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Lion Hand Puppet Amigurumi Pattern

Lion Hand Puppet Amigurumi Pattern
4.7★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
3.9K 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 28 cm (11") lion hand puppet using super bulky plush yarn and simple amigurumi techniques. You will make the head, ears, mane, arms and body with detailed round-by-round instructions and helpful photos. The design features a textured mane, embroidered nose and mouth, and safety eyes for a friendly expression.

Lion Hand Puppet Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Step-by-step guidance helps you assemble and finish the puppet with clean seams and secure features. Suitable for crafters who enjoy tactile plush yarn and playful puppet projects.

Why You'll Love This Lion Hand Puppet Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it transforms soft, super-bulky yarn into a cuddly, expressive hand puppet that kids and adults adore. I enjoy the tactile process of crocheting with plush yarn — it works up quickly and gives such a cozy finish. The mane technique is playful and allows creative variations in color and texture, which is one of my favorite parts. I also love that the pattern balances simple amigurumi rounds with a few assembly steps, making the whole project satisfying and not overwhelming.

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 customize this puppet by changing mane colors or using variegated yarn for a playful effect.

I often make a pastel version for baby-friendly gifts by using lighter plush yarn and a softer embroidery thread.

To make a mini keychain puppet, I use a thinner yarn and smaller hook which reduces the size dramatically while keeping the same shaping.

I also vary the mane technique — try longer chains or tighter loops to create a shaggy or neat look depending on your style.

If you want a poseable puppet, I sometimes add a thin wire inside the arms to allow gentle shaping and movement.

I recommend experimenting with eye types: embroidered eyes are safer for babies, while 7 mm plastic eyes give a shiny toy-like finish.

For a textured body, change rounds 9-14 to a different stitch such as HDC or alternating rows to create stripes or ribbing.

I sometimes add tiny accessories like a felt crown, scarf, or removable felt mane to create different characters from the same base pattern.

I like to finish faces with subtle blushing using pastel chalk and a soft brush for more expression and warmth.

When making multiples for gifts, I batch crochet the heads first, then the bodies, which speeds up the process and keeps results consistent.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers when joining or starting rounds can cause you to lose track of the beginning of the round; place a marker at the start of each round and move it as you work. ✗ Not inserting safety eyes at the recommended rounds leads to misplaced features; insert the eyes between rounds 5 and 6 and keep them 10 sc apart for proper placement. ✗ Overstuffing the head will distort shaping and make it hard to close the hole neatly; stuff gradually and firmly but stop before the fabric stretches, then finish stuffing before final decreases. ✗ Forgetting to leave long tails for sewing ears and mane makes assembly difficult; always leave the tail and use it for sewing to get neat, secure results. ✗ Crocheting arms with stuffing will make them bulky and not fit inside the sleeve area; follow the pattern instruction and do NOT stuff the arms so they slide into the body easily.

Lion Hand Puppet Amigurumi Pattern

Create a charming lion hand puppet with this easy-to-follow amigurumi pattern. You will crochet a soft, plush puppet with a textured mane and embroidered facial features. The pattern includes full round-by-round instructions, materials and clear assembly tips so you can finish a delightful toy for play or gift-giving. Ideal for makers who enjoy quick, rewarding projects.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Lion Hand Puppet Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Super bulky plush yarn - Himalaya Dolphin Baby (120m - 100g) ~ 131 yd (3.52 oz); Dark yellow color for head and body (1 skein, № 80330)
  • 02
    Super bulky plush yarn - Himalaya Dolphin Baby (120m - 100g) ~ 131 yd (3.52 oz); Brown color for mane (№ 80370)
  • 03
    Sport cotton yarn - Yarn Art Jeans (160m - 50g) ~ 175 yd (1.76 oz); black cotton yarn for embroidery
  • 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 yarn and embroidery
  • 03
    Knitting markers / stitch markers
  • 04
    Scissors
  • 05
    Yarn needle for sewing
  • 06
    Pins for assembly (optional)
  • 07
    Polyester stuffing (fiber filler)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Head :

Info :

Use the dark yellow plush yarn, hook 4.5 mm.

