Meet Lionel, the cute little lion brooch! This little lion brooch is super fun and easy to make. It can be done in a few hours, it's a true beginner-friendly amigurumi project. This little lion brooch is done with the help of some basic crocheted circles, the mane is added after the head is ready. It's also a great way to use up some scrap yarn. Let's see the pattern!

Lionel the Lion Brooch - Free Crochet Pattern

Yarn & needles

I used DROPS Safran yarn for the brooch, but I think any kind of similar 5ply / sport weight yarn will do.

• Some lightweight, 3-4 mm yarn (sport weight, 5-ply):
• Yellow
• Brown
• 3 mm hook (US D)
• Toy stuffing or some scrap yarn ends
• Stitch marker
• Embroidery needle
• Embroidery floss:
• Black or dark grey
• Pink
• White

Final Size

The final crocheted lion brooch will be approximately 2 inches (5 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) tall. 

Crochet Abbreviations, US terms

ch – chain

sc – single crochet

hdc – half double crochet

dc – double crochet

inc – single crochet increase

dec – single crochet decrease

rnd(s) – round(s)

st(s) – stitch(es)

[ ] – repeat steps between brackets for the specified number of times

( ) – the number of stitches you should have at the end of each round

{} – stitches between these brackets are made in the same stitch

Crochet brooch pattern

Pattern notes

All sections are worked in a continuous round unless otherwise specified. Always mark the beginning of each round with a stitch marker. Chain stitches don’t count towards stitch count. This little lion brooch is done with the help of some basic crocheted circles, the mane is crocheted onto the side of the brooch after the head is ready.

The head

rnd 1: In body yellow, start with a magic ring, sc 6 into the ring (6 sts)

rnd 2: Inc 6 (12 sts)

rnd 3: [sc 1, inc 1] 6 times (18 sts)

rnd 4: [sc 2, inc 1] 6 times (24 sts)

rnds 5-6: Sc around (24 sts for 2 rnds)

rnd 7: Sc around trough back loop only (24 sts)

rnd 8: Sc around (24 sts)

rnd 9: [sc 2, dec 1] 6 times (18 sts)

☝️Don’t forget to stuff the lion now!

rnd 10: [sc 1, dec 1] 6 times (12 sts)

rnd 11:  [dec 1] 6 times (6 sts)

Break yarn, pull through remaining stitches.

The Mane

Attach the brown yarn with a slipknot to one of the front loops of the 7th row of the body. We will work all the stitches into these front loops: 24 sts in total.

One cluster: {hdc 2, dc 1, hdc 2} in one stitch

rnd 1: {ch 2, hdc 2} in the first stitch, sl st, [create a cluster, sl st] 11 times, {hdc 2} in the first stitch, to close your first cluster. (12 clusters in total at the end)

Finishing up the lion brooch

Now embroider the lion's face and the little hairs onto its head. I used multiple strands for the eyes, nose, cheeks, and mouth. For the little hairs, I used only one strand of yarn. Try to position the nose between the eyes, so it will look even cuter! Last but not least, don't forget to sew a safety pin or a brooch pin to the back of the lion!

Hope you liked this super cute, fast lion brooch crochet pattern! If you have any questions or remarks about this crochet pattern,  please send an email or leave a comment below. I’d love to see your little lions and how you wear them! Tag me on Instagram @spinachandstitch, or use the #spinachpattern, if you share your work!

Get more of my patterns in my Ravelry Store. Last but not least, be sure to sign up for my crochet newsletter to keep up to date with new patterns, tutorials, and giveaways as they are released.

Pin it now, do it later

This hyper-cute Party Bird can be quite a safe party companion even in quarantine! Another advantage is that it can be crocheted in one evening. Put your party hat on, and get ready to crochet this creature in no time!

Pin it now, read later 👇

Find the detailed pattern in the post, or you can also download the full PDF here. The beautifully formatted and ad-free pdf includes the full pattern in a printer-friendly package!

