This bernat donald dragon crochet guide walks through the key details from the source pattern. Bring a whimsical touch to your crochet collection with the warm Donald the Dragon toy. This charming design is perfect for both new makers and seasoned makers looking to craft a playful gift or a cozy companion for little ones. With its vibrant colors and adorable shows, Donald is sure to spark joy and imagination.
Using Bernat® Blanket™ yarn, this project offers a soft and cuddly finish, making it an excellent choice for children. The pattern has easy-to-follow steps for creating Donald’s body, limbs. Facial shows, making sure a fun and rewarding crafting experience.
Bernat Donald Dragon Crochet: Understanding the Construction of Donald
The build of Donald the Dragon is primarily worked in rounds, starting from the bottom of the body and moving upwards. This skill allows for seamless shaping, which is key for creating a plush toy. Starting with a base chain, the body is built up with single crochet stitches, gradually increasing in width as you add rounds.
As you progress, you will incorporate various shows such as the nose, ears, and limbs. Each part is crafted apart and then sewn onto the body, letting for precise positioning and a neat final look. The pattern has detailed steps for each component, making it easy to follow along.
Color Choices and Management
This pattern utilizes three contrasting colors from Bernat® Blanket™ yarn, creating a clearly nice dragon. The primary color, Dark Teal, forms the body. Misty Green is used for the belly and Vintage White for accents like the nose and horns. Such a color palette not only boosts Donald’s whimsical character but also makes it easy to differentiate between the various parts during assembly.
When working with many colors, it’s key to manage your yarn changes effectively. Keep your yarn untangled by using separate yarn bowls or bags for each color. Carry the working yarn along the edges when switching colors to minimize the need for ends that require weaving in later.
Specifications for Donald the Dragon Toy Pattern
Sizes & fit
Approx 12″ [30.5 cm] tall, including ears.
Gauge & motif dimensions
7 sc and 8 rows = 4″ [10 cm].
Hook specified in the pattern
Size U.S. L/11 (8 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.
Materials Required for Donald the Dragon Toy
Bernat® Blanket™ (10.5 oz/300 g; 220 yds/201 m) Contrast A Dark Teal (10825) 1 ball or 132 yds/121 m Contrast B Misty Green (10878) 1 ball or 26 yds/24 m Contrast C Vintage White (10006) 1 ball or 9 yds/8.5 m Size U.S. L/11 (8 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge. 2 black safety eyes 1″ [2.5 cm]. Stuffing. Yarn needle.
23rd rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 5 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 36 sts.
24th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 4 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 30 sts.
25th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 3 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 24 sts.
26th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 18 sts. Secure safety eyes to Body as shown in photo. Stuff Body firmly.
27th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in next sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 12 sts.
28th rnd: Ch 1. (Sc2tog) 6 times. Join. 6 sts. Fasten off, leaving a long end. Draw end through rem sts. Pull tightly. Fasten securely. Nose With A, ch 4.
1st rnd: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in next ch. 3 sc in last ch. Working into opposite side of foundation ch, 1 sc in next ch. 2 sc in last ch. Join. 8 sc. 2nd and 3rd rnds: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join. Fasten off at end of 3rd row. Stuff Nose. Sew to Body as shown in picture. Embroider Nostrils with straight stitch as shown in picture. See page 3. Ears (make 2) With B, ch 3, leaving a long end for sewing.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in next ch. Turn. 2 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 2 sc in each of next 2 sc. Turn. 4 sc.
3rd row: Ch 2. Sl st in each of rst 2 sc. Ch 2. Sl st in each of next 2 sc. Ch 2. Sl st in same sp as last sl st. Fasten off. Sew Ears to Body as shown in photo. Horns (make 2) With C, ch 4, leaving a long end for sewing. Join with sl st to first ch.
1st rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each ch around. Join. 4 sc.
2nd rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join.
3rd rnd: Ch 1. (Sc2tog) twice. Join. 2 sts. Fasten o . Draw end through rem sts. Pull tightly. Fasten securely. Stuff Horns firmly. Sew Horns to Body as shown in photo. Arms (make 2) With A, ch 2.
1st rnd: 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Join. 4 sc.
2nd to 6th rnds: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join. Fasten off at end of last rnd, leaving a long end for sewing. Sew Arms to Body as shown in photo. Belly With B, ch 4.
1st rnd: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in next ch. 3 sc in next ch. Working into opposite side of foundation ch, 1 sc in next ch. 2 sc in last ch. Join. 8 sc.
2nd rnd: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc. 1 sc in next sc. 2 sc in each of next 3 sc. 1 sc in next sc. 2 sc in each of last 2 sc. Join. 14 sc.
3rd rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. 2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in next sc. (1 sc in next sc. 2 sc in next sc) 3 times. 1 sc in next sc. (1 sc in next sc. 2 sc in next sc) twice. Join. 20 sc. Fasten off, leaving a long end for sewing. Sew Belly to Body as shown in photo. Tail With A, ch 18, leaving a long end for sewing. Join with sl st to first ch.
