Stitch Your Own Magical Companion: The Ultimate Plush Dragon Crochet Guide

ByLina Morgen

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How to Crochet a Cute Plush Dragon: Step-by-Step Pattern

Create your own adorable plush dragon companion with this detailed crochet guide. This pattern is designed to produce a soft, huggable toy perfect for gifts or nursery decor. We have provided materials and instructions for both a larger version and a smaller, mini version.

Materials Needed

For the Large Dragon (Approx. 27cm / 10.6 inches)

  • Yarn: HIMALAYA Dolphin Baby (or similar plush chenille yarn). Approximately 100g of main color (green) and 50g of accent color (yellow).
  • Crochet Hook: 2.75mm or 3mm.
  • Eyes: 20mm safety eyes.
  • Joints: 30mm head joint/splint for a movable head.
  • Accessories: Fiberfill stuffing, scissors, stitch markers.
  • Embroidery: Black thread for eyebrows and matching yarn for sewing.

For the Small Dragon (Approx. 20cm / 7.8 inches)

  • Yarn: YarnArt Velour (or similar plush yarn). Approximately half a ball of main color and 20g of accent color.
  • Crochet Hook: 2mm (a smaller hook is recommended to prevent the plush fabric from stretching during stuffing).
  • Eyes: 15mm safety eyes.
  • Joints: 25mm head joint/splint.
  • Accessories: Fiberfill stuffing, scissors, stitch markers.
  • Embroidery: Black thread for eyebrows and matching yarn for sewing.

Crochet Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch: chain
  • sc: single crochet
  • hdc: half double crochet
  • dc: double crochet
  • sl st: slip stitch
  • inc: increase (two sc in one stitch)
  • dec: decrease (sc two stitches together)
  • dc inc: double crochet increase
  • dc dec: double crochet decrease
  • Puff: Puff stitch (3-4 unfinished dc in one stitch, joined at the top)
  • MR: Magic Ring

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Upper Paws (Make 2)

Work in continuous spirals using green yarn. Stuff only the bottom part of the paw.

  • Round 1: Ch 4, start in 2nd chain from hook: 2 sc, 3 sc in next stitch, 1 sc, inc = 8 sc.
  • Round 2: inc, 1 sc, 3 inc, 1 sc, 2 inc = 14 sc.
  • Round 3: 14 sc.
  • Round 4: 4 dec, 6 sc = 10 sc.
  • Round 5: 2 dec, 6 sc = 8 sc.
  • Rounds 6-14: 8 sc for 9 rounds.
  • Round 15: 5 sc, fold the piece in half and sc 4 stitches across the opening to close. Fasten off.

2. The Tail

Work in continuous spirals using green yarn.

  • Round 1: 6 sc in MR = 6 sc.
  • Round 2: 6 sc.
  • Round 3: 2 sc, inc, 3 sc = 7 sc.
  • Round 4: 7 sc.
  • Round 5: 3 sc, inc, 3 sc = 8 sc.
  • Round 6: 4 sc, inc, 3 sc = 9 sc.
  • Round 7: 4 sc, 2 inc, 3 sc = 11 sc.
  • Round 8: 5 sc, 2 inc, 4 sc = 13 sc.
  • Round 9: 6 sc, 2 inc, 5 sc = 15 sc.
  • Round 10: 7 sc, 2 inc, 6 sc = 17 sc.
  • Round 11: 9 sc, 2 inc, 6 sc = 19 sc.
  • Round 12: 10 sc, inc, 8 sc = 20 sc.
  • Round 13: 20 sc + 5 sc (extra chains to shift the row). Fasten off.

3. Lower Paws

Right Paw: Start with yellow yarn.

  • Round 1: 6 sc in MR = 6 sc.
  • Round 2: 6 inc = 12 sc.
  • Round 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 = 18 sc.
  • Switch to green yarn, but do not cut the yellow yarn (it will be used for the toes).
  • Round 4: 6 sc, (puff stitch in yellow, 2 sc in green) x 3, 3 sc = 18 sc.
  • Round 5: 18 sc.
  • Round 6: 2 sc, 6 dec, 4 sc = 12 sc.
  • Round 7: 2 sc, 2 dec, 6 sc = 10 sc.
  • Round 8: 10 sc + 2 sc (shift), sl st. Fasten off.

Left Paw: Follow the same steps as the Right Paw, but mirror the decreases in Round 6: 5 sc, 6 dec, 1 sc = 12 sc. Do not cut the yarn after Round 8; you will continue into the body.

4. The Body

Stuff as you go.

