This Crochet Lion Pattern makes a chubby little amigurumi lion with a round golden head, a big fluffy mane made from a ring of loop-stitch fringe, small round ears, a cream muzzle with a pink nose, a plump body, short legs, and a tail with a tuft. The mane is the star of this pattern, and it is easier than it looks. Give it as a gift, set it on a shelf, or make a whole pride in different shades.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate, with shaping, embroidery, fringe, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The head, mane ring, body, muzzle, ears, legs, and tail are worked separately in continuous rounds, then sewn together. The face is embroidered.
Estimated size: About 16 cm (6.25 in) tall when sitting, including the mane, using DK-weight cotton. Actual dimensions depend on yarn, tension, and stuffing.
Pattern note: This is an original design based on the title concept. Stitch counts have been checked, but the pattern has not been physically crocheted or independently tested. Adjust the shaping and feature placement to suit your yarn.
Materials
- DK-weight cotton yarn in golden yellow, approximately 40 g, for the head, body, legs, ears, and tail.
- Brown or caramel yarn, approximately 25 g, for the mane and tail tuft.
- Cream yarn, approximately 4 g, for the muzzle.
- Pink yarn or thread for the nose and cheeks, and black thread for the mouth and optional embroidered eyes.
- A 2.5 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Two 8 mm black safety eyes, or black thread for embroidered eyes.
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
Use embroidered eyes if the lion is for a baby or young child, and skip the fringe mane (use the flat mane option below).
Stitches and Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | 2 sc in one stitch |
| dec | invisible single crochet decrease over the next 2 stitches |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Work in a spiral without joining or turning unless directed otherwise. Numbers in brackets give the completed stitch count. Repeat parentheses the stated number of times. Move the marker at the start of every round.
Before You Begin
Crochet tightly so the stuffing does not show through the stitches. Stuff firmly but evenly, adding small pieces rather than large clumps. Make the head first, then the mane ring, which sits behind the face like a frame.
Pin the eyes and muzzle before you commit. Eyes set low and wide apart give the lion a sweet, cub-like face.
Head (golden yellow)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Rounds 7–12: Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 6 rounds]
Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 8 and 9, with about 9 stitches between them. Fit the backs securely. Pin the muzzle at the center front on Rounds 9–11, between and just below the eyes.
Round 13: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 14: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Round 15: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Stuff the head firmly.
Round 16: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 17: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining front loops, draw closed, and hide the end.
Mane Ring (brown)
The mane is a flat ring that sits behind the head. Work in joined rounds.
Ch 24, join with a sl st to form a ring, being careful not to twist.
Round 1: Ch 1, 2 sc in each ch around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. [48]
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. [48]
Round 3: Ch 1, (sc, inc) × 24. Join. [72]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Fringe option: Cut 5 cm (2 in) strands of brown yarn. Fold each in half, pull the loop through a stitch on the outer edge with your hook, thread the ends through the loop, and pull snug. Work around the full outer edge, about 1 strand per stitch, and trim evenly. Fluff with a tapestry needle.
Flat mane option (baby-safe): Skip the fringe. After Round 3, work Round 4: Sc, ch 3, sl st in the first ch, sc in the next stitch. Repeat around, to make a bumpy scalloped edge. Fasten off.
Place the head over the ring so the face sits in the center, and sew the head to the ring all around with small stitches.
Body (golden yellow)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Rounds 6–12: Sc in every stitch. [30 per round; 7 rounds]
Round 13: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Round 14: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly, flatten the bottom slightly so the lion sits upright, and leave the opening for sewing to the head.
Muzzle (cream)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: Sc around. [18]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly and sew to the pinned position. With pink yarn, embroider a small triangle nose at the top of the muzzle. With black thread, embroider a short vertical line below the nose, then two small curves for the mouth.
Ears (make 2, golden yellow)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: Sc around. [12]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten and pinch the base, then sew to the top-sides of the head at about Rounds 3–4, about 8 stitches apart, so they peek out of the mane.
Legs (make 4, golden yellow)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Rounds 3–6: Sc around. [12 per round; 4 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly, leaving the top unfilled. Sew to the lower body, front legs close together and back legs toward the rear.
Tail (golden yellow with brown tuft)
Leave a long tail, then ch 12. Sl st in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Fasten off. Cut four 4 cm (1.5 in) strands of brown yarn, fold in half, and knot them through the end of the tail. Trim and fluff. Sew the tail to the center back near the bottom.
Assembly and Face
- Head to body: Pin the head and mane over the body opening, with the closure underneath, and sew all around with small, strong stitches. Check that the head sits straight before finishing.
- Ears and muzzle: Sew them on if you have not already, checking symmetry from the front.
- Legs and tail: Sew the legs to the lower body at the same height, then add the tail.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, add a small patch of 2 or 3 horizontal stitches below and outside each eye.
Hide every tail and give each ear, leg, and the tail a gentle tug to check it holds.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The mane looks thin. Add a second row of fringe on Round 2, or double the strands.
The head sits crooked in the mane. Pin it first, check from the front, and sew from the center outward.
The lion will not sit up. Flatten the bottom of the body, and sew all four legs on at the same height.
The ears get lost. Sew them slightly higher, or trim the fringe around them.
The eyes look uneven. Pin the eyes before inserting them, and check the face from the front and from above before fastening the backs.
FAQ
Can I make it bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook for a lion about one and a half times larger, and use 10 mm eyes.
Can I embroider the eyes? Yes. Make two small black satin-stitch ovals between Rounds 8 and 9, with 9 stitches between them, and add a tiny white highlight stitch.
Can I make a lioness? Yes. Skip the mane ring and keep the golden head, adding a small bow or flower.
Can I make it in other colors? Absolutely. Try a white lion cub with a gray mane, or a pastel set for a nursery.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Easy Crochet Elephant Pattern for Your First Plushie
- Crochet Giraffe Pattern
- Crochet Fox Pattern
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