Crocheting a Majestic Amigurumi Lion with Free Pattern

Creating Majestic Amigurumi an adorable amigurumi lion is a delightful project for crochet enthusiasts of all skill levels. This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to craft your own plush lion companion, complete with a magnificent mane and charming details. Follow along with our detailed instructions to bring this regal creature to life through the art of amigurumi crochet.

Essential Materials for Your Majestic Amigurumi

Before embarking on your lion-making journey, gather these materials:

• Cotton yarn in three colors:
  • Brown (Rainbow Cotton 8/4 #007 or similar) – 1 skein
  • Olive green (Rainbow Cotton 8/4 #072 or similar) – 2 skeins
  • Natural white (Rainbow Cotton 8/4 #002 or similar) – 1 skein
• Crochet hook size 2.5 mm
• Black yarn scraps for embroidering eyebrows
• Safety eyes (8 mm)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle for assembly

Understanding Majestic Amigurumi Terminology

For those new to amigurumi, here’s a guide to the terminology used throughout this pattern:

• Magic ring: A technique to begin crocheting in the round with no hole in the center
• Chain stitch: The foundation of crochet work, abbreviated as “ch”
• Single crochet: The most common stitch used in amigurumi, abbreviated as “sc”
• Slip stitch: Used to join rounds or make flat connections, abbreviated as “sl st”
• Half double crochet: A slightly taller stitch than single crochet, abbreviated as “hdc”
• Double crochet: Creates height, abbreviated as “dc”
• Increase: Working two stitches into one stitch to expand your work, abbreviated as “inc”
• Decrease: Working two stitches together to reduce width, abbreviated as “dec”
• Round: Each circular row of stitches, abbreviated as “rnd”

Majestic Amigurumi Creating the Magnificent Lion Mane

The mane is what gives your lion its majestic appearance. Work this distinctive feature in brown yarn:

Round 1: Create a foundation by making 72 chain stitches. Join into a ring with a slip stitch in the first chain.

Round 2: Work one single crochet in each stitch around the entire ring, maintaining 72 stitches.

Round 3: This creates the fluffy texture of the mane. Skip two single crochets, then work the following into the same stitch: two half double crochets, three double crochets, two half double crochets. Skip the next two single crochets, work one single crochet. Repeat this pattern until you have completed 12 identical sections around the ring. Finish with a slip stitch.

Round 4: Work five single crochets, then chain two and work one single crochet in the same stitch. Work eight single crochets. Repeat this pattern around the mane for added texture.

Fasten off the yarn securely to complete the mane.

Majestic Amigurumi Eye Detail Elements

Create two white eye surrounds using natural white yarn:

Round 1: Begin with a magic ring and work the following stitches into it: one single crochet, two half double crochets, one double crochet, two half double crochets, two single crochets, one slip stitch.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for assembly. These white pieces will frame the safety eyes, creating a lively expression.

Majestic Amigurumi Crafting the Lion’s Snout

The snout consists of two parts. Begin with the tip in brown yarn:

Round 1: Work three single crochets into a magic ring.

Round 2: Increase in each stitch (6 stitches).

Rounds 3-6: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 6 stitches per round.

Round 7: Work one single crochet, increase. Repeat three times total (9 stitches).

Rounds 8-10: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 9 stitches per round.

Round 11: Work two single crochets, increase. Repeat three times total (12 stitches).

Rounds 12-13: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 12 stitches per round.

Switch to olive green yarn:

Round 14: Work one single crochet in each stitch (12 stitches).

Round 15: Work three single crochets, increase. Repeat three times total (15 stitches).

Round 16: Work one single crochet in each stitch (15 stitches).

Fasten off, leaving a tail for attaching to the head.

Majestic Amigurumi Forming the Arms

Make two arms using olive green yarn:

Round 1: Work six single crochets into a magic ring.

Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12 stitches).

Round 3: Work one single crochet, increase. Repeat six times total (18 stitches).

Rounds 4-7: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 18 stitches per round.

Stuff the hand portion firmly as you go, with lighter stuffing in the arm.

Round 8: Decrease five times, then work eight single crochets (13 stitches).

