Adorable Tri-Color Dragon Amigurumi Pattern

 

Introduction

Bring imagination to life with this charming dragon amigurumi that combines simplicity with character! Using just three colors, this friendly dragon features a rounded body, expressive face, cute horns, and playful wings that make it irresistible for dragon lovers of all ages. Perfect for beginners looking to advance their skills or experienced crocheters wanting a fun weekend project, this pattern creates a huggable friend approximately 8 inches tall. The design incorporates basic amigurumi techniques like magic rings, increases, and decreases, with special attention to creating the dragon's distinctive features without complex color changes.

Materials

• Yarn A (Main Body Color): Worsted Weight (4) - Green - 150 yards (Suggested: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice)
• Yarn B (Accent Color): Worsted Weight (4) - Purple - 50 yards (Suggested: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice)
• Yarn C (Belly/Detail Color): Worsted Weight (4) - Cream - 50 yards (Suggested: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice)
• Crochet Hook: 3.5mm (E/4 US size)
• Polyester Fiberfill: Approximately 4 oz
• Safety Eyes: 12mm black - 2 pieces
• Stitch Markers: 6-8 pieces
• Yarn Needle: For sewing components together
• Scissors
• Pins: For positioning pieces before sewing

Skill Level & Techniques

Difficulty: Intermediate Beginner Estimated Time: 6-8 hours

Techniques Required:

• Magic ring (adjustable ring)
• Single crochet (sc)
• Invisible increase (inc)
• Invisible decrease (dec)
• Working in continuous rounds
• Joining components
• Basic embroidery (for nostrils)

Abbreviations & Terms

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• inc: increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• dec: decrease (sc2tog - single crochet 2 stitches together)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd: round
• ( ): stitch counts for each round
• [ ]: repeat instructions inside brackets the number of times indicated
• BLO: back loops only
• FLO: front loops only

All terms use US crochet terminology

Pattern Instructions

Head (using Yarn A - Green)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6) 

Rnd 2: [inc] × 6 (12) 

Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] × 6 (18) 

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] × 6 (24) 

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] × 6 (30) 

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] × 6 (36) 

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] × 6 (42) 

Rnd 8-12: sc in each st around (42) 

Rnd 13: [5 sc, dec] × 6 (36) 

Rnd 14: [4 sc, dec] × 6 (30)

Place safety eyes between rounds 9-10, approximately 8-10 stitches apart

Rnd 15: [3 sc, dec] × 6 (24) 

Rnd 16: [2 sc, dec] × 6 (18)

Begin stuffing firmly

Rnd 17: [1 sc, dec] × 6 (12) 

Rnd 18: [dec] × 6 (6)

Finish stuffing firmly Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use yarn needle to weave through front loops of remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close.

Body (using Yarn A - Green, with Yarn C - Cream for belly)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6) 

Rnd 2: [inc] × 6 (12) 

Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] × 6 (18) 

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] × 6 (24) 

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] × 6 (30) 

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] × 6 (36) 

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] × 6 (42) 

Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] × 6 (48) 

Rnd 9-12: sc in each st around (48)

Switch to Yarn C (Cream) for belly

Rnd 13: 14 sc in Yarn A, 20 sc in Yarn C, 14 sc in Yarn A (48) 

Rnd 14-15: Continue pattern with 14 sc in Yarn A, 20 sc in Yarn C, 14 sc in Yarn A (48)

Switch back to Yarn A (Green) for entire round

Rnd 16: [6 sc, dec] × 6 (42) 

Rnd 17: [5 sc, dec] × 6 (36) 

Rnd 18: [4 sc, dec] × 6 (30) 

Rnd 19: [3 sc, dec] × 6 (24) 

Rnd 20: [2 sc, dec] × 6 (18)

Begin stuffing firmly

Rnd 21: [1 sc, dec] × 6 (12) 

Rnd 22: [dec] × 6 (6)

Finish stuffing firmly Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to head.

Legs (Make 4 - using Yarn A - Green with Yarn C - Cream for paws)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6) 

Rnd 2: [inc] × 6 (12) 

Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] × 6 (18) 

Rnd 4-5: sc in each st around (18)

Switch to Yarn C (Cream) for paws

Rnd 6: sc in each st around (18) 

Rnd 7: [1 sc, dec] × 6 (12)

Begin stuffing lightly

Rnd 8: [dec] × 6 (6)

Finish stuffing Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to body.

Horns (Make 2 - using Yarn B - Purple)

Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring (4) 

Rnd 2: [inc] × 4 (8) 

Rnd 3-5: sc in each st around (8) 

Rnd 6: [dec] × 4 (4)

No stuffing needed Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to head.

Wings (Make 2 - using Yarn B - Purple)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6) 

Rnd 2: [inc] × 6 (12) 

Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] × 6 (18) 

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] × 6 (24) 

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] × 6 (30) 

Rnd 6-8: sc in each st around (30) 

Rnd 9: [3 sc, dec] × 6 (24) 

Rnd 10: [2 sc, dec] × 6 (18)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to body. Leave wings unstuffed for a floppy look, or stuff very lightly for more structure.

Tail (using Yarn A - Green, with Yarn B - Purple for tip)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6) 

Rnd 2: [inc] × 6 (12) 

Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] × 6 (18) 

Rnd 4-6: sc in each st around (18) 

Rnd 7: [1 sc, dec] × 6 (12) 

Rnd 8-12: sc in each st around (12)

Switch to Yarn B (Purple) for tail tip

Rnd 13-15: sc in each st around (12) 

Rnd 16: [dec] × 6 (6)

Stuff tail lightly Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to body.

