Cupcake dragon free crochet pattern from Hooked by Kati feature
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Wonder the Birthday Dragon | Free Crochet Pattern

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What makes a great birthday? Cupcakes and a dragon, of course! This little dragon fell asleep before he could even blow out his candle! This free dragon crochet pattern makes a great gift or keepsake for a first birthday.

In 2020, Amigurumi.com hosted their annual design contest with the theme “Celebration.” I knew exactly what I wanted to enter as soon as I saw the theme — a baby dragon who fell asleep on top of a cupcake.

As I sketched, I slowly decided that the dragon needed to be more wrapped around the cupcake so he could be bigger. He also needed a candle in his mouth to really solidify that it was his birthday.

Thanks to the amazing support of the community, Wonder the Birthday Dragon got enough votes to take 3rd Place in the incredibly competitive field of designs.

Small dragon and cupcake amigurumi free crochet pattern from Hooked by Kati

Thank you so much for your support!

Now, the pattern for Wonder is available for you to enjoy and gift to your next birthday boy or girl.

Construction

Wonder has a fun, unique shape that requires a bit of curving, so his body is comprised of a series of short rounds to give this effect.

His head is attached where the curve of the body ends, in a straight line with the neck so his body curls around the cupcake but his head lays straight across the top.

The cupcake is all one piece, with the wrapper made using a (fpdc, dc) ribbing.

Have lots of little scraps around so you can add sprinkles in your favorite colors. 🙂

Because of all the shaping and specific positioning of parts, I would highly recommend using the Premium Pattern for this one.

The Premium Pattern has numerous photos of attachment positions, where to place pins, and how to get the dragon to fit on the cupcake just right.

This pattern is also available as a Premium Pattern! Premium Patterns are ad-free, printable .pdf files, professionally formatted and edited, with extra tutorial photos not available in the free version, and print-only perks, like checkboxes for every round*!

Premium Patterns are available in the Hooked by Kati Shop, Ravelry, and Etsy.

Wonder the Birthday Dragon

All patterns are written in English, in US terms using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.

Advanced. Knowledge needed of chains (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), front post double crochet (fpdc), increases and decreases, back loops only (BLO) and front loops only (FLO), right side (RS) and wrong side (WS). Knowledge of amigurumi part attachment is recommended. Pattern uses short rounds for shaping.

Supplies

  • Red Heart With Love yarn, 100% acrylic, worsted weight, 370 yds/7 oz/198 g, Santorini (SAN), 1 ball; Sweet Pink (PNK), 1 ball; Jadite (JAD), 1 ball; Aran (ARAN), < 1 ball; White (WHT), < 1 ball; Black (BLK), < 1 ball; Boysenberry (BOYS), < 1 ball; scraps of Daffodil (DAFF), Lettuce (LETT), Mallard (MALL), and Mango (MANG).
  • G (4.00 mm) Furls hook
  • Polyfil stuffing
  • Tapestry needle
  • Slicker brush or hairbrush
  • Straight pins (optional)

Measurements

10” tall x 7” wide

Gauge

8 sts x 8 rows in sc = 2” x 2”

Pattern Notes

  • Work in continuous rounds. Do not slip stitch unless otherwise specified by the pattern.
  • For best results, assemble parts in order as directed.
  • Weave in attachment ends at very end of project in case piece require repositioning.
  • Ch-2 at beginning of row counts as dc.
  • Rounds labeled “Short Rnd” are worked back and forth and will end before the round is complete, leaving stitches deliberately unworked to be worked in later rounds as instructed. This will create the curve of the tail.
  • On pieces containing short rounds, stuff firmly to blend texture of stitches.

Pattern Stitches

  • Bobble-st – Bobble stitch: [Yo, insert hook into st, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook] 5 times in same st, yo, pull through all 6 loops on hook.
  • Surface sl st – Surface slip stitch: With loop on hook, insert hook around post or between stitches of finished work, pull up a loop, pull through loop on hook.
  • Surface sc – Surface single crochet: With loop on hook, insert hook around post or between stitches of finished work, pull up a loop, yo, pull through both loops on hook.
  • Surface hdc – Surface half double crochet: With loop on hook, yarn over, insert hook around post or between stitches of finished work, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all three loops on hook.
  • Back stitch: Working in a line, insert needle through first st, bring up through next st, insert back through first st. Repeat.
  • Fringe Threading: Fold strand in half, use hook to pull loop end through stitch, wrap both loose ends over hook and pull through loop. Pull tight.

