  LiSr$_2$[CoN$_2$] single crystals were successfully grown out of Li-rich
flux. Temperature- and field-dependent measurements of the magnetization in the
range of $T = 2 - 300$ K and up to $\mu_{0}\textit{H} = 7$ T as well as
measurements of the heat capacity are presented. Ferromagnetic ordering emerges
below $T_C = 44$ K and comparatively large coercivity fields of $\mu_0H = 0.3$
T as well as pronounced anisotropy are observed upon cooling. Polycrystalline
samples of the Ca analog LiCa$_2$[CoN$_2$] were obtained and investigated in a
similar way. In both compounds Co manifests orbital contributions to the
magnetic moment and large single-ion anisotropy that is caused by second-order
Spin-orbit coupling. Quantum chemistry calculations reveal a magnetic
anisotropy energy of 7 meV, twice as large as the values reported for similar
Co $d^{8}$ systems.
