Difficulty: 5/5: Advanced
An
extra-large and extra-huggable doll of my favorite Pokemon,
Dragonite! This is a fairly large, complicated doll that is not
suitable for those without at least a little experience crocheting in
the round and making amigurumi. It is a bit of a challenge, but
definitely worth it for the finished product! If you have any
questions or corrections, please feel free to ask in the comments section or message me at
2DCuttlefish@gmail.com.\
Materials
-Yarn
-Yarn
- For regular Dragonite: (A) two 6-oz skeins of gold, (B) about ½ of a 6-oz skein of blue-green, (C) about ½ of a 6-oz skein in off-white, and (D) small amounts of black yarn for detail embroidery.
- For shiny Dragonite: (A) two 6-oz skeins of pale green, (B) about ½ of a 6-oz skein of orchid, (C) about ½ of a 6-oz skein in off-white, and (D) small amounts of black yarn for detail embroidery.
-4.5
mm (size 7) crochet hook
-Fiberfill
– I recommend a nice, soft variety that's good for stuffed animals
-Yarn needle
-Pins
-Scraps
of felt, loose fabric, etc. in white, grey, and black for the eyes.
You can also make them using needle felting, if you know how –
that's the way I did it for the example doll shown in the photos.
-Scraps
of yarn for round markers
Gauge:
Gauge is not important for this work. With the given yarn and hook
size, the finished doll will stand about 15 inches (38.1 cm) in
height; adjust yarn and/or hook size if a bigger or smaller doll is
desired. Just make sure your stitches are of a consistent size and
tightness.
Notation
(US crochet)
ch:
chain
st:
stitch
sc:
single crochet
hdc:
half-double crochet
slst:
slip stitch
inc:
increase stitch (perform 2 sc in the next stitch of the work)
dec:
decrease stitch (insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull
through the stitch. Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull
through first loop. Yarn over again, pull through all 3 loops on
hook.)
hdec:
half-double decrease stitch (yarn over hook and insert into stitch.
Yarn over hook and pull through the stitch. Yarn over hook again, and
insert into next stitch. Yarn over hook again and pull through the
second stitch. Yarn over hook once more, and pull through all 5 loops
on the hook.)
*Note:
You do not need to use the same brand or colors of yarn I used, but
you should try and pick a 100% acrylic yarn for this doll. Acrylic
yarn is generally best for amigurumi dolls as it holds the stiff
weave required to maintain the structure of the doll. This is
especially true for large dolls like this one, whose weight may cause
non-acrylic yarns to sag and lose shape over time.
PART
1: BASE
First,
we'll make and assemble the main parts of Dragonite's body. All parts
are worked in a spiral round, unless otherwise noted.
Head
and Torso
Round
1: Using A,
8 sc in starter circle (8)
Round
2: 2 sc in each st around (16)
Round
3: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)
Round
4: *sc in next 2 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (32)
Round
5: *sc in next 3 st, inc.*Repeat from * to * around. (40)
Round
6: *sc in next 4 st, increase.* Repeat from * to * around. (48)
Round
7: *sc in next 5 st, increase.* Repeat from * to * around. (56)
Rounds
8-21: sc in each st around. (56)
Round
22: *sc in next 6 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (64)
Rounds
23-24: sc in each st around. (64)
Round
25: *sc in next 7 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (72)
Rounds
26-28: sc in each st around. (72)
Round
29: *sc in next 8 st, inc* Repeat from * to * around. (80)
Round
30: *sc in next 9 st, inc* Repeat from * to * around. (88)
Round
31: 10 sc, inc* Repeat from * to * around. (96)
Rounds
32-33: sc in each st around. (96)
Round
34: *sc in next 11 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (104)
*Now
is a good time to start stuffing. Continue to stuff the doll firmly
as you work.
Rounds
35-54: sc in each st around. (104)
Round
55: *sc in next 11 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (96)
Round
56: *sc in next 10 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (88)
Round
57: *sc in next 9 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (80)
Round
58: *sc in next 8 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (72)
Round
59: *sc in next 7 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (64)
Round
60: *sc in next 6 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (56)
Round
61: *sc in next 5 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (48)
Round
62: *sc in next 4 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (40)
Round
63: *sc in next 3 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (32)
Round
62: *sc in next 2 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)
Round
63: *sc in next st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (16)
Round
64: dec around until closed.
