It's the moment you've all been waiting for! At long last, here is PART 1 of Orbit the Dragon's FREE crochet along! Yay!

This has been an overwhelming adventure for me so far. The response to the build-up of Orbit's pattern release was mind blowing, with 20,000 subscribers and counting signing up to make my baby dragon! I'd like to say a big, heartfelt THANK YOU to every single person who signed up, especially the very enthusiastic crowd at Hooked on Sunshine, and an extra special thank you to Ness and her team who make Hooked on Sunshine the amazing group that it is. This pattern has been made possible with their help and expertise.

Now I know you can't wait any longer so let's jump right in!

 

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This pattern, or any portion thereof, may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the designer. This pattern was written by Jessie Van In of Projectarian – and co-hosted on Hooked on Sunshine. Copyright and intellectual property rights reserved.

 

 

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PATTERN INFORMATION

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This is PART 1  of the Crochet Along and it contains instructions for the Head, Eyes, Horns, Nostrils and Cheeks. The rest of the dragon's pattern will be in Parts 2- 4, released weekly. Scroll down to read the pattern or click here to download it.

In Part 4 you will get clear and concise instructions for positioning and sewing all the bits. Please don't sew your dragon together until then, because the other pieces might not fit later down the line if you have started with incorrect placing.

Please read the PREFACE to see what supplies you'll need to make Orbit, and everything else you'll need to know. The PREFACE contains the following information:

• Basic info like the dragon's size and difficulty rating
• What supplies you'll need, including all tools, yarn and other material, plus their quantities
• The skills you'll need, as well as special stitch instructions and stitch abbreviations
• An entire section of tips and tutorials to teach you the skills needed for this pattern
• Helpful notes on stuffing and gauge

 

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THE HEAD

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Finished size: 115mm long x 75mm at the widest diameter.

R1: Using Body Colour, 6SC into a magic ring. (6)

Continue working in the round.

R2: 2SC in each st around. (12)

R3: *SC in next st. 2SC in next st.* Repeat all around. (18)

R4: *SC in next 2 sts. 2SC in next st.* Repeat all around. (24)

R5: *SC in next 3 sts. 2SC in next st.* Repeat all around. (30)

R6: *SC in next 4 sts. 2SC in next st.* Repeat all around. (36)

R7-14: SC in each st around. (36)

R15: *SC in next 5 sts. 2SC in next st.* Repeat all around. (42)

R16: *SC in next 6 sts. 2SC in next st.* Repeat all around. (48)

R17-27: SC in each st around. (48)

R28: *SC in next 6 sts. SC next 2 sts tog.* Repeat all around. (42)

R29: *SC in next 5 sts. SC next 2 sts tog.* Repeat all around. (36)

R30: *SC in next 4 sts. SC next 2 sts tog.* Repeat all around. (30)

Start stuffing the head firmly and continue stuffing as you go.

R31: *SC in next 3 sts. SC next 2 sts tog.* Repeat all around. (24)

R32: *SC in next 2 sts. SC next 2 sts tog.* Repeat all around. (18)

R33: *SC in next st. SC next 2 sts tog.* Repeat all around. (12)

R34: *SC next 2 sts tog.* Repeat all around. (6)

Finish stuffing the head.

Tie off, sew closed and weave in loose end.

The head should have a pear shape with clear definition between the muzzle and the brow. The muzzle should be narrower, with a sharp angle on the brow, and a nice round bulb for the back of the head.

You’ll find assembly instructions at the end of the pattern (Part 4).

 

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THE EYES

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Make 2 - Finished size: 40mm wide.

 

R1: Using Eye Colour, 6SC into a magic ring. Join with a SS. (6)

R2: Ch1. 2SC in each st around. Join with a SS. (12)

R3: Ch1. SC in first st. 2SC in next st. * SC in next st. 2SC in next st.* Repeat all around. Join with a SS. (18)

R4: Ch1. SC in first 2 sts. 2SC in next st. * SC in next 2 sts. 2SC in next st.* Repeat all around. Join with a SS. (24)

Tie off, leaving a thread (30cm) for sewing.

SMILE LINE IN THE EYES: Insert hook at any st on R2. Using Smile Line Colour, start with slip knot on hook, leaving a tail about 10cm long. Surface SS in next 7 sts. Tie off and cut thread about 10cm long. Pull end through same st to back of eye. Tie threads together in a sturdy knot. Make sure the eye stays flat when you tie the knot. You can trim the ends short, or leave them long and sew them into the head to conceal them when attaching the eye to the head. Do not pack the loose ends under the eye when sewing – they will make it bulge from the head. The eye should lay flat against the head.

