If you’re dreaming of making your own little army of dragons, these ten free designs will keep your hook busy for a long time. They range from tiny pocket-sized guardians to big, huggable, winged beasts and dramatic celestial showpieces. You’ll find everything from simple baby dragons that are friendly to beginners to more advanced designs with curving bodies, fins, and fancy scale details. Each idea below includes a direct free pattern link, clear supply notes, and a matching image prompt so you can picture your finished dragon before you even chain one.
Elio the Dragon Crochet Amigurumi
Elio is a classic, chunky dragon with a big rounded snout, striped belly, and bold back spikes – perfect if you want one “main” dragon to cuddle. The free pattern uses sport-weight cotton and a 2.5 mm hook, so the stitches look neat and sculpted while still being beginner friendly. You’ll practice increasing for the large head and shaping a wide, flat belly panel. Work the pieces in short bursts, then assemble slowly with lots of pins so everything lines up cleanly. Find the full step-by-step on the DIY Fluffies blog Tutorial.
Supplies:
- Sport-weight cotton yarn in purple, light green, green, and white
- 2.5 mm crochet hook
- 12 mm safety eyes
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Tapestry needle, scissors, pins
Why it’s great: A big, detailed dragon that still uses simple stitches and super clear instructions.
Fantasy Dragon Crochet Amigurumi
This Fantasy Dragon from StringyDingDing has a playful, cartoony look with big wings, layered back spikes, and a rounded muzzle that’s not too scary for kids. It’s worked mostly in single crochet in worsted yarn, so you can scale it up or down just by changing yarn weight. The pattern walks you through the body first, then the separate wings, horns, and spikes, with plenty of photos. Choose two neutrals, like white and grey, to match the designer’s sample, or go wild with variegated yarns. Follow the detailed instructions on StringyDingDing for the complete Tutorial.
Supplies:
- Worsted-weight acrylic yarn in main and contrast colors
- 4.0 mm crochet hook
- 12 mm safety eyes
- Fiberfill stuffing
- Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors
Why it’s great: Lots of surface detail but still beginner-friendly shaping in comfy worsted yarn.
George the Dragon Crochet Amigurumi
George the Dragon is a sweet, medium-sized amigurumi with a big tummy patch, curved snout, and generous wings – a great “hero” dragon for story time. The pattern uses worsted weight yarn in a body color plus contrasting wings and cream accents, and the post is packed with step-by-step photos so confident beginners can follow along. The shaping is thoughtful but not fussy, and most parts are simple tubes and ovals. If you want one dragon that looks polished without being too hard, George is a perfect pick. See the photo-rich blog post for the full Tutorial.
Supplies:
- Worsted-weight acrylic yarn in teal, dark blue, and cream
- DK-weight cream yarn for horns
- 4.0 mm crochet hook
- 12 mm safety eyes
- Stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors
Why it’s great: Clear photos and gentle shaping make this a very approachable first “detailed” dragon.
Fierce or Sleepy Dragon Crochet Plush
If you want a big, huggable dragon, this Fierce or Sleepy pattern makes a 16–18 inch tall friend with tons of personality. Using Red Heart Super Saver or Comfort yarn and a 4.5 mm hook, you’ll build the entire body, wings, tummy patch, and expressive face, then choose between a fierce or sleepy eye style. The pattern is split into three free blog parts plus YouTube videos, so you get lots of support while shaping and stuffing. Pipe cleaners in the wings add poseable structure, so read the safety note if gifting to little ones. All three parts are linked from the main pattern page Tutorial.
Supplies:
- Worsted-weight acrylic yarn for body, wings, tummy, spikes
- 4.5 mm crochet hook
- Polyester stuffing
- Safety eyes, small button or felt for pupils
- Pipe cleaners for wings, yarn needle, scissors
Why it’s great: A big, dramatic dragon with video help and two different facial expressions in one pattern.
