Free Crochet Dragon Snuggler Pattern
This Free Crochet Snuggler pattern makes an adorable mini dragon. This would make a great gift for many on your list! A crochet snuggler dragon is a half stuffy, half blanket- the best of both worlds!
Free Crochet Snuggler Pattern
For the year of the Dragon, what makes more sense than a crochet dragon snuggler pattern? If you have been around for a while, you know I love the snuggler– half blanket, half stuffed animal. The hands, feet and head are stuffed, but you leave the body flat, more like a blanket or lovey.
This crochet snuggler dragon is made with Premier Basix Chenille, but you could substitute Bernat blanket yarn instead. I prefer the Premier, because it seems a little more lightweight and easier to work with, but I love the color options for the crochet snuggler patterns that blanket yarn has! In my experience, baby blanket yarn offers more “dragony” colors while being slightly thinner. Something to remember if you like to use slightly smaller yarn than the original Bernat Blanket!
I love the larger versions, but for very small hands (and for those that are short on time!) I think this free crochet snuggler pattern is perfect. You don’t sacrifice the cuddly factor, but it is a more manageable size- 12 inches tall instead of 16! Plus, the tail and spikes are fun while still being cuddly.
Wouldn’t this be such a dream to cuddle up with? If you want something just as lovable, you can make the puppy snuggler!
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Materials you’ll need
To get started making this free crochet dragon snuggler pattern, you’ll want to gather all your materials first.
There is a whole section where you can find tutorial videos for different parts of this pattern. Most are linked in the section they are specific to, but if you want to view them before you begin you can see the collection here.
Notes: This snuggler pattern is made from the feet up. You will make two feet, fastening off one and then attaching them together from the second one. The body will decrease and then increase into a flat disc. This is what you will use to sew on the head. Because of the nature of this pattern, the head will still “flop” but that is what I expect of the lovey/blanket form.
The tail is made first and then attached as you go. Make sure you have the end of the tail woven in and cut off.
The arms are attached with a long needle. You can find the video for that here.
I embroidered the eyes so it would be safe for a baby/toddler. You can find my collection of embroidery videos here.
Substitute yarns could be Bernat Blanket yarn or Big Twist from Joann’s. You may need to change the hook size if you change the yarn.
Free Crochet Dragon Snuggler Pattern
Tail
Using the main color:
Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 6.
Round 2: SC INC in each around. (12)
Rounds 3-5: SC in each around. (12)
Round 6: SC in the first, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (18)
Rounds 7-9: SC in each around. (18)
Round 10: SC in the first 2, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (24)
Rounds 11-12: SC in each around. (24)
Fasten off and weave in the end of the tail. Have this ready to go for round 24 on the body.
Feet/Body
Beginning with the feet and using the accent color:
Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 6.
Round 2: SC INC in each around. (12)
Round 3: SC in the first, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (18)
Rounds 4-7: SC in each around. (18)
Round 8: SC in the first, INV DEC in the next. Repeat around. (12)
Change to main color.
Round 9: INV DEC in each around. (6)
Stuff the foot part, but not the next chain rows.
From here on, you will be chaining 2, DC in the same stitch and crochet around. Then attach to the first stitch with a slip stitch. This creates the part of the leg that you will knot. You can knot before you attach the legs or afterwards. The foot may be “squished” a bit as you tie, but there should be enough length. I created a video to show the next part of the leg, and you can see that here.
Rounds 10-18: DC in each around. (6)
Round 19: SC INC in each around. Attach to the first stitch with a slip stitch and chain 1 (12)
Round 20: SC in each around. (12)
Fasten off the first foot. On the second foot, chain 4 and slip stitch to the first leg where you fastened off.
Click here for a video and photo tutorial of this next part! (note that the numbers are different for this mini version, but the method is the same)
Round 21: Chain 1 and SC in each stitch around on the leg (12). SC in each chain across. (4) SC in each stitch around the second leg. (12) SC on the other side of the chain. (4) Attach to the first SC with a slip stitch. (a total of 32)
Round 22: SC in each around. (32)
We are attaching the tail here.
Round 23: SC in the first 8 stitches. Attach the tail with stitch markers, the first stitch being the 9th. Go through the stitch on the tail and through the corresponding stitch in the body. Repeat for a total of 12 stitches. SC in the remaining 12 stitches. (32)
Round 24: SC in the first 8 stitches. Go through the stitches on the top half of the tail and through the corresponding stitch in the body. Repeat for a total of 12 stitches. SC in the remaining 12 stitches. (32)
You can watch the video below for help with rows 24 and 25!
Rounds 25-26: SC in each around. (32)
Round 27: SC in the first two. INV DEC in the next. Repeat around. (24)
Rounds 28-32: SC in each around. (24)
Round 33: SC in the first two. INV DEC in the next. Repeat around. (18)
Round 34: SC in each around. (18)
Round 35: SC in the first. INV DEC in the next. Repeat around. (12)
Round 36: INV DEC in each around. (6)
From here we are increasing the base we will sew on to the head.
Round 37: SC INC in each around. (12)
Round 38: SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (18)
Fasten off and leave a long tail to sew on.
Crochet Snuggler Dragon Pattern Head and Ears
Head
Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 6.
