Little Lambs for Peace: March 2013

Little Lions for Peace Pattern

Supplies:

Any light worsted weight yarn (I use Caron Simply Soft):

*220 yds of MC (main color)

*100 yds of CC (contrasting color)

*100 yds of color for mane and accents

*a ribbon for a bow tie

Size 4 US double pointed needles (dpn)

Size 4

16" circular needle, optional

Size E or G crochet hook

Tapestry needle, polyester fiberfill stuffing, stitch marker, scissors and plastic safety pins

Abbreviations: (please use YouTube for assistance with these knitting techniques)

k: knit

p: purl

m1: make 1

k2tog: knit 2 together

k2tog tbl: knit 2 together through back loop

St st: stockinette stitch (K one row, P one row)

kfb: increase, knitting front and back of stitch

NOTE: To watch your little lion come to life, it will be sewn together as you create it. Directions are in bold italics.

Body:

Using MC and dpns, cast on 9 stitches, K one row, then divide evenly on three needles (3 stitches per needle)
Round 1: kfb in each stitch (6 stitches per needle)
Round 2: K
Round 3: kfb in each stitch (12 stitches per needle)
Rounds 4-6: k
Round 7: (k2, kfb) repeat to end of the round (16 stitches per needle)
Round 8: k
Round 9: (k3, kfb) repeat to end of the round (20 stitches per needle)
Rounds 10 - 12: k
Round 13: (k4, kfb) repeat to end of the round (24 stitches per needle)
Round 14 - 16: k
Round 17: (k5, kfb) repeat to end of the round (28 stitches per needle)
Round 18 - 20: k
Round 21: (k6, kfb) repeat to end of the round (32 stitches per needle)
Place a stitch marker on Round 21; continue on dpns or switch to circular needle and k 18 rounds.

Decrease rounds:

Round 1: (k6, k2tog) repeat to end of the round (28 stitches per needle)
Round 2: (k5, k2tog) repeat to end of the round (24 stitches per needle)
Rounds 3 - 9: k, changing back to dpns on round 11
Round 10: (k4, k2tog) repeat to end of the round (20 stitches per needle)
Round 11: (k3, k2tog) repeat to end of the round (16 stitches per needle)
Rounds 12-20: k
Round 21: (k2, k2tog) repeat to end of the round (12 stitches per needle)
Thread the tail from the cast on edge and sew hole at the bottom. Weave in end, then stuff with fiberfill.
Round 22: k
Round 23: (k1, k2tog) repeat to end of the round (8 stitches per needle)
Round 24: k
Round 25: (k2tog) repeat to end of the round (4 stitches per needle)
Finish stuffing firmly, gently stretch the neckline to shape.
Round 26: (k1, k2tog, k1) repeat to end of the round (3 stitches per needle)
Cut the yarn, leaving a ten inch tail to sew the head on later. Pull through the remaining 9 stitches and gather to close hole. Stitch to secure.

Head:

Using MC and dpns, cast on 9 stitches, K one row, then divide evenly on three needles (3 stitches per needle)
Round 1: kfb in each stitch (18 stitches)
Round 2: k
Round 3: (k1, kfb) repeat to end of round (27 stitches)
Rounds 4: k
Round 5: (k2, kfb) repeat to end of the round (36 stitches)
Round 6: k
Round 7: (k3, kfb) repeat to end of the round ((45 stitches)
Round 8: k
Round 9: (k4, kfb) repeat to end of the round (54 stitches)
Round 10: (k5, kfb) repeat to end of the round (63 stitches)
Thread the tail from the cast on edge and sew hole at the bottom. Stitch to secure
Rounds 11 - 29: k

Decrease rounds:

Round 1: (k5, k2tog) repeat to end of the round (54 stitches)
Round 2: k
Round 3: (k4, k2tog) repeat to end of the round (45 stitches)
Round 4: k
Round 5: (k3, k2tog) repeat to end of the round (36 stitches)
Round 6: k
Round 7: (k2, k2tog) repeat to end of the round (36 stitches)
Round 8: k
Stuff firmly with fiberfill.
Round 9: (k1, k2tog) repeat to end of the round (18 stitches)
Rounds 10: k
Round 11: (k2tog) repeat to end of the round (9 stitches per needle)
Finish stuffing firmly.
Cut the yarn, leaving a tail to pull through the remaining 9 stitches and gather to close hole. Stitch to secure. Weave ends inside head.
Whipstitch the head to the body using tail from the top of the neck. I usually go around at least twice to make sure the head is secure.

Muzzle: first piece

second piece

Beginning at lower edge with CC, leaving a ten inch tail, cast on 24 stitches
Beginning with a p row, work in St st for 3 rows
Decrease row 1: (k1, k2tog k6, k2tog tbl, k1) repeat twice, ending with 20 stitches
Next row: p
Decrease row 2: (k1, k2tog k4, k2tog tbl, k1) repeat twice, ending with 16 stitches
Next row: p
Decrease row 3: (k1, k2tog k2, k2tog tbl, k1) repeat twice, ending with 12 stitches
Next row: p
Decrease row 4: (k1, k2tog, k2tog tbl, k1) repeat twice, ending with 8 stitches
Thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight, weave in to secure
Place right sides of muzzle together, matching stitches pulled tightly on both pieces. Sew row ends, then turn right side out and stuff lightly. Sew muzzle to center front of the head, stuffing more, if needed.
Using dark colored yarn (I used the same yarn as the mane), stitch a nose and smile onto the muzzle and stitch the eyes on the head. Use photograph as guide.

Ears: (make 2 pieces)

Beginning at lower edge with MC or CC, leaving a ten inch tail, cast on 8 stitches
Purl one row
Increase row 1: k1, (m1, k1) to the end
Beginning with a p row, continue in St st for 5 rows
Decrease row: (k1, k2tog) to end (10 stitches)
Cut the yarn and pull through remaining stitches, then sew row-ends of ears; with seam at center back, attach to the head..

Legs: (make 4 pieces) Please note the hind legs in the photo are smaller; yours will match the forelegs.

Using MC and dpns, cast on 24 stitches, leaving a ten inch tail.
K one row, then divide evenly on three needles (8 stitches per needle)
Knit 25 rounds
Change to CC to and k 8 rounds
Decrease Row 1: (k1, k2tog) to the end of the round.
K 3 rounds
Decrease Row 2: (k2tog) repeat to end of the round (8 remain)
Cut the yarn, leaving a tail to pull through the remaining stitches and gather to close hole. Stitch to secure. Weave ends inside hoof.
Stuff firmly with fiberfill, then whipstitch the top of the leg closed. Using the photo as a guide, whipstitch the legs to the body.

Tail:

Using 2 dpns like straight needles, using MC or CC, cast on 6 stitches, leaving a ten inch tail.
Make a 3-4 inch I-cord
Bind off in k
Using MC or CC, make a small tassel and sew it onto the end of the tail, then attach to center back of body, using the picture as a guide.

Mane:

Using color choice, cut 30-40 six inch pieces. You may want more for a fuller mane.
Using a crochet hook, attach each piece to the head as if completing a latch-hook design, or attaching fringe to a scarf. I made several rows on the front of the lion and two on the back.
Trim to desired length and style.

NOTE: To see larger pictures of Leo, please find us on Facebook.

Little Lambs for Peace