Charlie the Celestial Dragon Crochet Sculpture
Charlie the Celestial Dragon is the dramatic, curving “showpiece” of this list. Her body is worked in short rounds so she curls into a spiral that can stand on her tail or wrap around a lamp or arm. Using Red Heart With Love in tangerine with jade and cream accents, plus large cat-eye safety eyes, you’ll build fins, face frills, and a flowing tail. This pattern is advanced but the blog has many photos and tips, and there’s also a premium version if you ever want printable extras. Start with a small practice swatch to get comfortable with short rounds before diving in Tutorial.
Supplies:
- Worsted-weight acrylic yarn (Red Heart With Love: Tangerine, Jadeite, Aran)
- 4.0 mm crochet hook
- 25 mm slit-pupil safety eyes
- Stuffing, tapestry needle, straight pins
- Stitch markers
Why it’s great: An impressive Eastern-style dragon that curls and poses beautifully for displays.
Fizzle the Baby Dragon Crochet Amigurumi
Fizzle is a sleepy baby dragon with bobble-stitch toes, curved horns, and a little trail of “smoke” coming from his nostrils. The pattern uses Red Heart Super Saver in pale plum, lavender, aran, and black scraps for details, plus a 4.0 mm hook. The body and head are mostly one piece, so there’s less sewing than you’d expect for such a detailed dragon. You’ll also learn a fun brushed-yarn smoke technique set in place with light hairspray. Follow the full instructions and photos on Hooked by Kati for the complete Tutorial.
Supplies:
- Worsted-weight acrylic yarn (pale plum, lavender, cream, black scraps)
- 4.0 mm crochet hook
- Polyester stuffing
- Tapestry needle, straight pins
- Hairbrush or slicker brush, light-hold hairspray
Why it’s great: Minimal sewing, clever smoke detail, and a relaxed pose make this an excellent “character” dragon.
Chinese New Year Dragon Crochet
This iconic All About Ami dragon is small but packed with personality: big round head, tiny limbs, felt wings and horns, and an embroidered fang. It uses fine cotton yarn (Patons Grace) with a 2.00 mm hook, so the stitches are tight and crisp. Felt pieces form the wings, horns, scaled belly panel, and cheeks, which you glue on for a polished finish. Because the parts are petite, it’s best for an adventurous beginner or intermediate crocheter. Follow the full written pattern and construction photos on the All About Ami blog Tutorial.
Supplies:
- Lightweight cotton yarn in green
- 2.0 mm crochet hook
- Beige, dark brown, and pink felt
- 7.5 mm safety eyes
- Fiberfill, glue gun, fabric glue, embroidery floss
Why it’s great: A small, detailed dragon that’s perfect for Year-of-the-Dragon gifts or decor.
Crochet Dragon Egg with Surprise
If you love a good reveal, this Dragon Egg with Surprise pattern is pure joy. You crochet a jewel-toned, scale-textured egg using worsted metallic yarn and a 5.0 mm hook, then tuck a tiny baby dragon inside. The cleverly placed back-loop rounds let you work dragon-scale stitches later, so the shell looks dimensional and magical. The egg stands on its own and can be displayed closed or with the baby peeking out. Follow AmiAmour’s written instructions and video for every step of the egg and scales Tutorial.
Supplies:
- Worsted-weight metallic acrylic yarn (Red Heart With Love Metallic or similar)
- 5.0 mm crochet hook
- Stuffing (for baby dragon if you make it)
- Yarn needle, stitch marker, scissors
Why it’s great: A fun, interactive dragon egg that doubles as decor and a toy surprise.
Buffy the Baby Dragon Crochet
Buffy the Baby Dragon is a smaller, super cute project worked in aran-weight Red Heart Super Saver solids and stripes with a 3.25 mm hook. The body, limbs, wings, and tail are all straightforward amigurumi shapes, so this is a great first “full” dragon if you’re comfortable with magic rings and basic increases. The self-striping yarn does a lot of color work for you, giving Buffy a fun, multi-tone body without endless ends to weave. Find the complete written pattern with photos on the Crafty Kitty Crochet blog Tutorial.
Supplies:
- Aran-weight acrylic yarn (solid main + stripes for body)
- 3.25 mm crochet hook
- Safety eyes
- Fiberfill stuffing
- Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors
Why it’s great: A small, manageable dragon that shows off self-striping yarn beautifully.