Round 2: SC INC in each around. (12)
Round 3: SC in the first, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (18)
Rounds 4: SC in each around. (18)
Round 5: SC in the first 2, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (24)
Round 6: SC in each around. (24)
Round 7: SC INC in the next 6 stitches. SC in the remaining 18. (30)
Round 8: SC in the first, SC INC in the next. Repeat for a total of 6 times. SC in the remaining 18. (36)
Rounds 9-11: SC in each around. (36)
Round 12: SC in the first 4, INV DEC in the next. Repeat around. (30)
Round 13: SC in each around. (30)
Round 14: SC in the first 3, INV DEC in the next. Repeat around. (24)
Round 15: SC in the first 2, INV DEC in the next. Repeat around. (18) *stuff the head here*
Round 16: SC in the first, INV DEC in the next. Repeat around. (12)
Round 17: INV DEC in each around. (6)
Sew the remaining hole closed.
Ears (make 2)
Round 1: 8 SC in a magic circle. (8)
Round 2: SC INC in the first 4 (total of 8 stitches) Chain 2. SC INC in the remaining four. (16)
The chain 2, creates the point of the ear. Fasten off and flatten one side of the ear. Secure with a few stitches in the top of the ear. *tip: keep your tension tight for round 2 or size down a hook!*
Sew them on around round 11 of the head, right outside of the horns. (The pictures are from the Squishy Highland Cow, but the method is the exact same!)
Horns
Using the accent color:
Round 1: 8 SC in a magic circle.
Rounds 2-3: SC in each around. (8)
Fasten off and leave a tail to sew on to the head. Sew on to the head on round 11, about 4-5 stitches apart. These should be almost directly in line with the eyes.
Eyes
I use bulky black yarn and sew two eyes. Two stitches tall and four stitches apart, centered above the nose. Here is a video of me doing it!
I also experimented with the eye embroidery on this crochet dragon snuggler pattern. If you want to see the video and picture tutorials for those, you can find the collection here.
Head Spikes
Using the accent color:
Chain 3. Turn and slip stitch in the second chain from the hook. Slip stitch in the remaining chain. Chain 4. Turn and slip stitch in the second chain from the hook, and in the next chain. Repeat the italicized steps for a total of 7 spikes. (You will have a two slip stitch spike with one chain in between for a spacer.)
Fasten off and sew onto the head. The spikes will be in the center of the horns and start slightly in front of them
Arms
NOTE: I highly suggest you visit this post before attaching the arms. This is my favorite method by far to attach limbs, and is worth watching the video and seeing the tutorial pictures!
Stuff the hand and the bottom half of the arm as you go.
Starting with the accent color:
Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 6.
Round 2: SC INC in each around. (12)
Rounds 3-5: SC in each around. (12)
Change to main color.
Round 6: SC in the first, INV DEC in the next. Repeat around. (8)
Rounds 7-12: SC in each around. (8)
Fasten off and leave an extra long tail. Sew the opening closed.
Attach the arms with the long needle method on rows 36 and 37, just below the head.
Nostrils
Using main color:
Insert needle in the back of the head and come out on the top of the nose. Line your stitches up with the eyes and make them 2-3 stitches wide. Embroider 2-3 passes, depending on how tight you pull (I recommend a looser stitch so there’s more texture!) Repeat for the other side and exit out the same stitch you entered. Tie off.
Wings
Using the accent color:
Row 1: Chain 14.
Row 2: SC in the second chain from the hook. SC in each remaining chain. Chain one and turn. You will chain one and turn on every row except the last one. This does not count as a stitch (13)
Row 3: SC INC in the first. SC in the next 11. SC INC in the last stitch. (15)
Row 4: SC INC in the first. SC in the next 13. SC INC in the last stitch. (17)
Row 5: SC INC in the first. SC in the next 15. SC INC in the last stitch. (19)
Row 6: SC INC in the first. SC in the next 17. SC INC in the last stitch. (21)
Row 7: SC INC in the first. SC in the next 19. SC INC in the last stitch. (23)
Row 8: SC INC in the first. SC in the next 21. SC INC in the last stitch. (25)
Row 9: SC INC in the first. SC in the next 23. SC INC in the last stitch. (27)
Row 10: SC INC in the first. SC in the next 25. SC INC in the last stitch. (29)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew onto the body. Fold the wings in half to find the center. Line the wings so they are centered in the upper back portion of the body. (The top of my wings were about 2 rows down from the head.) Pin the wings in place and sew them on, directly down the middle.
Tail Spike
Using the accent color:
Round 1: SC 8 in a magic circle.
Round 2: SC in each around (8)
Round 3: SC INC in each around. (16)
Round 4: SC in the first 7, SC INC in the next. SC in the next 7, SC INC in the last. (18)
Round 5: SC in the first 8, SC INC in the next. SC in the next 8, SC INC in the last. (20)
Round 6: SC in the first 9, SC INC in the next. SC in the next 9, SC INC in the last. (22)
Fasten off and leave a long tail. Sew the top of the triangle closed, but when you get to the middle, sew it to the bottom of the tail, covering the bottom 2 rows of the tail. Finish sewing the triangle closed and weave in the end.
Attaching the Snuggler Crochet Head to the Body
Once you are ready to attach the head to the body, pin the flat disc that is at the top of the body where you want it on the head. Try to center it as best you can. I prefer mine to be slightly close to the nose so that the head flops forward more than backwards.
As you sew, go through both loops on the SC at the top of the disc. Pull tightly each time. Try to pull the disc out as you go, so that it lies as flat to the head as you can.
If you want to watch the video tutorial, you can find it here!
Note: These are pictures from the Snuggler Puppy Pattern, but the principle is the same!
Did you make this pattern?
Mention me @thefriendlyredfox so we can see your creations! You can also leave a comment below!
