This sweet knitted dragon is designed with a rounded green head, small soft horns, tiny wings, a plump body, blue strawberry-print top and shorts, matching red shoes, a blue beret, a strawberry purse, and two tiny strawberries. It is a charming handmade toy for knit gift ideas, nursery decor, collectible soft toys, and boutique-style handmade plush lovers. If you enjoy searching for knitted dragon doll patterns, animal softie patterns, heirloom toy knitting, or cute handmade gift projects, this design is made to capture that cozy, premium look in a fully detailed way.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Finished Size
The finished dragon measures about 13 to 14 inches tall seated, not including the horns.
From the top horn to the bottom of the shoes, the full height is about 15 inches.
The beret is sized to sit beside the dragon as a separate accessory, not tightly worn on the head in the display version.
Design Notes
This pattern is written to match the image as closely as possible.
The dragon has a large rounded head, smaller body, slim arms, straight legs, tiny muzzle shaping, and soft knitted wings with light inner panels and dark green frame lines.
The outfit is made in separate pieces for the cleanest result.
The blue top and shorts are decorated with multiple small knitted strawberries sewn on afterward.
The cream trim at the neck, hem, sleeve cuffs, and shorts cuffs is essential to the look, so do not skip it.
The shoes are red with rounded fronts and visible green toes peeking above the red edging.
The tail is long, lightly stuffed, and finished with dark green spikes and a strawberry motif near the base.
Materials
- Main dragon color: soft sage green DK yarn
- Horn and spike color: dark teal-green DK yarn
- Wing inner membrane: light beige or oatmeal DK yarn
- Top, shorts, beret: medium cornflower blue DK yarn
- Trim color: cream DK yarn
- Shoes and purse: bright strawberry red DK yarn
- Strawberry tops and leaves: medium leaf green DK yarn
- Seed embroidery: white embroidery floss or fine white yarn
- Face embroidery: black yarn for nostrils if desired
- Eyes: 8 mm to 10 mm black safety eyes or glossy black beads
- Needles: US 2 to US 3 double-pointed needles or preferred method for small circumference knitting
- Optional: circular needles for magic loop
- Stuffing: firm polyester fiberfill
- Assembly: tapestry needle, stitch markers, scrap yarn holders, small scissors
Gauge
Gauge is not critical if your fabric is firm and stuffing does not show through.
A good target is about 28 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches in stockinette using your main DK yarn.
Knit tightly for the clean toy finish seen in the image.
Abbreviations
- CO = cast on
- BO = bind off
- k = knit
- p = purl
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd = round
- rep = repeat
- inc = increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back
- kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
- m1 = make 1 increase
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- k2tog = knit 2 together
- p2tog = purl 2 together
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- sl = slip
Construction Overview
- Knit the legs and body.
- Knit the head separately and shape the muzzle by light surface detailing.
- Knit arms, ears, horns, spikes, wings, tail, shoes, top, shorts, beret, purse, and tiny strawberries.
- Make and sew the strawberry appliqués.
- Assemble carefully so the dragon sits with the same relaxed proportions as the image.
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Legs (Make 2)
Use sage green.
Each leg is long, slim, and lightly tapered, with enough width at the top to join smoothly into the body.
Stuff firmly from the foot opening upward as you work, or stuff after knitting if you prefer.
- CO 12 sts. Divide evenly across needles and join to work in the round.
- Rnd 1: knit.
- Rnd 2: kfb in each stitch. 24 sts.
- Rnd 3 to 8: knit.
- Rnd 9: k4, k2tog, k8, ssk, k8. 22 sts.
- Rnd 10 to 14: knit.
- Rnd 15: k4, k2tog, k7, ssk, k7. 20 sts.
- Rnd 16 to 34: knit.
- Rnd 35: k3, k2tog, k5, ssk, k8. 18 sts.
- Rnd 36 to 42: knit.
- Rnd 43: k2, k2tog, k4, ssk, k8. 16 sts.
- Rnd 44 to 52: knit.
Break yarn on first leg and place stitches on hold.
Complete second leg the same way but do not break yarn.
Body
The body is smaller than the head and softly rounded, with a gentle belly.
Join the legs so the dragon can sit naturally with a slight spread.
- Using the live stitches of second leg, knit across 16 sts.
- CO 4 sts for center bridge.
- Knit across 16 sts of first leg.
