According to Greek mythology, the Chimera is a monstrous fire-breathing hybrid creature, composed of the parts of more than one animal. It is usually depicted as a lion, with the head of a goat protruding from its back, and a tail that ends with a snake’s head.

More modern depictions of Chimeras often add a third head, typically a dragon or eagle head, and dragon or eagle wings. I decided to make a Chimera with a Lion, Goat and Eagle head. If you prefer a dragon head, the goat head pattern can be easily adapted by simply making it in a more dragon-appropriate colour such as green or red, and orienting the eyes with vertical pupils instead of horizonal.

This pattern is not suitable for beginners, because it is very long with lots of parts. However, the techniques used are not particularly difficult. Any potentially confusing instructions have been explained in detail, with accompanying photographs.

Finished dimensions: approx. 14cm tall, 18 cm long plus 14cm tail.

Supplies
1. DK yarn in the following colours:
• Lion: Yellow and light orange/brown
• Goat: Light grey and brown
• Eagle: White and yellow (you can use the same yellow as for the lion, but I used a slightly different shade).
• Snake: Green
• Bat wings: Black
• Black and red for embroidering details

1. 3.5mm hook
2. Fiberfill stuffing
3. Yarn needle
4. Green chenille stem or wire for the snake (I didn’t put nay wire in the wings because they are small enough to stand up without any support, but you could also put wire in the wings if you want them to be poseable).
5. Plastic safety eyes: I used 7mm amber cat eyes for the snake, 9mm green cat eyes for the goat (turned sideways for horizonal pupils), 9mm yellow eyes for the Eagle, 10mm amber eyes for the lion.
6. Black felt: for the eagle eyes, optional.
7. Plastic safety nose: cat style, 13mm across. Alternatively, you can make the eyes out of felt and glue them on, and embroider the lion’s nose if you prefer.