✨ New & Improved! I originally published the pattern for Laurence the Lion in April 2018. I made major revisions in January 2020 & 2025 so it has easier assembly, clearer instructions, and an even cuter finished product! 😊
The backstory of my free lion crochet pattern
In 2017 I had the idea to write my very first amigurumi pattern. I wanted to crochet a matching set of safari animals for my nephew. I didn’t love any of the existing patterns out there, so I decided to create my own!
In hindsight, trying to write my own pattern at that point was a little overambitious. 😂 I was brand new to crochet and had only completed 3 small projects. Who knew writing patterns required so much math?! 😩 But I’m not one to back down from a challenge.
After countless revisions and flexing brain muscles I never knew I had, Laurence the Lion was born. I struggled a lot at first, but my free lion amigurumi pattern turned out pretty great. I learned a LOT in the process!
My amigurumi lion pattern is now better than ever!
At the time I was so impressed with how my lion turned out, but looking back at photos of the original, I can see my craftsmanship has come a long way. More importantly, thanks to feedback from lovely fellow crocheters like you, I have also leveled up my pattern-writing skills.
With no further ado, I hope you enjoy this new, improved (and still free!) amigurumi crochet pattern for Laurence the Lion!
Laurence the Lion is one of six free safari animal crochet patterns!
Resources
Photo Tutorials
Video Tutorials
Laurence the Lion
Height: 13.5 inches (34cm) standing Skill Level: Intermediate Crochet Terms: USHe may be king of the jungle, but Laurence is the sweetest lion you’ll ever meet. Whether he’s roaring with laughter or snoozing in the sunshine, Laurence makes every day feel like a wild adventure!
Supplies
- 3.5mm (E-4) hook or size needed to obtain gauge
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Fiber fill
- Straight pins
- (2) 15mm safety eyes
- Disappearing ink marker
- Knitting needle gauge tool or cardboard of equivalent size (3in x 5.5in / 8cm x 14cm)
358 yards of acrylic (weight 4) yarn:
Notes
Steps to Complete Pattern
- Crochet the Ears
- Crochet the Nose
- Crochet the Snout & Head
- Crochet the Legs
- Crochet the Arms
- Crochet the Body
- Sew the Body to the Head
- Crochet the Belly Patch
- Sew the Belly Patch to the Body
- Attach the Mane
- Crochet the Tail
- Sew the Tail to the Body
Abbreviations
- BLO – crochet in the back loop only
- BoR – beginning of round
- ch – chain
- dec – combine two stitches into one with an invisible decrease
- EoR – end of round
- inc – complete two single crochets within the same stitch
- sc – single crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- *sc x* – repeat the instructions between asterisks (*) the indicated number of times
- [sc x, *x* 2 times] – complete the stitches listed in the brackets the indicated number of times in order
- (sc x) – attach a body part while completing the stitches inside parentheses as instructed by the pattern
General Instructions
- This pattern is worked in continuous rounds without joining.
- Use a stitch marker to mark the end of each round. Move the marker up each round.
- Work all stitches in both loops unless the pattern instructs otherwise.
- This pattern is worked from the bottom up. Some pieces are crocheted separately and either sewn on after finishing or crocheted directly into the body as you work.
- Before starting the project, review the list of video tutorials mentioned below.
Pattern Gauge
30 sts by 5 rounds in sc = 2 inches (5cm)
Work rounds 01 – 05 of Body and measure across the diameter of the circle. Piece should measure 2 inches (5cm) across.
Note: Using the same yarn brand for all colors will ensure that all parts of the pattern match gauge once gauge is obtained.
Video Tutorials
I’ve made lots of video tutorials that will be referenced throughout this pattern. They will be marked with a clickable play button symbol. A full list of tutorials can be found in the video tutorials section of the pattern.
Instructions
Ears (make 2)
With yellow yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
06. sc in each st around [30]
07. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
08. sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 5 times, sc [18]
09. *sc, dec* 6 times [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) tail. Do not stuff the ear. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed. Hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work. The ears are now ready to attach as you crochet the head at a later step.