- CO 4 sts for back bridge. 40 sts total.
- Rnd 1: knit around, placing markers at each bridge if helpful.
- Rnd 2: k16, m1, k4, m1, k16, m1, k4, m1. 44 sts.
- Rnd 3 to 8: knit.
- Rnd 9: k10, m1, k12, m1, k10, m1, k12, m1. 48 sts.
- Rnd 10 to 18: knit.
- Rnd 19: k10, k2tog, k12, ssk, k10, k2tog, k12, ssk. 44 sts.
- Rnd 20 to 24: knit.
- Rnd 25: k9, k2tog, k11, ssk, k9, k2tog, k11, ssk. 40 sts.
- Rnd 26 to 30: knit.
- Rnd 31: k8, k2tog, k10, ssk, k8, k2tog, k10, ssk. 36 sts.
- Rnd 32 to 36: knit.
- Rnd 37: k7, k2tog, k9, ssk, k7, k2tog, k9, ssk. 32 sts.
- Rnd 38 to 42: knit.
Stuff the body firmly, but do not overstuff the upper edge.
Leave a small flatness across the upper chest so the head sits forward in the same gentle angle as the image.
Cut yarn, leaving a tail for sewing if you prefer to attach head later to this opening, or place stitches on hold if joining live to head base adaptation is desired. For the cleanest shaping, a sewn attachment works best.
Head
Use sage green.
The head is the most important feature in this design.
It should be significantly larger than the body, nearly spherical, but slightly wider across the cheeks with a soft narrowing toward the snout.
- CO 12 sts. Divide and join.
- Rnd 1: knit.
- Rnd 2: kfb in each stitch. 24 sts.
- Rnd 3: knit.
- Rnd 4: k1, kfb around. 36 sts.
- Rnd 5: knit.
- Rnd 6: k2, kfb around. 48 sts.
- Rnd 7: knit.
- Rnd 8: k3, kfb around. 60 sts.
- Rnd 9 to 20: knit.
- Rnd 21: k8, m1 around 6 times evenly spaced. 66 sts.
- Rnd 22 to 28: knit.
- Insert eyes between rnds 17 and 18, spaced about 12 to 14 sts apart.
- Rnd 29: k9, k2tog around. 60 sts.
- Rnd 30: knit.
- Rnd 31: k8, k2tog around. 54 sts.
- Rnd 32: knit.
- Rnd 33: k7, k2tog around. 48 sts.
- Rnd 34: knit.
- Rnd 35: k6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
- Rnd 36: knit.
- Begin stuffing very firmly, shaping cheeks and forehead smoothly.
- Rnd 37: k5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
- Rnd 38: knit.
- Rnd 39: k4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
- Rnd 40: k3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
- Rnd 41: k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
- Rnd 42: k1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
- Thread yarn through remaining stitches and close tightly.
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Use matching yarn to make very light sculpting stitches from the underside of the head toward the snout tip to create the subtle muzzle seen in the image.
Do not over-sculpt. The face should remain soft and rounded.
Snout Nubs and Nostrils
The dragon has two tiny raised nostril points at the front of the muzzle.
These are small and understated.
- Using sage green, make 2 tiny knots or micro bobble nubs.
- Each nub can be formed by wrapping yarn several times through one point and pulling gently into a neat bump.
- Sew the two nubs near the tip of the snout, side by side.
- If needed, add one tiny straight stitch below each nub in darker thread for nostril definition.
Arms (Make 2)
Use sage green.
The arms are slim tubes with soft rounded ends and no distinct fingers.
- CO 10 sts and join.
- Rnd 1: kfb in each stitch. 20 sts.
- Rnd 2 to 5: knit.
- Rnd 6: k4, k2tog, k8, ssk, k4. 18 sts.
- Rnd 7 to 12: knit.
- Rnd 13: k3, k2tog, k8, ssk, k3. 16 sts.
- Rnd 14 to 30: knit.
Stuff lightly, flatter than the legs.
Gather the top opening and close for sewing.
Ears (Make 2)
Use sage green.
The ears are medium-sized, slightly pointed, and softly folded.
- CO 3 sts.
- Row 1: k.
- Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
- Row 3: p.
- Row 4: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1, m1, k1. 8 sts.
- Row 5: p.
- Row 6: k1, m1, knit to last 1 st, m1, k1. 10 sts.
- Row 7: p.
- Row 8: k.
