Free Dragon Eye Pillow Crochet Pattern | Geek Home Decor
This is a free crochet pattern for a realistic dragon eye throw pillow: an 18-inch square design using worsted weight yarn, ideal for fantasy-themed home decor.
This is one of my favorite HbK patterns. Yes, my heart belongs to plushies, but there is something awesome about combining amigurumi elements to make amazing fantasy decor, and I love the 3D effect it has. It also has so many color possibilities, making it one of my favorite patterns to view in the Gallery. Every artist comes up with something different and beautiful!
This pattern is intended for intermediate crocheters, but I also created a full video tutorial for it, which makes it more accessible to confident beginners. I walk you through the hardest parts of the pattern in the video, so even if you are following the free pattern here on the blog, the video can answer many of your questions about construction.
My house is decorated with dragon-themed designs. This dragon eye pillow pattern sat in my sketch book for a long time, and when I finally got it done, it quickly became a staple in my fantasy decor, especially around Halloween.
Pattern Snapshot
- Finished Size: 18″ x 18″ pillow
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Time to Make: Weekend Project (6–12 hours)
- Yarn: Worsted Weight Acrylic, Weight: 4
- Hook: H (5.00 mm) and G (4.00 mm)
Originally published October 2022. Updated 2026.
Related Patterns
Want more ways to decorate with dragons? –> Dragon Home Decor Pattern Round Up
Love the Dragon Eye design? Here is a Tote Bag pattern that uses the same style 3D eye
HbK has lots of fantasy home decor patterns –> Free Geek Decor Patterns
How To Crochet your Dragon Eye Pillow
- The crochet pillow is built to fit around an 18″ x 18″ square pillow form. The form is left in the pillow permanently, but if you are using it as a seasonal item, you can always add a zipper or buttons to make it a pillow cover only.
- First, you’ll make the eye, then make the eyelids and attach them to the eyeball so you have one large eye piece to attach to the pillow base.
- The pillow is full of textures, using bobble stitches, spike stitches, and amigurumi-style horns to create a realistic dragon eye for your home.
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Before You Start This Pattern
This pattern is written forintermediate crocheters. Basic amigurumi skills like working in the round, increasing, decreasing, and sewing pieces together will be helpful. There are many texture elements that may feel complicated, but I’ve provided a complete video of this pattern as well to help you succeed.
Worsted weight acrylic or cotton yarn works best for most amigurumi patterns. Using a smaller hook than recommended will help create tight stitches with fewer gaps.
Use a hook smaller than the yarn label suggests and keep your stitches tight. This helps prevent stuffing from showing through the fabric.
Dragon Eye 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), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), Right side (RS), Wrong side (WS), increases and decreases, mattress stitch sewing. Be eager to learn and ready to have fun!
For a quick refresher of these basic skills, click here.
You Will Practice Intermediate Techniques:
- How to add texture to work with folds, spike sts, and bobbles
- How to use pins to perfectly place and attach parts
- How to attach parts without sewing
- How to use amigurumi skills to make home decorations
Supplies
- Big Twist Value yarn, 100% acrylic, worsted weight, 380 yds/6 oz/170 g,; Wine (WINE), 3 balls; Cream (CRM), < 1 ball; Burnt Orange (ORG), < 1 ball; Varsity Gold (GOLD), < 1 ball; Black (BLK), < 1 ball.
- Red Heart Super Saver yarn, 100% acrylic, worsted weight, 364 yds/7 oz/198 g, Cornmeal (CORN), < 1 ball.
- H (5.00 mm) Furls hook
- G (4.00 mm) Furls hook
- Polyfil stuffing
- 18” x 18” pillow form
- Tapestry needle
- Straight pins
- Stitch markers
Measurements
18” x 18” pillow
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, use standard decreases, not invisible ones.
- For best results, assemble parts in order as directed.
- Weave in attachment ends at very end of project in case pieces require repositioning.
Special Stitches
Spike-st – Spike stitch: Insert hook into st two rows below working st, yarn over, draw up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
Picot – Picot: Ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook.
Bobble-st – Bobble stitch: [Yo, insert hook into st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook] 5 times in same st, yo, pull through all 6 loops on hook.
