This is a pattern I developed to mark the end of 2012 - Year of the Dragon, and used it was a farewell gift to some friends of mine before moving to another country. My concept involved the dragon being positioned on a castle, which I was fortunate enough to find and purchase. However, this marvelous dragon can be placed onto other things, such as clocks, books, bottles, and any other decorative places you can think of.

This is a completely improvised pattern, described step by step and including photographs. The pattern for purchase is 17 pages long - the project, as well as writing it up was very time-consuming and tedious, hence the high price. However, the final result is worth it.

Warning:
This was a work in progress. I am not very experienced in crochet, nor am I an artist. I had a basic concept and inspiration, and then did the rest depending on how things turned out – this is noticeable in the increasing methods and odd numbers of rows. I am sure a lot of the pattern can be improved in many ways, so please go for it and modify it if you wish; just credit me as the original creator. Do let me know if there are any errors, so I can amend the pattern.

Note:
I normally work in the back loop of all stitches, as I find it easier when working in a tight tube. However, this is completely voluntary. For the top and bottom jaw and the end of the tail, turning the tube inside out changes the shape slightly, so I’d recommend crochet in the back loops. For the body, working in the front loops creates horizontal lines that stand out and create a nice effect.

Things you’ll need:
100 grams Mercia Super Value DK Yarn in Brown (or other DK yarn to obtain gauge)
some red yarn – for tongue
1.9mm hook
1.7mm hook (for horns, as the tube is really small)
tapestry needle
small sewing needle
some red embroidery thread – for eyes (or small eyes/buttons)
brown thread for sewing small pieces together
scissors
pliers (to ease sewing some of the details on the head)
cotton for filling (+ optional flames)

Optional:
about 190 cm copper wire (77 cm for each wing + 36 for fire)
orange and yellow paint + paint brush (to make flames)
spraying container (or at least a spraying nozzle, I used one from a cleaning solution)
glue

Abbreviations (USA terminology):
st – stitch
ch – chain
ss – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
tr – treble crochet
fpsc – front post single crochet
fphdc – front post half double crochet
fpdc – front post double crochet
sc2tog – single crochet two together

Special stitches:
fpsc – insert hook under stitch post from right to left, yarn over and pull around post, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook
fphdc – yarn over, insert hook under stitch post from right to left, yarn over and pull around post, yarn over and pull through all three loops on hook
fpdc – yarn over, insert hook under stitch post from right to left, yarn over and pull around post, yarn over and pull two loops on hook, yarn over and pull through last two loops on hook
Note: first front post stitch does not begin where your normal sc would begin, but in the loop before it, inserting the hook behind the post of that sc

Measurements of the final piece:
Wings: length – 24 cm, width – 11.5 cm on the widest part
Body + neck + end of tail: 52 cm long (body circumference is 21 cm in widest part)
Top jaw: 6 cm long, 5 cm wide
Bottom jaw: 4.5 cm long, 3 cm wide (tongue measures 3 cm long and 1 cm wide)
Ears: 3 cm long, 3 cm wide
Horns: 4.5 cm long
Legs: 6 cm long

Important note about photos: Dragon on photo is glued to a cardboard castle with painted flames. Castle also has battery operated candle lights inside to simulate being on fire, as well as an alarm clock. These are all additional details that are not part of the pattern for sale! Upon purchase of the pattern, if you wish to create the same product, I will be more than happy to share the process.