Free Crochet Patterns for a Lion
I had a lot of fun making this lion because the pattern was so simple and detailed. It was the best pattern I'd read. This crochet designer has a lot of cute crochet animal patterns for you to try.
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I adore this pattern, and the designer was extremely helpful when I inquired about the yarns he used for the various coloured Tyrions. My yarn arrived today, and I can't wait to start!! Thank you very much!
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There are numerous stuffed lion crochet patterns to choose from. Read the reviews before beginning your next lion crochet project.
Standing height: 13.5"
Intermediate-Advanced skill level
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Laurence, the king of the jungle, is the sweetest lion you'll ever meet. His distinctive features are his large brown nose and wild mane.
Supplies
• 15mm safety eyes • 3.5mm (E) hook
• Yarn needle • Fiber fill • Stitch markers
Yarn (acrylic, weight 4) - 242 yards total
• 181 yards yellow (I used Red Heart Super Saver - Cornmeal) • 31 yards cream (I used Red Heart Super Saver – Aran)
• 3 yards brown (I used Red Heart Super Saver - Coffee) • 27 yards orange (I used Red Heart Super Saver – Carrot)
Notes Abbreviations • ch - chain • slst - slip stitch • sc - single crochet • inc - complete two single crochets within the same stitch • dec - combine two stitches into one with an invisible decrease • BLO - crochet only in the back loop If the pattern does not specify how many times to repeat the sequence, continue until you reach the end of the round.
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Instructions for Use
• Unless otherwise specified in the pattern, work all stitches in both loops.
• This pattern is completed in a single continuous spiral. Unless otherwise specified in the pattern, do not join rounds (in other words, do not slip stitch and chain to start a new round).
• Use a stitch marker to mark the end of one round and the start of the next. My stitch marker is usually placed in the last stitch of the round.
Sequence Recommendation
In order, here are the steps to making your lion:
1. Crochet a nose
2. Make the Ears
Crochet the Snout and Head. Crochet the Body.
5. Crochet a belly band
Crochet the Arms 6
Crochet the legs.
8. Crochet the Tail. 9. Attach the Head to the Body. 10. Attach the Legs to the Body. 11. Attach the Arms to the Body. 12. Attach the Tail to the Body. 13. Attach the Belly to the Body.
Crochet Video Instructions
• Magic ring • Slip stitch closed • Chain 5 start • Crochet Nose to Snout • Crochet Ears to Head • Invisible finish • Ultimate finish • Perfect Arm Base • Perfect Leg Base • Lion Mane - Individual Strands • Lion Mane - Loopy / Chained
• Instructions for attaching the head to the body • How to join the legs to the body • How to join the arms to the body How do you connect the tail to the body?
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On slip stitch BLO rounds, increase hook size.
Several rounds in this pattern will instruct you to slip stitch around only in the back loop. Often, you'll be crocheting into the exposed front loops created by slip stitching into the back loop in a later step.
Slip stitches are often tighter than regular single crochets, making them difficult to work into later on, so consider sizing up to a 4.0mm (G) hook for all slip-stitched BLO rounds (this does not apply to BLO rounds done in single crochet).
Color changes and jogless BLO rounds
Check out my tutorial on how to make jogless BLO rounds. This technique is also used when changing colours before or after a BLO round.
Before beginning the round, the video demonstrates how to "loop-under" and chain 1. If you want to change colours, simply finish the chain with the new colour and tighten the strands of both colours before continuing.
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Snout and Head: Round 8 - Extra Stitches
Continue to single crochet until your most recent stitch is perpendicular to the chain 5 start, as shown at the end of round 8. This ensures that your colour join is at the bottom of the head.
These extra stitches are not counted in the stitch count for rounds 8 or 9. Continue with round 9 as usual, moving your stitch marker to the last stitch you made.
Round 9 - Marking Stitches for Attaching the Nose to the Snout and Head
At the end of round 9, mark 2 stitches in the previous round to indicate where to attach the nose as you crochet round 10. One marker will indicate where to begin attaching the nose and another will indicate where to stop.