- Row 9: p.
- Row 10: ssk, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 8 sts.
- Row 11: p.
- Row 12: ssk, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 6 sts.
- Row 13: p.
- Row 14: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
- Row 15: p.
- Row 16: k2tog twice. 2 sts.
Fasten off.
Sew side edges together lightly at the base to cup the ear.
Horns and Head Spikes
Use dark teal-green.
The dragon has a row of short triangular horns running from forehead to upper back of head.
The front horn is the largest and longest, with the others decreasing slightly.
Make 4 pieces total.
Large Front Horn (Make 1)
- CO 12 sts and join.
- Rnd 1 to 3: knit.
- Rnd 4: k2tog around. 6 sts.
- Rnd 5 to 7: knit.
- Rnd 8: k2tog around. 3 sts.
- Thread yarn through remaining stitches and close.
Stuff very lightly so the horn stays tapered, not fat.
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Medium Horns (Make 2)
- CO 10 sts and join.
- Rnd 1 to 2: knit.
- Rnd 3: k2tog around. 5 sts.
- Rnd 4 to 5: knit.
- Rnd 6: k2tog twice, k1. 3 sts.
- Close top.
Small Rear Horn (Make 1)
- CO 8 sts and join.
- Rnd 1 to 2: knit.
- Rnd 3: k2tog around. 4 sts.
- Rnd 4: knit.
- Rnd 5: k2tog twice. 2 sts.
- Close top.
Wings (Make 2)
The wings are small and delicate compared to the head.
Each wing has a green outer structure and a pale inner panel.
You may knit the panel first and couch the frame lines on top, or knit the frame separately and sew it along the edges.
The following method gives a close visual match.
Wing Panel (Make 2)
Use light beige.
- CO 3 sts.
- Row 1: k.
- Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
- Row 3: p.
- Row 4: k1, m1, knit to last 1 st, m1, k1. 7 sts.
- Row 5: p.
- Row 6: k1, m1, knit to last 1 st, m1, k1. 9 sts.
- Row 7: p.
- Row 8: k1, m1, knit to last 1 st, m1, k1. 11 sts.
- Row 9: p.
- Row 10: k1, m1, knit to last 1 st, m1, k1. 13 sts.
- Row 11: p.
- Row 12: k.
- Row 13: p.
- Row 14: ssk, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 11 sts.
- Row 15: p.
- Row 16: ssk, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 9 sts.
- Row 17: p.
- Row 18: ssk, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 7 sts.
- Row 19: p.
- Row 20: ssk, k3, k2tog. 5 sts.
- Row 21: p.
- Row 22: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
- Row 23: p.
- Row 24: k3tog.
Wing Frame
Use dark green or the same sage green if you want a softer look.
- Embroider one outer edge line from base to tip.
- Embroider a second outer line along the lower edge.
- Add two inner radiating support lines from the base to the outer curve.
- Sew a lightly padded knitted cord along the top edge if you want more structure.
Sew wings flat against the back, angled slightly outward and low enough that they appear to emerge from the shoulder blades.
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Tail
Use sage green for tail and dark teal-green for tail spikes.
The tail is medium length, slightly curved, and rests along the side on the table in the image.
- CO 8 sts and join.
- Rnd 1 to 6: knit.
- Rnd 7: k1, m1 around. 12 sts.
- Rnd 8 to 24: knit.
- Rnd 25: k4, k2tog, k4, ssk. 10 sts.
- Rnd 26 to 34: knit.
Stuff lightly so the tail bends naturally.
Close the top opening flat for sewing to the lower back.
Make 3 tiny spikes in dark teal-green using the small horn method with 6 sts, and sew them along the tail tip area.
Near the tail base, sew one small strawberry appliqué matching the shorts decoration.
Red Shoes (Make 2)
The red shoes are separate pieces fitted over the green feet.
The visible green toe bumps are important.
Leave the top edge open enough to show the green foot and cream shorts cuff above.
- Use red. CO 12 sts and join.
- Rnd 1: kfb in each stitch. 24 sts.
- Rnd 2 to 4: knit.
- Rnd 5: k8, kfb 8 times, k8. 32 sts.
- Rnd 6 to 8: knit.
- Rnd 9: k8, k2tog 8 times, k8. 24 sts.
- Rnd 10: purl.
- Rnd 11 to 13: knit.
- BO loosely.
