Lion's mane pattern

How-to Questions
1

I have a pattern to make a lion’s mane for a cuddly toy but cannot get it right. It is a simple fringe and the pattern goes like this: Cast on 50 sts. next row: K1, *insert right hand needle K wise inti next stitch, place first two fingers of left hand at back of stitch then wind yarn anti-clockwise round needle and fingers 3 times, then round tip of right hand needle once, draw through the 4 loops; repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1
Next row: K1, *K4 tog, pulling loops down firmly as you go: repeat from * until 1 st remains, K1 (50 sts)
Cast off

Seems simple, but I just can’t get it to work! You obviously have to draw all 4 strands through when you wind the yarn around the fingers and needle. This is hard enough, but it still doesn’t give me the results I want.

2

I think the trick is to insert the right hand needle into the st and then move it so it is about parallel to the left hand needle. Then you can place your left index and second finger in back and approximately parallel to the RH needle and loosely wind the yarn around RH needle and fingers 4 times, remove the fingers. take the RH needle back into your right hand and pull through the 4 loops of yarn. I left the loops hanging towards the back until I finished the row and then pulled all of them to the front with a spare needle. On the next row you knit the 4 loops together which firms up the stitch.

3

:muah: Thanks, I will try it out and let you know how I get on

4

I was not handling the loops properly. It is looking great now…thank you from my baby grandson too!