Landon the Lion – Free Crochet Pattern

This sweet crochet lion has to be one of my favorite designs to date! Landon the Lion is the perfect addition to my collection of animal amigurumi. I just love the surprisingly simple mane on this free lion crochet pattern.

I would classify this free crochet lion pattern as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.

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Free Crochet Pattern for Landon the Lion

Measurements: Approximately 8” tall (sitting) or 11” tall (standing)
Gauge: Not necessary for this pattern; see notes
Hook Size: 5.0mm (H) crochet hook
Other Tools: tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors
Yarn Weight: Super Bulky (6)
Yarn Used: Premier Yarns Parfait Chunky
Yardage: color A (yellow): 90 yds, color B (cream): 21 yds, color C (brown): 27 yds
Other Materials: poly-fil stuffing, 12mm safety eyes

Abbreviations

st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease is recommended)

Special Stitches

SC2tog (using invisible decrease method): Insert hook into front loop of the first stitch. Insert hook into front loop of second stitch. Yarn over. Draw through the first two loops on hook. Yarn over. Draw through both loops on hook.

Notes

• Checking your gauge is not required for this pattern. Use a hook that is smaller than the size recommended for your yarn weight. This will ensure that your stuffing will not show through the stitches.
• All pieces, with the exception of the tail, are worked in the round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
• Invisible decreases are recommended. Please see “Special Stitches”.
• Safety eyes and noses pose a choking risk for babies; therefore, if making this toy for a baby, I recommend using yarn, felt, or embroidered details.
• Body, head, legs and arms require stuffing. Stuff each piece as you work to ensure the piece is completely filled. Do not add stuffing to the ears.
• See tutorial photos.

Pattern

Using 4.0mm (G) hook:

Body

Using color A (shown as yellow):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R6-11: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

R12: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R13-15: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R16: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Fill with stuffing.

Head

Using color B (shown as cream):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

Using color A (shown as yellow):

R5-6: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R7: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (21 sts)

R8: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (24 sts)

R9: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (27 sts)

R10: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (30 sts)

R11: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. Add a st marker to the last worked st. **2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from ** an additional 2 times. (36 sts)

The added st marker, and the st marker at the beginning of this round helps to indicate the front sides of the face. The first sequence of sts between the first and second st markers indicates the top of the head. The second sequence of sts between the second and first st markers indicates the bottom of the head. If using safety eyes, insert eyes between R8-9, with 7 sts between. You can now remove your second st marker. See tutorial photos.

Using color C (shown as brown):

R12: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

R13-14: Working in the back loops only, 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

Using color A (shown as yellow):

R15: Working in the back loops only, *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R16: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

At this point I recommend moving on to the mane, as it is a bit easier to crochet before the head is stuffed.

R17: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R18: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Fill head with stuffing.

R19: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R20: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand. Weave yarn in and out of remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Tie off and weave in ends.

Mane

Using color C (shown as brown):

Attach yarn to the head at the first unworked st of R12 (where your first round of color C brown started).

Working in the unworked front loops from R12-14: *Ch 8, sl st into each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Ears (make 2)

Using color A (shown as yellow):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3-4: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R5: Fold the ear closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (5 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Legs (make 2)

Using color B (shown as cream):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

Using color A (shown as yellow):

R5-6: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R7: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R8-9: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R10: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts. Repeat from * around. (16 sts)

R11-14: 1 SC in each st around. (16 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R15: Fold the leg closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (7 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Arms (make 2)

Using color B (shown as cream):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Using color A (shown as yellow):

R4-5: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R6: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R7-12: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R13: Fold the arm closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (5 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Tail

Using color A (shown as yellow):

R1: Ch 5, turn, 1 SC in second ch from hook and each ch to end. (4 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Using color C (shown as brown):

Join yarn to the end of the tail. See tutorial photos.

R1: Ch 10, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the end of tail, creating a loop. Do not fasten off.

R2: Ch 10, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the end of tail, creating a loop. Do not fasten off.

R3: Ch 10, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the end of tail, creating a loop.

Cut yarn, fasten off, and weave in ends.

Assembly & Finishing

See tutorial photos.

Attach each ear between the first and second round of the mane, with approximately 7 sts between each ear.

Using color C (brown), embroider a nose between R3-4 across approximately 5 sts. Embroider a line down from the middle of the nose. See tutorial photos.

Attach head to body so that the nose is facing straight out, attaching body to approximately R13-16 of the bottom of the head. Tuck any pieces of the mane inside of the body that will be covered.

Attach legs over R4-5 of the body, with each inside end of the legs touching in the middle.

Attach arms over R11-15 on each side of the body. At the top of the arms, leave approximately 10 sts between each arm across the front of the body. At the bottom of the arms, leave approximately 15 sts between each arm across the front of the body.

Attach tail to the back of the body between R5-6.

Using color C (brown), embroider 3 nails on each arm, over R3-4, leaving about 2 sts between each nail. Using color C (brown), embroider 3 nails on each leg, over R4-6, leaving about 2 sts between each nail. To do so, using a tapestry needle, thread the yarn through and wrap around the designated stitch one time.

I hope you enjoyed this crochet lion pattern!

Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Landon the Lion

Tips & Tricks

• When assembling this free lion crochet pattern, use pins to hold your pieces in place.
• When crocheting, use stitch markers to indicate the beginning of each round of this crochet lion pattern.
• For more ideas on improving your crochet lion, check out my list of amigurumi tips and tricks.

Alterations

• For a larger plush crochet lion, use a yarn like Parfait Chunky and a comparable hook size.
• Try different yarns for the mane to give your crochet lion a different appearance.

More Free Amigurumi Animal Crochet Patterns

If you enjoyed this free lion crochet pattern, you may also enjoy some of my other wild animal patterns, including my free hippo crochet pattern, free flamingo crochet pattern, and free giraffe crochet pattern. You can check out my full list of zoo animals, or my full collection of amigurumi animals as well!