purlJam

# The Silhouette Dragon (Flat-Style Amigurumi)

**Difficulty**: Advanced
**Size**: Approximately 8 inches (20 cm) long.
**Gauge**: 8 sts and 11 rows = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in stockinette stitch on US 1.5 (2.5 mm) needles.

### Materials
*   **Yarn**: 100 yards of Fingering Weight yarn (e.g., Merino or Cotton blend).
*   **Needles**: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) straight needles or circulars.
*   **Notions**: Two 6mm safety eyes, polyester fiberfill (minimal), tapestry needle, stitch markers.

### Abbreviations
*   **CO**: Cast on
*   **K**: Knit
*   **P**: Purl
*   **M1L/M1R**: Make one left/right (increases)
*   **K2tog**: Knit 2 together
*   **SSK**: Slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
*   **W&T**: Wrap and turn (short rows)
*   **RS/WS**: Right Side / Wrong Side

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### 1. Main Body & Head Panels (Make 2 - Mirrored)

#### Panel A (Right Side of Dragon)
CO 3 sts.
**Row 1 (RS)**: K front and back of first st, k1, kfb. (5 sts)
**Row 2 and all WS rows**: Purl all sts.
**Row 3**: K1, M1L, k3, M1R, k1. (7 sts)
**Row 5 (Snout Shaping)**: K1, M1L, k5, M1R, k1. (9 sts)
**Row 7-10**: Work 4 rows in St st.
**Row 11 (Head/Neck Transition)**: K2, k2tog, k1, ssk, k2. (7 sts)
**Row 13 (Short Row Brow)**: K5, W&T. P3, W&T. K to end.
**Row 15 (Neck)**: K1, M1L, k5, M1R, k1. (9 sts)
**Row 17 (Body Expansion)**: K1, [M1L, k1] to end. (17 sts)
**Rows 18–30**: Work 13 rows in St st.
**Row 31 (Tail Taper)**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (15 sts)
**Row 33**: Repeat Row 31. (13 sts)
**Rows 35–45**: Continue tapering every RS row until 3 sts remain.
**Row 46**: P3tog. Fasten off.

#### Panel B (Left Side of Dragon - Mirrored)
Follow instructions for Panel A, but reverse the direction of short rows on Row 13:
**Row 13 (Short Row Brow)**: K2, W&T. P3, W&T. K to end.

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### 2. Legs (Make 4)
CO 6 sts.
**Rows 1–6**: Work in St st.
**Row 7**: [K2tog] 3 times. (3 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

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### 3. Wings (Make 2)
CO 15 sts.
**Row 1 (RS)**: K1, [yo, k2tog] to end.
**Row 2 (WS)**: Purl all sts and yarn overs.
**Row 3**: K1, [yo, k2tog] to last 2 sts, k2.
**Row 4**: Bind off 3 sts, p to end.
**Row 5**: K to last 2 sts, k2tog.
**Row 6**: P2tog, p to end.
Repeat Rows 5-6 until 1 st remains. Fasten off.

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### 4. Assembly and Safety Eyes

**Safety Eye Placement**:
On Panel A, place the first safety eye between Rows 8 and 9, approximately 3 stitches in from the front snout edge. Repeat for Panel B, ensuring they are symmetrical. 
*Math Check: Row 8 is the center of the head block (Rows 1-15).*

**Joining Panels**:
1. Place Panel A and Panel B WS together.
2. Using Mattress Stitch or a decorative blanket stitch, sew around the edges starting at the tail.
3. **Important**: This is a "one-dimensional" dragon, so do not overstuff. Add a very thin layer of fiberfill (approx. 0.25 inches thick) between the panels as you sew to give it a "puffy" sticker appearance.
4. Close the seam at the snout.

**Attaching Limbs**:
1. Fold the leg pieces in half and sew to the bottom edge of the body.
2. Space the front legs 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart from the back legs.

**Attaching Wings**:
1. Sew the straight CO edge of the wings to the center of the dragon's back (Row 20-24 area).
2. Angle the wings slightly upward for a dynamic "flight" look.

**Final Details**:
Using a scrap of contrasting fingering weight yarn, sew small "V" shapes along the spine from the back of the head to the tip of the tail to represent dragon scales.

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**Technical Editor Notes**: 
*   Ensure M1L and M1R are used specifically as noted to maintain the silhouette's curve. 
*   If using safety eyes for a child's toy, ensure the washers are clamped tightly against the back of the knit fabric before seaming the two panels together.