Crochet Amigurumi Lion – Noble the Lion Cub

Noble is a little lion cub with a big heart, and he’s ready to steal yours! This easy crochet amigurumi lion pattern has a simple, bottom up construction that’s perfect for new softie makers. Optional, added embroidery lets you personalize your cub with its own unique markings!

This content is protected by copyright. See this Terms of Use / Copyright page for more information.

This post contains sponsored content and/or affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may get a commission.

Best Friends

Noble is similar in style and design to his friend, Awesome the baby elephant. Make them both!

Poly Fil Premium Fiber Fill

Fairfield World generously sent me lots of Poly-Fil Premium Polyester Fiber Filling for these softie designs. This is my go to stuffing material for all my crochet amigurumi patterns because it’s so soft and squishy and easy to use.

My favorite stuffing tip is to tear the stuffing into small bits and stuff just a little at a time, rather than trying to put a whole handful in all at once. This creates a smoother finish and avoids clumps and lumps.

Red Heart With Love Yarn

Yarnspirations originally sent me this Red Heart With Love yarn for free for a blanket square design. I used most of the leftovers for my Team Colors scarf. The yellow I used for this pattern was the last little bit I had left. With Love is great for amigurumi because it’s soft and strong, with just enough puffiness to fill in the gaps in the stitches.

Materials

• Yarn: Red Heart With Love worsted weight, acrylic yarn. 75 yds #1207 Cornsilk
• Hook: Size H/ 5 mm crochet hook or size needed to match gauge.
• Notions:
  • Fairfield Poly-Fil Premium Polyester Fiber Filling
  • Yarn Needle
  • Stitch Marker or scrap of yarn to use as running stitch marker.
  • 1 yd black embroidery floss
  • 1 yd orange, rust, or brown embroidery floss.

Project Level

Easy: Mostly single crochet in the round, with some increases and decreases.

Size

7 inches tall not counting tuft and ears.

Gauge

14 sc x 14 rows = 4 inches. Use pattern as gauge swatch – Rounds 1 – 4 should measure 2.25 inches in diameter. Exact gauge is not critical.

Abbreviations used

(Pattern is written in US terms)
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
inc = increase (see Special Stitches)
dec = decrease (see Special Stitches)
sk = skip
st(s) = stitch(es)
sl st = slip stitch
sp = space
ch-sp = chain space
rnd = round
RS = right side

Recommended Resources

• Continuous rounds and running stitch markers
• Why continuous rounds shift
• Almost invisible increase
• Crab Stitch / Reverse Single Crochet
• Mattress Stitch Seaming from Moogly
• How to make a French knot from Sublime Stitching

Special Stitches

Increase (inc): Sc in back loop only of next st, then sc in both loops of the same st. See full tutorial here.

Decrease (dec): Insert hook into front loop only of both of next 2 stitches, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook. This is an alternative to a single crochet 2 together (sc2tog) stitch. If you prefer, you can use the standard sc2tog instead.

Instructions

Body

Except for ears, pattern is worked in continuous rounds. Do not join or turn unless indicated. Mark first stitch of each round.

Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6 sc)

Rnd 2: Inc around. (12 sc)

Rnd 3: (Inc in next st, sc in next st) around. (18 sc)

Rnd 4: (Inc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts) around. (24 sc)

Rnd 5: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 6: (Inc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts) around. (30 sc)

Rnds 7-10: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 11: (Dec, sc in each of next 3 sts) around. (24 sts)

Rnds 12-15: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 16: (Dec, sc in each of next 2 sts) around. (18 sts)

Rnds 17-18: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 19: (Dec, sc in next st) around. (12 sts)

Stuff body most of the way full and continue stuffing as you go.

Head

Rnds 20-22: Repeat rnds 3-5

Rnd 23: Sc in next 6 sts, ch 6, sk next 6 sts, sc in last 12 sts. (18 sc and ch-6 sp for muzzle)

Rnd 24: Sc in each st and each ch around. (24 sc)

Rnd 25: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 26: (Dec, sc in next 2 sts) around. (18 sc)

Rnd 27: (Dec, sc in next st) around. (12 sc)

Rnd 28: Dec around. (6 sc)

Fasten off.

Using tails, sew top of head and bottom of body closed, then weave in ends.

Finish stuffing head through muzzle opening.

Muzzle

With RS facing, join yarn with sl st in any st or ch around muzzle opening.

Rnd 1: Work 14 sc evenly spaced around muzzle opening.

This works out to 1 sc in each st, 1 sc in the bottom of each ch, and 1 extra sc in each side, where the stitches and chains meet.

Rnd 2:(Dec, sc in next 5 sts) twice. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 4: Dec around. Fasten off, leaving a 12 inch tail for sewing. (6 sts)

Stuff muzzle.

Use tail to sew muzzle closed.

Sew tail in a circle around the base of rnd 1 of the muzzle, where it meets the head. Pull on the tail to cinch the stitches together just a bit. This will help to define the muzzle and make it stick out more. Weave in end to secure it.

Ear (make 2)

Row 1: Ch 2, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join. (3 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, (hdc, ch-1, dc, ch-1) in next st, (hdc, 2 sc) in last st, join with sl st to first st. Fasten off, leaving a 12 inch tail. (7 sts, 2 ch-1 sps).

Rate this Crochet Amigurumi Lion Pattern!

I hope you enjoyed this crochet amigurumi lion pattern. A downloadable pdf of this pattern is available on Ravelry for a small fee. The fee for the pdf format is to offset the advertising revenue lost when you print or download the pattern rather than viewing it online.

Do you want the best of Stitches n Scraps delivered right to your inbox? The Stitches n Scraps email newsletter includes highlights from the blog as well as special features not available elsewhere. Don’t miss a stitch – Subscribe now!