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LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern

LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern
4.4★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.7K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal 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.

🧸

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 creates a warm and playful lion hand puppet using super bulky plush yarn for a soft, tactile finish. You will crochet the head, body, ears, mane and arms, then assemble and embroider facial features for personality. The design includes step-by-step rounds, placement notes for eyes and helpful video links for tricky steps.

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

Perfect for gift-making or puppet play, the finished puppet measures approximately 28 cm (11"). The pattern uses plush yarn for a squishy texture and sport cotton for embroidery details.

Why You'll Love This LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it turns simple stitches into a lovable character with lots of personality. The plush yarn makes the puppet soft and cuddly, while the mane and embroidered features add charming detail. I enjoy how the design balances straightforward amigurumi techniques with creative finishing touches like the looped mane. Making this puppet is satisfying and fun — I always smile when I see the finished face.

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 experimenting with yarn colors to give each lion a unique personality; try pastel shades for a softer nursery-friendly puppet or bright contrasting colors for a playful look.

To make a smaller or larger puppet change the yarn weight and hook: use thinner yarn with a smaller hook for a mini keychain puppet, or bulky yarn with a larger hook for a chunky, plush puppet.

I often add tiny accessories like a crocheted scarf, hat or felt crown to create themed characters for holidays or gifts.

You can vary the mane style by changing loop length or by creating short fringe instead of looped chains for a different texture.

If you want poseable arms, insert thin craft wire inside the arm before finishing and bend it gently to hold simple poses.

For a safer toy for small children, replace plastic eyes with embroidered eyes using thin cotton yarn and a tapestry needle.

Try embroidering different facial expressions by adjusting nose size and mouth curvature to make happy, surprised or sleepy lions.

I like to mix yarn textures: use plush yarn for the body and a fuzzy or boucle yarn for the mane to add contrast and tactile interest.

You can create a whole puppet family by changing colors and sizes while following the same rounds and shaping instructions for consistent results.

When giving as a gift, personalize the puppet with initials embroidered on the back of the neck or add a small sewn pocket inside the body for little notes or props.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Placing safety eyes in the wrong rounds can change facial expression and spacing; fix this by placing the eyes between rounds 5 and 6 and spacing them 10 sc apart as instructed. ✗ Overstuffing the head creates a distorted shape and makes closing difficult; stuff gradually and firmly but not too tightly, checking shape as you go. ✗ Skipping stitch counts during increases or decreases leads to uneven shaping; count stitches at the end of every round, especially after increase/decrease rounds. ✗ Not securing the mane loops properly will cause them to come loose; follow the exact chain and slip stitch placement and cut and secure the yarn after completing each mane row.

LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern

Make a charming lion hand puppet using plush yarn and simple amigurumi techniques. This pattern walks you through crochet rounds, assembly and embroidery so you can create a cuddly puppet for play or gift-giving. Clear step-by-step rounds and helpful notes make the process enjoyable and satisfying. Suitable for crocheters ready to shape, sew and add personality to their handmade lion.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Super bulky plush yarn - Himalaya Dolphin Baby (120m / 100g) (131yd - 3.52 oz) or similar
  • 02
    Dark yellow color for head and body (1 skein, No 80330)
  • 03
    Brown color for mane (No 80370)
  • 04
    Sport cotton yarn - Yarn Art Jeans (160m / 50g) (175 yd - 1.76 oz) or similar for embroidery
  • 05
    Black yarn for embroidery (small amount)
  • 06
    Plastic eyes - 2 pieces, diameter 7 mm
  • 07
    Fiber filler for stuffing the head

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 4.5 mm
  • 02
    Large needle for sewing and embroidery
  • 03
    Knitting markers (stitch markers)
  • 04
    Scissors
  • 05
    Yarn needle for weaving ends
  • 06
    Pins for assembly (optional)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Head :

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.

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.

Info :

HOW TO CLOSE A HOLE IN AMIGURUMI https://youtu.be/DdqCijfLtXA

Info :

HOW TO INDENT AMIGURUMI EYES https://youtu.be/ta3Hl1hU8SY

— Eyes indentation instructions :

Info :

Use the black cotton yarn. Take the thread. Pull it through the back of the head and pull it out above the right eye. Leave the tail on back head's part. Pass the needle from below under the left eye and pull out under the right eye. Make sure that the yarn falls from the inside of the left eye. Next, pass the needle from above the right eye, making sure that the thread lies on the inside of the eye. And pull out the needle in the same place behind the head. Tighten both threads so that the eyes are sunken. Tie a knot, hide the tail inside the head.

— 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. 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 :

Info :

Use the brown plush yarn and a large needle. 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. 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)

Round 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.

Info :

Sew the body to the head as shown in the pictures and video below.

Info :

HOW TO ATTACH ARM TO BODY https://youtu.be/Bq3PAUiOh2M

Info :

HOW TO CROCHET SC2TOG https://youtu.be/tZqOHv2NJhM

Info :

HOW TO SEW BODY WITH HEAD https://youtu.be/QTUIJCnqP6E

Info :

CONGRATULATIONS! Your hand puppet is ready✔

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew the body to the head as shown in the pictures and video, aligning the neck opening of the head with the top opening of the body and stitching securely all the way around.
  • Attach the ears between rounds 10-11 from the MR on the nose, spacing them 11 stitches apart and sewing each ear firmly with the tail left for sewing.
  • Position the arms when crocheting row 5 of the body: crochet together with the arm for 7 sc, continue on the body, then crochet together with the second arm so arms are integrated into the body seam.
  • Attach the mane loops around the upper part of the face at the specified stitches (between rounds 9-10 and 11-12), cutting and securing the yarn after each row so the mane sits evenly.
  • Embroider the nose, mouth and eyes using brown and black yarns as instructed; hide all knots and tails inside the head for a clean finish.

Important Notes

  • 💡Place safety eyes before closing the head and check spacing carefully; recommended placement is between rounds 5 and 6 with 10 sc between eyes.
  • 💡Use stitch markers to mark beginnings of rounds and attachment points for ears and mane to ensure even placement.
  • 💡Stuff the head gradually and evenly; overstuffing may distort shape and make closing difficult.
  • 💡Leave tails for sewing on ears and body start to simplify assembly and secure attachments firmly.
  • 💡Cut and secure yarn ends for mane and embroidery to prevent loops from coming undone during play.

This lovable lion hand puppet brings playful charm to storytime and imaginative play. 🧵 Make one as a special gift or keep it for puppet shows with kids. The plush yarn creates a soft, huggable texture that is satisfying to crochet and delightful to hold. 🦁

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 plush yarn and 4.5 mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can substitute yarns, but changing yarn weight and hook size will affect the final size and texture; adjust hook size accordingly and test gauge.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so basic amigurumi skills including magic ring, increases, decreases, and simple embroidery are recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters finish this project in about 5-7 hours, depending on experience and how much time you spend on embroidery and assembly.