Finish
off, leaving trail.
Arms
(Make 2)
Round
1: With A,
5 sc in started circle. (5)
Round
2: 2 sc in each st around (10)
Round
3: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (15)
Round
4: *sc in next 2 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (20)
Round
5: *sc in next 3 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (25)
Rounds
6-20: sc in each st around. At the end of round 20, ch 1 and turn
(25)
*From
here on, you will be working in standard crochet rows rather than
rounds
Row
21: sc in next 13 stitches. ch 1, turn. (13)
Rows
22-23: Repeat Row 21. (13)
Finish
off, leaving trail. Stuff firmly.
Legs
(Make 2)
Round
1: With A,
8 sc in starter circle (8)
Round
2: 2 sc in each st around (16)
Round
3: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (24)
Round
4: *sc in next 2 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (32)
Round
5: *sc in next 3 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (40)
Round
6: *sc in next 4 sc, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (48)
Rounds
7-15: sc in each st around (48)
Round
16: *sc in next 4 sc, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (40)
Round
17: *sc in next 3 sc, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (32)
Round
18: *sc in next 2 sc, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (24)
Rounds
19-20: sc in each st around (16)
Finish
off, leaving trail. Stuff firmly. The bottom of the legs are left
open, as this is where you will attach the feet.
Feet
(Make 2)
Round
1: With A,
6 sc in starter circle. (6)
Round
2: 2 sc in each st around (12)
Round
3: *sc in next 4 st, inc, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (16)
Round
4: *sc in next 5 st, inc, inc, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (22)
Round
5: *dec, sc in next 4 st, dec, inc, inc, inc* Reapeat from * to *
around. (24)
Rounds
6-13: sc in each st around (24)
Round
14: *sc in next 4 st, dec* Repeat from * to * around. (20)
*Note:
Start stuffing now, and continue to do so until you finish. The feet
should be stuffed firmly, to support the weight of the doll.
Round
15: *sc in next 3 st, dec* Repeat from * to * around. (16)
Round
16: *sc in next 2 st, dec* Repeat from * to * around. (12)
Round
17: dec around until closed
Finish
off, leaving trail.
Snout
Round
1: With A,
sc 8 in starter circle (8)
Round
2: 2 sc in each st around (16)
Round
3: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)
Round
4: *sc in next 2 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (32)
Round
5: *sc in next 3 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (40)
Round
6: *sc in next 4 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (48)
Round
7: *sc in next 5 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (56)
Round
8: *sc in next 17 st, dec, dec, sc in next 3 st, dec, dec.* Repeat
from * to * around. (48)
Round
9: *sc in next 20 st, dec, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (44)
Rounds
10-11: sc in each st around (44)
Stuff
just enough to maintain the shape of the snout. Finish off, leaving
trail.
Tail
Round
1: With A,
sc 4 in starter circle (4)
Round
2: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (6)
Round
3: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (9)
Round
4: *sc in next 2 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (12)
Rounds
5-6: sc in each st around. (12)
Round
7: *sc in next 3 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (15)
Rounds
8-9: sc in each st around. (15)
Round
10: *sc in next 4 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (18)
Rounds
11-12: sc in each st around. (18)
Round
13: *sc in next 5 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (21)
*Begin
to stuff here, firmly.
Round
14: sc in each st around. (21)
Round
15: *sc in next 6 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (24)
Rounds
16-17: sc in each st around. (24)
Round
18: *sc in next 7 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (27)
Rounds
19-20: sc in each st around (27)
Round
21: *sc in next 8 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around (30)
Round
22: *sc in next 4 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * twice. sc to end of
round. (33)
Rounds
23-24: sc in each st around (33)
Round
25: *sc in next 10 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (36)
Round
26: *sc in next 5 st, inc* Repeat from * to * twice. sc to end of
round. (39)
Rounds
27-28: sc in each st around around (39)
Round
29: *sc in next 12 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (42)
Round
30: *sc in next 6 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * twice. sc to end of
round. (45)
Finish
off, leaving trail.
Horn
Round
1: With A,
sc 4 in starter circle. (4)
Round
2: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (6)
Round
3: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (9)
Round
4: *sc in next 2 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (12)
Round
5: sc in each st around. (12)
Finish
Off, leaving trail. Add a small amount of stuffing to the horn, just
enough to maintain its shape once attached to the head.
