This crochet dragon is a chubby baby dragon that sits up on its own, with a big round head, a friendly snout, little horns, bat-style wings, a row of spikes and a curling tail. It is an amigurumi worked in spiral rounds of double crochet, and every round has its stitch count in brackets so you always know where you are.
Quick answer: To make a crochet dragon, crochet a round head and a pear-shaped body in double crochet spiral rounds (UK terms, US single crochet), then add a snout, arms, legs, a tail, bat-style wings, horns and spikes. You need about 50g of DK yarn plus a contrast colour, a 3.5mm hook (US E-4), safety eyes and stuffing. The dragon is about 13cm tall and takes 5 to 7 hours.
Our crochet dragon pattern is written in UK crochet terms, with US terms in the abbreviations table. In DK yarn it makes a dragon about 13cm tall sitting down, which is the perfect size for a desk buddy, a shelf guardian or a gift for a fantasy fan. It is also a lovely nod to the red dragon of Wales.
Why you will love this crochet dragon
- Big character, simple shapes: the head, body and limbs are all balls and tubes.
- Beginner friendly: you only need a magic ring, double crochet, increases, decreases and one row of taller stitches for the wings.
- Endless colour options: green and gold for a classic dragon, red for a Welsh dragon, or rainbow stripes for a fun one.
- Great gift: children and adults alike love a pocket dragon.
What you need for this crochet dragon
- Yarn: DK (light worsted) acrylic or cotton. About 50g of a main colour (body, head, limbs and tail), 10g of a contrast colour (wings, snout and spikes), and a little cream for the horns.
- Hook: 3.5mm (UK 9, US E-4), or 3mm for a tighter fabric.
- Eyes: two 10mm or 12mm safety eyes, or black and white yarn for embroidered eyes.
- Stuffing: about 40g of polyester toy filling.
- Extras: stitch markers, pins, a yarn needle and scissors.
For help choosing materials, read our crochet yarn guide and crochet hooks guide. DK is weight 3 in the Craft Yarn Council yarn weight system.
Abbreviations (UK terms with US equivalents)
| UK term | Abbreviation | US term |
|---|---|---|
| Magic ring | MR | Magic ring |
| Chain | ch | Chain |
| Slip stitch | ss | Slip stitch (sl st) |
| Double crochet | dc | Single crochet (sc) |
| Half treble crochet | htr | Half double crochet (hdc) |
| Treble crochet | tr | Double crochet (dc) |
| Double treble crochet | dtr | Treble crochet (tr) |
| Increase | inc | 2 dc (US sc) in the same stitch |
| Decrease | dec | Double crochet two together (US sc2tog) |
Our UK vs US crochet terms guide explains the stitch names, and the magic ring tutorial shows how to start each piece.
How the crochet dragon pattern is worked
The crochet dragon has eleven small pieces: head, snout, body, two arms, two legs, tail, two wings, two horns and four spikes. All the round pieces are worked in continuous spirals without joining, so place a marker in the first stitch of each round. The wings are worked flat in rows.
Work the body and head firmly with a slightly small hook so the stuffing does not show. Stuff the head and body well, but stuff the arms, legs and tail only lightly so they sit neatly.
Crochet dragon pattern: the head
Use the main colour.
- Round 1: 6 dc into a magic ring. (6)
- Round 2: inc in each st around. (12)
- Round 3: *1 dc, inc* six times. (18)
- Round 4: *2 dc, inc* six times. (24)
- Round 5: *3 dc, inc* six times. (30)
- Round 6: *4 dc, inc* six times. (36)
- Rounds 7 to 13: 1 dc in each st around. (36)
- Round 14: *4 dc, dec* six times. (30)
- Round 15: *3 dc, dec* six times. (24)
Fit the safety eyes between Rounds 9 and 10, about 8 stitches apart, and fix the backs. Start stuffing the head firmly.
- Round 16: *2 dc, dec* six times. (18)
- Round 17: *1 dc, dec* six times. (12)
- Round 18: dec six times. (6)
Fasten off and close the hole by threading the tail through the front loops of the last 6 stitches. The head is about 7cm across.