Center your stitch markers above the Chain 5 on the opposite side of your colour join. Begin with 8 stitches between each row, as shown in the photo.
Snout and Head: Crochet Nose to Snout, Round 10
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Crochet round 10 as usual, stopping when you reach the first stitch marker.
While crocheting, attach the nose to the snout until you reach the second marked stitch. Finish the rest of the round normally.
Attach the tip of the nose to the snout with a strand of brown yarn and a yarn needle before moving on to round 11.
Snout and Head: Round 14 - Eye Marking Stitches
You will insert two markers between rounds 13 and 14. As shown in the photo, centre them above the nose with 18 stitches in between (counted on row 13).
Because you'll be leaving the stitch markers in place as you crochet rounds 15-29, I recommend using multiple strands of yarn to mark these stitches so they're easy to crochet around. To mark your stitches, insert a yarn needle into each strand.
Snout & Head: Round 20 - Ear Marking Stitches
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At the end of round 20, mark 4 stitches in the previous round to indicate where you should attach the ears in round 21.
Begin by placing two stitch markers 12 stitches apart, centred above the nose. Then, as shown in the picture, add two more stitch markers, with four stitches between the outer and inner stitch markers.
Snout and Head: Round 21 - Crochet Ears to Head in 5 minutes and 15 seconds 90% volume
Crochet as usual until you reach the first stitch marker on round 21.
Attach an ear to the head and continue crocheting until you reach the second marked stitch. Continue with the next 12 stitches as usual until you reach the next stitch marker.
Crochet the other ear to the head until you reach the last marked stitch. Finish the round normally.
How to Make an Eye Indent
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Note: Although this video depicts a unicorn, the technique is the same for all of my patterns.
Make a strand of yarn about 18" long. Make a large, secure knot in one end of the yarn and thread the other end through your yarn needle.
Insert your needle through the back opening of the head and sew between the two spots where your safety eyes will be placed (marked with strands of yarn).
Pull your strand of yarn taut to make indents. Finish with a knot and tuck the yarn tail inside the head.
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Crochet the Tail Tuft in 3 minutes and 12 secondsVolume 90%
Make a slip knot on your hook with orange yarn. slst into first stitch, chain 6, and slst into same stitch
Repeat with the remaining two stitches across: slst into next stitch, chain 6, slst into same stitch
Fasten off and use a yarn needle to hide the yarn tails inside the work.
Select Your Mane Style
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3 minutes and 4 seconds, 0 seconds
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The final step after you've finished crocheting and assembling your lion is to add the mane! Select your preferred style above and then click to watch a video tutorial.
NOTE: If you've chosen the Loopy / Chained or Scallop styles, I recommend the following Snout & Head alterations:
(The main differences are: NOT using orange yarn for the back of the head; changing the slst round to BLO; and only doing one round of BLO)...
15–19 sc in each stitch around [60]
BLO: sc in each stitch around [60]
Mark 4 stitches in round 20 (the round you just finished) to indicate where you should attach the ears in round 21.
For more information and a video tutorial, see "Snout & Head: Round 20 - Marking Stitches for the Ears" in the Notes section.
21. sc in each st around, joining the ears where indicated [60]
22-24. sc in each stitch around [60]
25. BLO: sc 4, dec, 5 times *sc 8, dec*, sc 4 [54] 26. *sc 7, dec* [48]...
As the pattern is written, follow all rounds before and after these alterations.
Instructions
Nose 1 in brown yarn:
01. Begin with 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. *sc, inc* [9]
03. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* twice more, sc [12]
04. *sc 3, inc* [15]
05. sc, inc, 4 times *sc 2, inc*, sc [20]
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06 - 10 sc in each st around [20] Change to yellow yarn
Sc an additional 5 stitches. This ensures that your colour join is at the back of the nose. Don't worry about how this affects the stitch count for the round; at this point, it doesn't matter because you're finishing the piece.
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch tail. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed, then use a yarn needle to hide the tail inside the work.
