Dragon Claw Pillow | Free Crochet Pattern

The latest HbK pattern is the Dragon Claw Pillow! Add some fantasy to your home decor by adding claws to your couch! This pattern combines amigurumi techniques and a simple textured stitch to create a fun-to-crochet pattern.

The Dragon Claw Pillow pattern creates the perfect companion to the Dragon Eye Pillow. With a claw pillow on either side, you can turn your sofa into a dragon lair! I knew I wanted to do something like the Dragon Claw Pillow after I finished my Dragon Claw Purse. I looked so adorable just sitting in a chair that I thought it would look great as a pillow!

Construction

The Dragon Claw Pillow starts with a simple Suzette stitch base to match the texture of the Dragon Eye Pillow. The claws are made in the round, using amigurumi techniques such as short rounds to create realistic claws. I’ve been assured by my resident dragon expert (aka, son) that they are accurately gripping the pillow, with the middle finger slightly longer than the other two.

This pattern is also available as a Premium Pattern! Premium Patterns are ad-free, printable .pdf files, professionally formatted and edited, with extra tutorial photos not available in the free version, and print-only perks, like checkboxes for every round*!

Premium Patterns are available in the Hooked by Kati Shop, Ravelry, and Etsy.

Dragon Claw Pillow | Premium Pattern 2.0

The Premium Pattern of  the Dragon Claw Pillow is a printable pdf with clear instructions and checkboxes for every row.

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You can also bundle this Premium Pattern with the Dragon Eye Pillow, Buy One, Get One 50% Off!

Dragon Pillow Pair – Premium Pattern bundle

Dragon Claw Pillow | Free Crochet Pattern

Pattern is written in English, in US terms, using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.

You Need to Know

Chains (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), increases and decreases, mattress stitch sewing. Be eager to learn and ready to have fun!

For a quick refresher of these basic skills, go to www.hookedbykati.com/basics

You Will Practice Basic Techniques

• How to shape amigurumi using short rounds
• How to shape using increases and decreases
• How to use amigurumi skills to make home decorations

Supplies

• Big Twist Value yarn, 100% acrylic, worsted weight, 380 yds/6 oz/170 g, Varsity Gold (GOLD), 2 balls; Wine (WINE), 1 ball; Cream (CRM), < 1 ball.  (Yarn Substitutions)
• H (5.00 mm) Furls hook
• G (4.00 mm) Furls hook
• 18” x 18” pillow form
• Polyfil stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Straight pins

Measurements

18” x 18” pillow cover

Gauge

In “(sc, dc) in next st, skip 1” pattern, with H hook

22 sts x 20 rows = 6” x 6”

Pattern Notes

• Work in continuous rounds. Do not slip stitch unless otherwise specified by the pattern.
• For best results, assemble parts in order as directed.
• Weave in attachment ends at very end of project in case pieces require repositioning.
• Rounds labeled “Short round” are worked back and forth and will end before the round is complete, leaving stitches deliberately unworked to be worked in later rounds as instructed.
• When instructed, an additional sc(s) will be added at the end of a round to move the starting stitch of the next round to the left (clockwise). This does not change the stitch count of the round. It only moves the starting point.

Instructions

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Pillow Base

(Make 2)

(check gauge before beginning to ensure an 18” x 18” pillow)

With GOLD, using H hook, ch 66.

Row 1: (Sc, dc) in second ch from hook, [skip 1, (sc, dc) in next st] 31 times, skip 1, sc in last st, turn. (65)

Row 2: Ch 1, [(sc, dc) in next st, skip 1] 32 times, sc in last st, turn. (65)

Rows 3-60: Repeat Row 2.

Bind off.

Pin both pillow bases together. Using a strand of GOLD, sc through both layers of edges on three sides, leaving bottom edge of the pillow open. Insert pillow form. Sc bottom edge to close.

Bind off and weave in all ends.

Set aside.

Fingers

(Make 2 Regular and 1 Middle Finger)

With CRM, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 3: [2 sc, inc] twice. (8)

Rnd 4: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] twice. (10)

Rnd 6: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 7: [4 sc, inc] twice. (12)

Rnd 8: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 9: [5 sc, inc] twice, turn. (14)

Rnd 10: (WS) (Short Rnd) (see Pattern Notes) Do not chain, 7 sc, leave remaining 7 sts for future use, turn. (7)

Rnd 11: (RS) (Short Rnd) Do not chain, 7 sc, do not turn. (7)

Rnd 12: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 14 sc. (14)

Rnd 13: [6 sc, inc] twice. (16)

Rnd 14: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 15: [7 sc, inc] twice. (18)

Rnd 16: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 17: [8 sc, inc] twice. (20)

Rnd 18: Change to WINE, [Sc, inc] 10 times. (30)

Rnd 19: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 20: Sc evenly around. Sc to move starting st, turn. (See Pattern Notes)

Rnd 21: (WS) (Short Rnd)Do not chain, 18 sc, leave remaining 18 sts for future use, turn. (18)