1st rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each ch around. Join. 18 sc. 2nd and 3rd rnds: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join.
4th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 4 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 15 sts.
5th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. Join.
6th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 3 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 12 sts.
7th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. Join.
8th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 9 sts.
9th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. Join.
10th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in next sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 6 sts.
11th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. Join.
12th rnd: Ch 1. (Sc2tog) 3 times. Join. 3 sts. Fasten off, leaving a long end. Draw end through rem sts. Pull tightly. Fasten securely. Stuff Tail firmly. Sew Tail to Body as shown in photo. Spikes (make 4) With C, ch 4, leaving a long end for sewing.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 3 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. Sc3tog. Fasten off. Sew Spikes to Body and Tail as shown in photo. Wings (make 2) With B, ch 2.
1st row: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn. 2 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 2 sc in each of next 2 sc. Turn. 4 sc.
3rd row: Ch 1. *1 sc in next sc. 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * once more. Turn. 6 sc.
4th row: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 2 sc. 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * once more. Turn. 8 sc.
5th row: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 3 sc. 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * once more. Turn. 10 sc.
6th row: *Ch 2. Sl st in next sc. Rep from * to end of row. Join A. Do not turn. Break B. Wing edging: 1st row: With A, ch 1. Working down straight edge of Wing, work 6 sc evenly across. Fasten off, leaving a long end for sewing. Sew Wings to Body as shown in photo. Eyelids (make 2) With A, ch 2.
1st row: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn. 3 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 2 sc in each sc to end of row. Do not turn. 6 sc. Cont across straight edge, work 4 sc evenly across edge. Fasten off. Sew Eyelids to face as shown in photos, covering half of each eye.
STRAIGHT STITCH
Instructions for Completing Donald the Dragon Toy
Note: Join all rnds with sl st to first st. Body With A, ch 2.
1st rnd: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Join. 6 sc.
2nd rnd: Ch 1. 2 sc in each sc around. Join. 12 sc.
3rd rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in next sc. 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * around. Join. 18 sc.
4th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 2 sc. 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * around. Join. 24 sc.
5th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 3 sc. 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * around. Join. 30 sc.
6th to 11th rnds: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join.
12th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 4 sc. 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * around. Join. 36 sc. 13th and 14th rnds: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join.
15th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 5 sc. 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * around. Join. 42 sc.
16th to 22th rnds: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join.
| Abbreviation | Meaning in the original pattern |
|---|---|
| Approx | Approximately |
| Ch | Chain(s) |
| Cont | Continue |
| Rem | Remain(ing)(s) |
| Rep | Repeat |
| Rnd(s) | Round(s) |
| Sc | Single crochet Sc2(3)tog = Draw up a loop in each of next 2(3) sc. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook |
| Sl st | Slip stitch |
| St | Stitch(es) |
| Y oh | Yarn over hook |
CROCHET I SKILL LEVEL: EASY
MATERIALS
Bernat® Blanket™ (10.5 oz/300 g; 220 yds/201 m) Contrast A Dark Teal (10825) 1 ball or 132 yds/121 m Contrast B Misty Green (10878) 1 ball or 26 yds/24 m Contrast C Vintage White (10006) 1 ball or 9 yds/8.5 m Size U.S. L/11 (8 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge. 2 black safety eyes 1″ [2.5 cm]. Stuffing. Yarn needle.
23rd rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 5 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 36 sts.
24th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 4 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 30 sts.
25th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 3 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 24 sts.
26th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 18 sts. Secure safety eyes to Body as shown in photo. Stuff Body firmly.
27th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in next sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 12 sts.
28th rnd: Ch 1. (Sc2tog) 6 times. Join. 6 sts. Fasten off, leaving a long end. Draw end through rem sts. Pull tightly. Fasten securely. Nose With A, ch 4.
1st rnd: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in next ch. 3 sc in last ch. Working into opposite side of foundation ch, 1 sc in next ch. 2 sc in last ch. Join. 8 sc. 2nd and 3rd rnds: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join. Fasten off at end of 3rd row. Stuff Nose. Sew to Body as shown in picture. Embroider Nostrils with straight stitch as shown in picture. See page 3. Ears (make 2) With B, ch 3, leaving a long end for sewing.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in next ch. Turn. 2 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 2 sc in each of next 2 sc. Turn. 4 sc.
3rd row: Ch 2. Sl st in each of rst 2 sc. Ch 2. Sl st in each of next 2 sc. Ch 2. Sl st in same sp as last sl st. Fasten off. Sew Ears to Body as shown in photo. Horns (make 2) With C, ch 4, leaving a long end for sewing. Join with sl st to first ch.
1st rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each ch around. Join. 4 sc.
2nd rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join.
3rd rnd: Ch 1. (Sc2tog) twice. Join. 2 sts. Fasten o . Draw end through rem sts. Pull tightly. Fasten securely. Stuff Horns firmly. Sew Horns to Body as shown in photo. Arms (make 2) With A, ch 2.
