purlJam

# The Ferocious Drakon Lace Panel

An advanced project featuring a 16" x 22" lace background with a 3D-sculpted, beaded dragon head embellishment.

**Difficulty Level:** Advanced
**Finished Measurements:** 16" (40.5 cm) wide by 22" (56 cm) long.

### Materials
*   **Yarn:** Fingering weight (Approx. 800 yds for base, 150 yds for head/parts). 
*   **Needles:** 
    *   US 3 / 3.25 mm (for Lace Body)
    *   US 1 / 2.25 mm (for Head and Limbs)
*   **Notions:** 800+ Size 8/0 glass seed beads, 0.75 mm crochet hook (for beading), two 12 mm safety eyes, polyester fiberfill, tapestry needle.

### Gauge
*   **Lace Gauge:** 24 sts and 32 rows = 4" / 10 cm on US 3 in Dragon Scale Lace, after blocking. (16 inches / 4 = 4; 4 * 24 = 96 stitches).
*   **Amigurumi Gauge:** 32 sts and 40 rows = 4" / 10 cm on US 1 in Stockinette Stitch.

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### Body (Lace Rectangle)
Using US 3 (3.25 mm) needles, cast on 96 sts.
*Note: 96 sts / 12 st repeat = 8 repeats.*

**Rows 1, 3, 5 (RS):** *K1, yo, k3, sl2-k1-p2ssm, k3, yo; rep from * to end.
**Rows 2, 4, 6 (WS):** Purl.
**Row 7 (RS):** Knit.
**Row 8 (WS):** Purl.
**Rows 9, 11, 13 (RS):** *k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, k1; rep from * to end.
**Rows 10, 12, 14 (WS):** Purl.
**Row 15 (RS):** Knit.
**Row 16 (WS):** Purl.

Repeat Rows 1–16 until piece measures 22" (56 cm) from cast-on edge, ending with Row 16. 
Bind off loosely. Block to 16" x 22".

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### Head
Using US 1 (2.25 mm) needles and DPNs or Magic Loop, cast on 6 sts. Join for working in the round.
**Rnd 1:** [Inc 1] 6 times. (12 sts)
**Rnd 2:** *K1, Bead 1 (using hook method); rep from * to end.
**Rnd 3:** *K1, inc 1; rep from * to end. (18 sts)
**Rnd 4-6:** Knit.
**Rnd 7:** *K2, inc 1; rep from * to end. (24 sts)
**Rnd 8 (Bead Round):** *K1, Bead 1; rep from * to end.
**Rnd 9-15:** Knit. (Snout length)
**Rnd 16 (Brow Ridge - Short Rows):** 
K16, turn. P8, turn. K6, turn. P4, turn. K2. (This creates a "ferocious" protrusion for the eyes).
**Rnd 17:** Knit around all 24 sts.
**Rnd 18:** *K2, inc 1; rep from * to end. (32 sts)
**Rnd 19-25:** Knit, adding beads every 3rd stitch on odd-numbered rounds.
**Rnd 26:** *K3, inc 1; rep from * to end. (40 sts)
**Rnd 27-35:** Knit.
**Rnd 36:** *K3, k2tog; rep from * to end. (32 sts)
**Rnd 37:** *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. (24 sts)
*Insert Safety Eyes into Rnd 17 near the brow ridge.*
**Rnd 38:** *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. (16 sts)
Stuff head firmly.
**Rnd 39:** [k2tog] 8 times. (8 sts)
Cut yarn, pull through remaining sts.

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### Limbs (Horns and Ears)
**Horns (Make 2):**
Using US 1 needles, cast on 9 sts. Join in the round.
**Rnds 1-10:** Knit.
**Rnd 11:** [K1, k2tog] 3 times. (6 sts)
**Rnd 12:** Knit.
**Rnd 13:** [k2tog] 3 times. (3 sts)
Cut yarn, pull through.

**Ears/Spikes (Make 3):**
Cast on 10 sts.
**Row 1 (RS):** Knit.
**Row 2 (WS):** Purl.
**Row 3:** K1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. (8 sts)
**Row 4:** Purl.
**Row 5:** K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. (6 sts)
**Row 6:** P2tog 3 times. (3 sts)
Bind off.

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### Assembly and Safety Eyes
1. **Eyes:** Ensure the 12 mm safety eyes are locked tightly behind the brow ridge of the head.
2. **Horns:** Sew the horns to the top of the head behind the brow ridge.
3. **Spikes:** Sew the three spikes in a line starting from the center of the head back toward the neck.
4. **Beaded Scales:** Ensure beads are visible on the snout and crown.
5. **Final Attachment:**
    *   Knit a 2" x 2" square in plain stockinette (the Stability Patch).
    *   Pin the Dragon Head to the Lace Body, centered, approximately 4" from the top edge.
    *   Place the Stability Patch on the *back* of the lace.
    *   Sew the head to the lace, stitching through both the lace and the stability patch to ensure the weight of the head does not distort the lace mesh.
6. **Finishing:** Weave in all ends. Steam block the head components lightly if needed (avoid melting safety eyes).