Knitting Tutorial: Pink Dragon in Floral Cardigan – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet knitted pink dragon is styled as a garden doll with a rounded blush-pink head, tiny white horns, soft ears, a floral crest, white wings, a cream embroidered cardigan, a pale blue dress, pink strapped sandals, and a tiny heart crossbody purse. The scene is completed with a cream garden hat, a small berry basket, and a red strawberry, all designed to match the charming handmade look in the image.

 

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written in US English knitting terms. The dragon is worked mostly in the round for a smooth amigurumi-style finish, with a few small flat pieces for the cardigan fronts, wings, purse details, leaves, flowers, hat brim, and sandal straps.

The finished dragon sits at about 11 inches tall from the bottom of the sandals to the top of the head crest when made with DK-weight yarn and the suggested needle size. The head is intentionally oversized, the body is small and softly tapered, the legs are long and dangling, and the clothing is fitted closely so the doll looks like the one shown in the photo.

The pink dragon has a round face with black safety eyes, embroidered lashes, soft eyebrows, pink cheek marks, tiny side ears, two white horns, a pink center crest, and a small rose cluster near one horn. The cardigan is cream with short sleeves and embroidered floral vines. The blue dress flares slightly below the cardigan, and the pink heart purse hangs diagonally across the body.

Skill Level

Advanced beginner to intermediate. The knitting uses basic increases and decreases, small circular knitting, seaming, picking up stitches, simple embroidery, and careful assembly. Beginners can complete it by working slowly and checking stitch counts at the end of each round.

Finished Size

• Dragon height: about 11 inches seated, including head crest.
• Head width: about 3.75 inches across the cheeks.
• Body height: about 4 inches from neck to skirt hem.
• Leg length: about 3.25 inches from hip to sandal sole.
• Wingspan: about 4.5 inches from wing tip to wing tip.
• Hat width: about 4.25 inches across the brim.
• Basket height: about 1.75 inches, not including handle.

Materials

• DK-weight yarn in blush pink for the dragon head, arms, legs, ears, and hands.
• DK-weight yarn in pale blue for the dress.
• DK-weight yarn in cream for the cardigan, hat, sandal soles, and purse heart accent.
• DK-weight yarn in white for the wings and horns.
• DK-weight yarn in medium pink for sandals, purse, rose, crest, cheeks, and flower details.
• DK-weight yarn in tan for the basket.
• Small scraps of green for leaves and embroidered vines.
• Small scraps of red, purple, blue, lavender, and dark pink for berries.
• 3 mm double-pointed needles or circular needles for magic loop.
• 2.75 mm needles for small tight details, straps, and flowers.
• Pair of 9 mm black safety eyes or black beads.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Tapestry needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Black embroidery thread for eyebrows and lashes.
• Pink embroidery thread or yarn for cheek marks.
• Optional pipe cleaner or thin floral wire for the purse strap and basket handle, fully covered with yarn.

Gauge

Gauge for toy pieces: 26 stitches and 34 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch using 3 mm needles. Gauge does not need to be exact, but the fabric should be firm enough that stuffing does not show through.

If your stitches are loose, move down one needle size. If your fabric is very stiff and difficult to shape, move up one needle size. For the best toy finish, choose a firm gauge rather than a soft garment gauge.

Abbreviations

• BO: bind off.
• CO: cast on.
• Dec: decrease.
• DPNs: double-pointed needles.
• K: knit.
• K2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• KFB: knit into the front and back of the same stitch.
• P: purl.
• PM: place marker.
• Rem: remaining.
• Rep: repeat.
• Rnd: round.
• RS: right side.
• St or sts: stitch or stitches.
• WS: wrong side.
• SSK: slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together.

Important Construction Notes

Most dragon body parts are worked in the round from the center outward or from the lower edge upward. Stuff each piece gradually. The head should be firm and round, while the limbs should be lightly stuffed so they hang softly like the photo.