Snout
Use the contrast colour or the main colour.
- Round 1: 6 dc into a magic ring. (6)
- Round 2: *1 dc, inc* three times. (9)
- Round 3: *2 dc, inc* three times. (12)
- Rounds 4 and 5: 1 dc in each st around. (12)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff lightly and sew the snout just below the eyes. Embroider two small nostrils with dark yarn.
The body
Use the main colour.
- Round 1: 6 dc into a magic ring. (6)
- Round 2: inc in each st around. (12)
- Round 3: *1 dc, inc* six times. (18)
- Round 4: *2 dc, inc* six times. (24)
- Round 5: *3 dc, inc* six times. (30)
- Rounds 6 to 9: 1 dc in each st around. (30)
- Round 10: *3 dc, dec* six times. (24)
- Rounds 11 and 12: 1 dc in each st around. (24)
- Round 13: *2 dc, dec* six times. (18)
- Rounds 14 and 15: 1 dc in each st around. (18)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the body firmly, pressing the base flat so the dragon sits up. Pin the open top of the body to the underside of the head, tilting the head slightly forward, and sew all the way round.
Crochet dragon parts: arms, legs and tail
Arms (make 2)
- Round 1: 6 dc into a magic ring. (6)
- Rounds 2 to 6: 1 dc in each st around. (6)
Stuff lightly, flatten the opening and close it with 3 dc through both layers. Sew to the sides of the body just under the head.
Legs (make 2)
- Round 1: 6 dc into a magic ring. (6)
- Round 2: inc in each st around. (12)
- Rounds 3 to 5: 1 dc in each st around. (12)
- Round 6: dec three times, 1 dc in each of the next 6 sts. (9)
Stuff lightly and sew the legs to the front of the base, pointing forward, so the dragon sits on them.
Tail
- Round 1: 4 dc into a magic ring. (4)
- Round 2: *1 dc, inc* twice. (6)
- Round 3: 1 dc in each st around. (6)
- Round 4: *2 dc, inc* twice. (8)
- Round 5: 1 dc in each st around. (8)
- Round 6: *3 dc, inc* twice. (10)
- Round 7: 1 dc in each st around. (10)
- Round 8: *4 dc, inc* twice. (12)
- Rounds 9 and 10: 1 dc in each st around. (12)
Stuff lightly and sew the open end to the back of the body near the base, curving the tip round to one side.
Wings, horns and spikes
Wings (make 2)
Use the contrast colour. The wings are flat, with a scalloped edge like a bat wing.
- Foundation: 9 ch.
- Row 1: 1 dc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch to the end. Turn. (8)
- Row 2: 1 ch, *ss in the next st, (1 htr, 1 tr, 1 dtr) in the next st* four times. (4 points)
Fasten off. Sew the straight edge of each wing to the upper back of the body, angled outwards. If double treble is new to you, see our double treble crochet guide.
Horns (make 2)
Use cream yarn.
- Round 1: 4 dc into a magic ring. (4)
- Round 2: *1 dc, inc* twice. (6)
- Round 3: 1 dc in each st around. (6)
Stuff with a tiny piece of filling and sew to the top of the head, about 6 stitches apart.
Spikes (make 4)
Use the contrast colour.
- Round 1: 4 dc into a magic ring. (4)
- Round 2: *1 dc, inc* twice. (6)
Do not stuff. Flatten each spike and sew them in a line from the back of the head down the spine to the tail.
Assembling your crochet dragon
- Sew the head to the body first and check that the dragon sits straight.
- Pin the legs, arms and tail, then sew them on. Pinning first lets you adjust the pose.
- Add the wings, horns and spikes last.
- Embroider eyebrows, cheeks or a smile with a few straight stitches for extra character.
- Hide all yarn ends by passing them through the body and trimming them close.
Crochet dragon variations
- Welsh dragon: work the whole dragon in red with a green belly patch, a perfect gift for St David’s Day on 1 March.
- Rainbow dragon: change colour every two rounds on the body and tail.
