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Ollie The Lion Amigurumi Pattern

Ollie The Lion Amigurumi Pattern
4.0★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.1K Made This
✂️

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 Ollie The Lion Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates a small amigurumi lion named Ollie with a ruffled mane and textured tail. The design uses mercerised cotton yarn and works in continuous rounds for neat shaping. Photo tutorials are included for tricky steps like placing eyes and sewing the mane and tail.

Ollie The Lion Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The finished Ollie measures about 16 cm tall when made with the recommended materials. Detailed rounds and sewing instructions help you assemble a polished, sturdy toy.

Why You'll Love This Ollie The Lion Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines a classic amigurumi silhouette with a playful ruffled mane that gives Ollie so much personality. I enjoy how the tail ruffles add texture and movement and make each finished toy unique. The pattern uses simple stitch repeats but gives a professional-looking result that I am proud to gift or display. Making Ollie is calming and satisfying, and I hope you feel the same joy while creating one.

Ollie The Lion Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Ollie The Lion Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Ollie The Lion Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Ollie The Lion Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love to change the color palette to create different personalities for Ollie; try pastel shades for a nursery-friendly lion or deep autumn tones for a rustic feel.

I sometimes use a sport weight yarn and a slightly larger hook to make a chunkier Ollie that is extra cuddly.

To make a mini keychain version, use a finer thread and a very small hook, and omit some ruffle rows to keep the mane proportional.

I like to embroider different facial expressions—move the nose or change mouth shape to give Ollie a curious or sleepy look.

You can swap the safety eyes for embroidered eyes for a fully baby-safe toy suitable for very young children.

Try adding a tiny crocheted scarf or felt crown as an accessory to customize Ollie for a gift or themed set.

I sometimes add a small wire inside the tail for a poseable finish, but be sure to secure the wire safely inside with extra stuffing and stitching.

Experiment with ombre or variegated yarn for the mane to create a more textured, colorful ruffle effect.

If you want a sturdier toy, use duplicate stitching to reinforce attachment points like the legs and tail after sewing them in place.

I recommend testing one ruffle row placement on scrap yarn before attaching so you can adjust fullness and spacing to suit your taste.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers during rounds can cause you to lose track of the beginning of rounds; use a marker and move it each round to maintain accuracy. ✗ Forgetting to stuff as you go leads to lumps or collapsed shapes; stuff gradually in small amounts to achieve smooth, even shaping. ✗ Changing tension or using a different hook size mid-project causes inconsistent sizing and fit; maintain consistent tension and use the recommended hook for best results. ✗ Not securing the mane or tail seams firmly can make them come loose with play; sew these parts with strong, even stitches and leave long tails for reinforcement when needed.

Ollie The Lion Amigurumi Pattern

Make a sweet Ollie the Lion amigurumi with clear, photo-supported steps and charming details. This pattern guides you through crocheting the head, body, limbs, mane and tail ruffles to create a 16 cm tall cuddly lion. You will learn simple shaping, back-loop work and how to attach ruffled mane and tail for an adorable finished toy. Perfect for gifting or keeping as a handmade companion.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Ollie The Lion Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Schachenmayr Catania Originals 100% combed and mercerised cotton (50 g / 125 m) - Color codes: 0404 and 0437 (use quantities as needed for small amigurumi)
  • 02
    Color 0404 - main body color (approx 50g)
  • 03
    Color 0437 - accent color for mane and tail ruffles (approx 25-50g)
  • 04
    Polyester fiberfill for stuffing (small amount)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 2.20 mm (or a hook that fits your yarn)
  • 02
    One pair of 6 mm safety eyes
  • 03
    Scissors
  • 04
    Stitch marker
  • 05
    Tapestry needle for sewing
  • 06
    Embroidery thread for nose
  • 07
    Pins for assembly (optional)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Notes :

Infos :

BLO: Back loop only. Rnd-Rnds: Round-Rounds. St-Sts: Stitch-Stitches. (...): The number of sts you should have at the end of each round or row. (...)- times: Repeat the instructions x times. ** Do not forget to stuff the pieces as you move forward! ** Use stitch markers or a piece of yarn to follow the rounds neatly.

