Knitted Lion

[ChrisSews]

I thought I'd show off the lion I made for my partner is the Little Stuffies Swap.

I knit this lion up using Alan Dart’s pattern (part of his Noah's Ark set) for the head and body. The body is Chinchilla yarn that came from a swap (I love swaps!) and the mane is fun fur.  I ended up loving the fuzzy cuddly effect this yarn gave my little cat.  It was my 1st time using this type of yarn, 1st animal, 1st time I tried to modify a pattern on my own.  Lots of 1st but it all worked out. 

I don’t like his stick thin legs so I changed those by knitting them in the round and adding more increases to shape (especially for the back legs). I used pipe cleaners inside the legs wrapped with a bit of polyfill to give them shape and allow them to bend. The tail I made as an I-cord with 4 sts. 

[Xbeautiful_disasterX]

tooooo cuuuutttte!!!! good job!

[KLKing]

And He's all mine!!! LOVE MY LION! Thanks again, Chris! I could not figure out how she made him. His face and the shape of his head are so realistic.  This lion Rocks!

[Huhwhat?]

That is so cool!

[kriminie]

OMFG!!!  I had never heard of Alan dart until your post, I checked him out and EVERYONE OF HIS PATTERNS IS FREAKING AMAZING!!! I bought a couple but there is no way I can buy every one that I want!! I think prettying everyone is getting an Alan dart toy for Xmas.... Lol.... Ty so much for sharing!! So exciting, and I'm so jibed about learning more about knitting and about making these toys for everyone!!! I'm literally jumping in excitement.... I haven't been this excited since I found the antique pattern library!!! Haha

[ChrisSews]

I know I would love to have every one of the Alan Dart Patterns!  I just love how cute and still lifelike all his animals are. 

I wish I had more kids to knit toys for!  Instead I bought several of his sets that have smaller animals and made up some for Christmas presents/ornaments.  I want to make lots more but since I'm still a slow knitter it's taking time.  I'll keep on making them and by next Christmas I should have a nice little pile of toys.  That is if I don't just end up making them for swaps.   

[KLKing]

My little lion sits right here next to me, on my desk ; near my PC.
He seems to like it there!

[striker923]

Great job, he's so cute!! BTW, the fun fur yarn seems like it was almost made for knitting up a lion's mane.

[Kestrel]

This is gorgeous! 

[kriminie]

lol.. i started a headband to practice my stockinette to get ready to do one of his patterns, and i am turning out to be a slow knitter too... I guess im just used to crochet and worsted weight instead of dk weight... I cant wait to finish this so i can get to making one of his patterns!! Im so into dolls and toys right now. I hear you tho, it helps that between family and friends there are about 30-40 kids around that i can make stuff for, Id hate making them and leaving them all around the house unused Id love to see some more of what you make!! maybe we should do a Alan Dart swap.. lol