Crochet Lion in Sneakers

Extension
Crochet Lion in Sneakers

Legs: With black yarn:
Ch2.

Round 1: Sc 6 times in to the first chain. (6).
Mark the beginning of the round with a stitch marker and move it up each round as you go.
Round 2: Repeat [2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc.] (10).
Round 3: Repeat [2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next three sc, 2 sc in next sc.] (14).
Round 4: Repeat [2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next five sc, 2 sc in next sc.] (18).


Switch to green yarn:
Round 5: 1 sc TBLO in each sc. (18).
Round 6: 1 sc in each sc. (18).
Round 7: 1 sc in next 4 sc, 1 sc TBLO in next 3 sc, sc2dec TBLO twice, 1 sc TBLO in next 3 sc, 1 sc in next 4sc. (16).
Round 8: 1 sc in next 4 sc, 1 sc TBLO in next 2 sc, sc2dec TBLO twice, 1 sc TBLO in next 2 sc, 1 sc in next 4sc. (14).

Switch to yellow yarn.
Round 9: Repeat [sc2dec TBLO, 1 sc TBLO in next 2 sc, sc2dec TBLO, 1 sc TBLO in next sc.] (10). Stuff tightly now while the leg is still short, since it will be hard to push the stuffing in to the shoe when the leg is full ength.
Rounds 10-22: 1 sc in each sc. (Stop a few times to stuff the leg as you go). (10).

Cut yarn leaving at least a 6-9 inch tail.
For floppy legs: Stuff leg lightly, fold top flat and sew to body in a flat line.
For stiff legs: Stuff leg firmly, and using the yarn needle, sew the top of the leg to the body in a circular shape. Repeat for second leg.

Tail:
Ch2.

Round 1: Sc 6 imes in to the first chain. (6).
Mark the beginning of the round with a stitch marker and move it up each round as you go. Round 2: Repeat [2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next two sc] (8).
Rounds 3-17: 1 sc in each sc. (8).

Cut yarn leaving at least a 6 inch tail.
Do not stuff the tail. Fold the top flat and sew to body in a flat horizontal line; this will help the lion sit up.

Finishing:

To make the mane: Cut orange yarn into 2-3 inch pieces and tie each piece to the head in the middle of the piece of yarn (to make a mane that is about 1 or 1.5 inches long). Do the same for the tip of the tail. If you're making this as a child's toy be sure to tie the knots VERY securely.
To make the eyes and nose: Using the yarn needle and the black yarn, embroider a triangular nose and two smaller eyes, as shown.
To make the shoelaces: Cut a 6 in inch piece of white yarn. Using the yarn needle, thread it through the sneaker as you would for a shoe. Tie in a bow. Repeat for second shoe.
Tie off all loose yarn ends and pull them in to the lion so that the yaren't visible.