Complete Video Tutorial
If video doesn’t play, use this link to open in YouTube.
Instructions
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Pillow Base
(Make 2)
(check gauge before beginning to ensure an 18” x 18” pillow)
With WINE, 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.
Set aside.
Eyeball
With ORG, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36)
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times. (42)
Rnd 8: Change to GOLD, [sc, spike-st (see Special Stitches)] 21 times. (42)
Rnd 9: [6 sc, inc] 6 times. (48)
Rnd 10: [7 sc, inc] 6 times. (54)
Rnd 11: [8 sc, inc] 6 times. (60)
Rnd 12: Change to CORN, [sc, spike-st] 30 times. (60)
Rnd 13: [9 sc, inc] 6 times. (66)
Rnd 14: [10 sc, inc] 6 times. (72)
Rnd 15: [11 sc, inc] 6 times. (78)
Rnd 16: [12 sc, inc] 6 times. (84)
Rnd 17: [13 sc, inc] 6 times. (90)
Rnds 18-19: Sc evenly around.
Bind off, leaving long tail for sewing.
Set aside.
Eye Slit
With BLK, using G hook, ch 26.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, 24 sc, turn. (25)
Rnd 2: (worked around Row 1) Do not chain, inc, 11 sc, (dc, picot (see Special Stitches), dc) in next st, 11 sc, inc, do not turn work, rotate so starting ch faces up, working in back of starting ch, inc, 11 sc, (dc, picot, dc) in next st, 11 sc, inc. (56)
Rnd 3: Change to ORG, inc, 13 sc, 3 sc in picot, 13 sc, 2 inc, 13 sc, 3 sc in picot, 13 st, inc, sl st in 1st st to join. (66)
Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.
Set aside.
Small Horn
(Make 1)
With CRM, using G hook, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: [2 sc, inc] twice. (8)
Rnd 3: [3 sc, inc] twice. (10)
Rnd 4: Sc evenly around.
Bind off and weave in ends.
Set aside.
Get all three Dragon Pillows in one PDF collection! $19.99
Medium Horns
(Make 2)
With CRM, using G hook, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: [2 sc, inc] twice. (8)
Rnd 3: [3 sc, inc] twice. (10)
Rnd 4: [4 sc, inc] twice. (12)
Rnd 5: Sc evenly around.
Bind off and weave in ends.
Set aside.
Large Horn
(Make 1)
With CRM, using G hook, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: [2 sc, inc] twice. (8)
Rnd 3: [3 sc, inc] twice. (10)
Rnd 4: [4 sc, inc] twice. (12)
Rnd 5: [5 sc, inc] twice. (14)
Rnd 6: [6 sc, inc] twice. (16)
Rnd 7: Sc evenly around.
Bind off and weave in ends.
Set aside.
X-Large Horn
(Make 1)
With CRM, using G hook, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: [2 sc, inc] twice. (8)
Rnd 3: [3 sc, inc] twice. (10)
Rnd 4: [4 sc, inc] twice. (12)
Rnd 5: [5 sc, inc] twice. (14)
Rnd 6: [6 sc, inc] twice. (16)
Rnd 7: [7 sc, inc] twice. (18)
Rnd 8: [8 sc, inc] twice. (20)
Rnd 9: Sc evenly around.
Bind off and weave in ends.
Set aside.
Upper Eyelid
With WINE, using G hook, ch 58.
Row 1: Hdc in third ch from hook, 55 hdc. turn. (56)
Row 2: Ch 2 (does not count at st), 56 hdc, turn. (56)
Rows 3-5: Repeat Row 2.