Plush Baby Dragon Crochet in Chenille
This plush Baby Dragon from Tash’s Crochet Patterns is designed for fluffy chenille yarn, giving you a super squishy, modern-style dragon. The free Ribblr ePattern uses a 5 mm hook, pink and white chenille, a bit of black acrylic yarn, toy eyes, and pink felt. The pattern is interactive, so you can tick off rounds as you go and watch short stitch tutorials if needed. Because chenille can hide stitches, use a locking stitch marker and feel each stitch with your fingers as you work. Access the full interactive design on Ribblr Tutorial.
Supplies:
- Super bulky pink chenille yarn
- White chenille yarn + white fluffy yarn
- 5.0 mm crochet hook
- Toy eyes, pink felt
- Black acrylic yarn, fiberfill, yarn needle, scissors
Why it’s great: A soft, on-trend plush dragon that’s perfect for cuddly gifts and uses an interactive pattern format.
Conclusion
Pick one dragon that matches your yarn stash and comfort level, then just start with the head or body and work section by section. Dragons are forgiving: a slightly crooked horn or wobbly wing only adds to the charm. Once you finish your first, you’ll understand the shaping and can easily adjust colors, sizes, and details for a whole clan. Bookmark this list, come back whenever you’re ready for a new mythical friend, and enjoy the magic of turning yarn into dragons.
FAQs
1. What yarns work best for dragon crochet projects?
Most dragon patterns use worsted or aran-weight acrylic for sturdy, child-friendly toys, or cotton sport/DK for crisp details. For super squishy dragons, try chenille or velvet with a slightly smaller hook than the label recommends so the stuffing doesn’t peek through. Always check the pattern’s suggested yarn weight before you substitute.
2. Should I machine-wash or hand-wash crocheted dragons?
If you’re using standard acrylic like Red Heart Super Saver, many finished dragons can go in a gentle machine wash inside a pillowcase or laundry bag, then be air-dried. For cotton, metallic yarns, chenille, or glued felt details, stick to spot cleaning or gentle hand-washing, squeezing out water in a towel and reshaping as they dry flat.
3. How can I resize a dragon pattern?
To make a pattern bigger, use thicker yarn and a slightly larger hook while keeping stitches tight. To make it smaller, drop to a lighter yarn and smaller hook. Keep the same hook-to-yarn ratio the designer suggests so fabric stays firm. Safety eyes should also scale: go up or down a size so the proportions look right.
4. What fibers are safest for kitchen or high-heat decor dragons?
If you’re making dragon pot holders, trivets, or anything near heat, choose 100% cotton or another natural fiber that doesn’t melt. Acrylic and polyester can soften or scorch around hot pans or flames. For purely decorative dragons that stay away from heat, acrylic is fine and often more durable for play.
5. How do I make joins and edgings sturdy enough for daily play?
Use a long tail for sewing each part, and work through both loops of the stitches on both pieces. Keep stitches small and close together, especially on limbs, wings, and horns. A second pass of reinforcing stitches is worth the extra minute on heavily handled parts like tails and arms.
6. How much yarn and time do dragon projects usually take?
Small baby dragons or keychain-sized designs might use under 100 g of yarn and take 3–5 hours. Medium dragons (15–20 cm) often need 150–250 g and a weekend of relaxed crocheting. Large dragons in worsted or chenille can easily use 300–500 g and several evenings, especially if there are many separate parts to sew.
7. Any tips for photographing my crocheted dragons?
Natural light is your best friend. Sit your dragon near a window, turn off harsh overhead lights, and keep the background simple so the stitches show clearly. Shoot slightly from above for standing dragons and at eye level for sitting or lying poses. A neutral wood surface or plain cushion makes colors pop without distraction.
8. How do I fix curling, stretching, or wavy edges on dragon parts?
If wings or belly panels curl, you can lightly block them: mist with water, pin them flat to shape, and let dry completely. For stretched necks or wavy tails, add a bit more stuffing and redistribute it with your fingers. Sometimes a slightly smaller hook on future dragons, or one extra decrease round, will solve the issue on your next make.