Assembly:
Using the tapestry needle and trails of yarn from each piece, you
will be using a firm whip stitch to sew the pieces together. First,
sew the feet to the legs. Then, pin all of the completed body pieces
together; doing this will allow you to make sure everything is in the
correct spot before you sew it together permanently. The legs may be
difficult to attach, as their bulk makes it difficult to position
them properly when sewing; use a firm stitch, and sew around the area
connecting the pieces twice if you need to. I've included reference
pictures in at the end of this pattern to help you put your own doll
together using my finished doll as an assembly reference. When you're
happy with everything, move on to Part 2, where we will begin making
the detail pieces of the doll.
PART
2: DETAILS
All
of the parts described in this section are worked using traditional
crochet in rows, rather than a spiral round.
Wings
(Make 4; 2 with A
and 2 with B)
This
is arguably the hardest part of the doll. Make sure to work with a
firm grip, as the wings must be able to support themselves. It is
complicated, but you will be fine if you follow the directions
carefully. The final pieces will be slightly baggy in the middle;
this will provide a slight curve to the wings. You will make 4 pieces
using the pattern provided, two in color A
and 2 in color B.
The pieces made with A
will be the back of the wings, while the B
pieces will be the front.
Row
1: With A
or B,
ch 26. (26) Turn.
Row
2: 2 sc in 2nd
ch from hook. Sc in next 5 st. 3 sc in next st. sc in next 5 st. skip
1 st. sc in next 5 sc. 3 sc in next st. sc in next 5 st. 2 sc in last
st of row. (30) ch 1, turn.
Row
3: Beginning in the second st from the hook, dec. sc in next 5 st. 3
sc in next st. dec seven times. 3 sc in next st. sc in next 5 st.
slst in last st of row. (26) ch 1, turn.
Row
4: Beginning in the second st from the hook, dec. sc in next 5 st. 3
sc in next st. dec five times. 3 sc in next st. sc in next 5 st. slst
in last st of row. (26) ch 1, turn.
Row
5: Beginning in the second st from the hook, dec. sc in next 5 st. 3
sc in next st. dec four times. 3 sc in next st. sc in next 5 st. slst
in last st of row. (23) ch 1, turn
Row
6: Beginning in the second st from the hook, dec. sc in next 5 st.
dec 4 times. Sc in next 6 st. slst in last st of row. (17) ch 1,
turn.
Row
7: sc in 2nd
st from hook. sc in next 4 st. dec 3 times. sc in next 5 st. slst in
last st of row. (14) ch 1, turn.
Row
8: Beginning in the 2nd
st from the hook, dec. dec, dec. inc, inc. dec, dec, dec. (10) ch 1,
turn.
Row
9: Beginning in the 2nd
st from the hook, dec. sc in next 7 st. slst in last st of row. (9)
ch 1, turn.
Row
10: Beginning in the 2nd
st from the hook, dec. sc in next 5 st. dec over last 2 st of row.
(7) ch 1, turn.
Row
11: Beginning in the 2nd
st from the hook, dec. sc in next 3 st. dec over last 2 st of row.
(5) ch 1, turn.
Row
12: Beginning in the 2nd
st from the hook, dec. sc in next st. dec over last 2 st of row. (3)
Finish
off, leaving trail.
Antennae
(Make 2)
Row
1: With C,
ch 11 (11) Turn.
Row
2: sc in 2nd
st from hook. sc in each st across. (10) ch 1, turn.
Row
3: sc in 2nd
st from hook. sc in each st across. (10)
Finish
off, leaving trail. Use the trail to sew the top of row 3 to the
bottom of row 1 using a whip stitch.
Belly
Row
1: With C,
ch 13. Turn. (13)
Row
2: hdc in 3rd
st from hook and continue to hdc to end of row. (12) ch 2, turn.
Rows
3-6: Repeat Row 2 (12)
Row
7: 2 hdc in 3rd
st from hook. 1 hdc in next 10 st. 2 hdc in last st of row. (14) ch
2, turn.
Row
8: 2 hdc in 3rd
st from hook. 1 hdc in next 12 st. 2 hdc in last st of row. (16) ch
2, turn.
Row
9: 2 hdc in 3rd
st from hook. 1 hdc in next 14 st. 2 hdc in last st of row. (18) ch
2, turn.
