The DRAGON: Chinese Zodiac Animals #5

Our sweet dragon is my favourite of all the designs in the 12 zodiac animals.  He has all sorts of different interesting little parts.  Little wingy ears, horns and pudgy orange spikes.  

A baby born as a Dragon in the Chinese zodiac is highly desirable.  They are born leaders: powerful and confident, always in search of success.  They can be quite perfectionistic and snobby though, often with a quick temper.  I don't know any dragons personally but I'm sure we can point them out quite easily by their apparent personalities!

This is going to be one of our amigurumi zodiac set with an elongated head :)  The other one will be the horse.  Please have a quick peek at the Information Page for this Zodiac series before you begin!


You will need:

green yarn, white yarn, orange yarn in worsted weight
stuffing (polyfill or wool)
safety eyes
crochet hook (size A recommended but any hook up to size G will work)

tapestry needle
*optional = long doll needle, stuffing fork (see the Information Page for more info on this)


Key:

Ch = chain

INC = 2 sc into one stitch

#INC = do # increases in a row

DEC = invisible decrease turns the next 2 sts into one st
# or sc# = separate sc stitches (no increasing or decreasing) 

slst = slip stitch
hdc = half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up a stitch, yarn over and pull thru all stitches on hook)

dc = double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up a stitch, yarn over, pull thru two stitches on hook, yarn over, pull thru remaining stitches) 

Begin here:

R1  With green yarn magic circle with 6 stitches into the loop.

R2  INC around. (12)
R3  (1, INC) around (18)
R4  1, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2 (23)

R5  INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4 (28)

R6  3, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 3 (32)

R7  5, INC, 9, INC, 9, INC, 6 (35)

R8  3, INC, 10, INC, 11, INC, 8 (38)

R9  12, INC, 25 (39)
R10  INC, 38 (40)

R11  sc around 

R12  sc around

R13  sc around

R14  sc around                                                                                           
R15  38, DEC (39)         
R16  25, DEC, 12 (38)

R17  8, DEC, 11, DEC, 10, DEC, 3 (35)  (insert eyes between R11/12, ten sts apart)
R18  6, DEC, 9, DEC, 9, DEC, 5 (32)
R19  3, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 3 (28)        (FILL WITH STUFFING)

R20  4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC (23)

R21  2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 1 (18)
R22  (DEC, 1) repeat around (12)
R23  (DEC, 1) repeat around. Fasten off. Weave loose end through each stitch in the opening. Fill completely with stuffing.  Pull tightly to close.  Sew in your end.

Spikes (make 3 in orange):

R1  Magic circle with 4 stitches in the loop (4)

R2  (1, INC) twice around (6)

R3  (2, INC) twice around (8)

R4  (3, INC) twice around (10)

R5  (4, INC) twice around (12).  Finish off leaving tail for sewing.  Make 2 more!

Squish each spike flat and sew bottom edge shut.  Using the same tail, sew each spike onto the head starting between the eyes.

Horns (make 2 in white):

R1  Magic circle with 4 stitches (4)

R2  INC, 3 (5)

R3-4  sc around (5).  In the example, the horns are attached in line with the eyes between rounds 17/18.

Ears (make 2 in green):

R1  chain 6 and turn.

R2  Sc in 2^nd chain and across (5)

R3  Ch 1, INC, 3, INC (7)

R4  Ch 1, INC, 5, INC (9)

R5  Ch1, sc, (hdc, dc, hdc) in nx sc, slst, slst, (hdc, dc, hdc) in nx sc, slst, slst, (hdc, dc, hdc) in nx sc, sc.  Finish off and leave a tail for sewing.  In the example, the ears are attached between rounds 17/18 below the level of the horns.

Embroider little nostrils in the shape of an “x” with white yarn. 

That's it!  I hope you enjoyed putting this little guy together!  Stay tuned for the Snake coming up next!

If you ever need any help, advice, clarification or explanation, please feel free to stalk find me on Facebook, Instagram or comment below!