Leave long yarn tails on small pieces. Those tails are useful for sewing the horns, ears, crest, wings, flowers, purse, and shoe straps into place. Keep the seams neat and invisible by sewing through the edge stitches only.

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The cardigan is knitted separately and sewn onto the body like a tiny jacket. The dress is knitted as a fitted bodice with a flared skirt. The purse strap is sewn diagonally from the dragon’s left shoulder to the right hip.

Head

Use blush pink yarn and 3 mm needles. Work in the round. The head is a large rounded oval, slightly wider through the cheeks and gently narrowed at the bottom to create the soft dragon face shown in the image.

1. CO 8 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. PM at the beginning of the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 8 sts.
3. Rnd 2: KFB in every st around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: Rep K1, KFB around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: Rep K2, KFB around. 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: K all sts.
9. Rnd 8: Rep K3, KFB around. 40 sts.
10. Rnd 9: K all sts.
11. Rnd 10: Rep K4, KFB around. 48 sts.
12. Rnd 11: K all sts.
13. Rnd 12: Rep K5, KFB around. 56 sts.
14. Rnd 13: K all sts.
15. Rnd 14: Rep K6, KFB around. 64 sts.
16. Rnds 15-29: K all sts for 15 rounds. Keep the fabric smooth and even.
17. Rnd 30: K12, KFB, K38, KFB, K12. 66 sts. These two increases create fuller cheek curves.
18. Rnds 31-35: K all sts.
19. Rnd 36: K12, K2tog, K38, SSK, K12. 64 sts.
20. Rnd 37: K all sts.
21. Rnd 38: Rep K6, K2tog around. 56 sts.
22. Rnd 39: K all sts.
23. Rnd 40: Rep K5, K2tog around. 48 sts.
24. Pause here. Insert safety eyes between Rnds 27 and 28, about 13 sts apart. Place them slightly below the widest part of the head.
25. Start stuffing firmly. Shape the cheeks with your fingers as you stuff.
26. Rnd 41: Rep K4, K2tog around. 40 sts.
27. Rnd 42: Rep K3, K2tog around. 32 sts.
28. Rnd 43: Rep K2, K2tog around. 24 sts.
29. Rnd 44: Rep K1, K2tog around. 16 sts.
30. Rnd 45: K2tog around. 8 sts.
31. Cut yarn, thread through rem sts, pull closed, and weave in securely.

Face Shaping

To create the soft doll-like face, thread a long strand of blush pink yarn through the lower back of the head. Bring the needle out under one eye, go across to the other lower eye edge, then return to the starting point. Pull gently to indent the eyes. Do not pull too hard; the face should remain round and sweet.

Repeat the same shaping once more. Knot securely at the back lower head area where it will later be hidden by the body and cardigan collar.

Body

Use blush pink yarn for the hidden body base. The body is small, pear-shaped, and mostly covered by the blue dress and cream cardigan. Work in the round from the lower body upward.

1. CO 12 sts with blush pink. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: KFB in every st around. 24 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: Rep K3, KFB around. 30 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: Rep K4, KFB around. 36 sts.
8. Rnds 7-17: K all sts.
9. Rnd 18: Rep K4, K2tog around. 30 sts.
10. Rnds 19-23: K all sts.
11. Rnd 24: Rep K3, K2tog around. 24 sts.
12. Rnds 25-28: K all sts.
13. Stuff the body firmly at the lower half and moderately at the upper half.
14. Rnd 29: Rep K2, K2tog around. 18 sts.
15. Rnd 30: K all sts.
16. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for sewing the head.

Pale Blue Dress

The dress is worked separately and pulled onto the body before the cardigan is added. It has a slim upper section and a lightly flared skirt, matching the soft blue dress visible under the cream jacket.

Dress Bodice

1. With pale blue yarn and 3 mm needles, CO 32 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-3: K1, P1 rib around.
3. Rnds 4-10: K all sts.
4. Rnd 11: K6, K2tog, K16, SSK, K6. 30 sts.
5. Rnds 12-14: K all sts.
6. Rnd 15: K5, K2tog, K16, SSK, K5. 28 sts.
7. Rnd 16: K all sts.
8. BO loosely. This top edge should sit under the cardigan opening.