Row
10: 2 hdc in 3rd
st from hook. 1 hdc in next 16 st. 2 hdc in last st of row. (20) ch
2, turn.
Row
11: hdc in 3rd
st from hook and continue to hdc to end of row. (20) ch 2, turn.
Row
12-40: Repeat Row 11. (20) By the end of Row 40, the belly piece
should be long enough that it extends from just beneath Dragonite's
snout down to the base of his tail. If it is not that long, continue
to repeat row 11 until it is. If your piece reaches the base of the
tail prior to row 40, you may stop repeating row 11 and start the
pattern described from row 41 onwards.
Row
41: hdec starting in 3rd
st from hook. 1 hdc in next 16 st. hdec over last 2 st of row. (18)
ch 2, turn.
Row
42: hdec starting in 3rd
st from hook. 1 hdc in next 14 st. hdec over last 2 st of row. (16)
ch 2, turn.
Row
43: hdec starting in 3rd
st from hook. 1 hdc in next 12 st. hdec over last 2 st of row. (14)
ch 2, turn.
Row
44: hdec starting in 3rd
st from hook. 1 hdc in next 10 st. hdec over last 2 st of row. (12)
ch 2, turn.
Row
45: hdc in 3rd
st from hook and continue to hdc to end of row. (12) ch 2, turn.
Row
46: hdec starting in 3rd
st from hook. 1 hdc in next 8 st. hdec over last 2 st of row. (10) ch
2, turn.
Row
47: hdc in 3rd
st from hook and continue to hdc to end of row. (10) ch 2, turn.
Rows
48-52: Repeat Row 47.
Row
53: hdec starting in 3rd
st from hook. 1 hdc in next 6 st. hdec over last 2 st of row. (8) ch
2, turn.
Row
54: hdec starting in 3rd
st from hook. 1 hdc in next 4 st. hdec over last 2 st of row. (6) ch
2, turn.
Row
55: hdec starting in 3rd
st from hook. 1 hdc in next 2 st. hdec over last 2 st of row. (4) ch
2, turn.
Row
56: hdc in 3rd
st from hook and continue to hdc to end of row. (4) ch 2, turn.
Rows
57-59: Repeat row 56 (4)
Row
60: hdec starting in 3rd
st from hook. hdec over last 2 st of row. (2)
Row
61: hdec starting in 3rd
st from hook. (1)
Finish
off, leaving very long trail. Weave in ends.
Claws
(Make 12)
Row
1: With C,
ch
3. (3) Turn.
Row
2: sc in 2nd
st from hook. sc in last st of round (2)
Finish
off, leaving trail.
Assembly:
First, assemble the wings. For each wing, use a whip stitch to sew
the tops of the wings using the trail from the back (color A)
pieces and the bottoms using the trail from the front (color B)
pieces. The belly piece should extend from the base of Dragonite's
snout underneath him to the tip of his tail. Three claws should be
placed at the end of each arm and foot piece. Pin all of the pieces
in place on the main body you made in Part 1. When you're satisfied
with the arrangement, sew everything into place using a firm whip
stitch. Photos for assembly reference are available at the end of the
pattern document.
PART
3: FINISHING TOUCHES
Eyes
You're
free to make these with whatever material you feel comfortable with
using. Dragonite's eyes may be made from felt scraps, fabric scraps,
wool roving, etc. The base layer will be white, followed by the layer
of the black area, and topped with the gray of the iris and the white
of the “shine” in Dragonite's eye. If using scrap material, cut
out the appropriate shapes and sew them together before sewing the
finished eye to the doll. If using needle-felting, be careful not to
put your hand under the head area as you work it so you don't
accidentally stab yourself with the needle; work over a foam block or
a table. A close-up of my doll's eyes is visible below; I chose to
use needle felting and wool roving. Also included is a diagram of my
design for the right eye; mirror it for the design of the left.
Nostrils
Using
black yarn, embroider two small nostrils at the end of Dragonite's
snout.
Mouth
Using
black yarn, embroider a wide u-shaped mouth around the underside of
Dragonite's snout.
...and,
you're done! Congratulations! Below are some extra photos to assist
you with the assembly steps. Again, please feel free to contact me in the comments section or at
2DCuttlefish@gmail.com if you have any questions at all.
Further images have been provided below for you to reference while creating your doll.
