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GRETTA the DRAGON Amigurumi Pattern

GRETTA the DRAGON Amigurumi Pattern
4.8★ Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
2.6K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

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Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journey—perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

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Whimsical Buddy

Playful characters full of personality, designed to spark imagination and become cherished playtime favorites.

About This GRETTA the DRAGON Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern teaches you how to crochet Gretta the Dragon, a standing amigurumi with wings, crest, a shell ruffle and embroidered facial details. It includes full round-by-round instructions for head, body, limbs, tail, crest and accessories so you can follow every step. The design features shaping with increases and decreases, back loop rounds, and some turning rows for details.

GRETTA the DRAGON Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Detailed photos and decoration instructions are included for correct placement of eyes, mouth, cheeks and crest. Techniques used include magic ring, single crochet, increases, decreases and simple embroidery.

Why You'll Love This GRETTA the DRAGON Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines classic amigurumi shaping with delightful character details like the ruffled shell and embroidered freckles. I enjoy the balance between structured shaping (for a stable standing toy) and playful finishing touches such as the wings and tiny flower accessory. I appreciate that the instructions are written round-by-round so I can follow progress easily and check stitch counts as I go. Making Gretta feels rewarding—each added detail brings more personality, and I love gifting finished dragons to friends and family.

GRETTA the DRAGON Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress GRETTA the DRAGON Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress GRETTA the DRAGON Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories GRETTA the DRAGON Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easy it is to customize Gretta by changing colors; try pastels for a soft nursery pal or jewel tones for a bold fantasy dragon.

If you want a larger Gretta, switch to a thicker yarn and larger hook for a chunky cuddly version, or use thinner yarn for a tiny keychain size.

I often replace safety eyes with embroidered eyes for baby-safe toys or use different eye sizes to change expression and personality.

Experiment with the crest shapes: make longer triangles for a spikier look or shorter ones for a rounded crest style.

Add wire to the wings so you can pose them, or leave them soft if you prefer a plush-only design.

Try varying the shell ruffle by stacking two colors of shells or using picot edges to create a lace-like frill.

For clothing options, crochet a tiny scarf, hat, or a removable backpack to give Gretta outfits and play options.

Embellish with embroidery: freckles, scales, or sparkly thread accents make each dragon feel unique.

Change the flower accessory to a tiny crochet heart, star, or basket to customize the gift theme for holidays or birthdays.

I often use different stuffing amounts to change posture; a firmer bottom gives stability for standing toys while a softer fill makes a cuddlier friend.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers in long spiral rounds leads to losing the beginning of the round; place a marker at the start of every round and move it up as you work. ✗ Not stuffing consistently causes lumps or a misshapen body; stuff gradually and evenly, using small amounts of filler to achieve a smooth shape. ✗ Pulling yarn tension too tight on small rounds makes details stiff and small; use consistent moderate tension to keep the fabric even and flexible. ✗ Forgetting to crochet in back loops only when instructed will change the silhouette; follow BL or both-loops instructions exactly to preserve shaping. ✗ Cutting threads too early on crest or finger sections can cause gaps when joining; leave threads as instructed for seamless joining and sewing.

GRETTA the DRAGON Amigurumi Pattern

Make your own whimsical Gretta the Dragon with this detailed amigurumi pattern. You will crochet a cute standing dragon with a ruffled shell, wings, crest, and sweet facial details. The pattern includes step-by-step rounds, decoration and assembly guidance so you can follow along easily. Perfect as a handmade gift or a charming addition to your amigurumi collection.

Intermediate 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for GRETTA the DRAGON Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    YarnArt Jeans № 11 - 2 skeins (main light green color)
  • 02
    YarnArt Jeans № 69 - 1/2 skein (half a skein, accent/contrast)
  • 03
    YarnArt Jeans № 88 - 1 skein (pink for shoes/legs)
  • 04
    YarnArt Jeans № 42 - 1/2 skein (dark green for crest and tail)
  • 05
    YarnArt Jeans № 70 - a little (yellow for shell/ruffle/flower)
  • 06
    YarnArt Jeans № 01 - 1/2 skein (white or offwhite for wing details)
  • 07
    Note: You may use any yarn to make this toy; adjust hook size and eye size to suit the yarn.

