Larry the Lion in Deramores Studio DK Acrylic - Downloadable PDF

Larry the Lion Knitting Pattern – Beginner Knitted Toy by Amanda Berry for Deramores

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern by designer Amanda Berry guides knitters through creating Larry the Lion, an adorable knitted toy standing approximately 25cm / 10 inches tall. Published by Deramores, this is a beginner-level knitting pattern that introduces new knitters to toy making using straightforward shaping techniques. Please note that the finished toy is not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts.

What Is Being Made

Larry the Lion is a knitted stuffed toy lion, worked in separate pieces and assembled by sewing together. The finished figure is a charming, soft sculpture suitable as a decorative toy or gift. Details such as a felt face, button eyes, and an embroidered nose bring the character to life. Because the pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, it is an excellent project for those who are new to knitting toys or who want to build confidence in basic shaping and finishing techniques.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern uses Deramores Studio DK yarn, a DK weight acrylic yarn, in three colourways:

• Yarn A – Citrine (1 x 100g ball): the main body colour, giving Larry his warm lion-gold tone
• Yarn B – Frost (1 x 100g ball): used for contrast areas such as the muzzle or belly
• Yarn C – Ruby (1 x 100g ball): used as an accent colour for details

In addition to the main yarn, the pattern calls for approximately 1 metre / 1 yard of dark grey yarn for embroidering the nose detail. Deramores Studio DK is an acrylic yarn, making the finished toy easy to care for and durable.

Needles and Tension

The pattern is worked on a pair of 3.5mm (UK 10–9 / US 4) knitting needles. The recommended tension is 22 stitches and 32 rows to 10cm / 4 inches measured over stocking stitch using 3.5mm needles. Importantly, this needle size is deliberately smaller than the size typically recommended on the Deramores Studio DK ball band. Using a tighter needle creates a firmer, denser fabric that holds its shape well and prevents the toy stuffing from showing through the knitted fabric — a standard and important consideration in toy knitting.

Techniques and Stitches Used

As a beginner pattern, Larry the Lion relies on a small, accessible set of knitting techniques:

• Knit stitch (K) – the foundational stitch used throughout the pattern
• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric construction method, created by alternating knit and purl rows, giving a smooth right side and a textured wrong side
• K2tog (Knit two stitches together) – a simple right-leaning decrease used to shape the body parts, reducing the stitch count by one
• Kfb (Knit into the front then back of the same stitch) – a common beginner-friendly increase that adds one stitch, used to shape and widen sections of the toy

These techniques are standard in toy knitting and are ideal for building skills in shaping three-dimensional forms. The pieces are knitted flat and then seamed together, making this a great introduction to sewing up and finishing knitted toys.

Finishing and Extras

Assembly and finishing are an important part of this pattern. The following additional materials are required:

• Toy filling – for stuffing the finished lion to give it a soft, rounded shape
• White felt fabric – used to create facial features
• 2 x 6mm / ¼ inch black buttons – sewn on as eyes
• Sewing needle and thread – for attaching felt and buttons