Row 6: Ch 1, fold work in half longways, working through next st and back side of corresponding st of starting ch, 56 sc, turn. (56)
Row 7: Ch 1, sl st 15, [12 sc, inc] 3 times, leave 2 sts unworked, turn. (15 sl st, 42 sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, [3 sc, bobble-st (see Special Stitches)] 10 times, 2 sc, turn. (10 bobbles, 32 scs)
Row 9: Ch 1, [13 sc, inc] 3 times, turn. (45)
Row 10: Ch 1, 15 sc, hold eyeball behind work, RS facing WS of eyelid, working through last rnd of both eyelid and eyeball, 30 sc, turn. (15 sts on eyelid, 30 sts through both layers)
Row 11: Ch 1, [14 sc, inc] 3 times, turn. (48)
Row 12: Ch 1, [3 sc, bobble-st] 9 times, 10 sc, dec, turn. (9 bobbles, 38 scs)
Row 13: Do not chain, dec, 12 sc, inc, [15 sc, inc] twice, turn. (49)
Row 14: Ch 1, sc on eyelid only, hold X-Large Horn RS to RS to eyelid, working through ONE layer of horn and eyelid, 10 sc, sc on eyelid only, hold Large Horn RS to RS to eyelid, working through ONE layer of horn and eyelid, 8 sc, sc on eyelid only, hold Medium Horn RS to RS to eyelid, working through ONE layer of horn and eyelid, 6 sc, sc on eyelid only, hold Medium Horn RS to RS to eyelid, working through ONE layer of horn and eyelid, 6 sc, sc on eyelid only, hold Small Horn RS to RS to eyelid, working through ONE layer of horn and eyelid, 5 sc, 7 sc on eyelid only, dec, turn. (5 horns attached, 48 sts)
Row 15: Do not chain, dec, 6 sc, 5 sc on Small Horn only, sc, 6 sc on Medium Horn only, sc, 6 sc on Medium Horn only, sc, 8 sc on Large Horn only, sc, 10 sc on X-Large Horn only, sc, turn. (48)
Row 16: Ch 1, 46 sc, dec. (47)
Bind off leaving VERY long tail for sewing.
Push bobbles out to RS. Lightly stuff horns.
With eyeball facing up, count 12 sts down the left side. Place marker in 12th st. Count 15 sts down right side. Place marker in 15th st.
Lower Eyelid
With WINE, using G hook, ch 50.
Row 1: Hdc in third ch from hook, 47 hdc, turn. (48)
Row 2: Ch 2, 48 hdc, turn.
Rows 3-4: Repeat Row 2.
Row 5: Ch 1, fold work in half longways, working through next st and back side of corresponding st of starting ch, 48 sc, turn. (48)
Row 6: Ch 1, 3 sc, [bobble-st, 3 sc] 11 times, sc, turn. (11 bobbles, 37 scs)
Row 7: Ch 1, 6 sc, hold eyeball behind work, RS facing WS of lower eyelid, aligning sts between markers with lower eyelid, working through both layers, 33 sc, 9 sc on eyelid only, turn. (15 sts on eyelid, 33 sts through both layers)
Row 8: Ch 1, sc, [bobble-st, 3 sc] 6 times, bobble-st, sc, sl st, turn. (7 bobbles, 20 sc, 1 sl st)
Row 9: Do not chain, skip slipped st from previous row, sl st, 26 sc, turn. (26 sc, 1 sl st)
Row 10: Ch 1, 25 sc, sl st. (25 sc, 1 sl st)
Bind off and weave in ends.
Push bobbles out to RS.
Attaching Eye to Pillow
Lay eyeball and lids on one pillow base, angling the left side down slightly. Pin in place. Use long tail of Upper Eyelid to sew around top edge of eyelid to the pillow base. Leave folded hdc edge unattached to pillow.
With long strand of WINE, starting at last st of Upper Eyelid, sew to base along the back side edges of both the Upper and Lower eyelid and around the Lower Eyelid. Leave folded hdc edge unattached to pillow.
With the sewing tail of the eyeball, sew the right side of the eyeball to the pillow base.
Stuff the eyeball lightly.
With a strand of CORN, sew the left side of the eyeball to the pillow base.
Pin eye slit into place, vertically on the eyeball in relation to the pillow, each end under the eyelids. Slit will not be in alignment with eyelids, but it will be vertically in line on the pillow.
Use ORG tail to sew eye slit to eyeball.
Weave in all ends.
Pillow Assembly
Pin unworked pillow base to RS of pillow base (eyeball between the pieces). Using a strand of WINE, sc through both layers of edges on three sides, leaving bottom edge of the pillow open. Turn pillow inside out. Insert pillow form. Sc bottom edge to close.
Bind off and weave in all ends.