Rounds 9-23: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 13 stitches per round.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for attaching to the body.

Majestic Amigurumi Creating the Legs

Make two legs using olive green yarn:

Round 1: Work six single crochets into a magic ring.

Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12 stitches).

Round 3: Work one single crochet, increase. Repeat six times total (18 stitches).

Round 4: Work two single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (24 stitches).

Round 5: Work three single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (30 stitches).

Round 6: Work four single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (36 stitches).

Rounds 7-10: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 36 stitches per round.

Round 11: Decrease three times at the beginning of the round, then work 30 single crochets (33 stitches).

Round 12: Decrease three times at the beginning of the round, then work 27 single crochets (30 stitches).

Round 13: Work one single crochet in each stitch (30 stitches).

Stuff the foot portion firmly, but leave the leg unstuffed.

Round 14: Decrease three times at the beginning of the round, then work 24 single crochets (27 stitches).

Round 15: Work one single crochet in each stitch (27 stitches).

Round 16: Work seven single crochets, decrease. Repeat three times total (24 stitches).

Round 17: Work six single crochets, decrease. Repeat three times total (21 stitches).

Round 18: Work one single crochet in each stitch (21 stitches).

Round 19: Work five single crochets, decrease. Repeat three times total (18 stitches).

Rounds 20-26: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 18 stitches per round.

Work three additional single crochets to position the end point correctly for attaching to the body.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for assembly.

Majestic Amigurumi Forming the Lion’s Body

Create the body using olive green yarn:

Round 1: Work six single crochets into a magic ring.

Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12 stitches).

Round 3: Work one single crochet, increase. Repeat six times total (18 stitches).

Round 4: Work two single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (24 stitches).

Round 5: Work three single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (30 stitches).

Round 6: Work four single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (36 stitches).

Round 7: Work five single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (42 stitches).

Round 8: Work six single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (48 stitches).

Round 9: Work seven single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (54 stitches).

Round 10: Work eight single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (60 stitches).

Round 11: Work nine single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (66 stitches).

Rounds 12-17: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 66 stitches per round.

At this point, you’ll attach the legs to the body while crocheting:

Round 18: Work nine single crochets through both the body and one leg, then 27 single crochets on the body only, nine single crochets through both the body and the second leg, and 21 single crochets on the body only (66 stitches total).

Rounds 19-25: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 66 stitches per round.

Round 26: Work nine single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (60 stitches).

Rounds 27-28: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 60 stitches per round.

Round 29: Work eight single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (54 stitches).

Rounds 30-31: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 54 stitches per round.

Round 32: Work seven single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (48 stitches).

Rounds 33-34: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 48 stitches per round.

Continue stuffing the body firmly as you work.

Round 35: Work six single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (42 stitches).

Rounds 36-37: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 42 stitches per round.

Round 38: Work five single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (36 stitches).

Round 39: Work one single crochet in each stitch (36 stitches).

Now you’ll attach the arms to the body:

Round 40: Work five single crochets, then seven single crochets through both the body and the first arm, 11 single crochets on the body only, seven single crochets through both the body and the second arm, and six single crochets on the body only (36 stitches).

Round 41: Work five single crochets, six single crochets through the outer edge of the first arm (skipping one stitch), 11 single crochets on the body, six single crochets through the outer edge of the second arm (skipping one stitch), and six single crochets on the body (34 stitches).

Round 42: Work one single crochet in each stitch (34 stitches).

Round 43: Work 15 single crochets, decrease. Repeat twice total (32 stitches).

Round 44: Work one single crochet in each stitch (32 stitches).

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching the head.

Majestic Amigurumi Crafting the Lion’s Head

Begin with natural white yarn for the front facial area:

Round 1: Work six single crochets into a magic ring.

Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12 stitches).

Round 3: Work one single crochet, increase. Repeat six times total (18 stitches).

Round 4: Work two single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (24 stitches).

Round 5: Work three single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (30 stitches).

Rounds 6-10: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 30 stitches per round.

