Nice Price Bundle: You safe aproximately 20% compared to single purchases of Lille and Lion patterns!

I couldn' resist the challenge when Anna Karina Birkenstock, a german illustrator, asked me if I like to make knitting patterns for her childrens books heroes "Lille und Löwe". It took me a fair amount of unravelling until I was happy with the outcome, but here they are!

PLEASE MIND: The animals are knitted in the ROUND, there is no instruction for flat knitting!

Thanks to the step-by-step pattern, advanced beginners can manage to make Lille, but the Lion is only suitable for the more experienced knitters – he is a wonderful challenge for seasoned toy makers!

These techniques you should already know

• cast on
• knit and purl
• knit in the round with double pointed needles
• bind off
• crochet chains

The following techniques are explained in full detail:

• decreasing
• increasing
• sewing and embroidering techniques
• provisional cast on
• short rows
• 3-needle bind-off

Knit as tight as possible, so the stuffing will not show. A good gauge for the yarn mentioned below would be
27 stitches x 38 rows = 10 x 10 cm = 4 x 4 inches
With the gauge shown above Lion measures approx 29 cm = 12 inches, Lille measures approx 23 cm = 9 inches.

For Lion:

• Lana Grossa Cool Wool Merino Superfein
  (100 % Merino wool, 175 yards (160 m) per 1.76 ounces (50 g)) 2 to 2.5 skeins in YELLOW, 1 skein in RED- BROWN, leftovers in WHITE and BROWN for the nose
• Cotton fabric for ears and paws, approx
  10 x 20 cm = 4 x 8 inches, matching sewing thread
• 2 black beads or safety eyes, ø approx 6 – 10 mm, BLACK twine

For Lille

• Lana Grossa Cool Wool Merino Superfein
  (100 % Merino wool, 175 yards (160 m) per 1.76 ounces (50 g)) 1 skein each in BROWN and BRIGHT PINK (it should be a rosy or nude hue)
• Cotton jersey for neckerchief and hat, approx
  60 x 20 cm = 24 x 8 inches, matching sewing thread
• 2 black beads or safety eyes, ø approx 5 – 8 mm, BLACK twine

For both

• Set of size 3 US (3 mm, 12 UK) double pointed needles
• Embroidery needle, sewing needle, darning needle, small safety pin
• Wadding – I used polyester fluffs as is used for cushion stuffing.

Have fun knitting!
Yours Steffi