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Dress Skirt

Turn the bodice upside down. Pick up 32 sts along the lower cast-on edge using pale blue yarn.

1. Rnd 1: K all sts. 32 sts.
2. Rnd 2: Rep K3, KFB around. 40 sts.
3. Rnds 3-6: K all sts.
4. Rnd 7: Rep K4, KFB around. 48 sts.
5. Rnds 8-16: K all sts.
6. Rnd 17: P all sts to create a tiny turning ridge at the hem.
7. Rnds 18-20: K all sts.
8. BO loosely. Let the hem roll slightly outward for the soft skirt shape seen in the photo.

Slide the dress over the body. The skirt should flare gently and cover the lower body. Sew the upper back of the dress to the body with a few hidden stitches so it does not twist.

Legs

Make two. The legs are blush pink, long, narrow, and lightly stuffed. They hang below the blue skirt and end in rounded feet with cream soles and pink sandal straps.

1. With blush pink yarn, CO 10 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 10 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Rep K1, KFB around. 15 sts.
4. Rnds 3-18: K all sts.
5. Rnd 19: K12, KFB, K2. 16 sts.
6. Rnds 20-23: K all sts.
7. Begin foot shaping. Rnd 24: K4, KFB in next 6 sts, K6. 22 sts.
8. Rnds 25-28: K all sts.
9. Rnd 29: K4, K2tog 6 times, K6. 16 sts.
10. Rnd 30: Rep K2, K2tog around. 12 sts.
11. Stuff leg lightly and foot firmly.
12. Rnd 31: K2tog around. 6 sts.
13. Cut yarn, thread through rem sts, pull closed, and weave in.

Sew the top of each leg to the lower front of the body, about 6 sts apart. Angle the legs downward so they dangle naturally from under the skirt.

Arms

Make two. The arms are blush pink hands with cream cardigan sleeves placed over the upper arm area. Knit the pink arm first, then add a short cream sleeve separately.

Pink Arm Base

1. With blush pink yarn, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 8 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Rep K1, KFB around. 12 sts.
4. Rnds 3-7: K all sts to make the rounded hand.
5. Rnd 8: Rep K1, K2tog around. 8 sts.
6. Rnds 9-20: K all sts.
7. Stuff the hand lightly. Leave the upper arm almost flat.
8. BO all sts, leaving a sewing tail.

Cream Sleeve Cuff

1. With cream yarn, CO 14 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-2: K1, P1 rib around.
3. Rnds 3-9: K all sts.
4. BO loosely.

Slide one cream sleeve over each arm so the pink hand shows at the end. Sew the sleeve top to the arm with small stitches. Later, sew the finished arms to the sides of the body after the cardigan is positioned.

Cream Floral Cardigan

The cardigan is the most visible garment detail. It is cream, short, open-front, slightly textured, and decorated with tiny pink flowers and green embroidered stems. Work it flat in one piece from the bottom up.

Cardigan Body

1. With cream yarn and 3 mm needles, CO 46 sts.
2. Row 1, WS: P all sts.
3. Row 2, RS: K all sts.
4. Rows 3-4: Rep Rows 1-2.
5. Row 5, WS: K3, P40, K3. The K3 edges create front bands.
6. Row 6, RS: K all sts.
7. Rows 7-18: Continue in stockinette, keeping first 3 and last 3 sts in garter stitch on every row.
8. Row 19, WS: K3, P9, BO 4 sts, P14, BO 4 sts, P9, K3. This forms armholes.
9. Row 20, RS: K12, CO 4 sts over gap, K14, CO 4 sts over gap, K12. 46 sts.
10. Rows 21-26: Continue stockinette with garter front bands.
11. Row 27, WS: K3, P8, P2tog, P20, P2tog, P8, K3. 44 sts.
12. Row 28, RS: K all sts.
13. Row 29, WS: K3, P7, P2tog, P20, P2tog, P7, K3. 42 sts.
14. Row 30, RS: K all sts.
15. BO all sts loosely.

