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Gretta the Dragon Amigurumi Pattern

Gretta the Dragon Amigurumi Pattern
4.2★Rating
5-8 HoursTime Needed
3.9KMade This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crocheting experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🐰

Whimsical Buddy

Playful characters full of personality, designed to spark imagination and become cherished playtime favorites.

About This Gretta the Dragon Amigurumi Pattern

Gretta the Dragon Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view

Gretta makes an incredible gift for fantasy lovers or anyone who needs a bit of sunshine. She looks absolutely precious sitting on a bookshelf or as the centerpiece of a nursery display, bringing a handmade touch to any room.

Why You'll Love This Gretta the Dragon Amigurumi Pattern

I honestly adore how Gretta combines classic amigurumi techniques with a bit of wirework for her wings. It makes her feel so much more alive! The way her body and legs are joined seamlessly is such a satisfying process, and adding those tiny rosy cheeks at the end is just the cherry on top of a very fun project.

Gretta the Dragon Amigurumi Pattern step 1 Gretta the Dragon Amigurumi Pattern step 2 Gretta the Dragon Amigurumi Pattern step 3 Gretta the Dragon Amigurumi Pattern step 4

Switch Things Up

I honestly believe every crafter needs a dragon friend like Gretta in their collection. When I first saw her little sunflower pot, I knew she was going to be a favorite! There is something so satisfying about the way her legs and body come together as one piece—it makes her feel so sturdy and well-made.

One thing I really want to mention is the 'X-stitch' or 'yarn under' technique. If you look closely at the photos, you will see her stitches look like little crosses rather than V shapes. To get this look, just hook your yarn from the top (yarn under) instead of the bottom (yarn over) for your single crochets. It gives the fabric a much tighter, more structured feel that is just perfect for amigurumi.

Don't be intimidated by the wire in the wings! It is what gives Gretta that magical, poseable look. If you are making this for a very small child, you can always skip the wire and just sew the wings flat for safety. Also, that little stone in the flower pot? It is a total game-changer for making sure Gretta stays upright on a shelf. I can't wait to see what colors you choose for her—maybe a soft lilac or a bold blue? Happy hooking!

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ When joining the legs at Round 22, ensure your starting stitch is perfectly centered on the inner thigh or Gretta might end up with a twisted torso.✗ The wire frame for the wings needs the ends curled inward carefully; if they are left sharp, they can easily poke through the crochet fabric over time.✗ If your surface slip stitches on the body are too tight, it will restrict the stuffing and make the dragon look lumpy instead of smooth and rounded.✗ Overstuffing the tail near the folds at Round 15 and 18 can prevent the 'kinked' look that gives the tail its character—keep the stuffing light in those specific areas.

Gretta the Dragon Amigurumi Pattern

Meet Gretta, the sweetest little dragon you will ever hook! She is not your average fire-breather; she is a gentle soul who loves gardening and carrying her favorite sunflower everywhere. In this pattern, we will work through her unique shaping together, from those adorable rosy cheeks to her intricate, poseable wings. You are going to love how her personality develops with every round, making her a truly special addition to your handmade family.

Intermediate 5-8 Hours

Materials Needed for Gretta the Dragon Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Two skeins of YarnArt Jeans in light green (Color 11) for the main body and head
  • 02
    Half a skein of YarnArt Jeans in pink (Color 69) for the boots and tongue
  • 03
    One skein of YarnArt Jeans in yellow (Color 88) for the belly and sunflower petals
  • 04
    Half a skein of YarnArt Jeans in dark green (Color 42) for the crest and flower stem
  • 05
    A small amount of YarnArt Jeans in brown (Color 70) for the flower center
  • 06
    Half a skein of YarnArt Jeans in white (Color 01) for the wings

— Tools Required

  • 01
    2mm crochet hook
  • 02
    13mm black safety eyes or sew-on eyes
  • 03
    Polyester toy stuffing
  • 04
    Two white felt discs (approx 1-1.5cm diameter) for the eye backing
  • 05
    Chenille wire or floral wire for the wings and flower stem
  • 06
    Long embroidery needle for assembly and face sculpting
  • 07
    Golden or shiny embroidery floss for freckles and forehead scales
  • 08
    A small stone or weight for the flower pot base
  • 09
    Dental floss for strong limb attachment
  • 10
    Stitch markers and sharp scissors

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— 1. Head :

Info :

Use light green yarn and stuff firmly as you work.

