Crochet Tyrion the Amigurumi Lion with Luxurious Mane

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Lion

Creating your own adorable amigurumi lion with a majestic mane is a rewarding crochet project that combines basic techniques with stunning results. Tyrion the Lion stands approximately 25cm tall when seated (35cm from feet to head) and features a distinctive fluffy mane that gives him personality and charm. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of crafting this cuddly feline friend.

Lion Materials Required

Before beginning, gather these materials:

  • Yarn: Acrylic yarn (Aran weight) in:
    • Saffron yellow (main body color)
    • Off-white (for muzzle and paw pads)
    • Dark brown (for mane and tail tip)
    • Black (for embroidery details)
  • Hook: 3.25mm crochet hook
  • Safety Eyes: 15mm black safety eyes
  • Safety Nose: 12mm black safety nose
  • Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill
  • Tools: Yarn needle, stitch marker, scissors, pins
  • Optional: Cardboard (for creating mane yarn)

Understanding Pattern Terminology

Before starting, familiarize yourself with these terms:

  • ch: Chain
  • sl st: Slip stitch
  • sc: Single crochet
  • inc: Increase (2 single crochet in same stitch)
  • dec: Decrease (2 single crochet stitches worked together)
  • […] x: Repeat instructions inside brackets the number of times indicated
  • …: Repeat instructions between asterisks in the same stitch
  • (…): Total stitch count for the round

Lion Cheeks Construction

The lion’s facial structure begins with two cheek panels that will be joined together:

Lion First Cheek Panel

Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6) Round 2: [inc] x 6 (12) Round 3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18) Round 4: 18 sc (18) Finish with slip stitch and cut yarn, leaving a tail for joining to the second cheek later.

Lion Second Cheek Panel

Work the same as the first panel, but after Round 4, cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing.

Lion Joining the Cheeks

  1. Place the second cheek on top of the first cheek with right sides facing out.
  2. Using the yarn needle and the tail from the first cheek, sew through 4 stitches working in the loops of both cheeks.
  3. Secure with a double knot and hide loose end on the wrong side.
  4. The joined cheeks will be sewn to the face later.

Lion Head Construction

Using saffron yellow yarn: Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6) Round 2: [inc] x 6 (12) Round 3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18) Round 4: 1 sc, [inc, 2 sc] x 5, inc, 1 sc (24) Round 5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30) Round 6: 2 sc, [inc, 4 sc] x 5, inc, 2 sc (36) Round 7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42) Round 8: 3 sc, [inc, 6 sc] x 5, inc, 3 sc (48) Rounds 9-12: 48 sc (48) Round 13: [7 sc, inc] x 6 (54) Rounds 14-21: 54 sc (54)

Before continuing with the head, pause to attach the facial features:

  1. Position the safety eyes between rounds 10-11, with 15 stitches between them.
  2. Insert the safety nose between rounds 3-4, centered between the eyes.
  3. Sew the joined cheeks to the face, centering them with the nose at the point where they meet.
  4. Using black yarn, embroider the detail between the cheeks to define the mouth line.
  5. Secure the safety nose washer.

Continue with the head: Round 22: [7 sc, dec] x 6 (48) Round 23: 3 sc, [dec, 6 sc] x 5, dec, 3 sc (42) Round 24: [5 sc, dec] x 6 – Begin stuffing firmly (36) Round 25: 2 sc, [dec, 4 sc] x 5, dec, 2 sc (30) Round 26: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24) Round 27: 1 sc, [dec, 2 sc] x 5, dec, 1 sc (18) Round 28: [1 sc, dec] x 6 (12) Round 29: 6 dec (6)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining stitches, pull tight to close the hole, and secure with a knot. Hide the end inside the head.

Creating the Lion’s Expression

To give Tyrion expressive eyes:

  1. Thread a long piece of yellow yarn above the left eye, between rounds 10-11.
  2. Push the needle horizontally to the same spot above the right eye and pull yarn through.
  3. Wrap yarn around one stitch down, between rounds 9-10, and push needle horizontally to the left side again.
  4. Repeat step 2 once more for additional definition.
  5. Gently pull both ends simultaneously to create the desired expression.
  6. Secure with double knots and hide ends inside the head.