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 2 (recommended)
  • 02
    Sewn black eyes size 13 mm (1.1 in) (2 pieces)
  • 03
    Toy filler (polyester stuffing)
  • 04
    Any shiny thread (golden floss) for freckles and scales
  • 05
    Long needle and yarn needle for sewing pieces
  • 06
    Two white felt discs, diameter 1-1.5 cm (0.39-0.59 in)
  • 07
    Glue for felt and eyes
  • 08
    Scissors
  • 09
    Decorative button 1 piece (optional, e.g. bow)
  • 10
    Chenille wire or ordinary thin wire (for wing frame and flower stem)
  • 11
    Small weighting for a flower (for example a small sea stone)
  • 12
    Dental floss for attaching the front paws
  • 13
    Stitch markers

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— HEAD :

Info :

Crochet with light green yarn, stuff as you go. Do not forget to mark rounds.

Round 1 :

7 sc in a MR (7)

Round 2 :

7 inc (14)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc)*7 (21)

Round 4 :

(2 sc, inc)*7 (28)

Round 5 :

(3 sc, inc)*7 (35)

Round 6 :

(4 sc, inc)*7 (42)

Round 7 :

(5 sc, inc)*7 (49)

Round 8 :

(6 sc, inc)*7 (56)

Round 9 :

(7 sc, inc)*7 (63)

Round 10 :

(8 sc, inc)*7 (70)

Round 11 :

(9 sc, inc)*7 (77)

Round 12-21 :

77 sc (77)

Round 22 :

(5 sc, dec)*6, 35 sc (71)

Round 23 :

(4 sc, dec)*6, 35 sc (65)

Round 24 :

(3 sc, dec)*6, 35 sc (59)

Round 25-31 :

59 sc (59)

Round 32 :

(17 sc, dec)*2, 19 sc, dec (56)

Round 33-34 :

56 sc (56)

Round 35 :

(6 sc, dec)*7 (49)

Round 36 :

(5 sc, dec)*7 (42)

Round 37 :

(4 sc, dec)*7 (35)

Round 38 :

(3 sc, dec)*7 (28)

Round 39 :

(2 sc, dec)*7 (21)

Round 40 :

(1 sc, dec)*7 (14)

Round 41 :

7 dec (7)

Info :

Tighten the opening, cut and secure the thread.

— EARS (2 details) :

Info :

Crochet with light green yarn, do not stuff with filler. Do not forget to mark rounds.

Round 1 :

7 sc in a MR (7)

Round 2 :

7 inc (14)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc)*7 (21)

Round 4-6 :

21 sc (21)

Round 7 :

19 sc, dec (20)

Info :

Fold in half and single crochet through both halves. Fold in half again and sew the ear from the bottom (see photo). Leave thread end for sewing.

— CHEEKS (2 details) :

Info :

Crochet with pink yarn.

Round 1 :

13 HDC in MR (13)

Info :

Leave thread end for sewing.

— TONGUE :

Info :

Crochet with pink yarn.

Round 1 :

Make a chain of 4 ch, from 2nd ch from hook 3 sc in one ch, then on chain 1 sc, 3 sc in last ch, on second side of chain 1 sc, slst (finish).

Info :

Leave thread end for sewing.

— CREST FOR HEAD (5 details) :

Info :

Crochet with dark green yarn, do not forget to mark rounds. Do not stuff with filler. Cut the thread on 4 triangles, do not cut the thread on 5th triangle and connect into one crest with slip stitches.

Round 1 :

6 sc in a MR (6)

Round 2 :

inc, 2 sc, inc, 2 sc (8)

Round 3 :

inc, 3 sc, inc, 3 sc (10)

Round 4 :

inc, 4 sc, inc, 4 sc (12)

Round 5 :

inc, 5 sc, inc, 5 sc (14)

Round 6 :

inc, 6 sc, inc, 6 sc (16)

Info :

Fold the triangle in half and single crochet through both halves. Connect into one crest with slip stitches (see photo). Cut and secure threads, weave in the ends.

— HEAD DECORATION :

Item Name (P1) :

1. Sew on the ears between 7th and 8th rounds symmetrical to each other (count from the top of the head, see photo). You may place the ears on other rounds as you like best.

