Yarn Cake Amigurumi Book Review + Garrick the Dragon Crochet Pattern

I’m excited to share a review of an amigurumi pattern collection book with an excerpted dragon crochet pattern with you today, as well as a giveaway for your chance to win my review copy of the book! Read on for more details!

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. GMC Publications Ltd provided me with a free review copy of Yarn Cake Amigurumi: 15 Cute Creators to Crochet (available through independent booksellers or here on Amazon) by Jacki Donhou. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

Book Review: Yarn Cake Amigurumi

Yarn Cake Amigurumi: 15 Cute Creators to Crochet (available through independent booksellers or here on Amazon) by Jacki Donhou of DearJackiStitchery is an amigurumi pattern collection where each pattern is made using yarn cakes in self-striping yarns.

The book opens with a visual index and then moves on to a Welcome by Jacki and continues on to the Materials, Tools, and Techniques section. Materials and Tools include written information about necessary supplies for making the patterns for crochet creatures, including yarn cakes, crochet hooks, crochet thread, safety eyes, stuffing, embroidery needles, scissors, sewing pins, stitch markers, pet brush, and pompoms. Stitches and Techniques provides a written and illustrated overview of the skills needed to make these patterns, including hooking a hook and yarn; making a slip knot and the magic circle; basic crochet stitches (chain, slip stitch, UK double crochet/US single crochet, UK treble crochet/US double crochet, UK half treble crochet/US half double crochet, UK double treble/US treble crochet); crocheting in the front, back, or third loop; increasing (with 2 UK double crochet/US single crochet or 2 UK half treble crochet/US half double crochet stitches in the same stitch); decreasing (with UK dc2tog/US sc2tog); 3-dimensional stitches including the bobble and popcorn; the loop stitch; changing colors; the difference between yarn overs and yarn unders; methods for fastening off; and weaving in ends. Finishing Touches provides instructions for assembly and finishing including written instructions and illustrations for the whip stitch, mattress stitch, and adding hair, and written and photo instructions for adding safety eyes and adorning with outlines. This section also lists pattern abbreviations (which are in UK terms).

The next section, The Designs, includes the 15 patterns. Each pattern includes an introduction; the skill level; finished size; a list of supplies and materials; an explanation of how to use the yarn cake to get the same color patterning; instructions for making each piece; and detailed assembly instructions including multiple photos. In addition to the progress photos, each pattern has at least one full-page photo of the finished project. Each pattern is made with Lion Brand Mandala Ombré yarn, a medium (#4/aran/worsted) weight acrylic self-striping yarn available in tonal and multi-colored cakes. (You can buy Lion Brand Mandala Ombré yarn at Lion Brand, JOANN, and Amazon.) The creature patterns include an alpaca, an axolotl, a betta fish, a bull, a bunny, a cow, a donkey, a dragon, a duck, a kitten, a lamb, an otter, a puppy, a turtle, and a unicorn. In terms of difficulty ratings, there are 7 patterns at level 1, 6 patterns at level 2, and 2 patterns at level 3. The patterns range in size from 5″ (13 cm) to 9″ (23 cm). After the patterns, there is an about the author section, acknowledgements, and an index.

The book is softcover, but it includes flaps on the front and back so you can mark your place while crocheting. Yarn Cake Amigurumi: 15 Cute Creators to Crochet (available through independent booksellers or here on Amazon) by Jacki Donhou is ideal for crocheters who have the basic stitches down and who enjoy crocheting dolls and toys. The patterns are adorable and the book is filled with bright colors and whimsically styled projects, so it will inspire you to make your next project. Keep in mind that the patterns use UK crochet terms as you are working. Continue reading for an excerpted dragon crochet pattern from the book and your chance to win my review copy.

Garrick the Dragon

Dragon Crochet Pattern by Jacki Donhou

Published in Yarn Cake Amigurumi: 15 Cute Creators to Crochet (available through independent booksellers or here on Amazon) by Jacki Donhou. Text © Jackie Donhou, 2023. Copyright in the Work © GMC Publications Ltd, 2023. Shared with permission from GMC Publications Ltd.

Notes from Underground Crafter

  • This pattern uses UK crochet pattern abbreviations. You can find a list of abbreviations and a comparison of US and UK pattern abbreviations here. Additional abbreviations are listed below.
  • blo – back loop only – Fiber Flux has a helpful video demonstrating how to identify the back loop here.
  • bob – 6-repeat UK treble/US double crochet bobble – [Yo, insert hook in st, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops] 6 times in same st, yo and draw through all 7 loops on hook. A helpful video tutorial demonstrating the 5-repeat version of this stitch is available below.
  • If you can’t see the video above demonstrating the bobble, click here to watch it on Instagram.
  • dc2inc – Crochet 2 UK double crochet/US single crochet in the same stitch.
  • dc2tog – Yarn Obsession has a helpful video tutorial for the UK dc2tog (sc2tog in US terms) here.
  • flo – front loop only – Fiber Flux has a helpful video demonstrating how to identify the front loop here.
  • MC – Oombawka Design Crochet has helpful photo and video tutorials for the magic circle here.
  • You can buy the US version of this pattern as a PDF on Etsy here.