Nose
With brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. *sc, inc* 3 times [9]
03. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 2 times, sc [12]
04. *sc 3, inc* 3 times [15]
05. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 4 times, sc [20]
06. switch to yellow yarn: sc in each st around [20]
07 – 10. sc in each st around (see Figure 1) [20]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) tail. Do not stuff the nose. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed (see Figure 2).
Hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work. The nose is now ready to attach as you crochet the head at a later step (see Figure 3).
Snout & Head
With cream yarn:
01. Chain 5 Start: inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, sc 5 in last ch. Working on opposite side of chain base: sc 2, sc 3 in last ch [14]
02. inc, sc 4, *inc* 3 times, sc 4, *inc* 2 times [20]
03. [inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc] 2 times [26]
04. [inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* 2 times] 2 times [32]
05. [sc 14, *inc* 2 times] 2 times [36]
06 – 08. sc in each st around [36]
09. sc 8, leave remaining 28 sts unworked [8+28]
Shifting the BoR: Move EoR stitch marker into the last worked stitch. This is considered the EoR for round 09. The next stitch will be the BoR for round 10.
10. switch to yellow yarn, BLO: sl st in each st around [36]
Attaching the Nose: Attach the nose as you crochet the next round (see Figure 4). To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Nose to Snout video. You do not need to use stitch markers as shown in the video.
11. BLO: sc 14, attach the nose: (sc 10), sc 12 [36]
At the end of the round, the nose should appear centered above the Chain 5 Start. If the nose appears off-center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the nose as necessary.
Tacking Down the Nose: Using an 18-inch (46cm) strand of brown yarn and a yarn needle, tack down the tip of the nose centered on the Chain 5 Start (see Figure 5 & Figure 6).
12. *sc 5, inc* 6 times [42]
13. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
14. *sc 7, inc* 6 times [54]
15. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
16 – 20. sc in each st around [60]
For the remainder of the head, work in the BLO of each stitch. You will attach strands of yarn in the exposed front loops of the BLO stitches in order to create the mane at a later step.
Tip: Use my Jogless BLO method when starting round 21.
21. switch to orange yarn, BLO: sl st in each st around [60]
Attaching the Ears: Attach the ears as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Ears video. You do not need to use stitch markers as shown in the video.
22. BLO: sc 30, attach the first ear: (sc 6), sc 15, attach the second ear: (sc 6), sc 3 [60]
At the end of the round, the ears should appear centered on the top of the head. If your ears appear off-center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the ears as necessary.
23 – 25. BLO: sc in each st around [60]
26. BLO: sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
27. BLO: *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]
28. BLO: sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
29. BLO: *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]
30. BLO: sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
Stuff the head.
Adding the Safety Eyes: Using straight pins, mark location of eyes 18 stitches apart between rounds 13 & 14, centered above the nose (see Figure 7).
Replace straight pins with safety eyes, then secure backings (see Figure 8).
Indenting the Eyes: Using an 18-inch (46cm) strand of yellow yarn and a yarn needle, indent the eyes by adding tension between them (see Figure 9).
To view a tutorial, watch my Indent Eyes 2.0 video.
31. BLO: *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
32. BLO: sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 5 times, sc [18]
33. BLO: *sc, dec* 6 times [12]
Finish stuffing.
34. BLO: *dec* 6 times [6]
Close with an Ultimate Finish.
Legs (make 2)
With cream yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
Tip: Use my Perfect Leg Base method for seamless color transitions.
05. switch to yellow yarn, BLO: sl st in each st around [24]
06. BLO: *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
07. BLO: sc in each st around [30]
08 – 10. sc in each st around [30]
11. sc 14, dec, sc 14 [29]
12. sc 27, dec [28]
13. sc 13, dec, sc 13 [27]
14. sc 25, dec [26]
15. sc 12, dec, sc 12 [25]
16. sc 23, dec [24]
17. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
18. sc 21, dec [22]
19. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
20. sc 19, dec [20]
21. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
22. sc 17, dec [18]
23. *sc 7, dec* 2 times [16]
24. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Stuff the leg. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.
The legs are now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step.
Arms (make 2)
With cream yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
Tip: Use my Perfect Arm Base method for seamless color transitions.
