A Leonardo the Lion pattern + yarn bundle is available at H+W.com! Click for details.

The Story of Leonardo the Lion

Leonardo the Lion by Brenda K.B. Anderson is a sweet, sleepy-eyed lion made in celebration of Leo season and all those who love the King of the Jungle.

H+W co-founders, Meghan + Sloane, discovered early on they’re both Leos (born three days apart on the same year), Gryffindors, and huge fans of Brenda’s sweet, muppet-like knitted creatures, so they couldn’t resist asking her to make this wonderful celebratory lion. Thus Leonardo the Lion, with his collegiate sweater, gentle expression, and robust mane, was born just in time for Leo season (July 23 - August 22). Hear us roar!

About the Design

Leonardo might appear intimidating, but he is actually quite simple to make. We promise! He’s made in Forge, in pieces from the top down, starting with the top shoulders in CC2 (midnight) with a simple color change for the legs and hands. The sweater ribbing, faux pocket, chest appliqué, crown emblem, and sweater buttons are attached in finishing. The eyelids + nose are made from felted swatches of the MC (gold leaf) and CC2 (red feather). His facial features are embroidered after attaching the button eyes, eyelids, and nose. His little curved tail is created in a tube using a drop stitch technique and attached to his bum after stuffing. His robust, glorious mane is the crowning glory of this regal project.

Need some tutorials? We’ve got you covered!

Finished Size
Approximately 23” / 58 cm shoulder circumference, 17” / 43 cm chest circumference, and 20” / 51 cm tall (excluding mane). Head = 8” / 20.5 cm across at widest point and 8.5” / 22 cm tall.

Yarn
Hudson + West Co. Forge (70% U.S. Merino, 30% U.S, Corriedale; 235 yds / 215 m; 3.5 oz / 100 g): MC gold leaf (green-yellow), CC1 midnight (navy), CC2 red feather (burnt orange), 1 skein each.

Needles
Size A (for body): Size US 4 / 3.5 mm: 16” / 41 cm circular needle, double-pointed needles (dpn), or long ciruculars for magic loop per knitter’s preference.
Size B (optional; for felt eyelids and nose ): Size US 3 / 3.25 mm circular or straight needle, per knitters preference.
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions
Markers; waste yarn; tapestry needle; fiberfill stuffing; T-pins; sharp sewing needle and black thread; two 1.5” / 38 mm white buttons for eyes (recommended: La Mode #48219); two 0.875” / 22 mm black buttons for eyes (recommended: La Mode #570000038) ; three 0.75” / 19 mm buttons for sweater (recommended: La Mode #26284); Size G-6 / 4 mm or H-8 / 5 mm crochet hook; cardboard cut to 2.5” / 6.5 cm wide (use the yarn label!).

Gauge
20 sts and 30 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st before stuffing on Size A needles for body + sweater.
13 sts and 19 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st on Size B needles for felted pieces.

Skills Required
Increasing; decreasing; seaming; chain stitch embroidery; duplicate stitch; short rows; circular knitting; (optional) felting; (optional) crochet dropped stitch.

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