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LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern

LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern
4.3★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.3K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Iideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

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Cute Companion

An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.

About This LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern guides you step-by-step to crochet a lion hand puppet using super-bulky plush yarn and a 4.5 mm hook. The puppet features a textured plush body, looped plush mane, embroidered nose and mouth, and securely set plastic eyes. Clear photos and round-by-round instructions make assembly straightforward and enjoyable.

LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Perfect for gifting or imaginative play, the puppet stands approximately 28 cm (11") tall when finished. The pattern includes materials, tools, abbreviations, and detailed finishing tips.

Why You'll Love This LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it turns simple stitches into a character full of personality with a dramatic plush mane. I enjoy how quickly the body and head come together while still offering satisfying shaping and embroidery details. The technique for adding the mane is playful and gives each puppet a unique look. Sewing and finishing feel rewarding, and the end result is a durable, soft puppet that children and adults both enjoy.

LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easy it is to customize this puppet's expression by changing eye placement or embroidery style—try placing the eyes slightly closer for a cuter look.

You can change the mane yarn color to create a whole family of puppets: bright colors for playful characters, or soft neutrals for a classic look.

Want a smaller version? Use a lighter weight yarn and a smaller hook to make a mini puppet perfect for keychains or finger puppets.

Make the mane longer or shorter by adjusting the chain length when creating the loops; experimenting gives you a different texture and silhouette.

I often swap the plush yarn for a textured acrylic to create a different tactile effect while keeping the same construction.

For a washable puppet, substitute the plush mane with a cotton yarn mane and secure ends well before washing.

I also like adding tiny accessories like crochet bow ties or collars to personalize each puppet for gifts.

If you prefer a poseable puppet, add thin wire into the arms before closing to give slight posability.

Try embroidering freckles or whiskers with contrasting cotton for extra character and personality.

When making multiples, vary the face embroidery and mane placement to make each puppet unique while using the same basic pattern.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Placing safety eyes too shallow can cause them to fall out; insert eyes between rounds 5 and 6 and secure the backs tightly before continuing. ✗ Skipping stitch counts during increases or decreases leads to uneven shaping; count stitches at the end of each round and mark your starting stitch with a marker. ✗ Overstuffing the head will distort the shape of the face and make embroidery difficult; stuff gradually and firmly but not tightly, adding small amounts until the head keeps its form. ✗ Not leaving long tails for sewing ears or mane will make attachment difficult; leave a generous tail when finishing ears and mane pieces so you can sew them securely without strain.

LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern

Create a charming lion hand puppet with this friendly amigurumi pattern. You will crochet a cuddly puppet with a plush mane, embroidered features, and simple assembly instructions. The pattern includes full round-by-round instructions, materials list, and helpful photos to guide you. Perfect for gifting or playtime — make a handmade companion you will love.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Super bulky plush yarn - Himalaya Dolphin Baby (120 m / 100 g) (131 yd - 3.52 oz) or similar
  • 02
    Dark yellow plush yarn for head and body (approx. 1 skein, color example No. 80330)
  • 03
    Brown plush yarn for mane (color example No. 80370)
  • 04
    Sport cotton yarn - Yarn Art Jeans (160 m / 50 g) (175 yd - 1.76 oz) or similar for embroidery
  • 05
    Black cotton yarn for embroidery details (small amount)
  • 06
    Fiber filler (polyester stuffing) for head

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 4.5 mm
  • 02
    Large yarn/embroidery needle for sewing and embroidery
  • 03
    Plastic safety eyes - 7 mm diameter (2 pieces)
  • 04
    Stitch markers
  • 05
    Scissors
  • 06
    Yarn needle for weaving ends
  • 07
    Pins for positioning (optional)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Head :

Info :

Use the dark yellow plush yarn, hook 4.5 mm.

Round 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Round 2 :

6 inc (12)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc) * 6 (18)

Round 4 :

(1 sc, inc) * 6, 6 sc (24)

Round 5 :

(2 sc, inc) * 6, 6 sc (30)

Round 6 :

(3 sc, inc) * 6, 6 sc (36)

Round 7 :

(4 sc, inc) * 6, 6 sc (42)

Round 8-12 :

42 sc (5 rounds)

Round 13 :

(5 sc, dec) * 6 (36)

Round 14 :

(4 sc, dec) * 6 (30)

Round 15 :

(3 sc, dec) * 6 (24)

Info :

Insert safe plastic eyes. Fix eyes between 5 and 6 rounds from MR on the nose. The distance between the eyes is 10 sc.

Info :

Stuff the head with fiber filler before closing.

Round 16 :

(2 sc, dec) * 6 (18)

Round 17 :

(1 sc, dec) * 6 (12)

Round 18 :

dec * 6 (6)

Info :

Draw the yarn through 6 front loops and tighten. Cut and secure the yarn.

— Ears :

Info :

Use the dark yellow plush yarn, hook 4.5 mm.

Round 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Round 2 :

inc * 6 (12)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc) * 3, sl st (9)

Info :

Leave the tail for sewing and cut it. Make 2 ears.

Info :

Sew ears between 10-11 rounds from the MR on the nose. Distance 11 st.

— Mane :

Info :

Use the brown plush yarn, crochet hook 4,5 mm.

Info :

Attach the yarn to the st between 9-10 rounds from the nose, 5 st below left ear.

Round 1 :

***Crochet 8 ch, sl st in the next st***. Repeat this step around upper part lion’s face. Cut the yarn.

Info :

Attach the yarn to the st between 11-12 rounds from the nose, 5 st below right ear.

Round 2 :

***Crochet 9 ch, sl st in the next st***. Repeat this step around upper part lion’s face. Cut the yarn.

— Embroider Nose and Face :

Info :

Use the brown plush yarn and a large needle.

Item Name (P1) :

Embroider 4 lines from the MR center to the mane. Cut and secure the yarn.

Info :

Use the black cotton yarn and a large needle. Embroider the black nose as shown on pictures. After embroider a mouth.

Info :

Use the thin cotton yarn and a large needle. Embroider eyes, eyebrows and mouth lines.

— Arms :

Info :

Use the dark yellow plush yarn. Crochet hook 4.5 mm.

Round 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Round 2 :

inc * 6 (12)

Round 3 :

(2 sc, inc) * 4 (16)

Round 4-5 :

16 sc (2 rounds)

Round 6 :

(2 sc, dec) * 4 (12)

Round 7-9 :

12 sc (3 rounds)

Info :

Make sl st, cut the yarn. Don't stuff. Make 2 pieces.

— Body :

Info :

Use the dark yellow plush yarn. Crochet hook 4.5 mm. Leave the tail for sewing, begin crochet without sl st.

Info :

Make 24 ch, sl st in the first loop. Make a circle.

Round 1 :

24 sc

Round 2 :

(3 sc, inc) * 6 (30)

Round 3 :

(4 sc, inc) * 6 (36)

Round 4 :

(5 sc, ins) * 6 (42)

Info :

HOW TO ATTACH ARM TO BODY: R 5: crochet together with arm - 7 sc, 13 sc only on the body, 7 sc together with another arm, 15 sc only on the body (42).

Info :

Crochet sc2tog on both sleeves sides to avoid holes.

Round 6 :

sc2tog, crochet only on the arm - 4 sc, sc2tog, 12 sc only on the body, sc2tog, 4 sc only on the another arm, sc2tog, 14 sc only on the body (38)

Round 7 :

dec, 2 sc, dec, 12 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec, 14 sc (34)

Round 8 :

34 sc, ch

Round 9-14 :

34 dc (6 rounds)

Info :

Make 1 sc, 1 sl st, cut and secure the yarn. Sew the body to the head as shown in the pictures and video below.

— Finishing :

Info :

Sew the body to the head as shown in pictures. Attach arms to the body when indicated. Embroider nose, mouth and facial details with black and thin cotton yarn. Hide all tails inside the head after tightening.

Assembly Instructions

  • Attach ears between rounds 10-11 from the MR on the nose; space them 11 stitches apart and sew securely with the tail left from each ear.
  • Sew the body to the head along the base of the neck using the tail left when starting the body; match the joins evenly and use a whipstitch for a neat seam.
  • When adding arms in Round 5 of the body, crochet together with each arm as instructed: 7 sc together with first arm, 13 sc on body, 7 sc together with second arm, 15 sc on body (42).
  • Embroider the mane center lines and nose before final sewing: embroider 4 brown lines from MR center to the mane, then embroider the black nose and mouth, securing and hiding tails inside the head.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to mark the beginning of each round—this is crucial for keeping track when working in continuous rounds.
  • 💡Stuff the head firmly but gradually to preserve shape; do not overstuff as it can distort facial features and make embroidery harder.
  • 💡Leave long yarn tails for sewing ears and mane pieces to make attachment and finishing easier and neater.
  • 💡Sew parts in place and pin before final stitching to check positioning and symmetry.

This adorable lion hand puppet was designed to bring playful charm to storytime and imaginative play. The pattern mixes plush textures and simple embroidery to create a lovable, tactile companion you can make at home. Youll finish with a soft, durable puppet perfect for gifts or puppet shows. 🦁🧶

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished hand puppet measures approximately 28 cm (11") tall when using the recommended super-bulky plush yarn and a 4.5 mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights but the final size will change; choose an appropriate hook for the yarn and expect differences in texture and fit for the hand.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and assumes familiarity with basic amigurumi techniques such as working in the round, increases, decreases, and simple embroidery.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this puppet in about 5-7 hours, though time may vary depending on experience and how much time you spend on embroidery and finishing.