1st rnd: 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Join. 4 sc.
2nd to 6th rnds: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join. Fasten off at end of last rnd, leaving a long end for sewing. Sew Arms to Body as shown in photo. Belly With B, ch 4.
1st rnd: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in next ch. 3 sc in next ch. Working into opposite side of foundation ch, 1 sc in next ch. 2 sc in last ch. Join. 8 sc.
2nd rnd: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc. 1 sc in next sc. 2 sc in each of next 3 sc. 1 sc in next sc. 2 sc in each of last 2 sc. Join. 14 sc.
3rd rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. 2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in next sc. (1 sc in next sc. 2 sc in next sc) 3 times. 1 sc in next sc. (1 sc in next sc. 2 sc in next sc) twice. Join. 20 sc. Fasten off, leaving a long end for sewing. Sew Belly to Body as shown in photo. Tail With A, ch 18, leaving a long end for sewing. Join with sl st to first ch.
1st rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each ch around. Join. 18 sc. 2nd and 3rd rnds: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join.
4th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 4 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 15 sts.
5th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. Join.
6th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 3 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 12 sts.
7th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. Join.
8th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 9 sts.
9th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. Join.
10th rnd: Ch 1. *1 sc in next sc. Sc2tog. Rep from * around. Join. 6 sts.
11th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st around. Join.
12th rnd: Ch 1. (Sc2tog) 3 times. Join. 3 sts. Fasten off, leaving a long end. Draw end through rem sts. Pull tightly. Fasten securely. Stuff Tail firmly. Sew Tail to Body as shown in photo. Spikes (make 4) With C, ch 4, leaving a long end for sewing.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 3 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. Sc3tog. Fasten off. Sew Spikes to Body and Tail as shown in photo. Wings (make 2) With B, ch 2.
1st row: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn. 2 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 2 sc in each of next 2 sc. Turn. 4 sc.
3rd row: Ch 1. *1 sc in next sc. 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * once more. Turn. 6 sc.
4th row: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 2 sc. 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * once more. Turn. 8 sc.
5th row: Ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 3 sc. 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * once more. Turn. 10 sc.
6th row: *Ch 2. Sl st in next sc. Rep from * to end of row. Join A. Do not turn. Break B. Wing edging: 1st row: With A, ch 1. Working down straight edge of Wing, work 6 sc evenly across. Fasten off, leaving a long end for sewing. Sew Wings to Body as shown in photo. Eyelids (make 2) With A, ch 2.
1st row: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn. 3 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 2 sc in each sc to end of row. Do not turn. 6 sc. Cont across straight edge, work 4 sc evenly across edge. Fasten off. Sew Eyelids to face as shown in photos, covering half of each eye.
STRAIGHT STITCH
Frequently Asked Questions about Donald the Dragon Crochet Toy
What is the best way to secure the safety eyes?
Securing safety eyes is crucial for making sure the toy is safe for children. The pattern advises that you ‘secure safety eyes to Body as shown in photo.’ To enhance security, make sure the eyes are tightly fastened and check that they are not fast removable. You may also check using a small dab of fabric glue on the back of the eye before attaching it to the body for added assurance.
It’s key to position the eyes at the correct distance apart to maintain Donald’s charming expression. Take a moment to refer to the provided photo for guidance on layout, making sure that they are symmetrical and enhance the full design.
How do I ensure my gauge matches the pattern?
Matching the gauge is key for getting the correct size for your dragon. The pattern lists a gauge of ‘7 sc and 8 rows = 4″ [10 cm].’ To check your gauge, crochet a swatch using the listed hook size and yarn, then measure your swatch. If your gauge does not match, you may need to adjust your hook size. A larger hook will create a looser fabric, while a smaller hook will tighten it.
Note that everyone’s tension can vary, so it’s advisable to check your gauge before starting the main project. This simple step can save you time and frustration later on.
What type of stuffing should I use?
For a toy like Donald, using a high-quality polyester fiberfill is listed. This type of stuffing is soft, lightweight, and gives a plush feel while keeping shape. The pattern states to ‘Stuff Body firmly,’ which is key to ensure that your dragon has a nice structure and does not become floppy over time.
When stuffing, add small amounts gradually, checking as you go to achieve the chosen firmness. Avoid over-stuffing, which can cause seams to stretch and lead to potential tearing.
Now that you’re familiar with the build and details of this adorable dragon, gather your supplies and start making. Donald will not only be a fun project but also a cherished toy that brings joy to its new owner.
Save & Print This Crochet Pattern
Prefer working offline or keeping a printed copy in your project bag? Download our formatted Donald the Dragon Crochet Toy printable PDF guide below, complete with the full materials table, stitch diagrams, color-key charts, and step-by-step assembly instructions prepared for Derecipe.
READER COMMENTS & PATTERN QUESTIONS
Have a question about stitch counts, yarn substitutions, or sizing? Leave a comment below — Mary Ward reads and replies to every maker question!