Rory the Lion Toy, Hat and Mittens in Stylecraft Special DK & Bellissima - 9868 - Downloadable PDF

Rory the Lion Toy, Hat and Mittens in Stylecraft Special DK & Bellissima – Pattern 9868

Pattern 9868 from Stylecraft is a charming and comprehensive knitting pattern that includes three coordinating designs: a lion-themed hat, a pair of mittens, and a standalone Rory the Lion toy. Sized for children aged 6 months to 5 years, this intermediate-level downloadable PDF pattern is worked in Double Knitting (DK) weight yarn and makes an ideal gift set or nursery keepsake. The lion character — named Rory — carries through all three pieces with consistent colourwork detailing, making the collection cohesive and visually appealing.

The Lion Hat

The lion hat is designed to fit three age ranges, with finished circumferences of approximately 45 cm (6–12 months), 48 cm (2–3 years), and 50 cm (4–5 years). The length, measured with the brim folded up, ranges from 16 cm to 18 cm depending on size. The hat features a folded brim, giving it a classic, structured silhouette that also provides extra warmth around the ears.

Techniques and Stitches – Hat

• Stocking stitch forms the main body of the hat, worked in the round or flat and seamed.
• Intarsia colourwork is used to incorporate the lion face or decorative motif, following a charted design.
• Charts are read with odd (knit) rows from right to left and even (purl) rows from left to right, following standard flat knitting chart conventions.
• Each colour in the chart is assigned a letter code, clearly listed in the yarn section and chart key for easy reference.
• A folded brim technique adds structure and warmth to the finished hat.

The Lion Mittens

The mittens are sized to coordinate with the hat, with finished widths around the hand of 14 cm (6–12 months), 15 cm (2–3 years), and 16 cm (4–5 years). Lengths range from approximately 12.5 cm to 14.5 cm. Like the hat, the mittens carry the lion theme through colourwork detailing, making them a natural companion piece to the hat.

Techniques and Stitches – Mittens

• Stocking stitch is used throughout the main body of the mittens.
• Intarsia colourwork continues the lion motif, using the same charted approach as the hat.
• Separate lengths or bobbins of yarn are used for each colour area in the intarsia sections, preventing yarn tangling across the back of the work — a hallmark of the intarsia technique.
• The mittens are shaped to suit small hands across the three size ranges.

Rory the Lion Toy

The standout piece of the collection is Rory the Lion, a knitted soft toy measuring approximately 36 cm (14 inches) in height. This is a fully three-dimensional knitted toy, constructed from multiple pieces that are seamed and stuffed to create a huggable, durable finished object. Rory makes an excellent companion gift alongside the hat and mittens set, or as a standalone nursery toy.

Techniques and Stitches – Toy

• Stocking stitch is the primary stitch used across the toy's body pieces.
• Intarsia colourwork is used to create the lion's facial features and markings, worked from a charted design using the same letter-coded colour system as the hat and mittens.
• The toy is worked in separate pieces that are then seamed together — a common construction method for knitted toys that allows for precise shaping of limbs, body, and head.
• Separate bobbins or lengths of yarn are employed for each colour section within the intarsia areas, keeping floats clean and the fabric neat on the reverse.
• Finishing techniques include stuffing and seaming to achieve the three-dimensional form