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Cardigan Collar

Pick up 26 sts evenly along the neckline edge with cream yarn.

1. Row 1: K all sts.
2. Row 2: K all sts.
3. Row 3: K all sts.
4. BO loosely. Fold the collar slightly outward so it sits just under the dragon’s chin.

Cardigan Texture Lines

To imitate the vertical knitted texture visible in the photo, embroider two cream vertical lines on each front panel using duplicate stitch. Place one line near each front band and one line close to the side seam. Keep the stitches subtle so the jacket still looks soft.

Floral Embroidery on Cardigan

• Using green yarn, embroider one curved vine on the right front panel from lower edge to chest height.
• Embroider a second shorter vine on the left front panel.
• Add five tiny pink flowers on the right front panel. Each flower is made with 5 small straight stitches radiating from one center point.
• Add three tiny pink flowers on the left front panel.
• Use a single darker pink stitch in the center of each flower.
• Keep the flowers small so they match the dainty cardigan decoration in the image.

Place the cardigan over the dressed body. The front edges should remain open, showing the pale blue dress. Sew the shoulder area and side edges lightly to the body so it stays in place.

White Wings

Make two wings. They sit behind the cardigan, one on each side of the upper back. Each wing has a soft triangular shape with three rounded feather points.

1. With white yarn and 3 mm needles, CO 6 sts. Work flat.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: KFB, K4, KFB. 8 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts.
6. Row 5: KFB, K6, KFB. 10 sts.
7. Row 6: P all sts.
8. Row 7: KFB, K8, KFB. 12 sts.
9. Rows 8-10: Work stockinette.
10. Row 11: K3, turn.
11. Row 12: P3, turn.
12. Row 13: K3, BO these 3 sts. First feather point made.
13. Rejoin yarn to next 4 sts. Work 3 rows stockinette, then BO. Second feather point made.
14. Rejoin yarn to final 5 sts. Work 4 rows stockinette, then BO. Third longer feather point made.

Weave in ends. Lightly steam with your hand held above the piece, not pressing flat. Sew the short straight edge of each wing to the upper back. Angle the wing tips outward and slightly upward so they peek around the cardigan like the photo.

Dragon Horns

Make two small white horns. They are placed on top of the head behind the forehead and slightly to the left and right.

1. With white yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 9 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-3: K all sts.
3. Rnd 4: K1, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K1. 7 sts.
4. Rnds 5-6: K all sts.
5. Rnd 7: K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1. 5 sts.
6. Rnd 8: K all sts.
7. Cut yarn, thread through rem sts, pull closed.

Stuff each horn very lightly. Sew the horns to the top of the head at Rnds 9-14 of the head, about 9 sts apart. Tilt them slightly outward.

Side Ears

Make two blush pink ears. They are small, rounded, and placed low on the sides of the head, just behind the eyes.

1. With blush pink yarn, CO 8 sts. Work flat.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: KFB, K6, KFB. 10 sts.
5. Rows 4-6: Work stockinette.
6. Row 7: SSK, K6, K2tog. 8 sts.
7. Row 8: P all sts.
8. Row 9: SSK, K4, K2tog. 6 sts.
9. Row 10: P all sts.
10. Row 11: SSK, K2, K2tog. 4 sts.
11. BO all sts.

Fold each ear slightly at the cast-on edge and sew the base to create a cupped shape. Sew one ear to each side of the head between Rnds 24 and 29, level with the eyes but set farther back.

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Pink Head Crest

The center crest is a small row of soft pink dragon spikes running from the top forehead backward between the horns. It should look decorative and gentle, not sharp.

1. With medium pink yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 18 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: K2, BO 2 sts, K2, BO 2 sts, K2, BO 2 sts, K2, BO 2 sts, K2.
5. Cut yarn and secure all small points neatly.