Item Name (P2) :

2. Eyes and mouth tightening: place two pins for mouth (at a distance of 1 sc between them) between 10th and 11th rounds from the beginning of crocheting the head (see photo). Place two pins for each eye (at a distance of 1 sc between the pins) between 26th and 27th rounds from the beginning of crocheting the head at a distance of 10-11 sc between eyes (see photo). You may place eyes and mouth in other rounds as you like best. Insert needle at point A, bring it out at point B, again insert needle at point C, bring out at point D, insert at point E, bring out at point F. Repeat this stage one more time tightening the thread.

Item Name (P3) :

3. Sew eyes into eye deepening and glue them with felt for strength. Make a little hole in the felt disc, backing a little from the center to the edge, insert eyes in felt discs (see photo).

Item Name (P4) :

4. Sew tongue into mouth deepening. Place the cheeks symmetrically to each other on the sides of the head (see photo).

Item Name (P5) :

5. Embroider eyelids and eyebrows with brown yarn (see photo) (I split the thread into two parts to make it thinner).

Item Name (P6) :

6. Embroider freckles with shiny thread.

Item Name (P7) :

7. Embroider the nostrils under the eyes with brown thread (see photo).

Item Name (P8) :

8. Sew on the crest in the middle of the head (I sew on both sides to keep it steady) (see photo).

Item Name (P9) :

9. Embroider the scales on the forehead with shiny thread (see photo).

— ARMS (2 details) :

Info :

Start crocheting with green yarn. Do not forget to mark rounds, stuff as you go.

Info :

Make fingers. 6 fingers: cut the thread on 4 fingers, do not cut thread on 2 fingers.

Round 1 :

8 sc in a MR (8)

Round 2-3 :

8 sc (8)

Item Name (P1) :

Connect fingers into arm: 1 r: 4 sc on one finger (on which the thread was not cut)+ 4 sc on second finger + 4 sc on third finger, crochet the second semicircle the same (4 sc +4 sc + 4 sc) (24)

Round 2 :

24 sc (24)

Round 3 :

crochet the thumb: on first arm: 20 sc, crochet finger from the inside 4 sc (24) (see photo)

Round 3 :

on second arm: crochet finger from the inside 4 sc, 20 sc (24) (see photo)

Round 4 :

on first arm: 20 sc, crochet on the outside of the finger 4 sc (24) (see photo) on second arm: crochet on the outside of the finger 4 sc, 20 sc (24) (see photo)

Round 5 :

24 sc (24)

Round 6 :

(2 sc, dec)*6 (18)

Round 7-8 :

18 sc (18)

Round 9-22 :

work in back loops only 18 sc (18)

Round 23 :

in back loops only (1 sc, dec)*6 (12)

Round 24 :

in back loops only 12 sc (12)

Round 25 :

in back loops only 6 dec (6)

Info :

Tighten the hole, secure and cut the thread. Attach yellow yarn to 9th round and crochet around the arm from 9th to 25th rounds with slst (see photo).

— LEGS (2 details) :

Info :

Start crocheting with pink yarn. Stuff as you go. Do not forget to mark rounds. Make a chain of 7 ch.

Round 1 :

from 2nd ch from hook crochet 3 sc in one ch, then on chain 4 sc, 3 sc in last ch, on second side of chain 4 sc (14)

Round 2 :

(inc.)*3, 4 sc, (inc.)*3, 4 sc (20)

Round 3 :

(inc., 1 sc)*3, 4 sc, (inc., 1 sc)*3, 4 sc (26)

Round 4 :

(inc., 2 sc)*3, 4 sc, (inc., 2 sc)*3, 4 sc (32)

Round 5 :

(inc., 3 sc)*3, 4 sc, (inc., 3 sc)*3, 4 sc (38)

Round 6 :

in back loops only 38 sc (38)

Round 7-8 :

38 sc (38)

Info :

Attach pink yarn to 6th round and crochet around 38 slst.