Ears (make 2)
1. Using yellow yarn:
01. Begin with 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. increase in each stitch around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
[24] 04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc
05. *sc 3, inc* [30]
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06. sc in every stitch around [30]
07. *sc 3, dec* [24]
08. sc, dec, 5 times *sc 2, dec*, sc [18]
09. *sc, dec* [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch tail. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed, then use a yarn needle to hide the tail inside the work.
1. Snout and Head in cream yarn:
01. Chain 5 Begin with ch5, inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, 5sc in last ch. Sc 2, 3sc in the last ch [14], continue on the other side of the chain base.
02. inc, sc 4, *inc* 3 times, sc 4, *inc* twice more [20]
03. inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc, inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc, inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc [26]
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04. inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* twice more, inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* twice more [32]
05. sc 14, *inc* twice more, sc 14, *inc* twice more [36]
sc in each stitch around [36]
Sc until your most recent stitch is perpendicular to your Chain 5 Start. For more information, see "Snout & Head: Round 8 - Additional Stitches" in the Notes section.
Change to yellow yarn: 09. BLO: slst in each stitch around [36]
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After you've finished round 9, add two stitch markers to the previous round. Place them opposite the colour join, centred above the Chain 5. Begin with 8 stitches between them. More information can be found in the Notes section under "Snout & Head: Round 9 - Marking Stitches for Attaching the Nose."
As you crochet round 10, attach the nose. For more information and a video tutorial, see "Snout & Head: Round 10 - Crochet Nose to Snout" in the Notes section.
10. BLO: sc in every stitch around, attaching the nose where indicated [36].
Attach the tip of the nose to the Chain 5 Start of the snout with a strand of brown yarn and a yarn needle before moving on to round 11.
11. *sc 5, inc* [42]
[48] sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3
13. *sc 7, inc* [54]
[60] sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4
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Insert two markers between rounds 13 and 14 (the last two rounds you completed). With 18 stitches in between, centre them above the nose. More information can be found in the Notes section under "Snout & Head: Round 14 - Marking Stitches for the Eyes."
15 - 19. [60] Sc in each st around
Change to orange yarn:
20. Slst in each stitch around [60].
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Mark 4 stitches in round 20 (the round you just finished) to indicate where you should attach the ears in round 21. For more information and a video tutorial, see "Snout & Head: Round 20 - Marking Stitches for the Ears" in the Notes section.
21. BLO: sc in each stitch around, attaching ears where indicated [60].
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BLO: sc in each stitch around [60]
25. BLO: sc 4, dec, 5 times *sc 8, dec*, sc 4 [54]
26. *sc 7, dec* [48]
27. sc 3, dec, 5 times *sc 6, dec*, sc 3 [42]
28. *sc 5, dec* [36]
29. sc 2, dec, 5 times *sc 4, dec*, sc 2 [30]
Stuff the head 34 times and make indents for the eyes. For more information and a video tutorial, see "How to Indent the Eyes" in the pattern's Notes section. Insert the safety eyes and tighten the backings.
30. *sc 3, dec* [24]
31. sc, dec, 5 times *sc 2, dec*, sc [18]
32. *sc, dec* [12]
Complete the stuffing.
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33. *dec* [6]
Close with a final finish after cutting the working yarn.
1. Body in yellow yarn:
01. Begin with 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. increase in each stitch around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
[24] 04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc
05. *sc 3, inc* [30]
[36] 06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2
07. *sc 5, inc* [42]
[48] 08. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3
09. *sc 7, inc* [54]
[60] sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4
11–17 sc in each stitch around [60]
18. sc 4, dec, 5 times *sc 8, dec*, sc 4 [54]
[54] sc in each st around
20. *sc 7, dec* [48]
21. sc in every stitch around [48]
22. sc 3, dec, 5 times *sc 6, dec*, sc 3 [42]
sc in each stitch around [42]
25. *sc 5, dec* [36]
sc in each stitch around [36]
28. sc 2, dec, 5 times *sc 4, dec*, sc 2 [30]
29-30. sc in each stitch around [30]
31. *sc 3, dec* [24]
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Finish with an invisible fastener. Allow a 24" tail for sewing. Firmly stuff with fibre fill.
