Little Lion

This little lion is designed to fit into any of the clothes made for my little animals collection (a full list can be found here).

Difficulty:

easy

You will need:
dk yarn in yellow and orange
4ply yarn in black
a 2mm crochet hook
toy stuffing
a darning needle
A small rectangle of cardboard




For the head and body (starting from the base):
Make a magic loop with 6sc
Round 1: 2sc in each st (12sc)
Round 2: sc in the first st, 2sc in the next st, rep  to end (18sc)
Round 3: sc in the first 2 sts, 2sc in the next st, rep to end. ch1, turn (24sc)

Rounds 4 - 8: (5 rounds) sc in each st (24sc)

Round 9: sc in the first 2 sts, sc2tog, rep to end (18sc)
Round 10: sc in the first st, sc2tog, rep to end (12sc)

Round 11: sc in the first st, sc2tog, rep to end (8sc)
Round 12: 2sc in each st (16sc)
Round 13: sc in each st
Round 14: sc in the first 3 sts, 2sc in the next st, rep to end (20sc)
Round 15: sc in each st
Round 16: sc in the first 4 sts, 2sc in the next st, rep to end (24sc)
Rounds 17 - 18: (2 rounds) sc in each st

Round 19: sc in the first 2 sts, sc2tog, rep to end (18sc)
Round 20: sc in the first st, sc2tog, rep to end (12sc)
Round 21: sc2tog to end (6sc)
Fasten off

For the arms (make 2):
With black make a magic loop with 6sc
Round 1: sc in the first st, 2sc in the next st, rep to end (9sc)
Rounds 2 - 3: (2 rounds) sc in each st (9sc)
Round 4: sc in the first st, sc2tog, rep to end (6sc)
Round 5: sc in each st
Fasten off black yarn and fasten on grey yarn.
Rounds 6 - 9: (4 rounds) sc in each st (6sc)
Fasten off

Lightly stuff these arms and sew them to the sides of the body

For the legs (make 2):

With black make a magic loop with 6sc

Round 1: 2sc in each st (12sc)

Round 2: sc in the first 3 sts, 2cs in the next st, rep to end (15sc)
Rounds 3- 4: (2 rounds) sc in each st (15sc)
Round 5: sc2tog 3 times, sc in the last 9 sts (12sc)
Round 6: sc in the first 2 sts, sc2tog, rep to end (9sc)
Fasten off. Fasten on in grey yarn
Rounds 7 - 10: (4 rounds) sc in each st (9sc)

Fasten off
Stuff the legs and sew them to the underside of the body

For the ears (make 2):
With yellow make a magic loop with 3sc. Don't join. Ch1, turn
Row 1: 2sc in the first st, sc, 2sc in the last st. ch1, turn (5sc)
Row 2: sc in each st
Fasten off

Sew these to the head

For the snout:
With yellow make a magic loop with 6sc
Round 1: 2sc in each st (12sc)
Rounds 2 - 3: (2 rounds) sc in each st
Fasten off
Stuff this and sew it to the face

Use black 4ply yarn to embroider the facial features on.

For the mane:
Cut a rectangle of cardboard 11cm wide.
wind the orange yarn around it approx. 150 times, then cut these at one end to give the same number of 22cm strips.

Attach these to the sides and back of the head by folding each strand in half and pulling the folded end through a stitch in the head using your crochet hook, before threading the ends of the strand through the loop you created and tightening it. If you're unsure as to what to do there is a video here that shows you how to do it.

For the tail:
With yellow dk yarn ch8
Fasten off

Thread a few lengths of orange yarn through one end of this and secure them in the same way as you did for the mane.
Sew the other end to the body


I hope you have enjoyed this pattern. If you have any queries please feel free to contact me either below or via my Instagram or Ravelry pages.

You are very welcome to sell finished products but I do ask that you don't re-post this pattern or claim it as your own. Thank you!