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# Dragon's Wing Cardigan
*A Lightweight Men's Cardigan with Dragon-Inspired Details*

**DIFFICULTY LEVEL:** Intermediate

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** DK weight yarn (light worsted, #3)
- Main Color (MC): 1400-1600 yards charcoal gray or deep forest green
- Contrast Color 1 (CC1): 200 yards metallic gold or bronze
- Contrast Color 2 (CC2): 150 yards deep burgundy or rust

**Hook:** US size H/8 (5.0mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions:**
- 6-8 buttons (¾" diameter)
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers (4)
- Measuring tape

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## GAUGE

18 sts and 10 rows = 4" (10 cm) in double crochet with size H/8 hook

**GAUGE SWATCH:** Ch 22, dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across (20 dc). Ch 3, turn. Work in dc for 10 rows total. Block and measure.

*Take time to check gauge - proper fit depends on it!*

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## SIZES

Size 2XL (chest circumference 48-50")
*Finished chest measurement: 52"*
*Length: 28"*
*Sleeve length: 24"*

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- yo = yarn over
- dec = decrease
- inc = increase
- beg = beginning
- rep = repeat
- sp = space
- sk = skip
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- PM = place marker

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## SPECIAL STITCHES

**Dragon Scale Stitch (worked over 3 sts):**
Row 1: *Sk 1 st, 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st; rep from * across.
Row 2: Ch 3, *sc in center dc of 5-dc group, 5 dc in next sc; rep from * across.

**Raglan Increase:**
Work (dc, ch 1, dc) in marked stitch.

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## STITCH PATTERNS

**Dragon Wing Panel (worked over 15 sts):**
Foundation: Ch 15
Row 1 (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across. (13 dc)
Row 2: Ch 3, turn. Dc in each dc across.
Row 3: Ch 3, turn. Dc in first 2 dc, *ch 2, sk 2 dc, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 2 dc*, dc in next dc, rep from * to *, dc in last 2 dc.
Row 4: Ch 3, turn. Dc in first 2 dc, *2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp*, dc in next dc, rep from * to *, dc in last 2 dc.

Repeat Rows 1-4 for pattern.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### YOKE

**Starting Chain:** With MC, ch 74.

**Foundation Row:** Dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 9 ch (right front - 10 dc made), dc in next ch and PM for raglan, dc in next 13 ch (right sleeve - 13 dc), dc in next ch and PM for raglan, dc in next 25 ch (back - 25 dc), dc in next ch and PM for raglan, dc in next 13 ch (left sleeve - 13 dc), dc in next ch and PM for raglan, dc in last 10 ch (left front - 10 dc). Total: 71 dc + 4 raglan sts = 75 sts.

**Row 1 (RS):** Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Dc in each dc to first marker, work raglan inc in marked st, *dc in each dc to next marker, work raglan inc in marked st; rep from * 2 more times, dc in each dc to end. (8 sts increased - 83 sts total)

**Rows 2-20:** Repeat Row 1. (83 + 152 = 235 sts after Row 20)

After Row 20, you should have:
- Right Front: 29 dc
- Right Sleeve: 51 dc  
- Back: 63 dc
- Left Sleeve: 51 dc
- Left Front: 29 dc
- Plus 4 raglan sts = 227 sts total

### SEPARATE SLEEVES

**Row 21:** Ch 3, turn. Dc in each dc of right front to first raglan marker, ch 4 (for underarm), sk all sleeve sts and next raglan marker, dc in each dc of back to next raglan marker, ch 4 (for underarm), sk all sleeve sts and next raglan marker, dc in each dc of left front to end. (29 + 4 + 63 + 4 + 29 = 129 sts)

### BODY

**Rows 22-35:** Ch 3, turn. Dc in each st across. (129 sts)

**Dragon Scale Border:**
**Row 36:** Ch 1, turn. Working in dragon scale stitch across, work 32 complete 4-st repeats plus 1 sc. 

**Row 37:** Work Row 2 of dragon scale stitch.

**Rows 38-42:** Ch 3, turn. Dc in each st across.

**Row 43 (Hem):** Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. Fasten off.

### SLEEVES (Make 2)

**Setup:** Join MC with sl st to center of underarm ch-4. Ch 3.

**Round 1:** Work 3 more dc in underarm ch-4 space, dc in each of the 51 sleeve sts from yoke. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (55 sts)

**Rounds 2-10:** Ch 3, dc in each dc around. Join. (55 sts)

**Decrease Rounds:**
**Round 11:** Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in each dc to last 2 sts, dc2tog. Join. (53 sts)

**Rounds 12-15:** Ch 3, dc in each dc around. Join.

Repeat decrease round every 5th round 6 more times. (41 sts remain)

**Rounds 41-50:** Ch 3, dc in each dc around. Join.

**Dragon Scale Cuff:**
**Round 51:** Ch 1, work in dragon scale stitch around, adjusting sts as needed to work complete repeats. Join.

**Round 52:** Work Row 2 of dragon scale stitch. Join.

**Round 53:** Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. Fasten off.

### DRAGON WING PANELS

**Right Front Panel:**
With RS facing, join CC1 at bottom right front corner.

**Row 1:** Ch 3, work 15 dc evenly spaced up right front edge.
**Rows 2-15:** Work Dragon Wing Panel pattern.

Change to CC2 and work 2 rows sc. Fasten off.

**Left Front Panel:**
Work as for Right Front Panel, reversed.

**Back Panel (optional):**
Work large dragon wing motif centered on back using CC1 and CC2.

### BUTTON BAND & BUTTONHOLE BAND

**Button Band (Left Front for Men):**
With RS facing, join MC at neck edge.

**Row 1:** Ch 1, work 75 sc evenly down left front edge. Turn.
**Row 2:** Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn.
**Row 3:** Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Fasten off.

**Buttonhole Band (Right Front):**
**Row 1:** Work as for Button Band.
**Row 2:** Ch 1, sc in first 3 sc, *ch 2, sk 2 sc, sc in next 10 sc; rep from * 5 more times, sc in last 3 sc.
**Row 3:** Ch 1, sc in each sc and 2 sc in each ch-2 sp across. Fasten off.

### COLLAR

With RS facing, join MC at right front neck edge.

**Row 1:** Ch 1, work 74 sc evenly around neck opening. Turn.
**Row 2:** Ch 3, dc in each sc across. Turn.
**Row 3:** Ch 3, dc in each dc across. Turn.
**Rows 4-6:** Repeat Row 3.

Change to CC1.
**Row 7:** Ch 1, working in dragon scale stitch, work across. Turn.
**Row 8:** Work Row 2 of dragon scale stitch. Turn.

Change to MC.
**Row 9:** Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off.

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## FINISHING

1. Weave in all ends securely.
2. Block cardigan to measurements, paying special attention to dragon wing panels.
3. Sew buttons opposite buttonholes.
4. Steam lightly if needed.

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## DESIGN NOTES

The Dragon's Wing Cardigan features subtle dragon-inspired details:
- **Dragon Scale Stitch:** Creates a textured scale-like pattern at hem, cuffs, and collar
- **Dragon Wing Panels:** Decorative panels suggesting dragon wings on the front
- **Color Palette:** Rich, dragon-inspired colors with metallic accents
- **Raglan Construction:** Provides comfortable fit and easy construction

The lightweight DK yarn makes this perfect for layering, while the sophisticated color scheme keeps it wearable for everyday use.

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## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hand wash in cool water with wool-safe detergent. Lay flat to dry, reshaping dragon wing panels. Store folded or hung on sturdy hangers.

*Pattern by [Designer Name] - All rights reserved*