Unlike their destructive, fire-breathing Western counterparts, dragons in many Asian countries’ myths are benevolent, wise and powerful creatures associated with rain and water. Crochet your own Eastern dragon for good luck and prosperity - or just to be a cute desktop companion.

With the suggested yarns (Red Heart Soft or Caron Simply Soft) and 3.5mm/E hook, the finished dragons are about 6”/15cm tall and 9.5”/24cm long (but they would be about 20”/51cm from nose to tail tip if measured along the curved body).

The unusual construction gives the dragon perfect shaping without any wire. The bends are created without turned rows or tall stitches, so nothing breaks the smooth single crochet surface. And as additional bonus, the contrast color belly is built in too (and requires changing colors only once!)

This pattern is suitable for intermediate or advanced level crocheters, who are confident with basic stitches (ch, sl st, sc, hdc, working in both loops and FL/BL only) and frequently used amigurumi techniques (invisible decrease, magic loop). While almost entirely constructed with simple stitches, it does require attention (in other words, it doesn’t get boringly repetitive).

The pattern is written in English using US crochet terminology (UK/Aus equivalents provided).
It contains many in-progress photos to help you make your dragon, but also includes a text-only appendix for easy printing, if you prefer working from a printed pattern but want to save ink and paper.

List of tools and materials:

• light worsted yarn in 2-6 colors, about 125 yd in total (yardage for individual colors included in pattern)
• 3.5mm/E hook, or size needed to obtain a tight, no-gaps fabric
• 7.5mm slit pupil safety eyes
• fiberfill stuffing
• stitch markers
• yarn needle, pins, scissors, tweezers

Finished dragons made from this pattern are yours to keep or gift or sell, I only ask you to credit me as the designer in case you decide to sell them.