 

 

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THE HORNS

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LONG CURVED HORN

Make 2 - Finished size: 50mm tall x 25mm at the widest point.

 

R1: Using Horn Colour, 5SC into a magic ring. (5)

Continue working in the round.

R2: 2SC in next st. SC in rem 4 sts. (6)

R3: SC in next 2 sts. 2SC in next st. SC in rem 3 sts. (7)

R4: SC in next 3 sts. 2SC in next st. SC in rem 3 sts. (8)

R5: SC in next 4 sts. 2SC in next st. SC in rem 3 sts. (9)

R6: SC in next 5 sts. 2SC in next st. SC in rem 3 sts. (10)

R7: SC in next 6 sts. 2SC in next st. SC in rem 3 sts. (11)

R8: SC in next 7 sts. 2SC in next st. SC in rem 3 sts. (12)

R9: SC in next 8 sts. 2SC in next st. SC in rem 3 sts. (13)

Change to Body Colour on the last stitch of Row 9. The horn is complete; now it’s time to add a rim around it. Work over your Horn Colour end in Row 10 to secure it.

R10: Working into front loops only, SC in next 9 sts. 2SC in next st. SC in rem 3 sts. (14)

Cut Horn Colour and stuff the loose end inside the horn.

R11: Working into both loops as usual, SC in each st around. (14)

SS in next 2 sts to taper the end of your row. Tie off, leaving a thread (30cm) for sewing.

Rim complete. Flip the rim up.

 

The horn is curved. When you stuff your horns, be careful to preserve its curved shape, and make sure both horns are the same.

 

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SHORT POINTED HORN

Make 1

Finished size: 20mm tall x 20mm at the widest point.

R1: Using Horn Colour, 6SC into a magic ring. (6)

Continue working in the round.

R2: *SC in next 2 sts. 2SC in next st.* Repeat. (8)

R3: *SC in next 3 sts. 2SC in next st.* Repeat. (10)

R4: *SC in next 4 sts. 2SC in next st.* Repeat. (12)

SS in next 2 sts to taper the end of your row. Tie off, leaving a thread (20cm) for sewing.

Stuff the horn firmly. It should be round, with a pointed tip.

 

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THE NOSTRILS

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Make 2 - Finished size: 20mm long x 20mm at the widest point.

R1: Using Body Colour, 8SC into a magic ring. (8)

Continue working in the round.

R2-6: SC in each st around. (8)

R7: *SC next 2 sts tog*. Repeat all around. (4)

Tie off, leaving a thread (20cm) for sewing.

To shape the nostril correctly, the front half needs to be collapsed into the back half. Thread your sewing thread onto a needle and sew the hole closed. Push the needle through the center of the last row, through the nostril, and out through the magic ring. Tug it firmly to pull half of the nostril inside.

You can also use the back of a crochet hook or a pencil to push it. Push it until Row 7 touches Row 1, and your hollow little nostril is complete. Leave the loose end for sewing.

 

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THE CHEEKS

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Make 2 - Finished size: 20mm wide.

R1: Using Cheek Colour, 6SC into a magic ring. Join with a SS. (6)

R2: Ch1. 2SC in each st around. Join with a SS. (12)

Tie off, leaving a thread (30cm) for sewing.

Weave in the starting thread securely and trim it short.

 

- END OF PART 1 -

 

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SUPPORT THE ARTIST

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I hope you're enjoying the CAL so far! This pattern will ALWAYS be free, but if you would like to make a contribution to help me keep the free content coming, click on the button to donate via PayPal. Thank you for your support!

(Please enter your Payment methods data on the settings pages.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PART 2

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Subscribe to my mailing list to be notified via email when Part 2 is released. Join the Projectarian Facebook group to share pictures of your dragon with the rest of the Tribe, or tag @Projectarian on Instagram with the #OrbitTheDragon hashtag to share your pics! (You can also follow the hashtag to watch as all the Orbits come into the world!)

 

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PIN IT!

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SHARE IT

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You may share this pattern using the buttons below, or copy and paste the URL to link to this page. Attribution to Projectarian must be given as the designer, and you may not use more than 3 pictures from this page. You're welcome to sell any little dragon you make using this pattern.

This pattern or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the designer. This pattern was written by Jessie Van In of Projectarian – and co-hosted on Hooked on Sunshine. Copyright and intellectual property rights reserved.