Switch to olive green yarn and attach the snout:

Round 11: Work two single crochets, increase, three single crochets. Work through both the head and snout: one single crochet, increase, four single crochets. Continue on the head only: increase, four single crochets, increase, four single crochets, increase, four single crochets, increase, two single crochets (36 stitches).

Round 12: Work five single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (42 stitches).

Round 13: Work three single crochets, increase, six single crochets, increase. Repeat five times, ending with three single crochets (48 stitches).

Round 14: Work seven single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (54 stitches).

Round 15: Work four single crochets, increase, eight single crochets, increase. Repeat five times, ending with four single crochets (60 stitches).

Round 16: Work nine single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (66 stitches).

Round 17: Work five single crochets, increase, ten single crochets, increase. Repeat five times, ending with five single crochets (72 stitches).

Rounds 18-24: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 72 stitches per round.

At this point, attach the safety eyes with the white eye surrounds between rounds 14-15, with seven single crochets between them.

Next, attach the mane by crocheting it onto the head:

Round 25: Work one single crochet in each stitch through both the head and mane, ensuring right sides face each other (72 stitches).

Rounds 26-29: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 72 stitches per round.

Begin decreasing to shape the back of the head:

Round 30: Work ten single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (66 stitches).

Round 31: Work nine single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (60 stitches).

Round 32: Work eight single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (54 stitches).

Round 33: Work seven single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (48 stitches).

Round 34: Work six single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (42 stitches).

Round 35: Work five single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (36 stitches).

Continue stuffing the head firmly.

Round 36: Work four single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (30 stitches).

Round 37: Work three single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (24 stitches).

Round 38: Work two single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (18 stitches).

Round 39: Work one single crochet, decrease. Repeat six times total (12 stitches).

Round 40: Work two single crochets, decrease. Repeat three times total (9 stitches).

Fasten off, leaving a tail for closing. Use a needle to gather the front loops of the remaining nine stitches and pull gently to close the opening neatly.

Majestic Amigurumi Creating the Ears

Make two ears using olive green yarn:

Round 1: Work six single crochets into a magic ring.

Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12 stitches).

Round 3: Work one single crochet, increase. Repeat six times total (18 stitches).

Rounds 4-6: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 18 stitches per round.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for attaching to the head.

Majestic Amigurumi Crafting the Lion’s Tail

Begin with brown yarn for the tuft:

Round 1: Work five single crochets into a magic ring.

Round 2: Increase once, then work four single crochets (6 stitches).

Round 3: Increase once, then work five single crochets (7 stitches).

Round 4: Increase once, then work six single crochets (8 stitches).

Round 5: Increase once, then work seven single crochets (9 stitches).

Round 6: Increase once, then work eight single crochets (10 stitches).

Round 7: Increase once, then work nine single crochets (11 stitches).

Round 8: Increase once, then work ten single crochets (12 stitches).

Round 9: Work three single crochets, increase. Repeat three times total (15 stitches).

Round 10: Work one single crochet in each stitch (15 stitches).

Round 11: Work three single crochets, decrease. Repeat three times total (12 stitches).

Round 12: Work two single crochets, decrease. Repeat three times total (9 stitches).

Switch to olive green yarn. Stuff only the tuft portion with fiberfill.

Rounds 13-27: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 9 stitches per round.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for attaching to the body.

Majestic Amigurumi The Bonus Rabbit Comfort Cloth

For an adorable accessory, create a comfort cloth in the shape of a small rabbit:

Head and body (worked as one piece): Begin with natural white yarn for the head:

Round 1: Work six single crochets into a magic ring.

Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12 stitches).

Round 3: Work one single crochet, increase. Repeat six times total (18 stitches).

Round 4: Work two single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (24 stitches).

Rounds 5-9: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 24 stitches per round.

Stuff the head as you work.

Round 10: Work two single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (18 stitches).

Round 11: Work one single crochet, decrease. Repeat six times total (12 stitches).

Round 12: Work two single crochets, decrease. Repeat three times total (9 stitches).

Round 13: Work one single crochet in each stitch (9 stitches).

Switch to brown yarn for the body:

Round 14: Increase in each stitch around (18 stitches).

