Crochet an Adorable Plush Lion Amigurumi

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Plush Lion

Creating a cuddly crochet lion amigurumi is a delightful project that combines simple techniques with adorable results. This yellow lion with its fluffy brown mane and sweet expression makes a perfect gift for children or a charming addition to your handmade collection. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to create each component of this lovable lion using basic crochet skills and plush yarn for an extra-soft finish.

Plush Lion Materials Needed

To create your plush lion amigurumi, gather these supplies:

  • Plush yarn in yellow (main color) – such as Himalaya Dolphin Baby or Yarnart Dolce
  • Plush yarn in brown (for mane)
  • White yarn (for muzzle and paw pads)
  • Safety eyes (amigurumi eyes) or yarn for embroidering eyes
  • Amigurumi nose or black yarn for nose
  • Fiber fill stuffing
  • 3.5mm crochet hook
  • Plastic needle for plush yarn
  • Long needle for sculpting and shaping
  • Scissors
  • Strong thread for sculpting details

Plush Lion Understanding Crochet Abbreviations

Before beginning this project, familiarize yourself with these standard crochet terms:

  • mr: magic ring
  • sc: single crochet stitch
  • inc: increase (2 stitches in same stitch)
  • dec: decrease (2 stitches worked together)
  • F/o: fasten off
  • blo: back loops only
  • ch: chain

Important note: Stuff details during the process as needed. Do not stuff the tail and ears, as they should remain flexible.

Body and Head Instructions: Round by Round

The lion’s body and head are worked as one continuous piece, creating a seamless design:

Plush Lion Body Section

Round 1: Create a magic ring with 6 single crochet stitches (6) Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12) Round 3: Make 12 increases to double your stitch count (24) Round 4: [3sc, increase] repeat 6 times (30) Round 5: [4sc, increase] repeat 6 times (36) Round 6: [5sc, increase] repeat 6 times (42) Round 7: [6sc, increase] repeat 6 times (48) Rounds 8-12: Single crochet in each stitch around for 5 rounds (48) Round 13: [6sc, decrease] repeat 6 times (42) Round 14: Single crochet in each stitch around (42) Round 15: [5sc, decrease] repeat 6 times (36) Round 16: Single crochet in each stitch around (36) Round 17: [4sc, decrease] repeat 6 times (30) Round 18: Single crochet in each stitch around (30) Round 19: [3sc, decrease] repeat 6 times (24) Round 20: Single crochet in each stitch around (24) Round 21: [2sc, decrease] repeat 6 times (18) Round 22: Single crochet in each stitch around (18)

Plush Lion Transition to Head

Round 23: Make 18 increases to double your stitch count (36) Round 24: [5sc, increase] repeat 6 times (42) Rounds 25-26: Single crochet in each stitch around for 2 rounds (42) Round 27: [6sc, increase] repeat 6 times (48) Rounds 28-30: Single crochet in each stitch around for 3 rounds (48) Round 31: [6sc, decrease] repeat 6 times (42) Round 32: [5sc, decrease] repeat 6 times (36) Round 33: [4sc, decrease] repeat 6 times (30) Round 34: [3sc, decrease] repeat 6 times (24) Round 35: [2sc, decrease] repeat 6 times (18) Round 36: [1sc, decrease] repeat 6 times (12) Round 37: Decrease 6 times (6)

Fasten off, leaving a tail to close the opening. Weave in the end.

Remember to stuff the body and head firmly but not overstuffed as you work, especially before closing the head.

Plush Lion Ears (Make 2)

Round 1: Create a magic ring with 6 single crochet stitches (6) Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12) Round 3: [1sc, increase] repeat 6 times (18) Round 4: [5sc, increase] repeat 3 times (21)

Fold the ear in half and join the edges with single crochet stitches. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing to the head. Remember not to stuff the ears.

Plush Lion Tail

The lion’s tail has two sections with different stitch patterns:

Plush Lion Tail Tip (in contrasting color)

Round 1: Create a magic ring with 6 single crochet stitches using LOOP STITCHES (6) Round 2: Single crochet in each stitch around (6)

Change to main color (yellow) and switch to regular single crochet stitches: Rounds 3-8: Single crochet in each stitch around for 6 rounds (6)

Fold and join the edges together. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing to the body.

Mane

The mane is what gives your lion its distinctive look. You have two options:

Option 1: Slip Stitch Method

Crochet slip stitches all around the head, creating a loop with each stitch. Use brown yarn for this technique. This creates a textured, shaggy appearance.

