How to Crochet: Year of the Dragon Lovey

February 10, 2024 to January 15, 2025 is the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese Zodiac Calendar. So this is the perfect crochet baby shower gift for babies due to be born in those dates. This free crochet Year of the Dragon lovey pattern can optionally be combined with my free crochet Chinese lantern.

Difficulty: Beginner+. I recommend that you be comfortable with the double crochet stitch and have some familiarity with color changes.

Yarn Used:
Worsted (weight 4) yarn:
Red yarn: Lion Brand Yarn (1 Skein) 24/7 Cotton® Yarn, Red
Gold yarn:  Lion Brand Yarn (1 Skein) 24/7 Cotton® Yarn, Goldenrod

Stitches Used & Glossary:
Ch = Chain
SC = Single Crochet
DC = Double Crochet
INC = Increase Stitch
MR = Magic Ring — the default or the alternative
DEC = Invisible Decrease Stitch
5-DC-Bobble = 5 – Double Crochet – Bobble
2nd Chain from hook

Here’s a video demonstration, including the color changes and assembly:

Dragon Head
Red Yarn

This is worked in continuous rounds (in a spiral) rather than in joined rounds.

1. Crochet 6 single crochet stitches into a magic ring [6]
   MR = Magic Ring — the default or the alternative
2. INC X 6 [12]
3. (SC, INC) X 6 [18]
   This is a video explaining how to read this pattern
4. SC, INC, (SC 2, INC) X 5, SC [24]
5. (SC 3, INC) X 6 [30]
6. SC 2, INC, (SC 4, INC) X 5, SC 2 [36]
7. (SC 5, INC) X 6 [42]
8. SC 42 [42]
9. SC 42 [42]
10. SC 42 [42]
11. SC 42 [42]
12. SC 42 [42]
13. SC 42 [42]
14. SC 42 [42]
15. SC 42 [42]
16. SC 42 [42]
17. (SC 5, DEC) X 6 [36]
18. SC 2, DEC, (SC 4, DEC) X 5, SC 2 [30]
19. (SC 3, DEC) X 6 [24]
20. SC, DEC, (SC 2, DEC) X 5, SC [18]
21. (SC, DEC) X 6 [12]
22. DEC X 6
    
    Cut a 6-inch yarn tail. Thread through a sewing needle and insert the needle through the front loop of each stitch to close. Pull tight to close.

Snout
Red Yarn

1. In this round, you’re going to be making an oval: Chain 6. Working into the 2nd chain from hook, SC 4, then crochet 3 single crochet stitches into one stitch, then working along the other side of the starting chain, SC 3, INC. [12]
2. (SC 3, INC) X 5 [15]
3. 5-DC-Bobble, SC 4, 5-DC-Bobble, SC 9 [15]
4. (SC 2, INC) X 5 [20]
5. SC 20 [20]
6. SC 20 [20]
7. SC 20 [20]

Horns (make 2):
Yellow Yarn

1. MR SC 4 [4]
2. SC 4 [4]
3. SC 4 [4]
4. SC 4 [4]
5. SC 4 [4]
6. INC, INC, SC 2 [6]
7. SC 4, DEC [5]
8. SC 5 [5]
9. INC, SC 4 [6]

Arms (make 2):

Red Yarn

1. MR SC 6 [6]
2. INC X 6 [12]
3. SC 12 [12]
4. SC 12 [12]
5. SC 12 [12]
6. SC 12 [12]
7. SC 12 [12]
8. (SC 2, DEC) X 4 [9]
9. SC 9 [9]
10. SC 9 [9]
11. SC 9 [9]
12. (SC, DEC) X 3 [6]
13. SC 6 [6]
14. SC 6 [6]

Blanket
Red Yarn & Yellow Yarn
This is worked in joined rounds instead of continuous rounds. 

Special Stitch = [DC 2, Ch 1, DC 2]

For the stitch count at the end of each round, I do not count the chain 2 at the end (it’s for height), but I do count the chain 1 space in the special stitch. 

1. Red  Yarn: MR DC 12, ss to join, Ch 2 [12]
   (This means work 12 double crochet stitches into a magic ring, slip stitch to join, then chain 2).
   
2. Red Yarn: (Special Stitch, skip a stitch) X 6, ss to join, Ch 2  [30]
   
3. Yellow Yarn: DC, Special Stitch, DC, Skip a stitch, 

Red Yarn:(DC, Special Stitch, DC, Skip a stitch), X 5,  ss to join, Ch 2 [42]

For this round and all of the following round, the “Special Stitch” should be worked into the Ch1 space of the previous round’s special stitch.

4. Yellow Yarn: DC 2, Special Stitch, DC 2, skip a stitch, 

Red Yarn:(DC 2, Special Stitch, DC 2, skip a stitch) X 5, ss to join, Ch 2 [54]

5. Yellow Yarn: DC 3, Special Stitch, DC 3, skip a stitch,
   Red Yarn:  (DC 3, Special Stitch, DC 3, skip a stitch) X 5, ss to join, Ch 2 [66]
   
6. Yellow Yarn: DC 4, Special Stitch, DC 4, skip a stitch,

Red Yarn: (DC 4, Special Stitch, DC 4, skip a stitch) X 5, ss to join, Ch 2 [78]

7. Yellow Yarn: DC 5, Special Stitch, DC 5, skip a stitch,

Red Yarn:(DC 5, Special Stitch, DC 5, skip a stitch) X 5, ss to join, Ch 2 [90]

8. Yellow Yarn: DC 6, Special Stitch, DC 6, skip a stitch,

Red Yarn:(DC 6, Special Stitch, DC 6, skip a stitch) X 5, ss to join, Ch 2 [102]

9. Yellow Yarn: DC 7, Special Stitch, DC 7, skip a stitch,

Red Yarn: DC 7, Special Stitch, DC 7, skip a stitch) X 5, ss to join, Ch 2 [114]

10. Yellow Yarn: DC 8, Special Stitch, DC 8, skip a stitch,

Red Yarn:(DC 8, Special Stitch, DC 8, skip a stitch) X 5, ss to join, Ch 2 [126]

11. Yellow Yarn: (DC 9, Special Stitch, DC 9, skip a stitch,

Red Yarn: DC 9, Special Stitch, DC 9, skip a stitch) X 5, ss to join, Ch 2 [138]

12. Yellow Yarn: DC 10, Special Stitch, DC 10, skip a stitch,

Red Yarn:(DC 10, Special Stitch, DC 10, skip a stitch) X 5, ss to join, Ch 2 [150]

Chinese Dragon Lovey Pattern