Yes, that’s right. I have another granny square animal for you. This is another copy-cat pattern my grandma had made many years ago. And the only thing I changed was using safety eyes instead of buttons for the eyes. But, who can complain, really? Leo the Lion is just adorable! I made him for my nephew, but I kinda want to keep him…
I won’t. I’ll just have to make another one! And since I still have 1/2 a skein of light taupe yarn and a bunch of safety eyes left over, I don’t think that’ll be a problem at all. I will also say that after making Leo the Lion, I’m not done with these granny square animals. They’re just too fun!
So have fun making this adorable granny square lion. Mine is named Leo. What will you name yours?
Leo the Lion
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Materials:
1/2 skein of Crafter’s Secret Yarn in Light Taupe (or other tan worsted weight yarn)
50 yards of Red Heart Soft Yarn in Chocolate (or other brown worsted weight yarn)
4mm (G) crochet hook
6 mm (J) crochet hook
for slip stitching mane
2 – 12 mm safety eyes
Yarn Needle for sewing in ends
Poly-Fil
For detailed recommendations, visit my Recommendations Page.
Stitches:
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
Gauge:
1 granny square = 2 inches x 2 inches
Pattern Notes:
- This pattern requires 36 granny squares and 6 granny square corners.
- When connecting granny squares, you can use any method you prefer. I used the back loop only method where I make a slip knot on my hook and then slip stitched all of the granny squares together using only the back loops of the granny squares.
- I provide patterns for the granny squares and the granny square corners, but only provide a graph for how to assemble the 2 panels of the lion.
Pattern:
Granny Squares (make 36):
ch 5, sl st in first chain to make circle,
Round 1: ch 3, 2dc inside circle, ch 2, *3dc inside circle, ch 2* 3 times, sl st at top of ch 3 to join.
Round 2: sl st to fist ch 2 space, working all in ch 2 space, ch 3, 2dc, ch 1, 3dc, *[3dc, ch 1, 3dc] in next ch 2 space* 3 times. Sl st at top of ch 3 to join.
Finish off and sew in ends.
Granny Square corner (make 6):
ch 5, sl st in first chain to make circle,
Row 1: ch 3, 2dc inside circle, ch 2, 3dc inside circle, ch 2, turn.
Row 2: dc 3, 3dc in ch 2 space, ch 1, 3dc in same ch 2 space, dc in next 3 stitches.
Finish off and sew in ends.
Stitching together together:
Organize squares and corners as seen in diagram below. Slip stitch or sew together. (I slip stitched in back loops only.)
Finishing:
– Once you have assembled both panels, insert safety eyes on either side of the granny square in center of head.
-Embroider the nose and mouth in granny square and the center of head.
-Slip stitch two panels together. Stuff with poly-fil as you go. Finish off.
Attaching Mane:
-Cut 4 pieces of brown yarn about 6 inches long. (I did 3 pieces in brown and 1 in tan)
-Loop through and slip stitch onto head of lion at the seams.
-Continue doing this all around the head of the lion and across the from at the bottom of the head of the lion. See picture below.
-Trim the mane to make it look even and nice.
Gather 6 to 8 remaining pieces of yarn and tie 2 knots an inch away from each other. Sew onto butt of lion for tail.
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