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LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern

LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern
4.6★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
3.5K 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 teaches you how to crochet a lion hand puppet using super bulky plush yarn and basic amigurumi techniques. It includes detailed instructions for the head, ears, mane, arms and body, plus embroidery steps for the face. The puppet is soft, wearable, and richly textured for tactile play.

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

Perfect for puppet play, gifts, or craft markets, the pattern uses accessible stitches and helpful photos. Youll get clear assembly guidance and tips for a neat finish.

Why You'll Love This LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it transforms simple stitches into a playful, tactile puppet full of personality. I enjoy the quick gratification of the super bulky plush yarn — projects work up fast and feel wonderfully soft. The mane technique is a fun texture experiment that adds so much character to the lion. Sewing and embroidery steps let me personalize expressions and create a unique finished piece every time.

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 change the personality of this lion by swapping colors; try pastel shades for a soft nursery friend or bright reds and oranges for a bold play puppet.

You can make a mini version for a keychain by using thinner yarn and a smaller hook; adjusting yarn weight and hook size scales the pattern nicely.

I often add felt or crocheted accessories like tiny crowns, scarves, or little capes to turn the puppet into a character for imaginative play.

Embroider different expressions — move the mouth line or eyebrow placement — to create happy, sleepy, or surprised faces for variety.

For extra posability, consider inserting a short piece of craft wire lightly inside the arm seams before closing, but be careful when making toys for small children.

Try using variegated or hand-dyed plush yarn for a unique mane effect that looks hand-painted and textured.

If you want a sturdier puppet, add a lightweight interfacing or thin felt layer inside the back of the head before sewing to the body to keep the shape stable.

Make a matching set: consider crocheting additional animal friends using the same body and head template but changing ears, noses and manes.

I also enjoy personalizing with embroidered initials or tiny motifs on the body to make each puppet a special gift.

Experiment with mane loop lengths and density: more loops create a fuller mane, while fewer, longer loops give a stylized look.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers at the start of rounds can cause you to lose the beginning of each round; place a marker at the first stitch and move it each round to stay accurate. ✗ Forgetting to stuff the head before closing results in a misshapen finish; stuff gradually and firmly before doing the final decreases and drawstring closure. ✗ Overstuffing the head can distort facial shaping and make embroidery difficult; use moderate pressure and add stuffing in small increments for smooth shaping. ✗ Not paying attention when attaching mane loops can make the mane uneven; count stitches from the reference rounds and place loops symmetrically around the face. ✗ Crocheting arms too tightly or stuffing them accidentally will make sewing them in bulky; follow the instruction to not stuff arms and maintain consistent tension so seams match the body. ✗ Skipping the sc2tog steps when joining sleeves or arms creates holes at the joins; always work the specified sc2tog to close gaps and keep a neat seam.

LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern

Make a charming lion hand puppet with this step-by-step amigurumi pattern designed for intermediate crocheters. You will crochet a cuddly, wearable puppet complete with a textured mane and embroidered facial features. Clear round-by-round instructions guide you from the head and ears through the mane, arms, body, and final assembly. This playful puppet makes a delightful gift or a fun addition to puppet playtime.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for LION HAND PUPPET Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Super bulky plush yarn - Himalaya Dolphin Baby (120m - 100g) - dark yellow color for head and body (1 skein, No 80330)
  • 02
    Super bulky plush yarn - Himalaya Dolphin Baby - brown color for mane (No 80370) - small amount
  • 03
    Sport cotton yarn - Yarn Art Jeans (160m - 50g) - black yarn for embroidery (small amount)
  • 04
    Plastic eyes - 2 pieces, diameter 7 mm
  • 05
    Fiber filler - polyester stuffing for head

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 4.5 mm
  • 02
    Large needle for embroidery and sewing (yarn needle)
  • 03
    Yarn needle for assembly
  • 04
    Stitch markers (knitting markers)
  • 05
    Scissors
  • 06
    Safety/plastic eyes 7 mm (2 pieces)
  • 07
    Fiber filler (polyester stuffing)

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.

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/ta3H1IhU8SY

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.

Info :

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 :

Sew the body to the head as shown in the pictures and video: HOW TO SEW BODY WITH HEAD https://youtu.be/QTUIJCnqP6E

Info :

CONGRATULATIONS! Your hand puppet is ready

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew the ears between rounds 10-11 from the magic ring (nose center), spacing them 11 stitches apart for symmetry and secure with hidden stitches.
  • Attach mane loops by joining brown yarn at the stitches between rounds 9-10 and 11-12 (five stitches below each ear) and work the ch loops around the upper face as instructed, then cut and secure.
  • Join the arms to the body during Round 5 by crocheting together with each arm: work 7 sc on sleeve, 13 sc only on body, 7 sc together with another arm, 15 sc only on body to create a continuous seam.
  • Sew the body to the head using the tail left for sewing and matching the head opening to the body top; pin pieces first, then sew with a yarn needle for a neat finish.
  • Embroider the brown nose lines from the MR center to the mane, then embroider the black nose and mouth using black cotton yarn; hide and secure all tails inside the head.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to mark the beginning of each round to keep track of your stitch counts and rounds.
  • 💡Stuff the head firmly but gradually before closing the final rounds to maintain a smooth round shape; do not overstuff.
  • 💡Do not stuff the arms as instructed to allow joining them to the body and keep the puppet wearable and flexible.
  • 💡Leave long tails where indicated (ears and body start) for sewing and secure all ends after assembly to avoid unraveling.

This delightful Lion Hand Puppet brings storytime to life with a soft plush body and a playful mane. Handmade details like embroidered features and looped mane give it tons of character and charm. Perfect for gifting, puppet shows, or cozy playtime — enjoy every stitch and have fun creating! 🧶🧡

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

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

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, but changing yarn weight will affect the final size and texture; use a suitable hook for your chosen yarn and expect different drape and finished dimensions.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so basic knowledge of amigurumi techniques, working in the round, increases, decreases and simple embroidery is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in about 5-7 hours depending on experience and whether they do the mane and embroidery by hand.

Should I stuff the arms and body?

Do not stuff the arms according to the instructions; stuff only the head as directed and leave the body mostly unstuffed so the puppet fits a hand comfortably.