Garrick the Dragon has been practising his roar. He wants it to be as powerful and fierce as his papa’s. Every day, Garrick perches himself to the side of the rocky cliff, and with a big deep breath, he roars down into the canyon. ‘Oh, to be as big as Papa,’ he thinks. One day, little dragon; one day.

Skill Level

  • 2/3

Finished size

  • 9in (22.5cm)

Supplies and materials

  • Lion Brand Mandala Ombré, 100% acrylic (344yd/315m per 150g) – 1 ball in Balance
  • Size 10 crochet thread in black and white
  • 2.75mm (US C/2) crochet hook
  • 2 x 1⁄2in (12mm) safety eyes
  • Polyester fibre filling
  • Large and small embroidery needles
  • Scissors
  • Sewing pins
  • Stitch markers

The dragon is made by choosing the colours for specific pieces of the design from either the yarn cake’s centre pull or from the outside starting pull. The first colour will be used for the feet, paws and horns, working the ombré for the body and finally the spots in another colour. Starting with either the inside or the outside of the yarn cake, work all the stitches in a round unless otherwise instructed.

Feet (make 2)

  • Round 1: Make a MC with 6 dc (6 sts).
  • Round 2: (Dc2inc) 6 times (12 sts).
  • Round 3: (Dc, dc2inc) 6 times (18 sts).
  • Round 4: (Dc, dc2inc, dc) 6 times (24 sts).
  • Round 5: 7 dc, (BOB, 2 dc) 3 times, BOB, 7 dc (24 sts).
  • Leaving the last stitch unfinished, cut the yarn
    and set it aside for a colour change later.

Paws (make 2)

  • Continuing the current cake yarn colour, work all the stitches in a round.
  • Round 1: Make a MC with 6 dc (6 sts).
  • Round 2: (Dc2inc) 6 times (12 sts).
  • Round 3: (Dc, dc2inc) 6 times (18 sts).
  • Round 4: 4 dc, (BOB, 2 dc) 3 times, BOB, 4 dc (18 sts).
  • Leaving the last stitch unfinished, cut the yarn and set it aside for a colour change later.

Horns 1 (make 2)

  • Continuing the current cake yarn colour, work all the stitches in a round from bottom to top.
  • Do not stuff.
  • Round 1: Make a MC with 8 dc (8 sts).
  • Do not pull the string to the magic circle tight; leave a small hole to push the extra yarn end inside.
  • Round 2: Dc in BLO in each st around (8 sts).
  • Round 3: 4 dc, (dc2tog) twice (6 sts).
  • Round 4: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 5: (Dc, dc2tog) twice (4 sts).
  • Fasten off and weave the yarn under each of the FLO, pull tight and hide the end inside the horn.
  • Later, you will connect a new yarn colour to the BLO on round 2 of the horns and continue crocheting, working all the stitches in a round.
  • This will be the end of this colour. Cut any yarn left on the cake that needs to be trimmed and set aside. You will continue the next part with the next colour.

Tail

  • Continuing the next cake yarn colour, work all the stitches in a round.
  • Stuff as you crochet.
  • Round 1: Make a MC with 4 dc (4 sts).
  • Round 2: (Dc, dc2inc) twice (6 sts).
  • Round 3: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 4: 2 dc, (dc2inc) twice, 2 dc (8 sts).
  • Rounds 5–6: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 7: 3 dc, (dc2inc) twice, 3 dc (10 sts).
  • Rounds 8–10: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 11: 4 dc, (dc2inc) twice, 4 dc (12 sts).
  • Rounds 12–14: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 15: 5 dc (dc2inc) twice, 5 dc (14 sts).
  • Rounds 16–18: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 19: 6 dc, (dc2inc) twice, 6 dc (16 sts).
  • Rounds 20–25: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 26: 7 dc, (dc2inc) twice, 7 dc (18 sts).
  • Rounds 27–31: Dc in each st around.
  • Fasten off and leave a long tail for attaching.