Fold the strip slightly lengthwise and sew it down the head center from just above the forehead toward the back crown. The little raised points should stand upright like the image.

Rose and Leaves for Head

The dragon wears a pink rose near the right horn with green leaves. This flower cluster is small but important because it gives the doll the garden look shown in the photo.

Rolled Pink Rose

1. With medium pink yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 24 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: Rep KFB across. 48 sts.
5. BO loosely.
6. Roll the strip into a spiral rose. Sew through the bottom edge several times to hold the shape.

Small Green Leaves

Make three leaves.

1. With green yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: KFB, K1, KFB. 5 sts.
4. Rows 3-4: K all sts.
5. Row 5: SSK, K1, K2tog. 3 sts.
6. Row 6: K all sts.
7. Row 7: Slip 1, K2tog, pass slipped st over. 1 st.
8. Cut yarn and pull through.

Sew the rose near the dragon’s upper right side of the head, close to one horn. Add the leaves around the rose with their points facing outward.

Facial Embroidery

Use black embroidery thread for the eyebrows and lashes. Make one gentle curved eyebrow above each eye. Each eyebrow should be about 5 stitches long. Angle the inner ends slightly downward to create the sweet, shy expression in the image.

• For each upper eyelash, make one short horizontal stitch extending outward from the outer eye edge.
• For each cheek, use medium pink yarn and make three tiny horizontal stitches below the eye.
• Add one small darker pink heart-shaped stitch on the dragon’s right cheek.
• Do not embroider a large mouth. The face in the image is simple and gentle, with the eyes and cheeks carrying the expression.

Heart Crossbody Purse

The purse is a small pink heart bag with a cream lower heart section. It hangs at the front right side of the body from a pink diagonal strap.

Heart Bag Front

1. With medium pink yarn, CO 4 sts. Work flat.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: KFB, K2, KFB. 6 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts.
6. Row 5: KFB, K4, KFB. 8 sts.
7. Row 6: P all sts.
8. Change to cream yarn.
9. Row 7: K all sts.
10. Row 8: P all sts.
11. Change back to medium pink yarn.
12. Row 9: K all sts.
13. Row 10: P all sts.
14. Row 11: K4, turn.
15. Row 12: P4, turn.
16. Row 13: SSK, K2tog. 2 sts.
17. BO 2 sts.
18. Rejoin yarn to remaining 4 sts. Work Rows 11-13 again for the second top lobe.

Heart Bag Back

Repeat the heart front in medium pink only, without the cream stripe. Place the two hearts wrong sides together and sew around the edge, leaving the top slightly rounded. Add a tiny amount of stuffing so the purse looks padded.

Purse Strap

1. With medium pink yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 3 sts.
2. Knit every row until the strap measures about 8.5 inches.
3. BO all sts.

Sew one strap end to the dragon’s left shoulder near the cardigan collar. Bring the strap diagonally across the chest and sew the other end to the heart purse at the right hip. Secure the purse to the dress with two hidden stitches so it rests flat.

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Pink Sandals

The sandals have cream soles, pink straps, and tiny flower accents, matching the footwear visible on the dragon’s feet.

Cream Soles

Make two.

1. With cream yarn and 3 mm needles, CO 8 sts. Work flat.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: KFB, K6, KFB. 10 sts.
5. Rows 4-10: Work stockinette.
6. Row 11: SSK, K6, K2tog. 8 sts.
7. Row 12: P all sts.
8. BO all sts.

Sew one sole under each foot with small whip stitches. Shape the front edge slightly rounded while sewing.

Pink Toe Straps

Make four straps.

1. With medium pink yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 3 sts.
2. Knit every row for 1.5 inches.
3. BO all sts.

Sew two straps across each foot. Place the first strap near the toes and the second strap slightly higher across the instep. Curve them over the foot so they sit like sandals.

Ankle Straps

Make two.

