Meet Singhi, the mighty snow lion that represents the snowy peaks of Mount Khangchendzonga (commonly known as Kanchenjunga), the third highest peak in the world. Singhi’s pattern was inspired by “Singhi Chham” or the dance of the snow lion, a popular folk dance of Sikkim, a Himalayan state in northeast India that is home to this sacred mountain.

While performing this folk dance, the dancers wear the snow lion costume and put on an exuberant, playful show. Each snow lion consists of two dancers—the first making up the head and the forelegs while the second dancer forms the torso and the hind legs. This dance is performed during Pang Lhabsol, a festival dedicated to Mount Khangchendzonga.

If you are lucky enough to be in Sikkim at the right time, you just might catch a pair of these mythical beasts dancing in the streets. Or, you could just crochet one for yourself with this pattern.

Materials
To make Singhi, the snow lion, you will need:

• Sock weight yarn in white, turquoise, beige, ivory, black, dark brown, yellow, pink
• 2.5mm hook
• A pair of 10mm anime safety eyes
• Polyester fiberfill for stuffing
• Yarn needle
• Pearl headed pins
• Stitch markers
• A pair of scissors

Optional Materials

• 16 gauge wire
• wire cutter
• masking tape

Terminology (US)
Chain (ch)
Stitch/stitches (st)
Magic ring
Single crochet (sc)
Half double crochet (hdc)
Double crochet (dc)
Increase (inc)
Decrease (dec)
Back loops only (BLO)
Slip stitch (sl st)

Skill level: Intermediate

Size: Approximately 18cm when made with the indicated yarn