Dragons have captured our imaginations for centuries, weaving their way into our folklore, myths, and, of course, pop culture. From Smaug’s menacing presence in Tolkien’s Middle-earth to the fire-breathing, winged serpents that graced the skies of Westeros in “Game of Thrones”, these mythical creatures have left a mark on our hearts and minds. But what if I told you that you can now bring these majestic creatures into your daily life, not as fearsome foes, but as cuddly companions and stylish accessories with 25 free dragon knitting patterns?
In this article, we’re diving headfirst into the enchanting world of dragon knitting patterns. We’ve rounded up a treasure hoard of 25 fantastic designs that will allow you to knit your very own stuffed dragon toys and other dragon-inspired creations like cozy cowls and stylish shawls.
These patterns draw inspiration from the signature scales, spikes, and wings that make dragons so iconic in pop culture, and they’re bound to add a touch of mythical magic to your knitting needles. And for those looking to add a touch of dragon magic to their everyday items, there are designs for hats, potholders, and drawstring pouches featuring intricate dragon motifs crafted with the art of colorwork.
Join us on this whimsical journey as we explore the enduring fascination with dragons and dragon knit patterns and celebrate their timeless appeal in pop culture. Whether you’re a fan of the fierce fire breathing kind of dragons or the more lovable cartoon dragons, you’re sure to find something in these dragon knitting patterns that tickles your inner dragon lover.
Soon you will be able to show off your love of dragons through new stylish accessories and adorable home decor with knitting patterns for every skill level. Scroll down and prepare to dive into an epic adventure and be inspired with a wide variety of patterns!
Dragon Potholder
Double knit your way to dreams of dragons flying around your home with this fun potholder design. The double thick surface offers twice the protection from hot surfaces to your hands and countertops. You could also use it as a washcloth or a dishcloth.
Designer: Nifty Knitter Designs
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cascade 220® Superwash (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free pattern!
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Dragon Legs
A green and blue variegated yarn is a great choice to recreate the natural mottled look of dragon scales glinting in the sunlight. A ridge of triangular spikes down the backs of the legwarmers provide another nod to dragon anatomy. To make the spikes, stitches are picked up along the 2×2 rib stitch base of the legwarmers.
Designer: Frontier Dreams
Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label Aran Weight (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Dragon Bookends
Guard your private library with this ferocious dragon book end. Knit in reverse stockinette stitch, this design is made to fit around standard size metal book ends. Details are added on after knitting using cut out pieces of felt. This would be such a fun project for a kid’s bedroom!
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Dragon Tooth Wrap
Yarn in earth tones of brown and tan are a great choice for recreating the look of leathery dragon wings. This uniquely shaped shawl using a knit version of the crochet jacob’s ladder stitch to achieve the distinct braided ridges radiating outwards from the neck.
Designer: JessieAtHome
Yarn: Round Mountain Fibers Willow DK (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Tarragon the Gentle Dragon
Not all dragons are ferocious and fire-breathing, you know. Some of them can be quite friendly and even gentle like Tarragon here! Dragon knitting patterns for stuffed toys are a great way to let your imagination run wild. I especially like how this design uses the textural difference between knit and purl stitches to bring out the ridges along the dragon’s belly.
Designer: Knit-a-Zoo
Yarn: Titan Wool Zaffiro (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Escama del Dragon Cowl
Escama means scale in Spanish, so you can see that the name of this cowl design is really quite fitting! A richly colorful variegated yarn combined with the knit dragon scale stitch give this cowl design its showstopping appearance. As an added bonus, the dragon scale stitch has a really nice drape so you won’t have a stiff and uncomfortable cowl.
Designer: Fairmount Fibers Design Team
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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FroggyBug Dragon
You’d be hard pressed to feel any amount of terror when you look upon this silly little stuffed dragon. Exaggerated features and a bright color scheme give this dragon a funny and cartoonish appearance. Special techniques include french knitting for the limbs and intarsia colorwork for the wings.
Designer: Nicole Chevalier
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Fabel (Fingering Weight #1) and
Garnstudio DROPS Baby Merino (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Dragon’s Breath Cowl
You’ll need a self striping yarn with slow color changes to pull off the magic of this gorgeous cowl design. I just love the way that the color gradually shifts from midnight blue to sunny yellow. The lace stitch pattern is knit in the round and beads are added as you go.
Designer: Nim Teasdale for Knitty
Yarn: Apple Tree Knits Pure Lace (Lace Weight #0)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Knitted Dragon
Just look at the majestic wingspan on the next one of our dragon knitting patterns! This detailed design comes with plenty of helpful videos to get you through some of the trickier bits of the pattern. Special techniques include kitchener stitch grafting and knitting icord. You’ll need a few pipe cleaners handy to help the wings keep their shape.
Designer: Kim Harrison
Yarn: Patons North America Grace (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free dragon knitting pattern!
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Dragon Tail
A cozy shawl would sure come in handy on your next adventure! Wrap yourself in wonder and whimsy with this stunning Dragon Tail shawl. The pattern is worked sideways in garter stitch, so it’s much easier to make than you might think. Short rows are used to make the spikes running down the side.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Fabel (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Dragon Pouch or Dice Bag
You can hoard all kinds of little treasures and trinkets in this drawstring pouch. The pattern uses intarsia colorwork for the dragon motif and a simple icord for the drawstring. If you know someone who likes to play board games or trading card games, then this dice bag would be a great option to make as a gift!