© Hooked by Kati LLC 2017-2026
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Crochet Pattern FAQ
A: Yes! This is a free crochet pattern you can use directly on the blog. It includes all instructions needed to complete the project without purchasing the PDF. You can also watch the Complete Video Tutorial for free.
A: This pattern is written for intermediate to advanced crocheters. It may not be the best pattern for a beginner. However, with the video walkthrough, you may be able to follow along.
A: You may sell finished items made from this pattern, but you may not redistribute or sell the pattern itself. This ensures free patterns remain accessible while respecting the designer’s work.
A: Yes, you can change the size by using a different yarn weight and hook size. I have a great post all about this called “Making Ami Bigger Without Changing the Pattern.” Keep in mind that this may also change the proportions slightly, so check your gauge, and make sure it creates a square swatch.
Read through the pattern notes carefully and check the tutorial links included in the pattern. You can leave a comment on the pattern post and Kati, the designer, will do her best to help. You can also email the designer at kati@hookedbykati.com. The Facebook Group is also very helpful as many of the people in it have finished a HbK pattern (if not several).
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Join the community in the Epic Amigurumi Patterns & Crochet Inspiration Facebook Group to share your progress or ask questions.
You may sell items made from this pattern. Please credit Hooked by Kati.
Do not copy, sell, or distribute this pattern — it’s protected and a lot of work goes into each design!
If you run into a snag, reach out — I’m always happy to help! I answer emails Monday – Friday. 8-5.
Yarn on,
Kati
Kati is a crochet pattern designer, dragon obsessive, and certified geek who has been turning yarn into fantasy creatures since 2016. Her patterns lean heavily toward dragons, fantasy beasts, and whatever her brain decides is a good idea at 2am. She is proudly anti-AI crochet and very pro-finishing-your-WIPs (she’s working on it). When she’s not crocheting something with too many horns, she’s probably watching something nerdy or playing dog agility with her two American Hairless Terriers. Want to work together or just say hi? Contact her here.
This is really cool! Thanks Kati!
I just finished making this for my grown an and I added glow in the dark yarn for the horns and much of the eye. Some glittery gold yarn for around the pupil and around the orange of the eye. It looks really great and my son is happy with it!
I made one of these for a fundraiser for my PEO group. I found and used glow in the dark yarn for the eye. It came out great! Thank you!
I’ve never seen anything like this! Absolutely fantastic. And your generosity in sharing it as a free pattern is nothing short of amazing.
Thank you so, so much, I absolutely cannot WAIT to make my own keeper creeper peeper!
love this! so pretty! hope to make it very soon. Im looking to make my grandma one do you have more pillow patterns? how can I find them?
Hi, thank you so much for this amazing pattern ! I want to clarify something to make the pillow square : R1 we skip stitches, are we crocheting in skip stitches in R2? or in normal stitches?
sorry I mean, do we skip the DC or the sc ?
I made the dragon eye pillow and got a blue ribbon on it at the fair. Love the pattern My grandchildren all wanted to keep it. Thank you.
Question: On rows 11-13 for the upper eyelid, do those continue through both layers (lid and eyeball)?
No.
Do you have or have you thought about doing a lifetime membership for unlimited access to all your patterns?
Amy,
I have thought about it in the past, but the truth is everyone has unlimited access to my patterns already because 90% of them are on the blog for free. (And the other 10% will be soon.) 🙂 I have thought about a membership for crochet-a-longs or other amigurumi communities, but it’s not in the cards at this time. But I won’t take it off the table. It’s always a possibility.
I made this pattern with glow in the dark yarn in the eye. So cool!
loved this pattern. if you want the eye to go to the left join the work in front or the eye will go the wrong way. i could not figure out how to put the top of the eye on. maybe a free picture showing? i am new to reading patterns so it may be just me. thank you for the pattern awesome
Thank you Kati for this beautiful pattern! It was so much fun to make,and the instructions were very clear. Great job,I’m sure my 34 years old son will appreciate his Christmas present!
Loving this pattern!!!! I’m am modifying the eyeball because I’m using some DK yarn already in my stash and a smaller hook so my gauge is all out of whack on the eyeball section. What is the approximate diameter of the eyeball when it is ready to attach to the eyelid sections?
