purlJam

# The Gilded Drake: A Framed Bas-Relief Dragon
**Difficulty**: Advanced
**Size**: Approximately 7 inches (18 cm) from nose to tail curve. Designed to fit an 8" x 10" (20.5 x 25.5 cm) frame.

### Materials
*   **Yarn**: Fingering weight yarn. 150 yards (137 m) of Main Color (MC), 50 yards (46 m) of Contrast Color (CC) for wings/spines.
*   **Needles**: US 1 / 2.25 mm circular needles or DPNs (or size needed to obtain a dense fabric).
*   **Notions**: Two 6mm safety eyes, polyester fiberfill (minimal), tapestry needle, 8" x 10" shadow box frame, fabric for background, hot glue or upholstery thread for mounting.

### Gauge
8 sts and 11 rows = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in Stockinette Stitch.
*Note: Gauge is important to ensure the dragon fits the frame, but consistency is more vital for a smooth fabric.*

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### Head
*Worked from nose to back of head.*
Using MC, CO 6 sts. Join for working in the round.
**Rnd 1**: [Kfb] in each st around. (12 sts) [Math: 6 * 2 = 12]
**Rnd 2**: [K1, kfb] 6 times. (18 sts) [Math: 12 + 6 = 18]
**Rnds 3-8**: Knit.
**Rnd 9 (Snout Shaping)**: K6, [kfb, k1] 6 times. (24 sts) [Math: 6 + (6 * 2) = 18; 6 + 18 = 24]
**Rnds 10-12**: Knit.
**Row 13 (Eye Ridges - Short Rows)**: K18, turn.
**Row 14**: P12, turn.
**Row 15**: K10, turn.
**Row 16**: P8, turn.
**Rnd 17**: Knit all sts around, picking up wraps if desired.
**Rnd 18**: [K2, k2tog] 6 times. (18 sts) [Math: 24 - 6 = 18]
**Rnd 19**: [K1, k2tog] 6 times. (12 sts) [Math: 18 - 6 = 12]
*Place safety eyes between Rnds 9 and 10, approximately 8 sts apart on the upper side.*
**Rnd 20**: [K2tog] 6 times. (6 sts)
BO all sts. Stuff lightly and flatten so the eyes face forward/up.

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### Body
*Worked flat in two pieces (Front and Back) and seamed.*
**Front (The Relief Side)**:
Using MC, CO 3 sts at the tail tip.
**Rows 1-4**: Knit (Garter stitch tip).
**Row 5**: Kfb, k1, kfb. (5 sts)
**Rows 6-10**: Work in St st (Knit RS, Purl WS).
**Row 11 (Inc Row)**: K1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1. (7 sts) [Math: 5 + 2 = 7]
Repeat Increase Row every 6th row 4 more times. (15 sts) [Math: 7 + (4 * 2) = 15]
**Rows 36-50**: Work straight in St st.
**Row 51 (Neck Dec)**: K1, ssk, k9, k2tog, k1. (13 sts) [Math: 15 - 2 = 13]
**Rows 52-58**: Knit.
BO all sts. 

**Back (The Flat Side)**:
Repeat as for Front, but work entirely in Stockinette stitch without the tail tip garter rows to ensure it lays flat against the frame backing.

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### Wings (Make 2)
Using CC, CO 20 sts.
**Row 1 (RS)**: Knit.
**Row 2 (WS)**: P1, [yo, p2tog] to last st, p1.
**Row 3**: K1, [yo, k2tog] to last st, k1.
**Row 4**: Bind off 4 sts, P to end. (16 sts)
**Row 5**: Knit.
**Row 6**: Bind off 4 sts, P to end. (12 sts)
**Row 7**: Knit.
**Row 8**: Bind off 4 sts, P to end. (8 sts)
BO remaining sts. This creates a "scalloped" dragon wing.

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### Legs (Make 4)
Using MC, CO 6 sts. 
Work 8 rows in I-cord. 
**Next Row**: [Kfb] 3 times, k3. (9 sts)
**Next Row**: Knit. 
BO all sts. The "kfb" section forms the paw.

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### Assembly & Framing
1.  **Body Seaming**: Place Front and Back body pieces together. Sew around the edges using a mattress stitch. Add a very thin layer of fiberfill before closing—the goal is a "puffy" sticker look, not a ball.
2.  **Head Attachment**: Sew the flattened back of the Head to the Neck area of the Body at a slight angle.
3.  **Wings**: Sew the long edge of the wings to the shoulder area of the Body.
4.  **Legs**: Pin legs to the underside/sides of the body. Since this is for a frame, position them as if the dragon is crawling or clutching a ledge. Sew in place.
5.  **Dorsal Spines**: Using CC, pick up 1 stitch for every 2 rows along the spine from head to tail. [K1, yo, k1] in each stitch, then BO on the next row to create a ruffled spine.
6.  **Mounting**: 
    *   Prepare your frame by wrapping the interior backing board with your chosen fabric.
    *   Position the dragon on the fabric.
    *   Using a tapestry needle and MC yarn, "tack" the dragon to the backing by taking small stitches through the back of the dragon and through the fabric/cardboard. Alternatively, use a small amount of hot glue on the flat "Back" piece.
    *   Reassemble the frame.

**Technical Editor's Note**: Ensure the tail is curved significantly during the "Body" construction phase if a "sleeping" pose is desired. If the body is too long for your specific frame, decrease the number of rows between Row 11 and 36.