Spikes (Make 3 - using Yarn B - Purple)

Row 1: ch 9 Row 2: Starting from second ch from hook, 1 sc in each ch across (8) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to body.

Assembly

1. Attach Head to Body: Sew the head to the body, making sure it's centered and securely attached.
2. Attach Legs: Position the legs at the bottom of the body, with two legs at the front and two at the back. Make sure they're evenly spaced and securely sewn.
3. Attach Horns: Sew the horns to the top of the head, placing them approximately 6-8 stitches apart.
4. Attach Wings: Position the wings on both sides of the upper body, slightly toward the back. Sew them securely along the edge that will attach to the body.
5. Attach Tail: Sew the tail to the back of the body, positioning it centrally and angling it slightly downward or curving it to the side.
6. Attach Spikes: Sew the spikes along the back of the dragon, from the top of the head to the base of the tail, spacing them evenly.
7. Embroider Nostrils: Using Yarn B (Purple), embroider two small nostrils on the dragon's snout with simple straight stitches.
8. Optional Mouth: Using Yarn B, embroider a simple curved line for a mouth if desired.

Finishing Touches

1. Check All Attachments: Make sure all parts are securely attached, with no loose threads.
2. Shape the Dragon: Gently shape the dragon by adjusting the stuffing and positioning of limbs and wings.
3. Trim Any Excess Yarn: Trim any remaining yarn tails, making sure they're securely hidden inside the amigurumi.

Technical Tips

Tension/Gauge

• Work with tight tension to avoid visible gaps between stitches.
• If you see holes appearing, try using a smaller hook (3.0mm) or pulling your yarn tighter.

Stuffing Techniques

• Stuff the body firmly for stability but avoid overstuffing, which can distort the shape.
• Use small pieces of fiberfill for areas like the head and snout to ensure even distribution.
• For the legs, stuff firmly at the paw end and more lightly at the top for better attachment.

Joining Tips

• Use a whip stitch with matching yarn colors when joining components.
• Pin pieces in place before sewing to ensure proper positioning.
• For wings and spikes, sew around the entire base to ensure they maintain their shape.

Customization Options

• For a more whimsical look, use bright, contrasting colors.
• Add additional spikes or a longer tail for a more dramatic dragon.
• Embroider different eye expressions to change the character's personality.

Care Instructions

• Washing: Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap if necessary. Allow to air dry completely.
• Deep Cleaning: If needed, hand wash gently in cold water with mild detergent, then reshape and allow to air dry completely.
• Storage: Store away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading.
• Safety: If making for young children, ensure all parts are securely attached and consider embroidering the eyes instead of using safety eyes.

Final Measurements

• Height (from bottom of feet to top of head): Approximately 8 inches (20 cm)
• Width (from wing tip to wing tip): Approximately 10 inches (25 cm)
• Length (from snout to tail): Approximately 12 inches (30 cm)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I make the dragon stand up better on its own?

A: To improve stability, stuff the legs and bottom of the body more firmly. You can also add a small amount of weighted stuffing (like poly pellets) to the bottom of each foot, making sure they're securely enclosed. Alternatively, position the dragon in a seated position, which naturally provides better balance.

Q: My magic ring has a hole in the middle. How do I fix this?

A: Pull the magic ring extra tight before working the first round of stitches. If you still see a hole after completing several rounds, use the yarn tail to sew around the hole and gently pull to close it completely before weaving in the end.

Q: Can I use different colors than the ones suggested?

A: Absolutely! You can use any three colors you prefer. Classic dragon color combinations include green/yellow/tan, blue/purple/white, or red/orange/yellow. Just maintain consistency with Yarn A for the main body, Yarn B for details like horns and wings, and Yarn C for the belly and paws.

Q: The wings seem floppy. How can I make them more rigid?

A: For more structured wings, you can insert pipe cleaners before closing them completely. Alternatively, use a lighter weight yarn with a smaller hook for the wings, which will create a stiffer fabric. You can also try adding a light wire frame or using fabric stiffener on the completed wings.

Q: How do I make the dragon more child-friendly for ages under 3?

A: For young children, replace the safety eyes with embroidered eyes using Yarn B or Yarn C. Ensure all parts are extra securely attached by using additional stitches, and consider making the horns and spikes shorter or omitting them entirely. You might also want to use a slightly larger hook (4.0mm) to create a denser fabric with no gaps.

Q: My dragon's head keeps flopping forward. How can I fix this?

A: This usually happens when the head is too heavy for the body. Try stuffing the neck area more firmly, or insert a piece of pipe cleaner between the head and body during assembly to provide support. You can also try positioning the head slightly further back on the body when attaching it.

Q: Can I make a larger dragon using this pattern?

A: Yes! To create a larger dragon, use bulky weight yarn (category 5) with a 5.0mm hook. This will increase the size by approximately 30-40% while maintaining the same proportions. All stitch counts remain the same; only the finished size will change.

Q: The color change for the belly looks messy. Any tips?

A: When changing colors, work the last stitch of the previous color until you have two loops on the hook, then complete the stitch with the new color. This creates a cleaner transition. For the belly section, you can also consider working those rounds in separate pieces and sewing them on later, though this adds complexity to the assembly.

Q: What's the best way to attach the spikes so they stand up properly?

A: Fold each spike in half lengthwise before attaching to create a "V" shape. Sew along the bottom edge of this "V" to the body, making sure to catch both sides of the fold. This creates a naturally upright spike that won't flop over.

Q: How do I give my dragon a more defined snout?

A: Although this pattern has a rounded head design, you can create a more defined snout by stuffing the front of the head more firmly than the back. When attaching the head to the body, position it so that the more firmly stuffed area protrudes forward. You can also use a few strategic stitches to "pinch" and define the snout area.