Rnd 22: (RS) (Short Rnd) Do not chain, 18 sc, do not turn. (18)

Rnd 23: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 36 sc, turn. (36)

Rnd 24: (WS) (Short Rnd)Do not chain, 18 sc, leave remaining 18 sts for future use, turn. (18)

Rnd 25: (RS) (Short Rnd) Do not chain, 18 sc, do not turn. (18)

Rnd 26: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 36 sc, sc to move starting st, turn. (36)

Rnd 27: (WS) (Short Rnd)Do not chain, 18 sc, leave remaining 18 sts for future use, turn. (18)

Rnd 28: (RS) (Short Rnd) Do not chain, 18 sc, do not turn. (18)

Rnd 29: (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnd, 36 sc. (36)

Rnds 30-31: Sc evenly around.

Begin stuffing.

Rnd 32: [10 sc, dec] 3 times. (33)

Rnd 33: [9 sc, dec] 3 times. (30)

Rnd 34: [8 sc, dec] 3 times. (27)

Work the row numbers and stitch counts in parentheses for the Middle Finger only.

Rnds 35-44(48): Sc evenly around.

Continue stuffing.

Rnd 45(49): 6(7) sc to move starting st, [8 sc, inc] 3 times. (30)

Rnd 46(50): [9 sc, inc] 3 times. (33)

Rnd 47(51): [10 sc, inc] 3 times, turn. (36)

Continue stuffing.

Rnd 48(52): (WS) (Short Rnd)Do not chain, 18 sc, leave remaining 18 sts for future use, turn. (18)

Rnd 49(53): (RS) (Short Rnd) Do not chain, 17 sc, leave remaining st unworked for future use, turn. (17)

Rnd 50(54): (WS) (Short Rnd) Do not chain, 16 sc, leave remaining st unworked for future use, turn. (16)

Rnd 51(55): (RS) (Short Rnd) Do not chain, 16 sc, do not turn. (16)

Rnd 52(56): (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnds, 36 sc, sc to move starting st, turn. (36)

This section has helpful photos in the Premium Pattern!

Rnd 53(57): (WS) (Short Rnd)Do not chain, 18 sc, leave remaining 18 sts for future use, turn. (18)

Rnd 54(58): (RS) (Short Rnd) Do not chain, 17 sc, leave remaining st unworked for future use, turn. (17)

Rnd 55(59): (WS) (Short Rnd) Do not chain, 16 sc, leave remaining st unworked for future use, turn. (16)

Rnd 56(60): (RS) (Short Rnd) Do not chain, 16 sc, do not turn. (16)

Rnd 57(61): (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnds, 36 sc, sc to move starting st, turn. (36)

Rnd 58(62): (WS) (Short Rnd)Do not chain, 18 sc, leave remaining 18 sts for future use, turn. (18)

Rnd 59(63): (RS) (Short Rnd) Do not chain, 17 sc, leave remaining st unworked for future use, turn. (17)

Rnd 60(64): (WS) (Short Rnd) Do not chain, 16 sc, leave remaining st unworked for future use, turn. (16)

Rnd 61(65): (RS) (Short Rnd) Do not chain, 16 sc, do not turn. (16)

Rnd 62(66): (RS) Work around including unworked sts from previous rnds, 36 sc. (36)

Rnd 63(67): [10 sc, dec] 3 times. (33)

Rnd 64(68): [9 sc, dec] 3 times. (30)

Stuff to knuckle.

Rnds 65-72(69-76): Sc evenly around. At end of Rnd 72(76), 5 sc to move starting st.

Finish stuffing. Understuff open end so it can be easily pinched flat.

Press last round flat with 1^st st and last st together.

Closing Row: Ch 1, working through both layers of last round, 15 sc to close finger. (15 sc)

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Attachment

Sew claws through the closing row of single crochet. Sew along the seam line of the edge OPPOSITE the closing seam of the pillow. This ensures that the closing seam of the pillow faces down and is out of sight.

Begin by attaching the middle claw centered on the pillow. Attach the other two claws, one on either side of the middle claw, with 3 sts between them and the middle claw.

If desired, use a strand of CRM to tack down the tips of the claws. (recommended)

Weave in all attachment ends when parts are positioned as desired.

(c) Hooked by Kati LLC 2024

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If you run into a snag, drop me a line! I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.

Find more free patterns like this at allfreecrochet.com.

Here are some more dragon-y crochet patterns for you:

Dragon Eye Pillow

Toby the Newborn Dragon

Wonder the Birthday Dragon

Charlie the Celestial Dragon

Kati Brown

Kati is the designer behind Hooked by Kati. With thousands of patterns sold around the world, Kati prides herself in creating innovative, easy-to-follow amigurumi patterns. She has designed for several publications, including Crochet!, Crochet World, Simply Crochet, and I Like Crochet. Kati finds her inspiration in science fiction, video games, and numerous visits to the zoo — all passions she shares with her husband and two boys.