Round 1 :

Work 7 sc into a MR (7)

Round 2 :

7 x inc (14)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc) repeat 7 times (21)

Round 4 :

(2 sc, inc) repeat 7 times (28)

Round 5 :

(3 sc, inc) repeat 7 times (35)

Round 6 :

(4 sc, inc) repeat 7 times (42)

Round 7 :

(5 sc, inc) repeat 7 times (49)

Round 8 :

(6 sc, inc) repeat 7 times (56)

Round 9 :

(7 sc, inc) repeat 7 times (63)

Round 10 :

(8 sc, inc) repeat 7 times (70)

Round 11 :

(9 sc, inc) repeat 7 times (77)

Round 12-21 :

Work 1 sc in each st around (77)

Round 22 :

(5 sc, dec) repeat 6 times, then 35 sc (71)

Round 23 :

(4 sc, dec) repeat 6 times, then 35 sc (65)

Round 24 :

(3 sc, dec) repeat 6 times, then 35 sc (59)

Round 25-31 :

Work 1 sc in each st around (59)

Round 32 :

(17 sc, dec) repeat 2 times, 19 sc, 1 dec (56)

Round 33-34 :

Work 1 sc in each st around (56)

Round 35 :

(6 sc, dec) repeat 7 times (49)

Round 36 :

(5 sc, dec) repeat 7 times (42)

Round 37 :

(4 sc, dec) repeat 7 times (35)

Round 38 :

(3 sc, dec) repeat 7 times (28)

Round 39 :

(2 sc, dec) repeat 7 times (21)

Round 40 :

(1 sc, dec) repeat 7 times (14)

Round 41 :

7 x dec (7)

Info :

Fasten off, tighten the hole, and weave in your ends.

— 2. Ears (Make 2) :

Info :

Use light green yarn. Do not stuff these.

Round 1 :

Work 7 sc into a MR (7)

Round 2 :

7 x inc (14)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc) repeat 7 times (21)

Round 4-6 :

Work 1 sc in each st around (21)

Round 7 :

19 sc, 1 dec (20)

Info :

Flatten the ear and sc through both layers to close. Fold in half once more and sew the base to hold the shape. Leave a long tail for attaching.

— 3. Cheeks, Tongue & Head Crest :

Cheeks :

Using pink yarn, work 13 HDC into a MR. Sl st to join and leave a tail for sewing.

Tongue :

Using pink yarn, ch 4. Starting in 2nd ch from hook: 3 sc in first ch, 1 sc, 3 sc in last ch. Rotate to work on other side: 1 sc, sl st to join.

Crest Piece :

Make 5 using dark green. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. Round 2: inc, 2 sc, inc, 2 sc (8). Round 3: inc, 3 sc, inc, 3 sc (10). Round 4: inc, 4 sc, inc, 4 sc (12). Round 5: inc, 5 sc, inc, 5 sc (14). Round 6: inc, 6 sc, inc, 6 sc (16).

Crest Assembly :

Flatten each triangle and sc through both layers. Join all 5 triangles into one continuous crest using sl st along the bottom edges.

— 4. Arms (Make 2) :

Fingers :

Make 6 fingers in light green. Round 1: 8 sc in MR. Round 2-3: 8 sc. Fasten off 4 fingers; keep yarn attached to the last 2.

Hand Round 1 :

Join 3 fingers: 4 sc on first finger, 4 sc on second, 8 sc on third, 4 sc on second, 4 sc on first (24)

Round 2 :

Work 24 sc around (24)

Round 3 (Arm 1) :

20 sc, then work 4 sc through the inside of a thumb finger (24)

Round 3 (Arm 2) :

Work 4 sc through the inside of a thumb finger, then 20 sc (24)

Round 4 (Arm 1) :

20 sc, then work 4 sc around the outside of the thumb (24)

Round 4 (Arm 2) :

Work 4 sc around the outside of the thumb, then 20 sc (24)

Round 5 :

Work 24 sc around (24)

Round 6 :

(2 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (18)

Round 7-8 :

Work 18 sc around (18)

Round 9-22 :

In BLO only: 18 sc (18)

Round 23 :

In BLO only: (1 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (12)

Round 24 :

In BLO only: 12 sc (12)

Round 25 :

In BLO only: 6 dec (6). Fasten off.

Surface Sl St :

Attach yellow yarn to the 9th round and work sl st in the remaining front loops up to Round 25 to create the sleeve texture.

— 5. Legs (Make 2) :

Info :

Start with pink yarn for the boots.