Instructions

Thank you for sticking around and reading my patterns right here on the blog, without copy/pasting. When you stay here to follow patterns, I am compensated for my time and energy. This is a great, free way to support a designer. If you would like to save this for later, press CTRL + D to bookmark the page or click the heart/star on your mobile browser.

Cupcake

With SAN, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 8 sc in second ch from hook. (8)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (16)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 8 times. (24)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 8 times. (32)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 8 times. (40)

Rnd 6: Ch 2 (see Pattern Notes), working in BLO, dc 39, sl st in top of ch-2 to join. (40)

Rnd 7: Ch 2, fpdc, [dc, fpdc] 19 times, sl st in top of ch-2 to join. (40)

Rnds 8-11: Repeat Rnd 7 four times.

Rnd 12: Ch 2, fpdc, dc, fpdc, 2 dc in next st, [fpdc, dc] twice, 2 fpdc around next post, *[dc, fpdc] twice, 2 dc in next st, [fpdc, dc] twice, 2 fpdc around next post, repeat from * twice, sl st in top of ch-2 to join. (48)

Rnd 13: Change to PNK. Ch 1, sc in same st, 2 sc, inc, [3 sc, inc] 11 times, do NOT sl st to join, work in continuous rounds for rest of cupcake. (60)

Rnds 14-16: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 17: [8 sc, dec] 6 times. (54)

Rnd 18: [7 sc, dec] 6 times. (48)

Rnd 19: [6 sc, dec] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 20: [5 sc, dec] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 21: Working in FLO, [2 sc, inc] 12 times. (48)

Rnds 22-24: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 25: [6 sc, dec] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 26: [5 sc, dec] 6 times. (36)

Stuff bottom of cupcake.

Rnd 27: [4 sc, dec] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 28: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 29: [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)

Finish stuffing. Be sure to stuff decrease (rounded) sections of cupcake firmly for best shape.

Rnd 30: [Sc, dec] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 31: Dec 6 times. (6)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends.

Sprinkles

With scraps of LETT, BOYS, and MALL using a tapestry needles, sew random two-stitch long “sprinkles” on the cupcake. Weave in all ends.

Dragon Head

With JAD, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 4 sc in second ch from hook. (4)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (8)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 4 times. (12)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 4 times. (16)

Rnd 5: Bobble-st (see Pattern Stitches), 4 sc, bobble-st, 10 sc. (16)

Rnds 6-7: Sc evenly around.

Push bobbles inward to create nostrils.

Rnd 8: [2 sc, dec] 4 times. (12)

Rnds 9-10: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 11: [3 sc, inc] 3 times. (15)

Rnd 12: [4 sc, inc] 3 times. (18)

Rnd 13: [5 sc, inc] 3 times. (21)

Rnd 14: [6 sc, inc] 3 times. (24)

Rnd 15: [7 sc, inc] 3 times. (27)

Rnd 16: [8 sc, inc] 3 times. (30)

Rnds 17-20: Sc evenly around.

Stuff snout.

Rnd 21: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 22: [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 23: [Sc, dec] 6 times. (12)

Finish stuffing head.

Rnd 24: Dec 6 times. (6)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Leave long tail for sewing.

Nostril Flairs

With JAD, surface sl st (see Pattern Stitches) in stitch on outside of nostril on Rnd 5, surface sc (see Pattern Stitches), 3 surface hdc (see Pattern Stitches) around upper edge of nostril, surface sl st in Rnd 5 on other side of nostril. 

Repeat on other nostril.

Weave in ends.

Sleepy Eyes

With BLK, using a tapestry needle, sew an arch from Rnd 13 to Rnd 18, with the highest point of the arch only one stitch higher than the end points. Arch should be in line with nostril.

Repeat on other side.

Weave in ends.

Eyebrows

(Make 2)

With JAD, ch 7.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, 6 sc. (6)

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Sewing through the starting chain, sew eyebrow in line with eye arch, one stitch above eye and in like with the back edge of the eye. The eyebrow should not cover across the whole eye. 

Horns

(Make 2)

With ARAN, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 4 sc in second ch from hook. (4)

Rnd 2: [Sc, inc] twice. (6)

Rnds 3-5: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 6: [2 sc, inc] twice. (8)

Rnds 7-9: Sc evenly around.

Stuff.

Bind of leaving long tail for sewing.

Pin two 2 x 2 squares on head, between Rnds 19 and 21, 2 sts apart, evenly spaced between eyebrows. Using pins as a guide, sew horns to head.