I’m really enjoying the dragon Eye pillow. I’m stuck on row 9 of the lower eyelid. do I sc over the bobble or behind I’d so I counts as 1 stitch.
thanks
val
what does ORG mean for starting eyeball
that’s the color yarn to use if you’re using the same yarn as the pattern. you can look under the supplies to see the key. 🙂
orange yarn, the abbreviations for each color are in the supply list 🙂
It’s Orange.
I’m most of the way finished with the eyeball and realized it didn’t specify the size of hook for this section. The pillow is the H hook, so I continued into the eyeball using that hook. The rest of the pattern specifies the G hook for each section. What hook should be used for the eye?
Did you ever get an answer to this?
perfect pattern. 18 x18 is too small for me. I plan on using a large basic walmart pillow as the base and a basic cover using your pattern. Then use my glow in the dark yarn for the eye. I’m also thinking of using the really big bed pillows (the ones that go across the entire headboard) and use the extra space for two eyes. I mean a left eye is a right eye upside down so it should work… right?
At some point I got something backwords on the top lid I think. Didn’t realize until nearly finished when I looked at the picture because mine didn’t look quite right.
It must be something to do with the name – I did the same! I think it was the RS/WS of the eyelid vs eyeball – I got it the wrong way round and ended up with the long tail of the upper eyelid on the top right. But it wasn’t too bad to get right and so pleased I changed it.
Would you be able to mention how you fixed your upper eyelid? I’m running into the same issue and can’t seem to fix it. Thank you!
Heya, thought I would reply cause I fixed it for myself. I had the Bobble-st on the wrong side. The easiest way to finish the bobble-st pushes it to the WS so then you start thinking the WS is the RS. If you have attached the top eyelid backwards, push the bobble-st to the other side and try again.
Hi Kati,
I must say first, I love your patterns. I’ve done Vincent, and am now working on Dragon Eye Pillow. My question is I just finished the X-lg horn and did last sc of 20 in rd 9 then bind off and weave in ends. Set aside.
But then the next sentence says “Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loop of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Leave a long tail for sewing.”
I’m confused on the last part. Remaining 6 stitches? Can you help please ? Am I supposed to close the horn? but only 6 stitches?
Thank you for any help.
Linda Williams
You’re logo had me curious, this pattern and the dragons got me wishing I had more amigurumi skills. Something to work for. And yes, Dragon really IS my last name, says so on all five different forms of my birth certificate.
The details on this pillow are incredible. Thanks for sharing. I don’t know to whom I’ll give it, but I think I need to make one of these. It is just awesome.
Absolutely love this pattern. I’m almost done just in time for my son for Christmas. Not sure if I messed something up but my eye is going to be the opposite direction of your picture. XL horn is on my left looking at it on mine. Still going to be awesome and I know my son will love it. Thanks for sharing your hard work with us.
Just finished making this pillow for my brother, he had seen this and hired me to make it for him as a present for his girlfriend! He loves it. I had a blast making it, and I found the instructions to be clear and easy to follow. Thank you Kati for sharing this pattern free, and for allowing people to sell items made by your pattern even though it’s free!
Loving the pattern!
Suggestions:
1. The upper eyelid was a bit confusing. It talks about RS and WS but doesnt indicate which is the RS of the eyelid. Maybe mention popping the bobble stitches out in that row rather than later.
2. I believe row 16 of the upper eyelid ends with one less stitch than mentioned.
Other than that everything is perfect so far! I’m sure my husband will love this as a gift.
P.S. If you’re ever looking for pattern testers I’d love to work with you 🙂
Thank you so much for explaining how to do the upper eyelid! I was having a lot of difficulty trying to figure it out, but your comment was exremely helpful!
Wow! That’s awesome! Hope to try it!
Love the dragon eye pillow, putting on my to do list. Wonder how this would look as a crocheted bag? I have done the cross over dragon bag, but I think the Dragon eye as a bag would be neat as well.
I can’t wait to make one. I’m going to have it in my office to go with my dragon head wall hanging!
Thank you so much for this lovely pillow pattern. I’m going to be making a set of these for my son for Christmas. I do hope that you come out with more things like this in the very near future.