Option 2: Loop Stitch Circle

Create a circular piece slightly larger than the head using loop stitches:

  1. Start with a magic ring of 6sc
  2. Increase by 6 stitches in each round until the piece is large enough to cover the head
  3. Sew the finished mane to the head after completion

Arms (Make 2)

Round 1: Create a magic ring with 6 single crochet stitches (6) Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12) Round 3: [1sc, increase] repeat 6 times (18) Round 4: Single crochet in each stitch around (18) Round 5: [1sc, decrease] repeat 6 times (12) Rounds 6-10: Single crochet in each stitch around for 5 rounds (12) Round 11: [2sc, decrease] repeat 3 times (9)

Fold and crochet the edges together. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Legs (Make 2)

Round 1: Chain 6, then starting from the second chain from hook:

  • Work 4sc
  • Make 3sc in the last chain
  • Continue around the other side of the chain:
  • Work 3sc
  • Increase in last stitch (12)

Round 2: [increase, 3sc, increase ×3, 3sc, increase ×2] (18) Round 3: [sc, increase, 3sc, (sc, increase)×3, 3sc, (sc, increase)×2] (24) Round 4: Work in back loops only around (24) Round 5: Single crochet in each stitch around (24) Round 6: [6sc, decrease, 6sc] repeat (18) Round 7: [5sc, decrease, 5sc] repeat (14) Round 8: [5sc, decrease, 5sc] repeat (12) Round 9: Single crochet in each stitch around (12) Round 10: [2sc, decrease] repeat 3 times (9) Rounds 11-17: Single crochet in each stitch around for 7 rounds (9)

Fold and join the edges together. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Paw Pads

Small Pads (Make 6)

Round 1: Create a magic ring with 6 single crochet stitches (6) Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Large Pads (Make 2)

Round 1: Create a magic ring with 6 single crochet stitches (6) Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12) Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Muzzle

Round 1: Chain 6, then starting from the second chain from hook:

  • Work 4sc
  • Make 3sc in the last chain
  • Continue around the other side of the chain:
  • Work 3sc
  • Increase in last stitch (12)

Round 2: [increase, 3sc, increase ×3, 3sc, increase ×2] (18) Round 3: [sc, increase, 3sc, (sc, increase)×3, 3sc, (sc, increase)×2] (24) Round 4: [2sc, increase, 3sc, (2sc, increase)×3, 3sc, (2sc, increase)×2] (30)

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Install the nose in the middle of the upper part of the muzzle. Stuff lightly before sewing to the head.

Assembly and Finishing Touches

  1. Sew the paw pads to the feet, positioning the larger pads on the bottom and the smaller pads on the toes.
  2. Attach the arms and legs to the body, ensuring they’re positioned evenly.
  3. Sew the ears to the top of the head.
  4. Attach the muzzle to the front of the head, stuffing it lightly first for dimension.
  5. Place the eyes on either side of the muzzle and secure them.
  6. Embroider eyebrows and a line dividing the muzzle to create facial definition.
  7. Sew the tail to the back of the body.
  8. If using the separate mane piece, sew it to the head, surrounding the face.
  9. Weave in all remaining yarn tails to give your amigurumi a clean finish.

Sculpting Tips

To give your lion more definition:

  • Use strong thread to create indentations between the head and body if desired
  • Create a subtle indentation along the center of the muzzle
  • Shape the paws by pulling thread through them
  • Shape the mane to frame the face evenly

Care Instructions

Your completed plush lion amigurumi should be spot cleaned only. Avoid machine washing as this can damage the stitches and stuffing. If necessary, use a damp cloth with mild soap for surface cleaning.

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Conclusion

Congratulations on creating your adorable crochet lion amigurumi! This cuddly companion combines the softness of plush yarn with the charm of handmade details. The finished lion, with its distinctive mane and sweet expression, makes a wonderful gift for animal lovers of all ages or a delightful addition to your own handmade collection.

The techniques used in this pattern—including magic ring, increasing and decreasing, and working in continuous rounds—are foundational crochet skills that can be applied to many other amigurumi projects. As you become more comfortable with these methods, you can experiment with different colors and textures to create your own unique lion variations.

Remember that each handmade item carries the special touch of its creator, so small variations in your finished lion are part of what makes it uniquely yours. Happy crocheting!