All head assembly is easier with the photos provided in the Premium Pattern. You can get that here.

Dragon Body

With JAD, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnds 2: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 3: [2 Sc, inc] twice. (8)

Rnds 4-5: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 6: [3 sc, inc] twice, turn. (10)

Rnd 7: (WS)(Short Rnd) (See Pattern Notes) Do not chain, 5 sc, leave remaining 5 sts unworked, turn. (5)

Rnd 8: (RS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 5 sc. (5)

Rnd 9: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnd, 10 sc. (10)

For more help with this pattern, a Premium Pattern is also available.

Rnd 10: [4 sc, inc] twice. (12)

Rnd 11: Sc evenly around, turn.

Rnd 12: (WS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 6 sc, leave remaining 6 sts unworked, turn. (6)

Rnd 13: (RS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 6 sc. (6)

Rnd 14: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnd, 12 sc. (12)

Rnd 15: [5 sc, inc] twice. (14)

Rnd 16: Sc evenly around, turn.

Rnd 17: (WS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 7 sc, leave remaining 7 sts unworked, turn. (7)

Rnd 18: (RS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 7 sc. (7)

Rnd 19: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnd, 14 sc. (14)

Rnd 20: [6 sc, inc] twice. (16)

Rnd 21: Sc evenly around, turn.

Rnd 22: (WS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 8 sc, leave remaining 8 sts unworked, turn. (8)

Rnd 23: (RS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 8 sc. (8)

Rnd 24: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnd, 16 sc. (16)

Rnd 25: [7 sc, inc] twice. (18)

Rnd 26: Sc evenly around, turn.

Rnd 27: (WS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 9 sc, leave remaining 9 sts unworked, turn. (9)

Rnd 28: (RS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 9 sc. (9)

Rnd 29: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnd, 18 sc. (18)

Rnd 30: [8 sc, inc] twice. (20)

Rnd 31: Sc evenly around, turn.

Rnd 32: (WS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 10 sc, leave remaining 10 sts unworked, turn. (10)

Rnd 33: (RS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 10 sc. (10)

Rnd 34: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnd, 20 sc. (20)

Rnd 35: [9 sc, inc] twice. (22)

Rnd 36: Sc evenly around, turn.

Rnd 37: (WS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 11 sc, leave remaining 11 sts unworked, turn. (11)

Rnd 38: (RS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 11 sc. (11)

Rnd 39: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnd, 22 sc. (22)

Rnd 40: [10 sc, inc] twice. (24)

Rnd 41: Sc evenly around, turn.

Start stuffing.

Rnd 42: (WS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 12 sc, leave remaining 12 sts unworked, turn. (12)

Rnd 43: (RS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 12 sc. (12)

Rnd 44: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnd, 24 sc. (24)

Rnd 45: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 46: Sc evenly around, turn.

Rnds 47-56: Repeat Rnds 42-46 twice.

Rnd 57: (WS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 12 sc, leave remaining 12 sts unworked, turn. (12)

Rnd 58: (RS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 12 sc. (12)

Rnd 59: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnd, 24 sc. (24)

Rnd 60: [4 sc, dec] 4 times. (20)

Rnd 61: Sc evenly around, turn.

Rnd 62: (WS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 10 sc, leave remaining 10 sts unworked, turn. (10)

Rnd 63: (RS)(Short Rnd) Do not chain, 10 sc. (10)

Rnd 64: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnd, 20 sc. (20)

Rnd 65: [8 sc, dec] twice. (18)

Stuff.

Rnd 66: [Sc, dec] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 67: Dec 6 times. (6)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends.

Body will be curved around and twist. This is normal! You want it to wrap around a cupcake, after all.  

Mark Rnd 66 with several pins. Hold head against neck, aligned so the center st of the last rnd of the head are touching the top of Rnd 66, straight out from neck (follow curve), and the tip of the nose lines up with the tip of the tail.

Mark where head and neck touch at Rnd 66. Use pins as a guide to sew head to neck.

Tip: Do not cut sewing tail, you can use it to attach the head to the cupcake later!

Dragon will look like a ‘C’ with a twist caused by pointing the dragon’s nose at his tail.

Hind Legs

(Make 2)

With JAD, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnds 5-7: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 8: Bobble-st, sc, bobble-st, sc, bobble-st, sl st, leave remaining sts unworked. (3 bobbles, 2 sc)

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Set aside.