04. switch to yellow yarn, BLO: sl st in each st around [18]
05. BLO: sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
06. BLO: sc in each st around [24]
07 – 09. sc in each st around [24]
10. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
11. sc in each st around [23]
12. sc 21, dec [22]
13. sc in each st around [22]
14. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
15. sc in each st around [21]
16. sc 19, dec [20]
17. sc in each st around [20]
18. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
19. sc in each st around [19]
20. sc 17, dec [18]
21. sc in each st around [18]
22. sc 8, dec, sc 8 [17]
23. sc in each st around [17]
24. sc 15, dec [16]
25 – 26. sc in each st around [16]
27. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Stuff the arm. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.
The arms are now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step.
Body
With yellow yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]
Attaching the Legs: Attach the legs as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Legs video.
07. attach the first leg: (sc 5, inc), sc 5, inc, attach the second leg: (sc 5, inc), *sc 5, inc* 3 times [42]
08. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
09. *sc 7, inc* 6 times [54]
10. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
11 – 17. sc in each st around [60]
18. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
19. sc in each st around [54]
20. *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]
21. sc in each st around [48]
22. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
23 – 24. sc in each st around [42]
25. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]
26 – 27. sc in each st around [36]
28. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
29. sc in each st around [30]
Attaching the Arms: Attach the arms as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Arms video.
30. sc, attach the first arm: (sc 6), sc 8, attach the second arm: (sc 6), sc 9 [30]
At the end of the round, the arms should appear centered above the legs. If your arms appear off-center, redo the round and adjust placement of arms as necessary.
Stuff the body.
31. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail the length of your arm span (~65in / ~165cm).
Sewing the Body to the Head: Using a disappearing ink marker, trace a circle the same size as the opening of the neck onto the bottom center of the head. Using the traced circle as a guide, sew the body to the head using the attached yarn tail and a yarn needle.
To view a tutorial, watch my How to Sew Body to Head video.
Belly Patch
With cream yarn:
01. Chain 5 Start: inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, sc 5 in last ch. Working on opposite side of chain base: sc 2, sc 3 in last ch [14]
02. inc, sc 4, *inc* 3 times, sc 4, *inc* 2 times [20]
03. [inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc] 2 times[26]
04. [inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* 2 times] 2 times [32]
05. [inc, sc 10, inc, sc 2, inc, sc] 2 times [38]
06. [inc, sc 12, *inc, sc 2* 2 times] 2 times [44]
07. [inc, sc 14, inc, sc 3, inc, sc 2] 2 times [50]
Fasten off, leaving a 36-inch (91cm) yarn tail, and create an Invisible Finish.
Sewing the Patch to the Body: Using the attached yarn tail and a yarn needle, sew the patch to the center of the body. Hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.
To view a tutorial, watch my Invisible Stitching video.
Mane
With orange yarn:
Cutting Strands of Yarn: Wrap yarn multiple times around the short side of a knitting needle gauge tool or piece of cardboard of equivalent size (3in x 5.5in / 8cm x 14cm). Cut along one edge. Repeat until you have 570+ 6-inch (15cm) strands of yarn.
Attaching the Mane: Starting in the BLO stitches in round 20, attach mane: fold one strand of yarn in half, insert your hook under a stitch, pull the yarn strand loop through the stitch, yarn over with the tail ends and pull them through the loop, then pull tight to secure. Repeat in each BLO stitch of rounds 20 – 33.
Trim mane so yarn strands look even, making sure to trim mane around ears shorter to expose the top of ears. To view a tutorial, watch my Creating & Attaching Mane video.
Tail
With yellow yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02 – 08. sc in each st around [6]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Do not stuff the tail. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed. Using a yarn needle, thread the yarn tail through the tail and out the magic ring.
Adding the Tail Tuft: With orange yarn, on end of tail that was slip stitched closed:
01. join with a sl st to first st, ch 6, sl st into same st, *sl st in next st, ch 6, sl st in same st* 2 times [24]
Fasten off. Hide the orange yarn tails inside the work. To view a tutorial, watch my Tail Tuft video.
Sewing on the Tail: Using the attached yarn tail, sew the tail centered over round 11 on the back side of the body. Secure with a knot, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.