Round 9 :

work 9 sc (shift the beginning of the round to the middle of the heel, place marker), then 11 sc, 8 dec., 11 sc (30)

Round 9 :

9 sc, 6 dec., 9 sc (24)

Info :

Attach light green yarn

Round 10 :

in back loops only 24 sc (24)

Round 11 :

7 sc, 5 dec., 7 sc (19)

Round 12 :

17 sc, dec (18)

Info :

Attach pink yarn to 10th round and crochet around 24 slst.

Round 13-15 :

18 sc (18)

Round 16 :

(2 sc, inc.)*6 (24)

Round 17 :

24 sc (24)

Round 18 :

(3 sc, inc.)*6 (30)

Round 19 :

30 sc (30)

Round 20 :

(4 sc, inc.)*6 (36)

Round 21 :

36 sc (36)

Info :

On first leg, crochet 12 sc to the middle of the leg, secure and cut the thread. On second leg, crochet 31 sc, make 1 ch, do not cut the thread.

Round 22 :

36 sc on first leg, 1 sc on ch, 36 sc on second leg, 1 sc on ch (74)

Round 23 :

74 sc (74)

Round 24 :

(36 sc, inc)*2 (76)

Round 25 :

(37 sc, inc)*2 (78)

Round 26 :

(12 sc, inc)*6 (84)

Round 27-31 :

84 sc (84)

Round 32 :

(12 sc, dec)*6 (78)

Round 33 :

78 sc (78)

Round 34 :

(11 sc, dec)*6 (72)

Round 35 :

72 sc (72)

Round 36 :

(10 sc, dec)*6 (66)

Round 37 :

66 sc (66)

Round 38 :

(9 sc, dec)*6 (60)

Round 39 :

60 sc (60)

Round 40 :

(8 sc, dec)*6 (54)

Info :

Shift the beginning of round: I crochet 30 sc (to the middle of the back and place marker), you may have a different number of stitches due to the different crocheting density. Stuff the toy with filler, pay special attention to the hips of the toy so that the canvas does not puff up. With an even distribution of the filler, the hips of the toy will take on a rounded shape.

Round 41-52 :

in back loops only 54 sc (54)

Round 53 :

in back loops only (7 sc, dec)*6 (48)

Round 54-56 :

in back loops only 48 sc (48)

Round 57 :

in back loops only (6 sc, dec)*6 (42)

Info :

Crochet as usual for both sides of the loops: Add filler, distribute it evenly inside the toy.

Round 58 :

(5 sc, dec)*6 (36)

Round 59 :

36 sc (36)

Round 60 :

(4 sc, dec)*6 (30)

Round 61 :

(3 sc, dec)*6 (24)

Round 62 :

(2 sc, dec)*6 (18)

Round 63 :

(1 sc, dec)*6 (12)

Round 64 :

6 dec (6)

Info :

Tighten the hole, cut and secure thread. Weave in the ends. Sew up the holes between the legs (if you have them formed when crocheting). Attach yellow yarn to the back of the toy and crochet with sl.st around to the 57th round inclusive (see photo). Cut and secure thread.

— SHELLS :

Info :

Attach yellow yarn to 41st round and make shells: ch, skip 1 st, 5 DC, skip 1 st, sc, skip 1 st, 5 DC, skip 1 st, sc and so on to the end of round (see photo). Cut and secure the thread.

— TAIL :

Info :

Start crocheting with dark green yarn, stuff as you go, do not forget to mark rounds.

Round 1 :

6 sc in a MR (6)

Round 2 :

6 sc (6)

Round 3 :

3 inc, 3 sc (9)

Round 4 :

(1 sc, inc)*3, 3 sc (12)

Round 5 :

(2 sc, inc)*3, 3 sc (15)

Round 6 :

15 sc (15)

Round 7 :

(3 sc, inc)*3, 3 sc (18)

Round 8 :

(2 sc, inc)*6 (24)

Round 9 :

3 sc, (inc, 1 sc)*9, 3 sc (33)

Round 10-12 :

33 sc (33)

Round 13 :

(10 sc, inc)*3 (36)

Round 14 :

(5 sc, inc)*6 (42)

Round 15 :

make a fold: in front loops 7 sc, then work in both loops 28 sc, again in front loops 7 sc (42)

Round 16-17 :

42 sc (42)

Round 18 :

make a fold: grab one stitch in current 18th round and one back loop in 15th round, work 7 sc in this way, then crochet 28 sc in both loops of current round, again grab one stitch in current 18th round and one back loop in 15th round, crochet 7 sc in this way in total (42)

Round 19-20 :

42 sc (42)

Info :

Leave thread end for sewing.

