12. Free Knitting Pattern: The Lion Sleeps Tonight Thumb-Sucking Glove
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Hello, knitters, and raise the anchor!
It's pretty rare that I say yes when asked to make custom-ordered items, but this project was so exciting that it was simply impossible for me to say no! This "thumb-sucking glove" will allow little ones to have sweeter nights without resorting to punitive techniques like bitter nail polish. So, come with me to make the "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" glove.
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight": from "Mbube" to a Global Hit, the Unsung History
The initial name for this pattern was "Mbube," the original title of the song that would later become "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." "Mbube" means "lion" in the Zulu language. Written by Solomon Linda and first recorded with his choir "The Evenings Birds" in 1939, the song was a great success with the South African public and was later covered by the great Miriam Makeba. The song even gave its name to a musical style for this type of "a cappella" song.
In 1949, the track reached the ears of the American Alan Lomax, then head of the folk branch of the Decca Records label. Lomax was captivated by the song and offered it to his friend Pete Seeger, leader of the group "The Weavers." You may not have heard his name before, but he is the author of the famous "If I had a hammer," which was covered by Claude François under the title "Si j'avais un marteau." The re-recorded title, released in 1951 as "Wimoweh," was a success and greatly contributed to the fame of The Weavers. The song was still very similar to the original, and Solomon Linda, the author, received the "astronomical" sum of... 10 shillings from his record company for the acquisition of the copyright.
A Song, Millions, and Late Justice
It was 10 years later, in 1961, that "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" was born, performed by the doo-wop group The Tokens. In the studio, the song was put through the mill of Western standards, talked about a lion sleeping in the jungle (!), was dressed up in a pop arrangement, and became a global hit that would later be used in Walt Disney's "The Lion King." This version would rake in millions of dollars and become one of the most famous songs in the world. Solomon Linda died in 1962, with $22 in his account and having seen two of his children die of malnutrition.
It was at the dawn of the year 2000 that the filmmaker François Vester and the music journalist Rian Malan each decided, separately and through their respective media, to revisit the story of a young herder who created the original song, as well as his tragic fate. A documentary and a Rolling Stone article later, the world knew the name Solomon Linda. After several years of legal battles to obtain compensation, Solomon's family finally won their case in 2006.
By writing a song about a lion threatening his flock, Solomon had no doubt no idea about the nature of the predators who would truly dispossess him.
This pattern requires a good foundation in both knitting AND crochet.
2 particular techniques will be used here:
- left and right increases
- placing the mane with a crochet hook.
I will guide you step-by-step to perform these techniques on the Wolly Roger YouTube channel, in the THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT playlist. You can just click on the links above to access them directly.
THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT
Thumb-sucking glove, size toddler/child.
Note: The original text specifies "8 years old," but the dimensions provided are more suitable for a younger child.
Palm size: 7 cm wide, 10 cm long
Thumb size: 4.5 cm long.
Gauge:
32 stitches x 44 rows = 10 cm with 3 mm needles
Materials:
- 1 skein of Lazy Lion by Kremke Soul Wool in "gold" (or Malabrigo Sock in "Sunset")
- (optional) 1 skein of Lazy Lion by Kremke Soul Wool in "rusty red" (or Malabrigo Sock in "Marte")
- a little bit of contrasting yarn for the lion's face
- 3 mm knitting needles
- 2.5 or 3 mm crochet hook
- stitch markers
- tapestry needle
Abbreviations:
- st: stitch.
- 2x2 ribbing: knit 2, purl 2
- M1L: make 1 left increase
- M1R: make 1 right increase
WRIST/PALM
Cast on 48 sts with 3 mm needles and join to knit in the round.
Place a marker for the beginning of the round.
Rounds 1-14: Knit in 2x2 ribbing.
Rounds 15-21: Knit in stockinette stitch.
Round 22: Knit 1 st, M1L, knit in stockinette stitch to the last st, M1R, knit the last st. [50 sts]
Round 23: Knit in stockinette stitch.
Repeat rounds 22 & 23 three more times [56 sts]
Round 30: Knit in stockinette stitch to 6 sts before the marker and place the next 12 sts on hold. Cast on 4 sts and replace the beginning-of-round marker.
Rounds 31-38: Knit in stockinette stitch.
Rounds 39-45: Knit in 2x2 ribbing.
Bind off stitches with an elastic bind-off.
THUMB
Pick up the 12 sts placed on hold for the thumb and pick up 6 sts in the border above the thumb. [18 sts]
Rounds 1-20: Knit in stockinette stitch.
Round 21: Knit 2 sts together until the end of the round. [9 sts]
Cut the yarn and thread it through the remaining 9 stitches, pulling tightly to close the thumb.
EARS
With the crochet hook, chain 4, then slip stitch into the 1st chain to make a circle.
Chain 2, then single crochet 7 in the circle.
Cut the yarn long enough and make a simple knot with the two ends.
Make a second ear identical to the first and sew both ears to the top of the thumb.
FACE
With a tapestry needle and a contrasting yarn, embroider eyes and a nose. It's up to you to choose your lion's expression or even to opt for another animal!
MANE
This is the most laborious part.
The lion in the photo required about sixty pieces of yarn, each 12 cm long.
Attach each piece of yarn folded in half with the crochet hook, starting with the 9 stitches at the top of the thumb, then gradually working your way down, row by row.
The "the Lion sleeps tonight" pattern is an exclusive Wolly Roger creation. Anyone who reproduces this pattern without citing the author will be thrown to the lions without mercy.
Take good care, and see you soon for new adventures!
Hopla, Bis bàll!
Jessica