Knitting patterns for featuring lions, tigers, panthers, and other wild cats. Most patterns are free. Updated 8/10/25
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Baby Chenille Toy Lion
Lion toy stuffie knit flat and seamed. Size Height (approx sitting) 30cm / 12 inches. Aran weight yarn. Designer says it's easy enough for beginners. Designed by Spotlight.
Lion Hat
Hat that features a lion face and mane of loopy stitch. Sizes 0-6 mos, 3 mos to 18 mos, 12 mos to 7 yrs, 5 yrs to 10 yrs. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Nancy Nielson, excerpted from Gramma Nancy's Animal Hats.
Kimba the Lion Toy
Lion softie knit flat in garter stitch on 2 needles and seamed. Size: Approximately Approx. 21 cm (8 in) long. DK weight yarn. Designed by DROPS design. Web pattern only. Available in English, Danish, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and more
Lion King Cardigan
Cardigan with lion head design, shawl collar, cables, and colorful fair isle patterns. Size Finished Chest About 52 in. (132 cm). Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Nicky Epstein for Lion Brand Yarn. A kit is also available.
Lion Washcloth
Alice Bell’s Grrr Washcloth features a loop stitch mane that holds water and make for soft surface for wiping skin. The bumps on the reverse side provide a scrubbing surface. Pictured project by TraceyNicole
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See Ravelry page with projects
- See more Animal Cloth Knitting Patterns
Little Lion Sock Critter
This lion toy softie with a knit lace mane is 9-1/2 in. (24 cm) tall. Designed by Lion Brand Yarn.
Lion Pullover
Long-sleeved child's sweater with intarsia lion. To Fit Age: 2 Years to 6 Years. Designed by Natalie Bayer for Lion Brand.
Tiger Hobbes Doll
Tiger toy softie inspired by the comic character. Designed by Karen Van Raden. Worsted weight yarn.
Lion Bib or Wash Cloth
Lion face motif for baby bibs, wash cloths, afghan blocks, or other knitting projects. Worsted weight yarn. Designed as Studley by Elaine Fitzpatrick for Down Cloverlaine.
Tiger Golf Club Cover
Golf club cover designed like a tiger head and tail. You could also use this as the basis for a toy tiger. Size: To fit a driver or oversized driver. This cover measures 11in long; 12in in circumference at widest part. Excerpted from the book Knitted Golf Club Covers by Susie Johns which includes at least 23 projects
More Free Patterns
Tall Tiger
18 inch adorable tiger toy softie. Reminds me of Hobbes. Designed by Browneyedbabs. DK weight yarn.
Mini Lion
Aine Marriott designed this tiny toy that is about 2.5 inches long
Lion or Tiger Square
Lion or tiger square for use as a dishcloth, washcloth, afghan block, or motifs or other projects. Both chart and written pattern are included and are very easy - just knit and purl stitches. Designed by Daisy and Storm. Web versions are free. PDFs available for purchase
- Get the free LION knitting pattern
- Get the free TIGER knitting pattern
- Get the LION pdf on Etsy
- Get the TIGER pdf on Etsy
Lionel the Lion
Designed by the amazing Amanda Berry, this lion softie toy is approximately 24cm tall. All pieces are knitted flat except for the tail.
Leon the Lion
Red Heart’s lion toy was designed by Nancy Anderson and features a mane of plied yarn that’s combed out. Finished Size 7″ (18 cm) tall
Baby Tiger Hat
Hat with ties, tiger ears, and fur of unraveled yarn strands. Fits 6-12 months, or roughly 16-19″ head circumference. Designed by Hayley Rigali
Lion Sweater
Long-sleeved pullover with a lion's face created with duplicate stitch (though I think you could interpret the chart for intarsia) and a knit circular mane that is added on. Sizes Newborn-3m-6m-12m-18/24m. Designed by Phildar Design Team. This pattern appears to be only available on the Internet archive but I loved how cute it was.