Materials

I used mainly Phil Degrade yarn for the crocheted bird, but you don't have to. Any kind of lightweight yarn will do the trick.

• Some lightweight, 3-4 mm yarn (DK weight, 8-ply) in 4 colors:
• Light blue (Phil Degrade 2089)
• Light yellow (Phil Degrade 2319)
• Pink (DROPS Safran 18)
• White (Sheepjes Cahlista 256)
• 3 mm hook (US D)
• Toy stuffing
• Stitch marker
• Embroidery needle
• Embroidery floss
• Black or dark grey
• White or very light, pastel blue

Finished Size

My bird is 4 inches (11 cm) from head to toe when using a 3 mm hook and Phil Degrade Yarn. You can use other hook and yarn combinations to make your Party Bird bigger or smaller.

Crochet abbreviations, US Terminology

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
inc – single crochet increase
dec – decrease
rnd(s) – round(s)
st(s) – stitch(es)
sl - slipstitch
[ ] – repeat steps between brackets for the specified number of times
( ) – the number of stitches you should have at the end of each round

Notes

All sections are worked in a continuous round unless otherwise specified. Always mark the beginning of each round with a stitch marker. Chain stitches don’t count towards stitch count.

Bird Crochet Pattern

Body

rnd 1: In body color, start with a magic ring, sc 6 into ring (6 sts)
rnd 2: Inc 6 (12 sts)
rnd 3: [sc 1, inc 1] 6 times (18 sts)
rnd 4-9: Sc around (18 sts for 6 rounds)
rnd 10: inc 4, 14 sc (22 sts)
rnd 11: sc 2, inc 4, sc 16 (26 sts)
rnd 12: sc 4, inc 4, sc 18 (30 sts)
rnd 13: sc 6, inc 4, sc 20 (34 sts)
rnd 14: sc 9, dec 1, sc 23 (33 sts)
rnd 15: Sc around (33 sts)
rnd 16: [sc 1, dec 1] 11 times (22 sts)
rnds 17-18: Sc around (22 sts for 2 rounds)
rnd 19: [dec 1] 11 times (11 sts)
rnd 20: sc 1, [dec 1] 5 times (6 sts)

Cut the yarn, stuff the body, and pull the yarn through the remaining 6 stitches.

Wings

rnd 1: In wing color, start with a magic ring, sc 6 into the ring (6 sts)
rnd 2: Inc 6 (12 sts)
rnd 3: Sc around the edge of the half-circle (6 sts)

Now fold the circle in half.

rnd 4: Sc around the edge of the half-circle (6 sts)
Sl in the last stitch, fasten off. You can use the yarn to sew the wing on the body later on. Create another wing just like this one.

Eyes

rnd 1: With white color, start with a magic ring, sc 6 into the ring (6 sts)
rnd 2: Inc 6 (12 sts) rnd 3: Sc around (12 sts) Sl in the last stitch, fasten off. 
You can use the yarn to sew the eye on the body later on. Create another eye just like this one.

rnd 1: In beak color, ch 2 and sc 4 in the first ch (4 sts) 
rnd 2: Sc around (4sts) Sl in the last stitch, fasten off. 

You can use the yarn to sew the beak on the body later on. If you use lighter-weight yarn you may need to make another additional sc round at the end.

Hat

rnd 1: With pink, ch 6, sl into first st to create a ring. Sc 8 in the ring. (8 sts)
rnd 2: Sc around (8 sts)
rnd 3: [dec 1] 4 times (4 sts) 

Cut the yarn, pull through the remaining 4 stitches.

Pompom

rnd 1: With white, ch 3. Sc 3 in the first ch
rnd 2: Inc3 (6sts)
rnd 3: Sc around (6 sts) 

Cut the yarn, pull through the remaining 6 stitches. Sew the pompom on the hat.

Assembling

Using sewing pins, position the wings between rows 14-15. Sew them on the body. Using sewing pins, position the eyes between rows 4-7. Sew them on the head on both sides. Position the beak between rows 5-6 and sew it on the bird. Last but not least sew the hat on the top of the head.