How to: Pattern vs Reality 12: Crafty Intentions Crochet Dragon

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This crochet dragon was one of the most amazing projects I did in my first year of crocheting. I loved it. I loved everything about learning how to make it.

Where do I begin with Megan Lapp’s amazingly creative patterns?

I found her book, Crochet Creatures of Myth and Legend: 19 Designs Easy Cute Critters to Legendary Beasts, early in the days when I was aspiring to eventually move beyond the Woobles, but ascertained, correctly, that I needed to master the basics first before finishing a dragon.

Crochet Creatures of Myth & Legend by Megan Lapp of Crafty Intentions

Crocheting this dragon gave me so much confidence. It made me feel like I had graduated from beginner and is one of my favorite projects. I set this as my *goal* to strive and work towards, and you might find even as a beginner that it serves as a source of inspiration for you!

Crafty Intentions: Dragon by Megan Lapp

I used the pattern in the book linked above, but you can buy the pattern separately on Ravelry.
Ravelry: Dragon pattern by Megan Lapp ($6 for pattern)
Ravelry: Add-On Dragon: Extra Ornamentation pattern by Megan Lapp ($3 for pattern)

Megan also maintains an excellent Facebook group that I’m in: Crafty Intentions Amigurumi & Crochet Community | Facebook

Difficulty: Intermediate, with patience. At least a few months of experience. The pattern is rated as Intermediate by Megan, as well.

You’ll want to be experienced with the following first:

Single crochet, increase, decrease (Dec), half double crochet (HDC), double crochet (DC), and slip stitches (Sl St). Her patterns should not be the first time you’ve done a HDC or DC.
You need to be comfortable reading patterns and at the point where you’re reliably doing the right number of stitches. “Start in the 2nd Ch from hook, Sl st 2, SC 2, Inc X 2, HDC Inc X 4, DC Inc X 44, Ch 1, Turn”. Do you understand what that means yet? If not, you’re not ready. Megan has a great glossary with instructions, but she is creative, so she will sometimes give you instructions you haven’t seen before. Everyone in her group always says “trust the pattern” (as in, trust Megan knows what she’s doing even if you’re not sure why you’re doing what she’s doing) and they’re right — but also if you’re still miscounting stitches regularly, you won’t know if it feels strange because it’s creative or if you made a mistake.
You also want to be at least somewhat comfortable with sewing and attaching limbs. Megan has great Youtube videos, and my limb sewing game definitely improved after working on this dragon, but don’t make this your first rodeo.

What You Learn: You’ll learn and practice:

How to use wires and soft sculping
The importance of the right amount of stuffing
Stitches that start or end in the same spot as other stitches.
The “bump” stitch as a cool way to make toes!

Stitches Used: Magic Circle, Chain, Single Crochet, Increase, Decrease, HDC, DC, Slip Stitch, 2 Decrease in 3 Single Crochet (2 Dec in 3 Sc), <Dec>, DC Dec, DC/HDC Dec, Triple Crochet, Half Triple Crochet, HDC Dec, HDC/SC Dec, SC/HDC Dec, Front Loop Only, Back Loop Only, and the Bump Stitch.

Here are some of Megan’s Youtube Videos explaining some of those stitches:

Time Taken: 60+ hours
Kid-Friendly: Depends on the age. There is a lot of wiring to manage. I’d recommend they be at least 7 or 8 years old, and that you supervise the wiring.

Pattern vs Reality:

I attempted this around Month 6 of crocheting.

I mostly tried to mimic the pattern on the cover, but had different color choices. I think it looks like a crochet dragon!

Tips & Tricks:

Right Side vs Inside Out: Make sure you know the difference between “right-side out” and “inside out”. While some patterns are forgiving if you do this ‘wrong’, it’ll end up looking weird with Megan’s creations. If you’re not sure what that means, check out these videos. I found the Woobles’ video the clearest, but I’m providing options in case having it explained different ways helps you.

Toe Bumps: I really struggled with this and then found Megan’s video on this. Just start with this first!

How to make the row after Toe Bumps in the Dragon and Griffin Patterns by Crafty Intentions – YouTube

Stuffing: Don’t overstuff the arm limbs! I enjoy stuffing, but I ended up having to yank a lot of it out so make it sit properly against the body.

Other Relevant Crafty Intentions Videos:

My Yarn & Tools Choices: