Lions are one of the most popular animals to crochet and with good reason! They are big and impressive yet also have a softer cuddlier side. Crocheting a lion can be a bit of a challenge but with this step-by-step guide you will be able to create your own in no time!
Before you begin you will need to gather a few supplies. For this project you will need:
-Yarn in the colors of your choice (I used brown tan and cream)
-Crochet hook (I used a size G/6 hook)
-Yarn needle
-Scissors
The first step is to make the lion’s head. To do this start by making a magic ring. If you are not familiar with this technique don’t worry it is easy! Just start by tying a slip knot in your yarn then insert your hook into the knot. Next yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook (this should now look like a regular crochet stitch). Now insert your hook into the center of the ring and yarn over. Pull through the loop and you should now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through both loops to complete the stitch (this is called a slip stitch).
Now that you have your magic ring it’s time to start crocheting! For the lion’s head you will be working in a spiral so you do not need to join your stitches at the end of each round. Start by crocheting 6 single crochet stitches into the ring. Then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook to complete the stitch (this is called a slip stitch).
Now you should have a small circle. To make the next round start by crocheting 2 single crochet stitches into each stitch from the previous round. So you will crochet 2 single crochet stitches into the first stitch then 1 into the next 2 into the next and so on. When you reach the end of the round slip stitch into the first stitch to join.
For the next round you will again crochet 2 single crochet stitches into each stitch from the previous round. When you reach the end of the round slip stitch into the first stitch to join.
At this point your circle should be starting to widen. For the next round you will crochet 1 single crochet stitch into the first stitch then 2 into the next 1 into the next and so on. When you reach the end of the round slip stitch into the first stitch to join.
For the final round of the head you will crochet 1 single crochet stitch into each stitch from the previous round. When you reach the end of the round slip stitch into the first stitch to join.
Now it’s time to start working on the lion’s mane! To do this you will need to change to a larger crochet hook. I used a size J/10 hook for the mane.
Attach your yarn to the lion’s head with a slip stitch. Then chain 4 stitches. This will count as the first stitch of the row.
To make the next stitch yarn over and insert your hook into the same stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. This completes a double crochet stitch.
For the rest of the row you will continue to work double crochet stitches. To do this yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. Continue working double crochet stitches in this manner until you reach the end of the row.
When you reach the end of the row turn your work so that you can work back across the row. To do this yarn over and insert your hook into the first stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. This completes a double crochet stitch.
For the rest of the row you will continue to work double crochet stitches. To do this yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. Continue working double crochet stitches in this manner until you reach the end of the row.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until your mane is the desired length. I made my mane about 6 rows long.
When you reach the desired length cut your yarn and weave in the ends.
Now it’s time to move on to the body! To do this you will need to switch back to your smaller crochet hook. I used a size G/6 hook for the body.
Attach your yarn to the lion’s head with a slip stitch. Then chain 4 stitches. This will count as the first stitch of the row.
To make the next stitch yarn over and insert your hook into the same stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. This completes a single crochet stitch.
For the rest of the row you will continue to work single crochet stitches. To do this yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. Continue working single crochet stitches in this manner until you reach the end of the row.
When you reach the end of the row turn your work so that you can work back across the row. To do this yarn over and insert your hook into the first stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. This completes a single crochet stitch.
For the rest of the row you will continue to work single crochet stitches. To do this yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. Continue working single crochet stitches in this manner until you reach the end of the row.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until your body is the desired length. I made my body about 6 rows long.
When you reach the desired length cut your yarn and weave in the ends.
Now it’s time to move on to the legs! For the legs you will again need to use your larger crochet hook. I used a size J/10 hook for the legs.
Attach your yarn to the bottom of the lion’s body with a slip stitch. Then chain 4 stitches. This will count as the first stitch of the row.
To make the next stitch yarn over and insert your hook into the same stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. This completes a double crochet stitch.
For the rest of the row you will continue to work double crochet stitches. To do this yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. Continue working double crochet stitches in this manner until you reach the end of the row.
When you reach the end of the row turn your work so that you can work back across the row. To do this yarn over and insert your hook into the first stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. This completes a double crochet stitch.
For the rest of the row you will continue to work double crochet stitches. To do this yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. Continue working double crochet stitches in this manner until you reach the end of the row.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until your leg is the desired length. I made my legs about 6 rows long.
When you reach the desired length cut your yarn and weave in the ends. Repeat for the other leg.
Now it’s time to move on to the feet! For the feet you will once again need to use your smaller crochet hook. I used a size G/6 hook for the feet.
Attach your yarn to the bottom of the lion’s leg with a slip stitch. Then chain 4 stitches. This will count as the first stitch of the row.
To make the next stitch yarn over and insert your hook into the same stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. This completes a single crochet stitch.
For the rest of the row you will continue to work single crochet stitches. To do this yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. Continue working single crochet stitches in this manner until you reach the end of the row.
When you reach the end of the row turn your work so that you can work back across the row. To do this yarn over and insert your hook into the first stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. This completes a single crochet stitch.
For the rest of the row you will continue to work single crochet stitches. To do this yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch then yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. Continue working single crochet stitches in this manner until you reach the end of the row.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until your foot is the desired length. I made my feet about 3 rows long.
When you reach the desired length cut your yarn and weave in the ends. Repeat for the other foot.
The last step is to add the details! For the eyes I used a small amount of black yarn and embroidered them on with a yarn needle. For the nose I used a small amount of brown yarn and embroidered it on in a triangular shape. For the mouth I used a small amount of tan yarn and stitched it on in a curved line.
And that’s it! Your crocheted lion is now complete!
What is the best type of yarn to use when crocheting a lion?
The best type of yarn to use when crocheting a lion is worsted weight yarn.
What is the best type of crochet hook to use when crocheting a lion?
The best type of crochet hook to use when crocheting a lion is an I/9-5.
5 mm hook.
What is the best way to make the mane of a lion?
The best way to make the mane of a lion is to crochet it using worsted weight yarn and an I/9-5.
5 mm hook.
How do you make the eyes of a lion?
The eyes of a lion are made by crocheting two small circles and then embroidering them onto the lion’s face.
How do you make the nose of a lion?
The nose of a lion is made by crocheting a small triangle and then embroidering it onto the lion’s face.
How do you make the mouth of a lion?
The mouth of a lion is made by crocheting a small rectangle and then embroidering it onto the lion’s face.
How do you make the lion’s whiskers?
The lion’s whiskers are made by crocheting two small strands of yarn and then attaching them to the lion’s face.
How do you make the lion’s ears?
The lion’s ears are made by crocheting two small triangles and then attaching them to the lion’s head.
How do you make the lion’s mane?
The lion’s mane is made by crocheting a long chain of stitches and then attaching it to the lion’s head.
How do you make the lion’s tail?
The lion’s tail is made by crocheting a long chain of stitches and then attaching it to the lion’s hindquarters.
How do you make the lion’s legs?
The lion’s legs are made by crocheting four cylinders and then attaching them to the lion’s body.
How do you make the lion’s paws?
The lion’s paws are made by crocheting four small circles and then attaching them to the lion’s legs.
How do you make the lion’s tuft?
The lion’s tuft is made by crocheting a small cylinder and then attaching it to the lion’s forehead.
How do you make the lion’s claws?
The lion’s claws are made by crocheting five small triangles and then attaching them to the lion’s paws.
How do you put it all together?
Once all of the pieces are crocheted they are sewn together to create the final lion.