  • Round 9: Working from the left paw, ch 4. Join to the right paw: 2 sc, (inc, 1 sc) x 4, 1 sc in the starting loop of the paw, 4 sc over the chains, 1 sc in the end loop of the left paw, (1 sc, inc) x 4, 2 sc = 38 sc. (Place marker at the belly).
  • Round 10: 4 inc over the chains, 34 sc = 42 sc.
  • Round 11: 42 sc.
  • Round 12: 21 sc, join tail (sc 8 stitches through the inner part of the tail), 13 sc = 42 sc.
  • Round 13: 21 sc, crochet over the top of the tail (12 sc), 13 sc = 46 sc.
  • Rounds 14-18: 46 sc for 5 rounds.
  • Round 19: 12 sc, 5 dec, 14 sc, 5 dec = 36 sc.
  • Rounds 20-22: 36 sc for 3 rounds.
  • Round 23: (10 sc, dec) x 3 = 33 sc.
  • Round 24: 33 sc.
  • Round 25: (9 sc, dec) x 3 = 30 sc.
  • Round 26: 30 sc.
  • Round 27: (8 sc, dec) x 3 = 27 sc.
  • Round 28: (7 sc, dec) x 3 = 24 sc.
  • Round 29: sc 23, place marker on 23rd stitch, start Round 30 from the 24th stitch.
  • Round 30: Join Upper Paws: sc 4 together with the first paw, 8 sc, sc 4 together with the second paw, 8 sc = 24 sc.
  • Round 31: 24 sc.
  • Round 32: (6 sc, dec) x 3 = 21 sc.
  • Round 33: 21 sc.
  • Round 34: (5 sc, dec) x 3 = 18 sc.
  • Round 35: (1 sc, dec) x 6 = 12 sc.
  • Round 36: 6 dec = 6 sc. Close the hole and weave in ends.

5. The Head

Work in continuous spirals. Start with yellow yarn.

  • Round 1: Ch 6, start in 2nd chain: 4 sc, 3 sc in next stitch, 3 sc, inc = 12 sc.
  • Round 2: inc, 3 sc, 3 inc, 3 sc, 2 inc = 18 sc.
  • Round 3: 1 sc, inc, 3 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 3, 3 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 2 = 24 sc.
  • Round 4: 14 sc, puff stitch, 4 sc, puff stitch, 4 sc = 24 sc.
  • Rounds 5-6: 24 sc.
  • Round 7: 7 sc, switch to green yarn, 4 sc, 12 inc, 1 sc = 36 sc.
  • Round 8: 12 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 12 = 48 sc.
  • Rounds 9-18: 48 sc for 10 rounds.

Assembly Note: Insert safety eyes between rounds 8 and 9, approximately 14-16 stitches apart. Place the head joint between rounds 10 and 11.

  • Round 19: (6 sc, dec) x 6 = 42 sc.
  • Round 20: (5 sc, dec) x 6 = 36 sc.
  • Round 21: (4 sc, dec) x 6 = 30 sc.
  • Round 22: (3 sc, dec) x 6 = 24 sc.
  • Round 23: (2 sc, dec) x 6 = 18 sc.
  • Round 24: (1 sc, dec) x 6 = 12 sc.
  • Round 25: 6 dec = 6 sc. Stuff firmly and close.

6. The Belly

Worked in rows using yellow yarn. Start every row with a turning chain.

  • Row 1: Ch 5, start in 2nd chain: 4 sc.
  • Rows 2-4: 4 sc.
  • Row 5: ch, inc, 2 sc, inc = 6 sc.
  • Rows 6-7: 6 sc.
  • Row 8: ch, inc, 4 sc, inc = 8 sc.
  • Rows 9-10: 8 sc.
  • Row 11: ch, inc, 6 sc, inc = 10 sc.
  • Rows 12-16: 10 sc.
  • Row 17: ch, skip 1 stitch, 7 sc, skip 1 stitch, 1 sc = 8 sc.
  • Row 18: 8 sc.
  • Row 19: ch, skip 1 stitch, 5 sc, skip 1 stitch, 1 sc = 6 sc.
  • Row 20: ch, skip 1 stitch, 3 sc, skip 1 stitch, 1 sc = 4 sc.

Finish by crocheting a border around the entire perimeter of the belly piece. Sew to the body.

7. The Wings (Make 2)

Worked in rows using yellow yarn.

  • Row 1: Ch 6, start in 2nd chain: 2 sc, inc, 2 sc = 6 sc.
  • Row 2: ch, 3 sc, inc, 2 sc = 7 sc.
  • Row 3: Ch 2, start in 2nd chain: 3 sc, inc, 3 sc = 8 sc.
  • Row 4: ch, 4 sc, inc, 3 sc = 9 sc.
  • Row 5: Ch 2, start in 2nd chain: 6 sc, 3 sc in one stitch, 3 sc to end of row, 2 sc along the side edge back to the start. Fasten off.

8. The Crest and Ears

Crest: Use accent yellow yarn. Attach yarn to the bottom of the back. Ch 4, work 2 dc in the same stitch, then sl st into the stitch 2 rows above. Repeat this process up the back and over the top of the head.

Left Ear: Attach yellow yarn to the head. Ch 4, 3 dc, sl st into next stitch. Ch 5, 4 dc, sl st into next stitch. Ch 6, 5 dc, sl st into next stitch. Ch 7, 6 dc, sl st into next stitch. Fasten off.

Right Ear: Follow the same process, but reverse the chain lengths (starting with Ch 7 and ending with Ch 4).

Final Finishing Touches

  • Cheeks: Using pink plush yarn, embroider three small stitches under the eyes on both sides.
  • Eyebrows: Using black thread, embroider small eyebrows above the eyes.
  • Assembly: Ensure all joints are secure and the head is firmly attached to the body.

Your plush dragon is now complete!

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