King of the Beasts Lion Dog Sweater
Dog costume sweater with lion mane.SIZE: Small, Medium, Large, 1X. Designed by Lion Brand Yarn. Pictured projects by lucy-and-company and Knitagin
Two-Finger Puppets
Let your fingers do the walking for these cute puppets. There are instructions for 3 faces – 2 cats and a raccoon – but they are easy to customize. Designed by Luciana Jorge. Available in English and Spanish. Pictured projects by Sikari73 who added fringe to create a lion’s mane for one and made another in panda colors.
Lion Hand Puppet
Knit in DK yarn. Designed by Janet McGregor The Puppet Lady
Lion Pacifier Clip
Lion toy to attach to pacifier clips. Designed by Jessica Gutoski
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get pacifier clips to attach to your lion
- See more Lion Knitting Patterns
Lion Baby Bottle Warmer / Cozy
Designed by Knituition. Other knitters have adapted it as a bunny or monkey.
Patterns for Purchase
Lion Blanket
Blanket with a lion face in knit and purl stitches. Includes a row by row pattern and a knitting chart. This completed blanket will measure 87cm wide x 94cm long. Aran/Worsted weight yarn. Designed by KnitSewMake.
Lion Family
Lion, Lioness and Cub toys. Sizes Adult lions 21cm (8.5"), Cub 15cm (6"). DK weight yarn. King Cole 9152 Lion Family in Big Value DK and Tinsel Chunky.
Panther
No longer free. Panther toy softie. Panther jaguars are native to South America. 7 Inches tall in DK weight yarn. Knitted flat on two needles. Designed by L.T.Marshall.
Cheetah and Tiger Sweaters
Children's sweaters for 0 - 5 years with either a Cheetah Face or Tiger Face chart. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Instarsia
Tiger Sweater
A raglan style sweater with an adorable tiger face sized to fit approx. ages 4-11 years. Many of the facial features and the cute paw prints are knitted separately and sewn on afterwards. Sizes 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 years. DK weight yarn. Designed by Jane Burns as Tiger Paws Sweater / Bashful Tiger Jumper
Tiger Blanket
Blanket with a stalking tiger in knit and purl stitches. Includes a row by row pattern and a knitting chart. This completed blanket will measure 80cm x 102cm. Aran/Worsted weight yarn. Designed by KnitSewMake.
Tickles the Tiger
Cuddly tiger toy softie. Size Tickles is 15 cm/ 6 in tall (10 cm / 4 in when seated). All pieces except tail are knitted flat (back and forth) on a pair of straight single-pointed knitting needles. The tail is i-cord worked on two DPNs. DK weight yarn. Designed by Amanda Berry.
Tiger Ringer Tee
Classic ringer tee top with colorwork tiger. Sizes Bust: 32.75 (37.25, 40.75, 45.25, 48.75, 51, 55.5, 59)” / 83 (94.5, 103.5, 115, 124, 129.5, 141, 150)cm. DK weight yarn. Designed by Alexandra Tavel. A kit is also available
Tiger Cushions
3 tiger themed pillow covers featuring a Tiger Paw, Tiger Stripes, and Tiger Face. Great way to learn intarsia by starting with the simpler paw design, working up to the stripes, and finally the tiger face. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Debbie Bliss
Liam the Lion
Cuddly lion toy softie is a quick knit. DK weight yarn. Designed by MumpitzDesign.
Nelson the Lion
This lion softie can be adapted to any size by changing the weight of yarn used. Pictured lion is 17 inches.
Toby the Tiger
Toby is about 9 inches tall if standing
Samson Lion and Leon Lion
Lion toy softies knit flat with a loop stitch mane. Sizes seated: Samson 27 cm tall, Leon 13 cm tall. Designed by Amanda Berry. DK weight yarn.
- Get the Samson Lion knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get the Leon Lion knitting pattern on Etsy
Lion Mittens
Sizes for the entire family: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, teen, women, men.
Animal Car Seat Blankets
A variety of baby blankets either hooded or with hats. Some include toy animal patterns. Pictured are bear, tiger, lion, zebra, and giraffe. Designed by Creative Knits.