Round 1 :

Ch 7. From 2nd ch: 3 sc in one ch, 4 sc, 3 sc in last ch. Other side: 4 sc (14)

Round 2 :

3 x inc, 4 sc, 3 x inc, 4 sc (20)

Round 3 :

(inc, 1 sc) x 3, 4 sc, (inc, 1 sc) x 3, 4 sc (26)

Round 4 :

(inc, 2 sc) x 3, 4 sc, (inc, 2 sc) x 3, 4 sc (32)

Round 5 :

(inc, 3 sc) x 3, 4 sc, (inc, 3 sc) x 3, 4 sc (38)

Round 6 :

In BLO only: 38 sc (38)

Round 7-8 :

Work 38 sc around (38)

Info :

Work 38 sl st around the front loops of Round 6 using pink yarn.

Round 9 :

9 sc (shift marker to center heel), 11 sc, 8 dec, 11 sc (30). Then 9 sc, 6 dec, 9 sc (24).

Round 10 :

Switch to light green. In BLO only: 24 sc (24)

Round 11 :

7 sc, 5 dec, 7 sc (19)

Round 12 :

17 sc, 1 dec (18)

Info :

Work 24 sl st around front loops of Round 10 using pink yarn.

Round 13-15 :

Work 18 sc around (18)

Round 16 :

(2 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (24)

Round 17 :

Work 24 sc around (24)

Round 18 :

(3 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (30)

Round 19 :

Work 30 sc around (30)

Round 20 :

(4 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (36)

Round 21 :

Work 36 sc around (36)

Info :

Leg 1: Sc 12 to reach the inner side, fasten off. Leg 2: Sc 31, ch 1, do not cut yarn.

— 6. Body :

Round 22 :

Join Leg 2 to Leg 1: 36 sc on Leg 1, 1 sc in ch, 36 sc on Leg 2, 1 sc in ch (74)

Round 23 :

Work 74 sc around (74)

Round 24 :

(36 sc, inc) repeat 2 times (76)

Round 25 :

(37 sc, inc) repeat 2 times (78)

Round 26 :

(12 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (84)

Round 27-31 :

Work 84 sc around (84)

Round 32 :

(12 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (78)

Round 33 :

Work 78 sc around (78)

Round 34 :

(11 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (72)

Round 35 :

Work 72 sc around (72)

Round 36 :

(10 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (66)

Round 37 :

Work 66 sc around (66)

Round 38 :

(9 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (60)

Round 39 :

Work 60 sc around (60)

Round 40 :

(8 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (54)

Round 41-52 :

In BLO only: 54 sc (54)

Round 53 :

In BLO only: (7 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (48)

Round 54-56 :

In BLO only: 48 sc (48)

Round 57 :

In BLO only: (6 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (42)

Round 58 :

(5 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (36)

Round 59 :

Work 36 sc around (36)

Round 60 :

(4 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (30)

Round 61 :

(3 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (24)

Round 62 :

(2 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (18)

Round 63 :

(1 sc, dec) repeat 6 times (12)

Round 64 :

6 x dec (6). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Shells :

Attach yellow yarn to Round 41: (ch 1, skip 1, 5 DC in next st, skip 1, sc in next st) repeat around to form the ruffle.

Surface Sl St :

Attach yellow yarn to the back and work sl st around the front loops from Round 41 up to Round 57.

— 7. Tail :

Round 1 :

Using dark green, 6 sc in MR (6)

Round 2 :

Work 6 sc (6)

Round 3 :

3 x inc, 3 sc (9)

Round 4 :

(1 sc, inc) x 3, 3 sc (12)

Round 5 :

(2 sc, inc) x 3, 3 sc (15)

Round 6 :

Work 15 sc (15)

Round 7 :

(3 sc, inc) x 3, 3 sc (18)

Round 8 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)

Round 9 :

3 sc, (inc, 1 sc) x 9, 3 sc (33)

Round 10-12 :

Work 33 sc (33)

Round 13 :

(10 sc, inc) x 3 (36)

Round 14 :

(5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)

Round 15 :

FLO 7 sc, both loops 28 sc, FLO 7 sc (42)

Round 16-17 :

Work 42 sc (42)

Round 18 :

Grab one st from Round 18 and one back loop from Round 15: work 7 sc this way, then 28 sc in both loops, then repeat the fold join for 7 sc (42)

Round 19-20 :

Work 42 sc (42). Leave tail for sewing.

— 8. Wings & Frame :

Frame :

Ch 6. Row 1: 5 sc, ch 1, turn. Row 2-44: 5 sc, ch 1, turn. Insert wire and sew edges closed. Bend into a V shape.

