The Dragons Tail by Lee Carter

Free Crochet Pattern

This stunning pattern is another magical creation of simple stitches and repeats designed by Lee Carter. By selecting a long fade yarn you can create something truly stunning.

This design curls around a central spine and grows rapidly as you work. You have the option to embellish with beads at the tips of each point if you enjoy that kinda thing. Not only does it look pretty as you lay it out is even hangs in an attractive way, which I always think bodes well for the finished piece.

This pattern works with just about any yarn except chunky, simply adjust the size of your hook to suit your yarn and stop when your scarf/shawl is big enough for you.

The sample is worked using a lovely lightweight cotton which makes it an excellent option for when the weather begins to warm up.

What You Need

• 4 ply hand dyed sock yarn

• 4.5mm hook

• Wool needle

Pattern Notes

The Lilac, purple and white sample is knitted using 57g 100% cotton in 4 ply. The final Row of chain spaces is 35 'holes' long. The spine for the sample is 174cm long.

4 chain (ch) at the start of each row counts as a double treble (dtr) / treble (tr) throughout.

Two of the dragons I’ve made used 60-70g and I used a whole skein for another huge one.

You can also get a reasonable size from 50g of three ply on a 4mm hook.

Lee writes her patterns in UK term, I translate them into US terms so you all can enjoy the notation you prefer the best.

Abbreviations - UK

ch chain

dc double crochet

dtr double treble

rep repeat

st(s) stitch(es)

Set Up

Row 1: Start with 5 ch and work 3 tr into the first ch. Turn.

Row 2: 4 ch, 2 dtr into the same st, 1 ch, skip next st, 1 dtr into the next st and leave the last st (original chain) unworked. Turn.

Row 3: 4 ch,* 2 dtr into the ch space, 1 dtr in the next st; rep from * to last 2 sts, 2 dtr in the next and 1 dtr in the last (turning ch). Turn.

Row 4: 4 ch, 2 dtr in the same st, *1 ch, skip a st, 1 tr in next st; rep from * increasing by 1 ch sp from previous 1 dtr in next st. Leave the rest of the row unworked. Turn.

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Abbreviations - US

ch chain

sc single crochet

tr treble crochet

rep repeat

st(s) stitch(es)

Set Up

Row 1: Start with 5 ch and work 3 tr into the first ch. Turn.

Row 2: 4 ch, 2 tr into the same st, 1 ch, skip next st, 1 tr into the next st and leave the last st (original chain) unworked. Turn.

Row 3: 4 ch,* 2 tr into the ch space, 1 tr in the next st; rep from * to last 2 sts, 2 tr in the next and 1 tr in the last (turning ch). Turn.

Row 4: 4 ch, 2 tr in the same st, *1 ch, skip a st, 1 tr in next st; rep from * increasing by 1 ch sp from previous 1 dtr in next st. Leave the rest of the row unworked. Turn.

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Pattern Repeat

Repeat Row 3 & 4 until the tail is the length you like or you run out of yarn. Make sure to end on a Row 4 or 'long' return row.

You are increasing the number of chain spaces, or 'holes', by 1 with every row 3 worked, as you can see in the image.

The number of unworked stitches at the end of row 3 is equal to the number of 'holes' created in that row.

As a double check it is always one more than the number of holes (chain spaces) in the previous short row. These are the short ‘going out’ rows.

Finishing

Work a row of dc/sc or htr/hdc all the way round, the lilac and with sample has dc/sc around the stepped edge with a spine of htd/hdc.

Optional: You can add a bead at each point if you like. I’ll leave the technique to you.

Weave in the ends.

Make sure you block the shawl, even if using acrylic yarn. It won’t lie in a straight line! Curl it round in a gentle spiral.

We hope that you enjoy making this shawl, remember to share your finished pics in the comments below or over in the FB Yarn Jugglers group.