1. Belly with cream yarn:
01. Begin with a chain 5: ch5, inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, 5sc in last ch. Sc 2, 3sc in the last ch, continue on the other side of the chain base. [14]
02. inc, sc 4, *inc* 3 times, sc 4, *inc* twice more [20]
03. inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc, inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc, inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc [26]
04. inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* twice more, inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* twice more [32]
05. inc, sc 10, inc, sc 2, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc 10, inc, sc 2, inc, sc, inc, sc [38]
06. inc, sc 12, *inc, sc 2* twice more, inc, sc 12, *inc, sc 2* twice more [44]
07. inc, sc 14, inc, sc 3, inc, sc 2, inc, sc 14, inc, sc 3, inc, sc 2 [50] inc, sc 14, inc, sc 3, inc, sc 2
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Finish with an invisible fastener. Leave a 24" tail to sew with.
Optional: Instead of sewing the belly to the body with the yarn tail, I chose to weave the tail into the back of the work and trim it short before sewing the belly to the body with matching thread and a sewing needle. Either way is fine!
1. Arms (make 2)
For smooth colour transitions, follow my Perfect Arm Base tutorial.
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01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6] with cream yarn
02. increase in each stitch around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
Change to yellow yarn:
04. BLO: slst in every stitch around [18].
[24] BLO: sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc
06. BLO: sc in every stitch around [24]
sc in each stitch around [24]
[23] sc 11, dec, sc 11
11. sc in every stitch around [23]
12. sc 21, dec [22]
[22] sc in each st around
[21] sc 10, dec, sc 10
15. sc in every stitch around [21]
16. sc 19, dec [20]
17. sc in every stitch around [20]
[19] sc 9, dec, sc 9
[19] sc in each st around
20. sc 17, dec [18]
21. sc in every stitch around [18]
[17] sc 8, dec, sc 8
sc in each stitch around [17]
24. sc 15, dec [16]
sc in each stitch around [16] 27. *sc 2, dec* [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 24-inch tail for sewing. Fill the top opening with fibre fill, then fold it in half and slip stitch closed.
1. Legs (make 2)
For smooth colour transitions, follow my Perfect Leg Base tutorial.
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Using cream yarn:
01. Begin with 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. increase in each stitch around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
[24] 04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc
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Change to yellow yarn:
BLO: slst in each stitch around [24]
[30] BLO: *sc 3, inc*
07. BLO: sc in each of the 30 stitches.
sc in each stitch around [30]
[29] sc 14, dec, sc 14
12. sc 27, dec [28]
[27] sc 13, dec, sc 13
14. sc 25, dec [26]
[25] sc 12, dec, sc 12
16. sc 23, dec [24]
17. sc 11, dec, sc 11, sc 11 [23]
18. sc 21, dec [22]
[21] sc 10, dec, sc 10
20. sc 19, dec [20]
[19] sc 9, dec, sc 9
22. sc 17, dec [18]
23. *sc 7, dec* [16]
24. *sc 2, dec* [12]
Fasten off and leave a 24 hour gap "tail to sew with Fill the top opening with fibre fill, then fold it in half and slip stitch closed.
1. Using yellow yarn:
01. Begin with 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
sc around [6] from 02 to 08
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Fasten off and leave an 18-inch gap "in order to sew Close the top opening by folding it in half and slip stitching it shut. Using a yarn needle, thread the yarn tail into the work and out of the magic ring (use it to sew the tail to the body at a later step).
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You will now sew a tuft of fur to the slip-stitched end of the tail. Make a sip knot on your hook with orange yarn.
Choosing the Right Crochet Hook Size
The crochet hook you use will be determined by the thickness of the yarn used to make your stuffed animal. To make your amigurumi, for example, use a smaller crochet hook than what is specified on the yarn label, as this will prevent the toy stuffing from showing through your work. Clover hooks are my favourite crochet hooks to use, and you can find them.
HAPPY CROCHET!