Lion Mane with Ears

My daughter loves to pretend she is a lion. She has an adorable roar and my husband had suggested several times that I should make her a tail and ears to go with it.

I looked all around and couldn't find a set of lion ears that were round like they should be. I also didn't want to make a full hat because I wanted these ears to be wearable in the summer or anytime she wants to pretend she's a lion. So these are designed to be on a headband, although you could attach them to a beanie if you want.

I made these for a kid's sized headband, but these ears could just as easily be attached to an adult-sized headband.

Materials Needed

• Worsted Weight Yarn
• Size 6 knitting needles
  
• Yarn Needle
• Headband

Band
Make 1
This is designed to attach to an existing headband. I used a 3/4 inch wide headband. Adjust the band for a wider or narrower headband.

Cast on 12
Knit in Stockinette until band is just a little longer than headband.

Ears
Make 4

cast on 16

1. Knit in stockinette for 12 rows or 2 inches
2. SSK, K3, SSK, K2, K2tog, K3, K2tog
3. Purl
4. SSK, K1, SSK, K2, K2tog, K1, K2tog
5. Purl
6. SSK, SSK,K2tog, K2tog

Bind Off

Hold 2 ear halves together, wrong sides out. Sew 2 ear halves to each other, turn right side out. Ears should curve a little. I left long yarn tails to use to sew the ears onto the headband.
Attach band to headband and then attach ears. Sew ears on so that they curve slightly.
Cut strips of yarn for mane and attach as for the Lion Tail, working around band, leaving ears free.
I personally did 2 pieces at a time for the mane even though I did 3 at a time for the tail.
Trim if needed, and give to your little lion to help them feel more like roaring!

Lion Tail

I've found a lot of cat tail patterns out there, but never a lion tail. So here is mine. And stay tuned - A Lion Mane with Ears to go with it is coming!

Materials Needed

• Worsted Weight Yarn
• Stuffing
• Size 4 dpns
• Yarn Needle
  
• Something to attach it to

Size
Kids (Adult)

Gauge is not important, although your stitches should be tight enough that the stuffing doesn't show between them.

Worked in the round.

Cast on 20 (25)

Work in stockinette until it is 16" (28") or desired length.

Decrease Rounds
Same for all sizes.
Place marker at beginning of round.

1. K3, k2tog to end of round
   
2. k2,k2tog to end of round
3. k1, k2tog to end of round
   
4. k2tog to end of round
5. weave end through remaining stitches and pull tight.

Tuft
Lions are the only cats who have tufts on the end of their tails.
To make the tuft, cut darker brown yarn 5-7 inches long.

Take 3 pieces of yarn at a time and thread through yarn needle.

Pull yarn through tail once.

Pull yarn back through the same hole. Be sure not to pull through all the way.

This should create a loop on one side and the ends on the other side.

Pull the ends through the loop.

Pull the ends tight.

Repeat this until you have a full tuft at the end of the tail.

Trim tuft to a lion-tuft shape as desired.

Stuff and sew onto pants, fabric with elastic, belt, or i-cord.

Wear and Enjoy!