- Belly patch: make an oval of 7 ch with 2 rounds of dc around it, as in our crochet penguin tummy, and sew it to the front.
- Bigger dragon: use aran yarn and a 4.5mm hook for a dragon about 17cm tall.
- Keyring dragon: make the head only and add tiny horns and a keyring loop.
Colour ideas
| Style | Main colour | Contrast | Horns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | Leaf green | Gold or yellow | Cream |
| Welsh dragon | Red | Dark red | White |
| Ice dragon | Pale blue | White | Silver grey |
| Night dragon | Charcoal | Purple | Cream |
| Baby dragon | Mint | Pale pink | Cream |
Common problems and easy fixes
The head is too heavy and tips forward
Stuff the base of the body firmly and sew the head a little further back. Sewing the wings slightly lower also helps balance it.
Gaps show between the stitches
Change to a 3mm hook, or work into the back loops only for a denser fabric.
The wings curl
Steam them gently, pin them flat and leave them to dry before sewing on.
Tips for a neat crochet dragon
- Use the invisible decrease: work through the front loops only for smooth shaping.
- Count every round: the numbers in brackets help you catch mistakes early.
- Keep parts the same yarn weight: mixing weights changes the proportions.
- Child safety: embroider the eyes for toys for babies and toddlers, and sew all parts on very firmly.
Love making toys? Try our crochet animals guide, the crochet chicken pattern or our festive crochet gonk. You can learn more about the craft on the Wikipedia page on amigurumi.
Why dragons are such a popular crochet make
Dragons appear in stories from almost every culture, from the fire-breathing beasts of European legend to the lucky, long-bodied dragons of East Asian festivals. In the UK, the red dragon on the Welsh flag makes a crochet dragon a favourite gift for anyone with Welsh roots, and fantasy books, films and games have made dragons popular with children and adults alike.
A crochet dragon also sits in a sweet spot for makers: it looks impressive, but it is built from the same simple shapes as a teddy or a chick. Once you have made one, you will find it easy to adapt the parts into your own creatures by changing the colours, the wings or the tail.
Gift ideas for your crochet dragon
- Birthday buddy: make the dragon in a child’s favourite colour and add their initial on a little felt badge.
- Desk guardian: a small crochet dragon makes a cheerful present for a colleague or teacher.
- St David’s Day: a red Welsh dragon is a lovely gift on 1 March.
- Book lovers: pair a dragon with a favourite fantasy novel.
- Christmas stocking: tie a ribbon around its neck and pop it in a stocking with our other crochet stocking fillers.
Time and yarn planner
| Part | Approximate time | Yarn |
|---|---|---|
| Head and snout | 1.5 hours | 20g main |
| Body | 1 hour | 15g main |
| Arms, legs and tail | 1.5 hours | 15g main |
| Wings, horns and spikes | 45 minutes | 10g contrast, scrap of cream |
| Sewing and finishing | 1 to 2 hours | – |
Caring for your crochet dragon
Hand wash acrylic or cotton toys in cool water with a little mild soap. Squeeze out the water gently without wringing, roll the toy in a towel and leave it to dry on its back, away from radiators and direct sun. If the wings droop after washing, pin them into shape while they dry. Brush acrylic toys lightly with a soft brush to lift any fuzz and keep your crochet dragon looking new.
For a quicker toy, try our easy crochet bunny pattern.
Frequently asked questions about the crochet dragon
How long does it take to make a crochet dragon?
About 5 to 7 hours, including sewing. The head and body take around half of that time.
Is this crochet dragon pattern suitable for beginners?
Yes, if you can work a magic ring, double crochet, increases and decreases. There are several small parts, so take it one piece at a time.
How big is the finished dragon?
In DK yarn with a 3.5mm hook it is about 13cm tall sitting down. In aran yarn with a 4.5mm hook it is about 17cm.
How much yarn do I need?
About 50g of the main colour, 10g of a contrast colour and a few metres of cream for the horns.
Is this dragon crochet pattern in UK or US terms?
It is written in UK terms. In US terms, dc is single crochet, htr is half double crochet, tr is double crochet and dtr is treble crochet.
