:**
- Position wings on upper back, approximately centered between head and tail
-