— CREST FOR TAIL (4 details) :

Info :

Start crocheting with dark green yarn, do not forget to mark rounds. Do not stuff with filler. Cut the thread on 3 triangles, leave the thread on 4th triangle.

Item Name (P1) :

1 piece: 1 r: 6 sc in a MR. 2 r: inc, 2 sc, inc, 2 sc (8). 3 r: inc, 3 sc, inc, 3 sc (10). 4 r: inc, 4 sc, inc, 4 sc (12). 5 r: inc, 5 sc, inc, 5 sc (14).

Item Name (P2) :

2 pcs: 1 r: 6 sc in a MR. 2 r: inc, 2 sc, inc, 2 sc (8). 3 r: inc, 3 sc, inc, 3 sc (10). 4 r: inc, 4 sc, inc, 4 sc (12).

Item Name (P3) :

1 piece: 1 r: 6 sc in a MR. 2 r: inc, 2 sc, inc, 2 sc (8). 3 r: inc, 3 sc, inc, 3 sc (10).

Info :

Fold triangle in half and single crochet through both halves. Connect into one crest with slip stitches (see photo). Connect from smaller triangle to larger. Cut and secure thread, weave in the ends.

— FRAME FOR WINGS :

Info :

Start crocheting with dark green yarn, do not forget to mark rows.

Round 1 :

Make a chain of 6 ch, from 2nd ch from hook crochet 5 sc, 1 turning chain, turn.

Round 2-44 :

5 sc, 1 t.ch, turn. (43 rows)

Info :

Leave thread end for sewing. Bend the ends of the chenille wire (you can use a thin ordinary wire) and place it inside the part, sew it by the edges (see photo). Give a "checkmark" shape. Cut and secure the thread.

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew on the ears between the 7th and 8th rounds of the head, making sure they are symmetrical and secure the thread for stability.
  • Place pins for eyes and mouth as directed (mouth between rounds 10-11, eyes between rounds 26-27), tighten mouth and eyes using the needle path described (A→B, C→D, E→F) and repeat to secure.
  • Glue felt discs behind the sewn eyes for strength, make a small hole in the felt slightly off-center and insert the sewn eyes into the felt disc before gluing.
  • Attach arms to the body and secure firmly; sew legs together and join the second leg to the first at the chain stitch, then crochet body rounds around both legs to form the torso.
  • Sew the crest pieces along the head midline and the tail crest pieces along the tail, connecting triangles into a continuous crest with slip stitches.
  • Insert the wired wing frames into wing covers, sew edges closed and attach wings to the back of the toy, shaping the wire for desired pose.
  • Add shell ruffle by crocheting shells around the 41st round with yellow yarn, then secure any loose ends and weave in all thread tails.

Important Notes

  • 💡Work in spiral; do not join with a slip stitch at the end of the round and do not turn unless otherwise stated.
  • 💡There are floating loops and some turning rows in this pattern; follow instructions carefully for each section.
  • 💡Use a stitch marker or contrast thread at the beginning of each round to mark the first loop of every new row.
  • 💡Stuff the toy firmly but evenly so it retains shape; overstuffing can distort shaping while under stuffing can collapse features.
  • 💡If you cannot make a magic ring (AR), make 2 ch and crochet in the second loop from the hook as an alternative AR method.

This charming Gretta the Dragon pattern brings together cute shaping, playful scales, and a ruffled shell to make a one-of-a-kind friend. Perfect for gifting, decorating a nursery, or building your amigurumi collection. Follow the step-by-step rounds and photos for a joyful crochet journey. 🧶✨🧵

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished amigurumi measures approximately 27-28 cm (10.63–11.02 in) tall including the crest when using the recommended yarn and hook size.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but the final size will change; choose an appropriate hook size to match the yarn and adjust eye size accordingly.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so familiarity with magic ring, single crochet, increases, decreases, working in the back loop, and some simple embroidery is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in 12-15 hours across multiple sessions, depending on experience and the level of detail you add to decoration and assembly.