“There’s always one bad egg in the basket…”
Well, not bad, perhaps a bit scrambled.
Born on the remote island of Elba Volcanicus to Boorngen the Visceral and Viscus the Perpetually-Recalibrating, it was an idyllic dragon-y upbringing for our two protagonists:
Hov’rin the Precise, and Flytten the UnKempt.
And so begins the origin story of these 2 dragons…one full of order, one…well, wildly chaotic.
** Both dragons can be knit in the large and the small size. It is their individual features that distinguish them:**
Hov’rin
- organized and orderly
- thinner tail
- wider wings with extra stability for…hovering.
- perfectly matched, perfectly blocked mittens with a string to keep them safe
Flytten
- somewhat flighty
- wider tail in an evolutionary attempt to stabilize her
- smaller wings allow her to flit here and there
- 1 mitt and 1 sock because…hey, we should be thankful she found SOMETHING to wear
YARN
Large dragon (DK weight)
Indigodragonfly DK Matter 100% superwash merino; 256 m/ 280 yds per 100 g skein, 1 skein.
Colourway: Targarymandering
Small dragon(Sock weight)
Indigodragonfly CaribouBaa 100% superwash merino; 398 m/435 yds per 100 g, 1 skein
Colourway: China Beach Blanket Bingo
For both dragons:
Minimum 10 yds each of 2 different colours of sock yarn for the fire and mitts/socks
GAUGE
Large dragon (DK weight) gauge: 28 sts and 36 rnds per 10 cm/ 4” in stockinette stitch in the round, blocked
Small dragon (Sock weight) gauge: 36 sts and 48 rnds per 10 cm/4” in stockinette stitch in the round, blocked
FINISHED SIZE
Large dragon (DK weight): 30.5 cm/12” tall (heel to ear) and 28 cm/11” around belly when stuffed.
Small dragon (Sock weight): 21.5 cm/8.5” tall (heel to ear and 19 cm/7.5” around belly when stuffed.
Sample version is worn with 2.5 cm/1” positive ease in upper torso.
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
Large dragon:
3.25 mm/ US 3 in your preferred needle for working a small circumference in the round: DPNs, magic loop or two short circulars
Spare DPN 3.25 mm/ US 3
Small dragon:
2.5 mm/US 1, in your preferred needle for working a small circumference in the round: DPNs, magic loop or two short circulars
Spare DPN 2.5 mm/US 1.5
Both sizes:
2.75 mm/US 2 needles for working flat for knitting wings, mitts, socks and fire
2.75 mm/US C crochet hook for making mitten string (if you have a small crochet hook for fixing stitches, that will also work)
Stitch markers: 2 different styles/colours
Scrap yarn in a contrasting colour (similar thickness, smooth. This yarn will be removed, so should not be textured in any way)
Polyfill or other stuffing
1 pair safety eyes (I used 12 mm eyes for both dragons. 9 or 10 mm would also be appropriate for the small dragon
Tapestry or yarn needle
Optional: wire, wire cutters and pliers. I used 20 gauge copper wire, which is thin but sturdy and complements the dragon colour.
Skills used:
- knit in the round
- increases and decreases
- grafting or 3 needle bind off
- picking up stitches
- some simple embroidery/needle sculpting