Body

  • With the next cake yarn colour, work all the stitches in a round from bottom to top.
  • Make 2 legs, then connect the legs at round 16 to continue the body. Connect the next yarn colour to the last stitch of the feet and continue crocheting.
  • Stuff as you crochet.
  • Rounds 6–9: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 10: (Dc, dc2tog, dc) 6 times (18 sts).
  • Rounds 11–15: Dc in each st around.
  • For the first leg ONLY, dc 4 extra sts. Fasten off.
  • Round 16: Ch 3, join the first leg with a dc.
  • Pay attention to where you join the legs. Join the first leg in the st after the extra 4 dc. The two feet will now be positioned with the toes pointed outwards.
  • Continue around the first leg with 18 dc. 3 dc along the 3 ch, then 18 dc around leg 2 (42 sts).
  • Place a marker here to remember that the starting point will be from the beginning of the connecting ch.
  • Continuing on the front side of ch 3.
  • Round 17: (3 dc, dc2inc, 3 dc) 6 times (48 sts).
  • Rounds 18–21: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 22: (3 dc, dc2tog, 3 dc) 6 times (42 sts).
  • Rounds 23–26: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 27: (5 dc, dc2tog) 6 times (36 sts).
  • Rounds 28–30: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 31: (2 dc, dc2tog, 2 dc) 6 times (30 sts).
  • Rounds 32–34: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 35: (3 dc, dc2tog) 6 times (24 sts).
  • Rounds 36–37: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 38: (Dc, dc2tog, dc) 6 times (18 sts).
  • Round 39: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 40: (Dc, dc2tog) 6 times (12 sts).
  • Fasten off and leave a long tail for attaching.

Arms (make 2)

  • Connect the continuing yarn colour to the last stitch of the paws and continue crocheting, working all the stitches in a round. Stuff as you crochet up to round 15.
  • Rounds 5–9: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 10: (Dc, dc2tog) 6 times (12 sts).
  • Rounds 11–24: Dc in each st around.
  • Pinch the leg closed. If your seam is not centred with the bobble stitches on the paws, add or subtract 1–3 stitches.
  • Dc through both sides with 6 dc and close the opening (6 sts).
  • Fasten off and leave a long tail for attaching.

Head

  • Continuing the current cake yarn colour, work all the stitches in a round from bottom to top.
  • Stuff as you crochet.
  • Round 1: Make a MC with 6 dc (6 sts).
  • Round 2: (Dc2inc) 6 times (12 sts).
  • Round 3: (Dc, dc2inc) 6 times (18 sts).
  • Round 4: (Dc, dc2inc, dc) 6 times (24 sts).
  • Round 5: (3 dc, dc2inc) 6 times (30 sts).
  • Round 6: (2 dc, dc2inc, 2 dc) 6 times (36 sts).
  • Round 7: (5 dc, dc2inc) 6 times (42 sts).
  • Rounds 8–12: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 13: 15 dc, 1 ch, skip 1 dc, 10 dc, 1 ch, skip 1 dc, 15 dc (42 sts).
  • Note: the chain spaces in round 13 are where you place the safety eyes later.
  • Rounds 14–16: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 17: (5 dc, dc2tog) 6 times (36 sts).
  • Add the safety eyes in the chain spaces on round 13.
  • Rounds 18–19: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 20: (2 dc, dc2tog, 2 dc) 6 times (30 sts).
  • Round 21: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 22: (3 dc, dc2tog) 6 times (24 sts).
  • Round 23: (Dc, dc2tog, dc) 6 times (18 sts).
  • Round 24: (Dc, dc2tog) 6 times (12 sts).
  • Round 25: (Dc, dc2tog) 4 times (8 sts).
  • Fasten off and weave the yarn under each of the FLO, pull tight and hide the end inside the head.

Horns 2 (MAKE 2)

  • Hold the horn upside down and connect the current yarn colour to the BLO on round 2 of the horns. Continue crocheting, working all the stitches in a round.
  • Round 6: (FLO dc2inc) 8 times (16 sts).
  • Fasten off and leave a long tail for attaching.

Ears (make 2)

  • Continuing the current cake yarn colour, work all the stitches in a round.
  • Do not stuff.
  • Round 1: Make a MC with 4 dc (4 sts).
  • Round 2: (Dc, dc2inc) twice (6 sts).
  • Round 3: (Dc2inc) 6 times (12 sts).
  • Rounds 4–5: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 6: (Dc, dc2inc) 6 times (18 sts).
  • Rounds 7–9: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 10: 14 dc, (dc2tog) twice (16 sts).
  • Round 11: 12 dc, (dc2tog) twice (14 sts).
  • Round 12: (5 dc, dc2tog) twice (12 sts).
  • Round 13: 8 dc, (dc2tog) twice (10 sts).
  • Round 14: Dc in each st around.
  • Round 15: 2 dc only, leaving the rest of the stitches unworked.
  • Pinch the ear closed, dc through both sides with 5 dc and close the opening (5 sts).
  • Fasten off and leave a long tail for attaching.