Wing 1, Row 1 :

Using white, ch 32. From 4th ch: 9 TR, 7 DC, 4 HDC, 9 sc, ch 1, turn (29)

Row 2 :

BLO 26 sc (leave 3), ch 3, turn (26)

Row 3 :

In side loops: 8 TR, 6 DC, 3 HDC, 9 sc, ch 1, turn (26)

Row 4 :

BLO 23 sc (leave 3), ch 3, turn (23)

Row 5 :

In side loops: 7 TR, 6 DC, 3 HDC, 7 sc, ch 1, turn (23)

Row 6 :

BLO 20 sc (leave 3), ch 3, turn (20)

Row 7 :

In side loops: 6 TR, 5 DC, 4 HDC, 5 sc, ch 1, turn (20)

Row 8 :

BLO 17 sc (leave 3), ch 3, turn (17)

Row 9 :

In side loops: 5 TR, 5 DC, 4 HDC, 3 sc, ch 1, turn (17)

Row 10 :

BLO 14 sc (leave 3), ch 3, turn (14)

Row 11 :

In side loops: 5 TR, 4 DC, 2 HDC, 3 sc, ch 1, turn (14)

Row 12 :

BLO 11 sc (leave 3), ch 3, turn (11)

Row 13 :

In side loops: 4 TR, 2 DC, 2 HDC, 3 sc (11). Fasten off.

Wing 2 :

Repeat Wing 1 but use FLO for even rows and front-side loops for odd rows to create a mirrored effect.

— 9. Sunflower :

Pot Round 1 :

Using brown, 7 sc in MR (7)

Round 2 :

7 x inc (14)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 7 (21)

Round 4 :

Switch to green. BLO 21 sc (21)

Round 5 :

(1 sc, dec) x 7 (14)

Round 6 :

7 x dec (7). Stuff pot.

Round 7 :

5 sc, dec (6)

Round 8-14 :

6 sc around (6)

Info :

Make leaves by chaining 8 and working 2 TR in one ch, 2 TR, 2 DC, 2 HDC along the chain. Attach to the stem.

Pot Outer :

Attach pink yarn to Round 27: BLO 36 sc, then work several rounds of 36 sc. Finish with crab stitch around the top edge.

Petals :

Attach yellow yarn to Round 4 of the flower center: (ch 6, 1 TR in same st, ch 6, sl st in same st) repeat 21 times.

Assembly Instructions

  • Position the ears between Rounds 7 and 8 of the head, ensuring they are symmetrical before sewing firmly.
  • Use the needle sculpting technique described to create depth for the eyes and mouth between Rounds 10-11 and 26-27.
  • Insert the safety eyes through the white felt discs and secure them into the sculpted eye sockets with a drop of glue for extra stability.
  • Attach the head crest triangles along the center line of the head, sewing on both sides of the base to keep it upright.
  • Join the tail to the lower back of the body, making sure the folds are positioned correctly to give it that natural dragon curve.
  • Secure the arms to the sides of the body using dental floss for a movable joint, or sew them flat if preferred.
  • Sew the wings onto the green wire frame first, then attach the entire frame to the back of the dragon's shoulders.

Important Notes

  • 💡To achieve the 'X' stitch texture shown in the photos, use the yarn-under technique for all single crochet stitches.
  • 💡Stuff the head and body very firmly, especially around the neck area, to prevent the head from wobbling.
  • 💡When working the surface slip stitches, keep your tension loose to ensure the fabric remains flexible.
  • 💡Ensure the wire used for the wings is completely encased in the crochet frame for safety.
  • 💡Adding a small stone to the bottom of the flower pot helps Gretta hold her accessory without tipping over.

I hope you have the most wonderful time bringing Gretta to life! There is nothing quite like the feeling of finishing that last stitch and seeing a character's personality shine through. Whether she is joining your own collection or heading off to a new home as a gift, Gretta is sure to spread plenty of joy and sunflower-themed cheer. Don't forget to take a moment to admire those wings—they are my favorite part! I am so happy I could share this magical little dragon journey with you. Until our next project together, keep those hooks busy and your yarn cozy! 🧶✨

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we answer.

FAQs

What is the 'X-form' stitch mentioned in the pattern?

This refers to the 'yarn under' technique. Instead of wrapping the yarn over your hook, you catch it from underneath. it creates a tighter, more square stitch that looks like an X.

Can I make this dragon without the wire frame?

Yes, you can! The wings will just be soft and floppy rather than poseable. It's a safer option if you're making this for a baby or toddler.

How do I make sure the dragon stands up on its own?

The pattern includes a small stone or weight in the flower pot accessory, which helps balance the toy. Also, make sure to stuff the legs and hips very firmly to provide a solid base.

What yarn can I substitute for YarnArt Jeans?

Any Sport weight or light DK cotton blend will work perfectly. Look for something with a similar yardage (approx 160m per 50g) to keep the sizing consistent.