Shape over the foot and tack in place underneath and at the heel only.
To create the visible green toe sections, embroider or lightly pull the red front edge downward between three rounded toe divisions.
Blue Top
Use cream for rib sections and blue for main body.
The top is short, boxy, and slightly loose, ending at the waist with a cream ribbed hem.
It has cream neck trim and cream sleeve cuffs.
The sleeves are short and straight.
Body of Top
- With cream, CO 44 sts.
- Rows 1 to 5: k1, p1 rib.
- Change to blue.
- Rows 6 to 22: work in stockinette.
- Divide for front and back if knitting flat, or continue tube and shape shoulders later.
For a simple flat method, make front and back separately after the hem.
Back
- Work 22 sts of body.
- Rows 1 to 12: stockinette.
- Bind off center 8 sts for neck.
- Work each shoulder separately for 2 more rows.
- BO shoulders.
Front
- Work remaining 22 sts.
- Rows 1 to 10: stockinette.
- Bind off center 6 sts for neck.
- At neck edge, decrease 1 st every RS row twice.
- Work to match back shoulder height and BO.
Sleeves (Make 2)
- With cream, CO 18 sts.
- Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
- Change to blue.
- Rows 5 to 12: stockinette.
- BO.
Sew shoulder seams, then sleeve seams, then side seams.
Pick up neck stitches with cream and work 4 rounds of k1, p1 rib. BO loosely.
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Shorts
The shorts sit high on the waist and match the blue top exactly.
They have cream cuffs and are shaped as a soft bloomer-short.
- With cream, CO 14 sts for first leg and 14 sts for second leg. Join each separately and work 4 rnds of k1, p1 rib.
- Change to blue and work 8 rnds knit on each leg.
- Join legs with 4 sts between front and back. 36 sts.
- Rnd 1 to 6: knit.
- Rnd 7: purl ridge optional for fold line.
- Rnd 8 to 10: knit.
- Rnd 11 to 14: k1, p1 rib for waistband.
- BO loosely.
Sew or tack shorts at waist and seat so they fit close to the body.
The shorts in the image are neat and smooth, not oversized.
Strawberry Appliqués
The image shows multiple red strawberries across the top, shorts, beret, purse, and one near the tail.
Each strawberry is a separate small piece with green leafy cap and white seeds.
Make as many as desired to match the image.
A good total is 10 medium appliqués plus 2 tiny loose strawberries.
Medium Strawberry (Make about 10)
Use red.
- CO 2 sts.
- Row 1: k.
- Row 2: kfb twice. 4 sts.
- Row 3: p.
- Row 4: k1, m1, k2, m1, k1. 6 sts.
- Row 5: p.
- Row 6: k1, m1, knit to last 1 st, m1, k1. 8 sts.
- Row 7: p.
- Row 8: knit.
- Row 9: p.
- Row 10: ssk, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 6 sts.
- Row 11: p.
- Row 12: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
- Row 13: p.
- Row 14: k2tog twice. 2 sts.
Fasten off and shape into a plump teardrop.
Green Leaf Cap for Medium Strawberry
- Embroider a 5-point leafy star at the top with green yarn.
- Or knit a tiny flat star by making 5 chain-like detached stitches radiating from center if you prefer decorative finishing.
Embroider white seeds with tiny straight stitches.
Tiny Loose Strawberries (Make 2)
- CO 6 sts and join.
- Rnd 1: knit.
- Rnd 2: k1, m1 around. 9 sts.
- Rnd 3 to 4: knit.
- Rnd 5: k1, k2tog around. 6 sts.
- Stuff lightly.
- Rnd 6: k2tog around to close.
Add green top and white seeds.
Placement of Strawberry Appliqués
- Top: place 5 strawberries across the front, including one central lower strawberry and smaller ones near the chest and sleeves.
- Shorts: place 3 front strawberries, spaced evenly.
- Beret: place 3 strawberries grouped across the upper surface.
- Purse: the entire purse is a strawberry shape, so no extra appliqué is needed beyond seeds and green top.
- Tail base: place 1 small strawberry near the side.
Beret
Use blue.
The beret is soft, rounded, and slightly flattened, with a neat edge and decorative strawberry motifs.
- CO 8 sts and join.
- Rnd 1: kfb in each stitch. 16 sts.
- Rnd 2: knit.
- Rnd 3: k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
- Rnd 4: knit.
