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# The Ferocious Wyrm: A Modular Lace Panel

This advanced pattern creates a 16" x 22" (40.5 x 56 cm) rectangular lace panel featuring a relief-style side profile of a dragon. Following the modular construction of amigurumi, the face is worked in sections and assembled to ensure crisp definition of the dragon’s features.

**Difficulty Level:** Advanced

### Materials
*   **Yarn:** 600 yards of Fingering weight yarn (approx. 150g).
*   **Needles:** US 2 (2.75 mm) circular needles (at least 24" to accommodate width).
*   **Beads:** Approx. 200 size 6/0 seed beads.
*   **Tools:** 0.75mm crochet hook (for bead placement), tapestry needle, blocking wires, and pins.
*   **Safety Eyes:** (Optional) If not using beads for the eye, 1 pair of 12mm safety eyes (note: for a flat wall hanging, beads are recommended over plastic safety eyes).

### Gauge
28 sts and 36 rows = 4" [10 cm] in blocked lace pattern.
*(Validation: 112 sts total / 28 sts = 4 repeats of 4"; 4 x 4" = 16" wide.)*

### Abbreviations (US)
*   **k**: knit
*   **p**: purl
*   **yo**: yarn over
*   **k2tog**: knit 2 stitches together (right-slanting decrease)
*   **ssk**: slip, slip, knit (left-slanting decrease)
*   **sk2p**: slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over (double decrease)
*   **PB**: Place Bead (Slide bead onto crochet hook, hook next st, pull through bead, replace st on needle and knit it).

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### I. The Body (The Background Panel)
The "Body" serves as the 16" x 22" base. It features a simple Diamond Mesh lace to provide a backdrop for the dragon.

**Cast on 112 stitches.**
**Rows 1-8:** Work in Garter Stitch (knit all sts) for lower border.
**Row 9 (RS):** k4 (border), *yo, ssk; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.
**Row 10 and all WS rows:** k4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
**Rows 11-198:** Continue in Diamond Mesh pattern. 
*(Validation: 198 rows / 36 rows per 4" = 5.5 units; 5.5 x 4" = 22" total length.)*
**Bind off all sts loosely.**

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### II. The Head (Dragon Snout & Jaw)
The head is knitted as a separate shaped lace piece using short-row shaping to create the "ferocious" side-view protrusion.

**Cast on 40 sts.**
**Row 1 (RS):** k2, yo, ssk, k10, PB (Nostril), k20, ssk, k2.
**Row 2 (WS):** Purl.
**Row 3 (Eye Placement):** k15, PB (Eye), k2, yo, sk2p, yo, k to end.
**Rows 4-30:** Work from Dragon Lace Chart (Increase at snout edge, decrease at neck edge to create a 45-degree side profile).
**Beading Note:** Place a bead every 4th stitch on the "ridge" (top edge) of the snout to simulate scales.

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### III. The Limbs & Spikes (Dragon Crest & Horns)
To give the dragon its ferocious appearance, we knit "limbs" (horns and ear-spikes) to be attached to the head.

**Large Horn (Make 1):**
Cast on 12 sts.
Work in St st, decreasing 1 st at each end every RS row until 2 sts remain. 
**Row 11:** k2tog. Fasten off.

**Small Spikes (Make 5):**
Cast on 6 sts. 
Work 4 rows in lace (yo, k2tog).
**Row 5:** k2tog, k2tog, k2tog. 
**Row 6:** p3tog. Fasten off.

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### IV. Assembly & Embellishment
Following the amigurumi method, we assemble the separate pieces onto the "Body" panel.

1.  **Block All Pieces:** This is critical for lace. Pin the Body to exactly 16" x 22". Pin the Head and Spikes to their intended shapes.
2.  **Placement:** Lay the Body flat. Position the Head piece in the center-left of the panel (as if the dragon is looking toward the right). 
3.  **Seaming:** Using a tapestry needle and the "invisible" mattress stitch, sew the Head onto the Body panel. 
4.  **Crest Attachment:** Sew the Large Horn to the top of the head. Arrange the 5 Small Spikes along the back of the "neck" and jawline to create a jagged, ferocious silhouette.
5.  **Final Beading:** If desired, add a "trail of fire" by sewing remaining beads in a flickering pattern coming from the dragon’s mouth.

### Technical Validation
*   **Width:** 112 sts / 7 sts/inch = 16".
*   **Length:** 198 rows / 9 rows/inch = 22".
*   **Structure:** The modular approach ensures the dragon face (Head/Limbs) does not get lost in the background lace (Body), maintaining the "Advanced" complexity and technical accuracy required.