1. With medium pink yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Knit every row for 2.25 inches.
3. BO all sts.

Wrap one strap around each ankle and sew the ends together at the back. Add a tiny pink flower to the outer side of each sandal if desired.

Tiny Sandal Flowers

Make two small flowers using medium pink yarn.

1. CO 10 sts with 2.75 mm needles.
2. BO all sts loosely.
3. Coil the tiny strip into a flower and secure with the yarn tail.
4. Sew one flower to the outer front side of each sandal.

Cream Garden Hat

The hat sits beside the dragon in the image. It has a rounded crown, a rolled brim, and a tiny pink flower with green leaves on the side.

Hat Crown

1. With cream yarn and 3 mm needles, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 8 sts.
3. Rnd 2: KFB in every st around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: Rep K1, KFB around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: Rep K2, KFB around. 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: K all sts.
9. Rnd 8: Rep K3, KFB around. 40 sts.
10. Rnds 9-18: K all sts.
11. Rnd 19: P all sts to create a brim turning ridge.

Hat Brim

1. Rnd 20: Rep K4, KFB around. 48 sts.
2. Rnd 21: K all sts.
3. Rnd 22: Rep K5, KFB around. 56 sts.
4. Rnds 23-26: K all sts.
5. Rnd 27: P all sts.
6. BO loosely.

Lightly stuff the crown only if the hat will be displayed separately. Do not overstuff. Let the brim curl gently upward at the edge, as shown in the photo.

Hat Flower and Leaves

Make one tiny rolled flower using the same flower method as the sandal flower, but use 14 cast-on stitches instead of 10. Make two green leaves using the leaf instructions from the head rose section. Sew the flower and leaves to one side of the hat brim.

Small Berry Basket

The basket is knitted in tan yarn with a simple textured body and a handle. It sits beside the dragon and holds colorful round berries.

Basket Base and Sides

1. With tan yarn and 3 mm needles, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 8 sts.
3. Rnd 2: KFB in every st around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: Rep K1, KFB around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: P all sts to form the base edge.
6. Rnds 5-14: Rep K1, P1 around for a woven texture.
7. Rnd 15: K all sts.
8. Rnd 16: P all sts.
9. BO all sts loosely.

Cut a small circle of cardboard or firm felt to fit inside the base if you want the basket to stand upright. Cover it with tan yarn or fabric before inserting it.

Basket Handle

1. With tan yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 4 sts.
2. Knit every row until the strip measures 5 inches.
3. BO all sts.

Sew one handle end to each side of the basket. Curve the handle upward. If you use wire inside the handle, cover both wire ends completely and bend them inward so they cannot poke through.

Knitted Berries

Make 10 to 14 tiny berries in red, blue, purple, lavender, and dark pink. These colorful balls fill the basket and echo the bright garden details in the image.

1. With berry color yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 6 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: KFB in every st around. 12 sts.
4. Rnds 3-4: K all sts.
5. Rnd 5: K2tog around. 6 sts.
6. Add a tiny pinch of stuffing.
7. Cut yarn, thread through rem sts, pull closed, and weave in.

Place the berries inside the basket. Sew several berries to the inside edge of the basket if the piece will be handled often.

Red Strawberry

The strawberry sits beside the basket. It is bright red with a green leafy top and tiny white seed stitches.

Strawberry Body

1. With red yarn and 3 mm needles, CO 6 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: KFB in every st around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: Rep K1, KFB around. 18 sts.
6. Rnds 5-8: K all sts.
7. Rnd 9: Rep K1, K2tog around. 12 sts.
8. Stuff firmly.
9. Rnd 10: K2tog around. 6 sts.
10. Cut yarn, thread through rem sts, pull closed.

Strawberry Leaves

1. With green yarn, CO 15 sts.
2. BO all sts loosely.
3. Shape the strip into five small points by tacking every third stitch to the strawberry top.
4. Add a short green stem by CO 4 sts, knitting 3 rows, and binding off.