Round 15: Work two single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (24 stitches).

Round 16: Work three single crochets, increase. Repeat six times total (30 stitches).

Rounds 17-25: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 30 stitches per round.

Round 26: Work three single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (24 stitches).

Round 27: Work two single crochets, decrease. Repeat six times total (18 stitches).

Round 28: Work one single crochet, decrease. Repeat six times total (12 stitches).

Round 29: Work two single crochets, decrease. Repeat three times total (9 stitches).

Fasten off, leaving a tail for closing. Gather the front loops of the remaining nine stitches and pull gently to close the opening neatly.

Majestic Amigurumi Rabbit Limbs

Make four limbs (two arms, two legs):

Begin with natural white yarn:

Round 1: Work six single crochets into a magic ring.

Round 2: Work one single crochet, increase. Repeat three times total (9 stitches).

Round 3: Work one single crochet in each stitch (9 stitches).

Switch to brown yarn:

Rounds 4-12: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 9 stitches per round.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for attaching to the body.

Majestic Amigurumi Rabbit Tail

Using natural white yarn:

Round 1: Work six single crochets into a magic ring.

Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12 stitches).

Rounds 3-5: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 12 stitches per round.

Lightly stuff the tail.

Round 6: Work two single crochets, decrease. Repeat three times total (9 stitches).

Fasten off, leaving a tail for attaching to the body.

Majestic Amigurumi Rabbit Ears

Make two ears using natural white yarn:

Round 1: Work six single crochets into a magic ring.

Round 2: Work one single crochet, increase. Repeat three times total (9 stitches).

Rounds 3-6: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 9 stitches per round.

Round 7: Work one single crochet, decrease. Repeat three times total (6 stitches).

Rounds 8-9: Work one single crochet in each stitch, maintaining 6 stitches per round.

Close the opening with two single crochets.

Majestic Amigurumi Final Assembly Instructions

For the Rabbit Comfort Cloth:

1. Attach the ears to the head at round 2.
2. Sew the arms onto the body at round 14.
3. Attach the legs at round 26.
4. Position the tail in the center of the back.
5. Embroider eyes diagonally between rounds 5-7.
6. Add embroidered details for the snout.

For the Lion (named Lennon in the original pattern):

1. Embroider eyebrows between rounds 17-18, spanning about 5 stitches each.
2. Attach the tip of the snout to the underside of the white facial area.
3. Sew the head securely to the body, ensuring proper alignment.
4. Position the ears at round 23 of the head.
5. Attach the tail at round 13, centered on the back of the body.

Lion Care Instructions

To keep your amigurumi lion looking its best:

• Spot clean with a damp cloth as needed
• For deeper cleaning, hand wash gently in cold water with mild detergent
• Allow to air dry completely before handling
• Store away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading

Why Make an Amigurumi Lion?

This adorable lion, standing approximately 22 cm tall when sitting (or 31 cm from top to tail tip), makes a perfect:

• Handmade gift for animal lovers
• Nursery decoration
• Desk companion
• Photography prop
• Collectible for amigurumi enthusiasts
• Teaching tool for children learning about animals

By creating this lion, you’re not just making a toy – you’re crafting a character with personality that can be treasured for years to come. The attention to detail in the mane, facial features, and posture gives this amigurumi lion a charm that mass-produced toys simply can’t match.

Check this out :Crochet a Beautiful Amigurumi Doll

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing your amigurumi lion! This project combines basic crochet techniques with careful assembly to create a truly memorable character. The textured mane, expressive face, and posed limbs work together to create a lion full of personality and charm.

Remember that each handmade creation carries with it the unique touch of its maker. Small variations in tension, stuffing, or placement give your lion its own distinct character. Whether kept as a personal treasure or given as a heartfelt gift, your amigurumi lion represents the special care and creativity that only handcrafted items possess.

If you enjoyed making this lion, consider exploring other amigurumi animal patterns to create an entire menagerie of crochet companions. The techniques learned in this project transfer beautifully to other designs, allowing you to build your skills while creating a collection of adorable characters.

Happy crocheting, and enjoy your majestic amigurumi lion!