Front Legs

(Make 2)

With JAD, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnds 4-6: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 7: Bobble-st, sc, bobble-st, sc, bobble-st, sl st, leave remaining sts unworked. (3 bobbles, 2 sc)

Bind off leaving lot tail for sewing.

Set aside.

Back Ridges

With JAD, ch 74.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, hdc, 2 dc in next st, hdc, sc, sl st, [sc, hdc, 2 dc in next st, hdc, sc, sl st] 11 times. (12 ridges)

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Ridges will curve.

Set aside.

Candle

With WHT, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnds 2-17: Sc evenly around.

Stuff gently.

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends.

With BOYS, using a tapestry needle, back stitch (see Pattern Stitches)  around candle from one end to the other, following the natural spiral of the stitches.

Flame

Cut 6 3-inch strands of DAFF and 1 3-inch strand of MANG.

Using a fringe threading technique (see Pattern Notes), thread the strand of MANG through the center of the starting end of the candle.

Using same technique, thread the DAFF strands around the 6 sts of Rnd 1. 

Brush the strands with a slicker brush or hairbrush. Bend to one side and use scissors to shape into a flame.

Assembly

These steps are much easier with the Premium Pattern, full of photos for each of these steps.

  • Position body on cupcake so that last several rows of the tail are along the ground, the body swoops up the side, and the largest part of the dragon’s head rests on top of the cupcake. Using remaining tail from head attachment, sew a few stitches attaching the bottom of the dragon’s head to the center of the cupcake.

Note: Cupcake and dragon will not stand on their own until you add the far side Hind Leg, so don’t panic when he falls over.

  • Use some scrap JAD to sew a few stitches attaching the end of the tail to the bottom rnd of dc on the cupcake wrapper.
  • Optional: Use some scrap JAD to sew a few stitches attaching the body to the cupcake in a few places where they touch. This is not necessary, but helpful if this will be gifted to a child.
  • Mark a 6 x 6 square on the front of the body between Rnds 25 and 31. Position Hind Leg so toes touch the cupcake. Mark where leg touches the pins and use the pins as a guide to attach the leg. Stuff leg before completing attachment. Repeat with other Hind Leg on other side of body, toes still touching the cupcake, also between Rnds 25 and 31.
  • Hold Front Leg to body between Rnds 36 and 40 (5 rnds from Hind Legs), toes touching the cupcake, and mark where the leg touches the body with pins. Use the pins as a guide to attach the leg. Stuff leg before completing attachment. Repeat with other Front Leg on other side of body, toes still touching the cupcake, also between Rnds 36 and 40.
  • Pin Back Ridges on to body from neck/head attachment to tip of tail. Ridges should run down the centerline of the back and around to the front of the tail so they are parallel to the ground at the tip of the tail.
  • Use scraps of WHT to sew the center of the candle at a slight angle to the bottom of the dragon’s snout with the flame facing up.

Weave in all attachment ends when parts are positioned as desired.

Small dragon and cupcake amigurumi free crochet pattern from Hooked by Kati

All finished? Share your artwork by posting a picture in the Gallery!!

Post comments and pictures on social media with the hashtag #hookedbykati, or tag me @hookedbykati. You can also post pictures on the Facebook Page, or in the Hooked by Kati Crochet Community Facebook Group.

You may sell products made by this pattern, but please link back to hookedbykati.com or credit Hooked by Kati on the craft fair tag. Do not copy this pattern for distribution or sale; that’s not nice and also illegal.

If you run into a snag, drop me a line! I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.

Find more free patterns like this at allfreecrochet.com.

Here’s a few more FREE crochet patterns you might like:

VINCENT THE DRAGON

CHARLIE THE CELESTIAL DRAGON

BASKET DRAGON

HATCHING DRAGON EGG

Yarn on, 

Kati

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5 Comments

  1. This dragon is adorable. I knit more than I crochet, but I definitely want to make this little guy. The fact that you published him on my birthday makes it seem fated.

    Thank you for your generosity in providing free patterns and making them available on Ravelry as well!

  2. Hi! I really dont know How to knit but I just love Wonder the birthday dragón. Do you make it for sale? I would love to give it to my daughter, its beautiful.

    1. Hi Gilda!
      I don’t take orders for finished items anymore, but I have a directory of talented crochet artists who are my Preferred Sellers for items made from my patterns. I know there is at least one person who does Wonder the Birthday Dragon as a custom order. Contact one of the people in the directory to work with them on your custom project. Thank you!
      https://www.hookedbykati.com/hooked-by-kati-makers/

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