This mountain lion was inspired by the hand dyed yarns from 29 Bridges Studio. Soft and squishy, these yarns make beautiful toys! You can find the yarn here:

29 Bridges Studio

Luna is dedicated to beloved pet hamsters everywhere :)

Lauren is knit in the round from the bottom up. The arms are knit first and then set aside to be attached later. Next each leg is knit and then joined together to work the body. The arms are then joined before knitting the shoulders, neck and head. Stitches for the muzzle are provisionally worked with waste yarn which is later removed. The live stitches are then picked up and worked in the round to form the muzzle. The ears and tail are knit separately and sewn on. The sample mountain lion has embroidered eyes, but tips are included for using safety eyes if you prefer.

Materials:

Yarn
For Lauren - Merino DK from 29 Bridges Studio, DK weight, 230 yds/210 m. Lauren used about 50 yds/46 m in the Brass Tacks colorway. You will also need a 20”/51 cm scrap of white DK weight yarn for the muzzle.

For Lauren’s sweater - Go To Sock from 29 Bridges Studio, fingering weight, 463 yds/423 m. Lauren’s sweater used about 45 yds/41 m.
For Luna - 2 yds/2 m finger weight yarn

Needles
For Lauren - US size 2 (2.75 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge below. You’ll need two sets of double pointed needles (ten total). One set is used for holding stitches and one is used for knitting.

For Lauren’s sweater - US size 2 (2.75 mm) 24” circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge below. You will also need a set of double pointed needles in the same size for the sleeves and pockets.

For Luna - US size 2 (2.75 mm) set of doubled pointed needles.

Lauren Gauge - 6.5 sts by 9 rows over 1”/2.5 cm lightly stuffed.

Sweater Gauge - 7 sts by 10 rows over 1”/2.5 cm lightly blocked.

Miscellaneous - darning needle for weaving in ends; about 1/4 oz/7 g of wool stuffing (or stuffing of your choice); 4 locking stitch markers; two 6”/15 cm scraps of yarn to hold stitches for the muzzle and sweater pockets; scrap of black fingering weight yarn or embroidery floss for eyes and pink for nose.