Use white yarn or embroidery thread to add small seed stitches over the red strawberry body. Keep the stitches scattered and tiny.

Attaching the Head to the Body

Place the body on a flat surface with the dress front centered. Position the head on top so the eyes face forward and the chin slightly overlaps the cardigan collar area. The head should be large and balanced, with a sweet forward-facing expression.

1. Use the long body tail to sew around the neck opening and into the lower head.
2. Work around the neck twice for strength.
3. Add extra stuffing into the neck area before closing the final gap.
4. Check that the dragon can sit without the head tilting too far back.
5. Secure the yarn at the back of the neck, hidden beneath the cardigan collar.

Attaching Arms and Cardigan

Put the cardigan on the dressed body before sewing the arms permanently. The sleeves should sit over the pink arms, with the pink hands visible below the cream sleeve cuffs.

1. Place each arm at the side of the body, slightly forward of the side seam.
2. Sew through the cardigan armhole, sleeve top, and body at the same time.
3. Angle the arms gently downward so the hands rest near the skirt sides.
4. Secure with several passes of yarn, then hide the ends inside the body.

Make sure the front of the cardigan stays open. The blue dress should show clearly down the center, and the purse strap should cross over the cardigan and dress after the arms are attached.

Detailed Decorative Placement

• Eyes: between head Rnds 27 and 28, about 13 sts apart.
• Eyebrows: 4 to 5 rounds above the eyes, slanted gently inward.
• Cheeks: 2 rounds below each eye, using three short pink stitches.
• Horns: on top of the head, slightly behind the forehead, about 9 sts apart.
• Crest: centered between horns, running backward along the top of the head.
• Rose: near the dragon’s right horn, with leaves pointing outward.
• Ears: on the sides of the head, slightly behind the eyes.
• Wings: on the upper back, behind the cardigan, angled outward.
• Purse: strap from left shoulder to right hip, heart resting on the front skirt.
• Sandals: cream soles under the feet, pink straps across toes and ankles.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check all pieces before making final knots. The doll should have a large round head, a small dressed body, dangling legs, visible wings, an open cream cardigan, a blue skirt, and a heart purse across the front.

Use black embroidery thread to refine the eyes with one small lash on each outer corner. Add the eyebrows last so you can adjust the expression. A gentle inward slant creates the soft shy look shown in the image.

Finish the cheeks with pink straight stitches. Add one tiny darker pink heart or dot on the cheek if desired. Keep all facial details small and delicate so the face remains clean and sweet.

Care Notes

This knitted dragon is best used as a decorative handmade doll. If safety eyes, wire, beads, or small flowers are used, it is not recommended for children under three years old.

Spot clean gently with cool water and mild soap. Do not soak the doll, because heavy water can distort the stuffing, embroidery, flowers, and small accessories.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is firmly stuffed and securely sewn to the body.
• Eyes are even and facial embroidery is balanced.
• Horns, ears, crest, rose, and leaves are firmly attached.
• Cardigan sits open and shows the blue dress underneath.
• Floral embroidery is small, neat, and placed on both cardigan fronts.
• Wings are visible behind the cardigan.
• Legs hang evenly below the skirt.
• Sandals have cream soles, pink straps, and tiny flower accents.
• Heart purse sits at the right hip with a diagonal strap.
• Hat, basket, berries, and strawberry are complete for display.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

To preserve the doll’s shape, store it upright or lying flat in a clean dry place. Avoid pressing the head crest, horns, rose, wings, and purse under heavy objects.

For dust removal, use a soft dry brush and work gently around the embroidered flowers and face. If the doll needs deeper cleaning, dab the surface with a damp cloth and let it air dry fully before storing.

Keep the doll away from direct sunlight for long periods, especially the pale pink, blue, and cream sections. Soft pastel yarns may fade if displayed in strong sun every day.

If the cardigan flowers or purse strap loosen over time, repair them with matching yarn and a tapestry needle. Small handmade details stay beautiful longer when reinforced early.