— Arms :

Round 1 :

5sc in a mr (5)

Round 2 :

2sc in all sts around (10)

Round 3-19 :

(17rnds) Sc in all sts around (10)

Round 20 :

Flatten the piece and close the opening by making sc stitches through both layers of remaining sts (5)

Info :

** Crochet the second arm in the same way. ** DO NOT stuff the arms.

— Feet and Legs :

Info :

** Start with color code 0437

Round 1 :

5sc in a mr (5)

Round 2 :

2sc in all sts around (10)

Round 3 :

(1sc,1inc)- 5 times (15)

Round 4 :

(2sc,1inc)- 5 times (20)

Round 5 :

(3sc,1inc)- 5 tekrar (25)

Round 6 :

(4sc,1inc)- 5 times (30)

Round 7 :

WORK BLO: Scin all sts around (30)

Info :

** Change to Color Code 0404

Round 8-10 :

(3 rnds) Sc in all sts around (30)

Round 11 :

9sc, 6dec, 9sc (24)

Round 12 :

9sc, 3dec, 9sc (21)

Round 13 :

8sc, 2dec, 7sc, 1dec (18)

Round 14-19 :

(6 rnds) Sc in all sts around (18)

Round 20 :

Flatten the piece and close the opening by making sc stitches through both layers of remaining sts (9)

Info :

** Crochet the second piece in the same way. ** Sew the legs between Round 9 and 10 on the body. Please look through the pictures below ☺

— Body :

Round 1 :

6sc in a mr (6)

Round 2 :

2sc in all sts around (12)

Round 3 :

(1sc,1inc)- 6 times (18)

Round 4 :

(2sc,1inc)- 6 times (24)

Round 5 :

(3sc,1inc)- 6 times (30)

Round 6 :

(4sc,1inc)- 6 times (36)

Round 7 :

(5sc,1inc)- 6 times (42)

Round 8 :

(6sc,1inc)- 6 times (48)

Round 9 :

(7sc,1inc)- 6 times (54)

Round 10-18 :

(9 rnds) Sc in all sts around (54)

Round 19 :

11sc, (1dec,4sc x 5 times), 1dec, 11sc (48)

Round 20 :

Sc in all sts around (48)

Round 21 :

11sc, (1dec,3sc x 5 times), 1dec, 10sc (42)

Round 22 :

Sc in all sts around (42)

Round 23 :

11sc, (1dec,2sc x 5 times), 1dec, 9sc (36)

Round 24 :

Sc in all sts around (36)

Round 25 :

11sc, (1dec,1sc x 5 times), 1dec, 8sc (30)

Round 26 :

Sc in all sts around (30)

Round 27 :

(3sc,1dec)- 6 times (24)

Round 28-29 :

(2 rnds) Sc in all sts around (24)

Info :

** Break the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing.

— Head :

Round 1 :

7sc in a mr (7)

Round 2 :

2sc in all sts around (14)

Round 3 :

(1sc,1inc)- 7 times (21)

Round 4 :

(2sc,1inc)- 7 times (28)

Round 5 :

(3sc,1inc)- 7 times (35)

Round 6 :

(4sc,1inc)- 7times (42)

Round 7 :

(5sc,1inc)- 7 times (49)

Round 8 :

(6sc,1inc)- 7 times (56)

Round 9 :

(7sc,1inc)- 7 times) (63)

Round 10-22 :

(13 rnds) Sc in all sts around (63)

Round 23 :

(7sc,1dec)- 7 times (56)

Round 24 :

(6sc,1dec)- 7 times (49)

Round 25 :

(5sc,1dec)- 7 times (43)

Round 26 :