- Rnd 5: k2, kfb around. 32 sts.
- Rnd 6: knit.
- Rnd 7: k3, kfb around. 40 sts.
- Rnd 8: knit.
- Rnd 9: k4, kfb around. 48 sts.
- Rnd 10 to 18: knit.
- Rnd 19: k4, k2tog around. 40 sts.
- Rnd 20: knit.
- Rnd 21: k3, k2tog around. 32 sts.
- Rnd 22: knit.
- Rnd 23: k2, k2tog around. 24 sts.
- Rnd 24 to 26: knit.
- BO loosely.
Flatten gently and sew three medium strawberry appliqués on the top.
The hat in the image is shown beside the dragon, so you may leave it as a display accessory.
Strawberry Purse
This is a separate red purse shaped like a large strawberry with a narrow red strap.
The purse hangs beside the hat in the image.
Front and Back Purse Pieces (Make 2)
- With red, CO 3 sts.
- Row 1: k.
- Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
- Row 3: p.
- Row 4: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1, m1, k1. 8 sts.
- Row 5: p.
- Row 6: k1, m1, knit to last 1 st, m1, k1. 10 sts.
- Row 7: p.
- Row 8: k1, m1, knit to last 1 st, m1, k1. 12 sts.
- Row 9: p.
- Row 10: knit.
- Row 11: p.
- Row 12: ssk, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 10 sts.
- Row 13: p.
- Row 14: ssk, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 8 sts.
- Row 15: p.
- Row 16: ssk, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 6 sts.
- Row 17: p.
- Row 18: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
- Row 19: p.
- Row 20: k2tog twice. 2 sts.
Sew front and back together around sides, leaving top open or lightly stitched.
Purse Leaf Top
- Using green, embroider a wide 5-lobed leaf cap across the top edge.
Purse Strap
- Use red and knit an i-cord 18 to 22 inches long, depending on desired drape.
- Sew each end to upper sides of purse.
Embroider white seeds over the red purse front.
Detailed Outfit Fitting Notes
The outfit in the image is tidy and close-fitting, not oversized.
The blue top should sit just over the waistband of the shorts.
The cream hem of the shirt must remain visible.
The shorts should reach mid-thigh and stop well above the shoes.
The sleeves are short enough that most of each arm is visible.
The shoes should cover only the foot area and not rise too far up the ankle.
Detailed Assembly Order
- Sew the head to the body with the face angled slightly downward and forward.
- Attach ears high on the sides of the head.
- Sew horns and head spikes in a centered row from forehead backward.
- Attach arms high on the body just below the neck.
- Sew tail to lower back, slightly to one side so it rests naturally.
- Attach wings flat to the back behind the arms.
- Dress dragon in shorts first, then top, then shoes.
- Sew strawberry appliqués in their exact visible locations.
- Arrange beret, purse, and tiny strawberries as separate accessories.
Exact Proportion Notes for Image Accuracy
- Head: noticeably larger than torso
- Body: compact and seated
- Legs: long compared to body depth
- Arms: slightly shorter than legs and softly tapered
- Wings: small and decorative, not oversized
- Horns: short, soft triangles with the front one longest
- Beret: broad and rounded, separate from head
- Purse: true strawberry silhouette with long strap
Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
Check the face first before sewing everything permanently.
Both eyes should sit low enough to keep the dragon sweet and gentle, with a wide, calm expression.
Shape the muzzle only slightly.
The ears should angle outward, and the horns should follow a centered line.
When attaching the head, tilt it a little to one side for the same relaxed personality shown in the image.
Care Notes
Spot clean whenever possible.
If washing is needed, hand wash gently in cool water with mild soap.
Press excess water out in a towel and reshape before drying flat.
Do not hang the dragon while wet, because the head and accessories may stretch out of shape.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Head larger than body
- Four head spikes attached
- Two cupped ears in place
- Small beige wings secured on back
- Blue top and shorts both trimmed in cream
- Strawberry appliqués evenly placed
- Red shoes fitted with green toes visible
- Blue beret completed
- Red strawberry purse completed
- Two tiny loose strawberries made
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Store the finished dragon away from direct sunlight to protect the blue, red, and green shades.
Keep accessories in a small fabric bag when not displayed.
If the wings or beret flatten, reshape gently by hand.
For long-term display, place the toy in a dry, clean area and avoid sharp pressure on the horns, snout, and strawberry decorations.
