Free Cute Lion Amigurumi Crochet Pattern – Adorable Safari Toy

Make a sweet handmade lion with this free cute lion amigurumi crochet pattern. With its round face, curly mane, tiny paws, and charming embroidered details, this little crochet lion is perfect for nursery decor, baby shower gifts, handmade toy collections, or animal lovers.

An Adorable Crochet Lion for Handmade Gifts

This project is a lovely choice for anyone searching for a lion crochet pattern, lion amigurumi, crochet animal pattern, safari crochet idea, or cute handmade gift.

The one-piece head and body construction keeps the main shape simple, while the mane and facial details give the finished lion plenty of personality.

Cute Lion Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Designer: Sofhia Afonina / @sof.vyaz
Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Materials

• YarnArt Jeans yarn (55% cotton, 45% acrylic, 50 g/160 m)
• 2.0 mm crochet hook
• Two 8 mm safety eyes
• Black, brown, and white embroidery thread
• Fiberfill
• Sewing needle
• Long tapestry needle
• Tailor’s pins
• Scissors

Abbreviations

• MR = Magic ring
• ch = Chain
• sc = Single crochet
• dc = Double crochet
• inc = 2 sc in the same stitch
• dec = Decrease
• st/sts = Stitch/Stitches
• rnd/rnds = Round/Rounds
• FO = Fasten off

Finished Size

Not specified by the designer.

Notes

• Use US crochet terminology.
• Work in continuous rounds unless stated otherwise.
• Stuff firmly as you work.
• This pattern has been stitch-count checked but has not been physically sample-tested.

Head

Work the Head and Body continuously as one piece.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2: Inc x6 (12)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30)

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36)

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42)

Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48)

Rnds 9-11: 48 sc (48)

Rnd 12: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54)

Rnds 13-15: 54 sc (54)

Rnd 16: [8 sc, inc] x6 (60)

Rnds 17-22: 60 sc (60)

Rnd 23: [4 sc, dec] x10 (50)

Rnd 24: [3 sc, dec] x10 (40)

Rnd 25: [2 sc, dec] x10 (30)

Rnd 26: [sc, dec] x10 (20)

Rnd 27: Dec x10 (10)

Insert the safety eyes between Rnds 14 and 15.

Body

Rnd 28: Inc x10 (20)

Rnd 29: [sc, inc] x10 (30)

Rnds 30-31: 30 sc (30)

Rnd 32: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36)

Rnd 33: 36 sc (36)

Rnd 34: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42)

Rnds 35-37: 42 sc (42)

Rnd 38: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48)

Rnds 39-41: 48 sc (48)

Rnd 42: [6 sc, dec] x6 (42)

Rnd 43: [5 sc, dec] x6 (36)

Rnd 44: [4 sc, dec] x6 (30)

Rnd 45: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24)

Rnd 46: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18)

Rnd 47: [sc, dec] x6 (12)

Rnd 48: Dec x6 (6)

FO and close.

Arms – Make 2

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2: Inc x6 (12)

Rnd 3: [2 dc in next st, sc] x3, 2 dc in next st, 5 sc (16)

Rnd 4: [dec, sc] x3, dec, 5 sc (12)

Rnd 5: 12 sc (12)

Rnd 6: [dec, sc] x2, dec, 4 sc (9)

Rnds 7-13: 9 sc (9)

Work 1-2 additional sc if needed to straighten the opening.

Flatten and work 4 sc through both layers.

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Ears – Make 2

Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR (5)

Rnd 2: Inc x5 (10)

Rnd 3: 10 sc (10)

Flatten and work 4 sc through both layers.

Fold the top once more and sew the edges together.

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Legs – Make 2

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2: Inc x6 (12)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)

Rnd 4: 2 sc, [2 dc in next st, sc] x3, 2 dc in next st, 9 sc (22)

Rnd 5: 2 sc, [dec, sc] x3, dec, 9 sc (18)

Rnd 6: 18 sc (18)

Rnd 7: 3 sc, 3 dec, 9 sc (15)

Rnd 8: 2 sc, 2 dec, 9 sc (13)

Rnds 9-16: 13 sc (13)

Work 3-4 additional sc if needed to straighten the opening.

Flatten and work 6 sc through both layers.

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Muzzle

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2: Inc x6 (12)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24)

Rnd 5: 24 sc (24)

FO, leaving a long tail.

Lightly stuff before sewing completely to the Head.

Embroider the nose with Black or Brown embroidery thread.

Mane

Ch 60.

Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, alternate 2 dc in the next ch and 3 dc in the next ch across; work 2 dc in the final unpaired ch. (147 dc)

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Tail

Ch 8.

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Face Details

• Using main-color yarn and a long needle, make the eye tightening following the designer’s numbered diagram: 1 → 2, 3 → 1.
• Repeat for the second eye: 4 → 5, 6 → 4.
• Pull gently and secure.
• Embroider the eye whites with White thread.
• Embroider the eyebrows and lashes with Black thread.
• Place the eyebrows between Rnds 11 and 12.
• Embroider claws on the Arms and Legs with Black or Brown thread.

Assembly

• Sew the Arms to the Body between Rnds 29 and 30.
• Sew the Ears to the Head around Rnds 6-7.
• Sew the Legs to the Body around overall Rnds 37-38.
• Sew the stuffed Muzzle centered on the Head around Rnds 14-15.
• Pin the Mane around the Head approximately 6 sts from the Eyes, then sew securely.
• Sew the Tail to the back of the Body around overall Rnds 37-38.