(4sc,1dec)- 7 times (35)

Round 27 :

(3sc,1dec)- 7 times (28)

Round 28 :

(5sc,1dec)- 4 times (24)

Info :

** Break the yarn short and fasten off.We will not use this end to sew. NOTE: Insert the safety eyes between Round 16 and 17 with a distance of 13 sts (visible 10 sts) ☺

— Ears :

Round 1 :

6sc in a mr (6)

Round 2 :

2sc in all sts around (12)

Round 3 :

(1sc,1inc)- 6 times (18)

Round 4-5 :

(2 rnds) Sc in all sts around (18)

Round 6 :

(1sc,1dec)- 6 times (12)

Round 7 :

6dec (6)

Info :

** DO NOT stuff the ears. ** Sew the ears between rounds 6 and 8. Please look through the pictures below.

— Mane :

Round 1 :

Ch64 and and join with a sl st into the first ch st to form a ring.

Round 2 :

Ch2; 3dc in each st around and sl st into the first st of the round.

Round 3 :

Ch2; 1hdc in each st around and sl st into the first st of the round.

Round 4 :

Ch3 and 1sc into the same st that we made sl st, (3sc, ch3 and 1sc into the same st) repeat until the end of the round.

Info :

** Break the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing.

— Tail :

Round 1 :

6sc in a mr (6)

Round 2 :

Work BLO; sc in all sts around (12)

Round 3 :

Work BLO; (1sc,1inc)- 6 times (18)

Round 4-5 :

(2 rnds) Work BLO; Sc in all sts around (18)

Round 6 :

Work BLO; (1sc,1dec)- 6 times (12)

Round 7 :

Work BLO; (1dec)- 6 times (6)

Round 8-27 :

(20 rnds) Sc in all sts around (6)

Info :

**Break the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing.

— Ruffles of the Tail :

Info :

** Using the yarn with color code 0437; starting from the second round of the tail and using the remaining loops of sts (we will work into the BLO sts between Rounds 2 and 7 of the tail): work 2hdc in each st between Round 2 and 7 (including Round 7) After completing hdc sts, ch2 and turn, this time we will work 3dc sts into each hdc st from the previous rounds. ** Sew the tail between Round 11 and 12 on the body.

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew the legs between Round 9 and 10 on the body, spacing them evenly and using the long tail left from the leg to secure firmly.
  • Insert the safety eyes between Round 16 and 17 of the head with a distance of 13 sts (visible 10 sts) before closing and stuffing the head.
  • Sew the ears between rounds 6 and 8 of the head using the long tail left from each ear and position symmetrically.
  • Attach the mane around the head by sewing the ruffled ring to the head opening, using the long tail left on the mane and arranging ruffles evenly.
  • Sew the tail between Round 11 and 12 on the body and secure the ruffles around the tail base; weave in all ends and reinforce seams as needed.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to keep track of round beginnings, especially during shaping and color changes.
  • 💡Stuff pieces gradually as you crochet to maintain smooth, even shaping and avoid lumps.
  • 💡Do not stuff small parts like the ears and arms; leave them flat as instructed to maintain correct shape.
  • 💡Insert safety eyes before closing the head and fasten them securely; check placement with photos to match look.

Thanks for making Ollie the Lion — I hope he brings you lots of smiles and cuddles.🧶 This pattern is made with love and careful photos to guide every step for a lovely finished toy.🧵 Share your Ollie with the maker community and tag your photos — I would love to see them! 😊

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished amigurumi measures approximately 16 cm tall from ears to toe when using the recommended yarn (Schachenmayr Catania) and a 2.20 mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but the final size will change; use an appropriate hook for your chosen yarn and check your gauge to get desired proportions.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so basic knowledge of single crochet, increases, decreases, working in the back loop only, and reading amigurumi rounds is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters finish this project in 5-7 hours depending on experience and how much time is spent on assembly and ruffle details.