Wings (make 2)

  • Continuing the current cake yarn colour, work all the stitches in a row.
  • When crocheting in a chain, after turning, dc in the 2nd chain from the hook.
  • Row 1: With a long starting tail, ch 6, turn.
  • Row 2: 2 dc, 3 dc in the next st, 2 dc, ch, turn (7 sts).
  • Row 3: 3 dc, 3 dc in the next st, 3 dc, ch, turn (9 sts).
  • Row 4: 4 dc, 3 dc in the next st, 4 dc, ch turn (11 sts).
  • Row 5: 5 dc, (dc, ch, sl st in the 3rd loop of the ch, dc) in next st, 5 dc (14 sts).
  • Fasten off and leave long tails for attaching.

Making up

Eyes

  • Outline the safety eyes inserted on round 13 of the head using the small embroidery needle and white and black crochet thread (see page 24).

Horns

  • Pin the horns 5 rounds above the safety eyes, starting at round 19. Leave 4 stitches between them and place them slightly forward from the centre of the head. Make sure to have the horns pointing upwards and to the centre of the top of the head. Then attach the horns by seam stitching around the detailed edge with the large embroidery needle. To make the first stitch, slip the needle under a stitch on the head, then bring the needle up through the first stitch on the horn edge and down through the next stitch. This creates the detail of a stitched seam on the horn edge. Repeat these steps around the horn. Once both horns are complete, weave in and hide the leftover tail inside the head.

Ears

  • Pin the ears to the side of the head between rounds 19 and 20 below the horns, 2–3 stitches from the safety eyes, with the inner cup of the ear toward the head. Once the placement is correct, whip stitch the ears in place with the large embroidery needle. Weave in the end when finished.

Head and body

  • Before attaching the head to the body, use pins to ensure the placement is correct. You want the head to be slightly forward to create the look of a larger chin. Once aligned, attach the head and body by
    using the large embroidery needle and the long tail left over from the body to whip stitch the two parts together. Weave in the end when finished.

Arms

  • The arms should be pinned 1–2 rounds down from the head between rounds 38 and 39 and on the sides of the body. Leave at least 6–7 stitches between them on the back, and angle them slightly towards the front of the body. If they are even, you can start whip stitching the pieces to the body with the large embroidery needle. If not, adjust the arms up or down to ensure a good placement. Add a few whip stitches to the back portion of the arms to secure the correct positioning, and weave in the end.

Wings

  • The wings are placed in the middle of the back 6 rounds down from the head starting between rounds 35 and 36. The tips point upwards with 1 stitch between them and the last row of the wings facing out. Using the large embroidery needle, attach the turning edge of the wings to the centre of the back with whip stitches. When complete, secure and weave in the end.

Tail

  • Attach the tail to the lower back between rounds 19 and 24 and centred between the back legs. Position the tail where the dragon stands. Using the large embroidery needle, sew it on with whip stitches once the placement is correct. When complete, secure and weave in the end.

Spots

  • Mark clusters of spots on the head, body, arm, foot and back with pins. Then, using the next yarn colour or scrap yarn, push the large embroidery needle through the body and exit a few stitches from where you want the spots. Tie a knot at the bottom of the yarn where it exits the body. Insert the embroidery needle 1 stitch over from the knot. Repeat this for at least 3–10 more spots depending on how and where you want the spots. Pull the embroidery needle through the body and out where it entered, then tie off and hide the ends inside the body. Repeat in many locations around the body and face. You could also use two or three different colours for the spots.

Giveaway

After reading my review of Yarn Cake Amigurumi: 15 Cute Creators to Crochet by Jacki Donhou and trying out the dragon crochet pattern for the Garrick the Dragon, you are probably ready to get your hands on this book! You can buy it now through independent booksellers or here on Amazon, or enter the giveaway below by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, March 3, 2024 for your chance to win my review copy. While my copy of the book was provided by GMC Publications Ltd, the giveaway is organized by Underground Crafter. Enter using any of the options on the Rafflecopter widget below. One winner will be chosen from the entries at random to win my review copy of the book. Winner will be contacted approximately 1 week after the entries close. Winner will have 3 days to claim the prize. If winner does not respond within 3 days, prize will be awarded to an alternate. By entering this giveaway, you are agreeing to share your contact information with Rafflecopter and/or Underground Crafter. You can read the Rafflecopter Privacy Policy here and the Underground Crafter Privacy Policy here to understand how this information is used. This giveaway is open worldwide, except where prohibited by law. Good luck!

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