Lion and Elephant Loveys Crochet Pattern

The birth of my first grandchild has naturally inspired me to create some fun baby items.  I mean, how can I not?  Since I only have one grandchild so far, spoiling that kid is my ultimate goal.  So this week, I put together a couple of zoo themed loveys for her.   A “lovey” is a sweet little security blanket that is small enough for the child to carry around.

This easy crochet pattern uses a fun technique of creating borders on flannel using an embroidered blanket stitch and then adding crochet.  I’ve seen this done before for entire quilts.  Today, we are just going to make a cute little security blanket.

Well, maybe two loveys.  Because two of a good thing is even better than one.  Right?

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For this project I used:

1/2 yard Happy Zoo Flannel Fabric (any flannel fabric will work)
100% Cotton Yarn in Yellow, Blue, and Pink
Size G Crochet Hook
Embroidery Floss in pink, black, blue, yellow and white
Felt scraps in blue and white
4 Beads for eyes

Elephant and Lion pattern template

Go to the bottom of this post for the links to the full print out of this pattern!

Blanket:

Begin by cutting (2 ea.) 14″ x 14″ squares of flannel for each blanket.  If you are making both blankets, that would be a total of 4 squares.

With wrong sides together, lay two flannel squares on top of each other and pin together.

Blanket Stitch Edging

Thread your needle and knot the tail end. Start between the two layers and poke your needle down through the bottom layer. This will put your knot in between the two layers. This should be done about 1/4″ in from the edge. To anchor the stitch, insert your needle down from the top layer so that the needle comes out the bottom at the same spot where you started, basically making a loop. (See photo above)

Insert your needle under the loop stitch you just made.  To start your first true blanket stitch, poke your needle down from the top (see photo above). This should be about 1/4″ over from where the thread first came up, and about 1/4″ up from the edge.To complete your first stitch, bring your needle through the loop of thread.

This photo shows several stitches, and how the loop should be underneath with the thread coming out over the top.

Sew the blanket stitch around the entire perimeter of the two squares of fabric, ending where you began.  Knot and hide the end of the thread in between the two pieces of flannel.

Crochet

One blanket was done in pink edging and one blanket in yellow using the cotton yarn and G sized Crochet Hook.

Row 1: Starting in the middle of one side, Slip Stitch into first blanket stitch.  Chain 2.  Double crochet into each blanket stitch until you reach the corner stitch.  Double Crochet 3 times in the corner stitch to turn.  *1 Double crochet in each blanket stitch until you get to the next corner.  Double crochet 3 times in corner*, and repeat around.

Slip stitch into beginning chain.  Chain 1.

Row 2: Single crochet in each stitch, doing 3 single crochets in each corner.  Slip stitch into first chain.  Tie off and weave the tail through the stitches. Cut and trim extra threads.

Lion Lovey

Lion Face: Begin with the yellow yarn.  Chain 2.  Make 10 single crochet stitches into the second chain from hook. At the end of the round, you will slip stitch to join. This completes round 1.

Round 2: Chain 2. This counts as the first double crochet of round 2. Double crochet in the same stitch as the base of this chain. 2 double crochets in each stitch around. This will give you a total of 20 double crochet stitches in round 2 of your circle. Slip stitch to the first stitch to join.

Round 3 (EARS): Chain 1, (1 single crochet, 2 double crochet, 1 single crochet) in next stitch- this creates one ear.  Slip stitch in the next 3 stitches. (1 single crochet, 2 double crochet, 1 single crochet) in next stitch, creating the second ear.  Tie off and weave the tail through the stitches. Cut and trim extra threads.

Lion Muzzle: Use pattern template to cut out muzzle from white felt.  Use pink and black embroidery floss to stitch in nose and mouth details. Using white embroidery floss, and straight stitch, hand stitch it onto the yellow crocheted face.

Sew beads on face for eyes, being sure to used double thread and securing them tightly.

Lion Mane: Begin with the blue yarn.  Chain 2.  Make 10 single crochet stitches into the second chain from hook. At the end of the round, you will slip stitch to join. This completes round 1.

Round 2: Chain 2. This counts as the first double crochet of round 2. Double crochet in the same stitch as the base of this chain. 2 double crochets in each stitch around. This will give you a total of 20 double crochet stitches in round 2 of your circle. Slip stitch to the first stitch to join.

Round 3: Chain 2. This counts as the first double crochet of round 3. Double crochet in the same stitch as the base of this chain. 2 double crochets in each stitch around. This will give you a total of 40 double crochet stitches in round 3 of your circle. Slip stitch to the first stitch to join. Tie off and weave the tail through the stitches. Cut and trim extra threads.

Assembly of Lion

Center yellow face on top of the blue main and sew down tightly using yellow yarn, straight stitching along edges of Lion face.  Secure the lion to the corner of the blanket from the back using yarn that matches your border.

Elephant Lovey

Elephant Face: Begin with the pink yarn.  Chain 2.  Make 10 single crochet stitches into the second chain from hook. At the end of the round, you will slip stitch to join. This completes round 1.

Round 2: Chain 2. This counts as the first double crochet of round 2. Double crochet in the same stitch as the base of this chain. 2 double crochets in each stitch around. This will give you a total of 20 double crochet stitches in round 2 of your circle. Slip stitch to the first stitch to join.

Round 3: Chain 2. This counts as the first double crochet of round 3. Double crochet in the same stitch as the base of this chain. 2 double crochets in each stitch around. This will give you a total of 40 double crochet stitches in round 3 of your circle. Slip stitch to the first stitch to join.

Nose: Chain 2, Double Crochet into next 5 stitches.  Turn.  Row 2: Chain 2, Double Crochet in five stitches. Turn. Row 3: Chain 2, skip a stitch, Double crochet in next 3 stitches.  Turn. Row 4: Chain 2, Double Crochet in next 3 stitches. Tie off and weave the tail through the stitches. Cut and trim extra threads.

Ears: Use the pattern template to cut out two ears from blue felt.  Using a straight stitch and blue embroidery floss, stitch the ears to the face as shown above.  Using a contrasting color of embroidery floss, blanket stitch the edge of the ears.

Eyes: Using the pattern template, cut out two eyes from white felt.  Using white embroidery floss and straight stitch, sew the eyes to the elephant face.  Sew beads on face for eyes, being sure to used double thread and securing them tightly.

Secure the elephant to the corner of the blanket from the back using yarn that matches your border.

This sweet pattern can be created for a boy or a girl.  In fact if you are loving the flannel fabric, they do also offer it in blues.

And it is the perfect size to carry most anywhere you might need a bit of security.

Last week, my daughter sent me this photo.  Esmeralda loves her loveys.  I can’t help it.  I’m smiling from ear to ear!

 Create something amazing and be sure to share it with us!  I’d love to see what you come up with!

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