Designer: Nifty Knitter Designs
Yarn: Knit Picks Palette (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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The Dragon Slayer Dog Sweater
Even Fido can get in on the fantasy fun of dragon fever with this exciting sweater design. The smooth stockinette stitch body of the sweater is contrasted in both color and texture by the ribbed edging and the garter stitch dragon scales. A little further on in the pattern you’ll find a matching pattern for a child’s hooded scarf!
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Red Dragon Beanie
Practice your fair isle colorwork with this fantastic dragon design. The pattern incorporates four colors in total but you only work with two at a time so it’s quite manageable even for colorwork novices. A special kind of ribbing called “noop” is used to make the two color brim.
Designer: Sandra Jäger
Yarn: Fingering Weight #1
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Flynn the Swamp Dragon
I just can’t get enough of these dragon knitting patterns for stuffed toys and this one might be the cutest one on the list. There’s just something about this dragon’s pose that reminds me of a puppy and I’m completely enamored with him! I think my favorite aspect of the design is the contrasting color selection that really makes the wings pop.
Designer: Steph Conley
Yarn: Worsted Weight #4
Click here for the free dragon toy knitting pattern!
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Dragon Scale Mitts
I am getting so many good project ideas for variegated yarns from today’s round-up! Sometimes variegated yarns can be challenging to work with because they can make things look too busy, but they’re perfect for fantasy-inspired designs like these fingerless gloves. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with yarn overs and slip slip knits.
Designer: E. Kate Archer
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Dragon Fire Scarf
A double knit scarf is twice as thick and twice as warm as a regular scarf, so why don’t you make one for yourself or a loved one. This eye-catching red and black dragon design complete with flames would make a stunning Christmas or birthday gift for the dragon lover in your life.
Designer: Carrie Pinkerton
Yarn: Fingering Weight #1
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Dragon Lovey
Part baby blanket and part stuffed animal, a hand knit lovey is a beautiful thing to make for a baby shower or first birthday. This playful dragon design uses a colorful variegated yarn to make the ridges along the dragon’s back and the scales of the dragon’s blanket stomach which are made using knot stitch for added texture.
Designer: Ruth Bramley
Yarn: DK Weight #3
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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The Dragon Slayer Hood
Here’s the matching hood design for the dog sweater we talked about earlier. These two dragon knitting patterns are just too cute! The pattern for this hood is even easier to make than the sweater since there’s very little shaping involved. It calls for stockinette and garter stitches.
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Dragon Heart
Have you noticed that a lot of these dragon knitting patterns, like this gorgeous shawl, seem to call for the garter stitch? Maybe it’s because it’s such an easy way to add some texture to replicate the look of dragon scales! Whatever the reason, it’s excellent news for knitting novices who don’t want to practice their purl stitches.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Kid-Silk (Lace Weight #0)
Garnstudio DROPS Delight (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Thirteen the Lucky Dragon
Since dragons aren’t real (sorry to be the bearer of bad news), you can choose any color of yarn for them and they are bound to look great! A bright neon green contrasts beautifully with a rich shade of blue to make this enchanting dragon toy. The textured 1×1 rib stitch wings and garter stitch snout stand out nicely against the smooth stockinette stitch body.
Designer: Laughing Purple Goldfish Designs
Yarn: DK Weight #3
Click here for the free dragon pattern!
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Dragon’s Play
Do you know any children who are just as obsessed with dragons as you are? I know I do! They are sure to love receiving this cute and cozy sweater as a Christmas or birthday gift. The pattern is worked in the round from the bottom up using stockinette stitch and stranded colorwork.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Alpaca (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Donald Dragon
You won’t need any stuffing for this next dragon design and I’ll tell you why. It’s because it’s not a stuffed animal. It’s actually a hand puppet! Just imagine the fun this would add to story time. This dragon is all silly and not at all scary so it’s the perfect choice for playtime even for very young children.
Designer: fluff & fuzz
Yarn: Worsted Weight #4
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Targaryen Knit Hat
If you are a fan of the TV show “Game of Thrones” then surely you have heard of Daenerys Targaryen, mother of dragons (and, yes, if you are wondering, I did have to look up the spelling for the name!). This delightful dragon hat made with stockinette stitch and stranded colorwork was inspired by the show.
Designer: Holly G Hats
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Solids (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Dragon Scale Gauntlets
These knit gauntlets might be one of the coolest patterns I have ever seen because they have real metal scales worked into the design! According to the designer, adding the small metal scales is no more difficult than adding beading to your work. The pattern is knit in the round using basic knitting stitches.
Designer: Sheila Toy Stromberg Handknits
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Highland Duo (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Saurus Hood
Skip the annual argument you have with your kids where you try to convince them that they really need to wear their hat and they tell you that they don’t want to (we’ve all been there). Your kiddo will be begging to wear their hat when they see how cool this spiked hood is! The pattern is knit in stockinette stitch and double stranded for extra coziness.
Designer: Knotions
Yarn: Worsted Weight #4
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Final Thoughts on Dragon Knitting Patterns
I sure hope these dragons knitting patterns have ignited the flames of your imagination! These designs offer a delightful escape into a world where dragons come to life through stitches and yarn.
Don’t forget, sharing is caring! Send this free knitting pattern round-up to all your knitting friends so they can join in on the fun too! Bookmark this page or save the link to your Pinterest board for amazing knitting patterns.
I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3
Happy Knitting!