R 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

R 2 :

6 inc (12)

R 3 :

(1 sc, inc) * 6 (18)

R 4 :

(1 sc, inc) * 6, 6 sc (24)

R 5 :

(2 sc, inc) * 6, 6 sc (30)

R 6 :

(3 sc, inc) * 6, 6 sc (36)

R 7 :

(4 sc, inc) * 6, 6 sc (42)

R 8-12 :

42 sc (5 rounds)

R 13 :

(5 sc, dec) * 6 (36)

R 14 :

(4 sc, dec) * 6 (30)

R 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.

R 16 :

(2 sc, dec) * 6 (18)

R 17 :

(1 sc, dec) * 6 (12)

R 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/DdqCjjfLtXA

Info :

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

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.

R 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

R 2 :

inc * 6 (12)

R 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.

R 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.

R 2 :

***Crochet 9 ch, sl st in the next st***. Repeat this step around upper part lion’s face. Cut the yarn.

— Embroider Nose & Face :

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.

R 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

R 2 :

inc * 6 (12)

R 3 :

(2 sc, inc) * 4 (16)

R 4-5 :

16 sc (2 rounds)

R 6 :

(2 sc, dec) * 4 (12)

R 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.

R 1 :

24 sc

R 2 :

(3 sc, inc) * 6 (30)

R 3 :

(4 sc, inc) * 6 (36)

R 4 :

(5 sc, ins) * 6 (42)

Info :

R 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.

R 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)

R 7 :

dec, 2 sc, dec, 12 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec, 14 sc (34)

R 8 :

34 sc, ch

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

— Assembly & Finishing :

Info :

Attach mane pieces and trim any excess yarn. Sew ears between rounds 10-11. Embroider nose, mouth, eyes and eyebrows following photo guides. Hide all tails and secure knots inside the head. Final adjustments: shape mane and face to preference.

Info :

CONGRATULATIONS! Your hand puppet is ready

Assembly Instructions

  • Attach the safety eyes between rounds 5 and 6 from the MR on the nose and keep the spacing to 10 single crochets apart for correct placement.
  • Sew the two ears to the head between rounds 10 and 11 from the MR, spacing them 11 stitches apart; use the tails left from the ear rounds to sew and secure.
  • Attach the mane yarn loops around the upper face as described (R1 and R2 of the mane) and secure by cutting and weaving in tails; place mane starting between rounds 9-10 and 11-12 as instructed.
  • Sew the body to the head following the pictured method and video link; line up the neck opening to the head base and whipstitch evenly to distribute fabric and avoid puckering.
  • When joining the arms in R5, crochet them together into the body as instructed, and use sc2tog on sleeve sides to avoid holes; finish by closing and weaving in ends.
  • Embroider the brown nose center lines from the MR to the mane, then embroider the black nose, mouth and eyebrow lines using black cotton yarn and a large needle to match the photos.
  • Hide and secure all tails inside the head and body, tie knots where necessary and shape the puppet before final use.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to mark the beginning of rounds and placement points (ears, eyes, mane) for consistent shaping and alignment.
  • 💡Stuff the head firmly but evenly using small amounts of filler at a time; overstuffing can distort the head shape and make closing the hole difficult.
  • 💡Do not stuff the arms — the pattern requires unstuffed arms so they fit into the body openings and attach cleanly during R5.
  • 💡Leave long tails when creating ears, mane pieces and when joining parts so you can sew and secure pieces without adding new yarn later.

This adorable lion hand puppet is designed to bring play and smiles to both children and grown-ups. The plush yarn makes it irresistibly soft and the textured mane adds character and charm. Make one for gifts, storytelling, or just to brighten a room — happy crocheting! 🧶🧡

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

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

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will affect the final size and texture; choose an appropriate hook for your yarn and expect the puppet to be different in scale.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and assumes familiarity with basic amigurumi techniques such as magic ring, increases, decreases and sewing pieces together.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in 5-7 hours, depending on experience, yarn type and time spent on embroidery and assembly.