Body Construction

Using saffron yellow yarn: Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6) Round 2: [inc] x 6 (12) Round 3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18) Round 4: 1 sc, [inc, 2 sc] x 5, inc, 1 sc (24) Round 5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30) Round 6: 2 sc, [inc, 4 sc] x 5, inc, 2 sc (36) Round 7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42) Round 8: 3 sc, [inc, 6 sc] x 5, inc, 3 sc (48) Rounds 9-14: 48 sc (48) Round 15: 3 sc, [dec, 6 sc] x 5, dec, 3 sc (42) Rounds 16-17: 42 sc (42) Round 18: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36) Rounds 19-20: 36 sc (36) Round 21: 2 sc, [dec, 4 sc] x 5, dec, 2 sc (30) Rounds 22-23: 30 sc – Begin stuffing firmly (30) Round 24: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24) Rounds 25-26: 24 sc (24) Round 27: 1 sc, [dec, 2 sc] x 5, dec, 1 sc (18) Rounds 28-29: 18 sc (18)

Finish with slip stitch and leave a long tail for sewing to the head.

Arms (Make 2)

Using saffron yellow yarn: Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6) Round 2: [inc] x 6 (12) Round 3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18) Round 4: 2 sc, 6 inc, 10 sc (24) Rounds 5-8: 24 sc (24) Round 9: 6 sc, 6 dec, 6 sc (18) Round 10: 18 sc – Begin stuffing (18) Round 11: 3 sc, 6 dec, 3 sc (12) Rounds 12-27: 12 sc (12) – Stop stuffing around Round 23 Round 28: [dec, 1 sc] x 4 (8)

To close the arm:

  1. Fold the arm in half.
  2. Crochet 4 sc through both pieces to join the edges.
  3. Cut yarn, leaving a tail for sewing.

Embroidering the Claws

With black yarn:

  1. Insert yarn at the bottom center of the arm, between rounds 3-4.
  2. Create 3 vertical lines by pulling yarn to rounds 7-8, spacing them evenly.
  3. Secure with knots and hide ends inside the arm.

Legs (Make 2)

Begin with off-white yarn for the paw: Round 1: Chain 8 Round 2: Starting in second chain from hook: 6 sc, 3 sc in last chain, continue around: 5 sc, inc (16) Round 3: inc, 5 sc, 3 inc, 5 sc, 2 inc (22) Round 4: 1 sc, inc, 6 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc, 7 sc, inc, 1 sc (26) Round 5: 1 sc, 2 inc, 7 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc, 7 sc, 2 inc, 2 sc – Change to yellow yarn (32) Round 6: 32 sc in back loops only (32) Rounds 7-8: 32 sc (32) Round 9: 1 sc, dec, 9 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec, 9 sc, dec, 1 sc, dec (27) Round 10: 1 sc, dec, 21 sc, 2 dec (24) Round 11: 2 dec, 16 sc, 2 dec – Begin stuffing (20) Round 12: 2 dec, 12 sc, 2 dec (16) Rounds 13-27: 16 sc (16) – Stop stuffing around Round 22 Round 28: [dec, 2 sc] x 4 (12)

To close the leg:

  1. Fold in half and crochet 6 sc through both edges.
  2. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Embroidering the Foot Claws

With black yarn:

  1. Insert yarn at the sole center and pull through to top of foot between rounds 7-8.
  2. Create 3 claw lines across the top of the foot, spaced evenly.
  3. Secure with knots and hide ends inside the foot.

Tail

Start with dark brown yarn: Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6) Round 2: [1 sc, inc] x 3 (9) Rounds 3-6: 12 sc (12) Round 7: 6 dec – Change to saffron yellow yarn (6) Rounds 8-23: 6 sc (6) Round 24: [1 sc, inc] x 3 (9) Round 25: 9 sc (9)

Finish with slip stitch and leave a long tail for sewing.

Ears (Make 2)

Using saffron yellow yarn: Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (5) – Don’t close ring completely Round 2: 5 sc (5) Round 3: [inc] x 5 (10) Round 4: 10 sc (10) Round 5: [1 sc, inc] x 5 (15) Round 6: 15 sc (15) Round 7: [2 sc, inc] x 5 (20) Rounds 8-10: 20 sc (20)

Finish with slip stitch and leave a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff the ears.

Attaching the Ears

  1. Position ears above rounds 16-17 of the head, with 4 sc between them.
  2. Sew each ear to the head using the front loops of stitches.

Creating the Mane

The mane is what gives Tyrion his distinctive look. Here’s how to create it:

  1. Cut a piece of cardboard about 5cm high.
  2. Make a small cut at the top to hold the yarn.
  3. Wind dark brown yarn around the cardboard many times.
  4. Cut along one edge of the cardboard to create yarn strands.
  5. Fold each strand in half to create loops for attachment.

Attaching the Mane

  1. With Tyrion facing down, insert your hook through a stitch between rounds 13-14 of the head.
  2. Pull a folded strand of yarn through about 1/2 cm.
  3. Pull the ends of the strand through this loop and tighten.
  4. Continue adding hair all around the head.
  5. Add additional rows above to completely cover the head.
  6. Using the same technique, add hair to the chest and shoulders in a V-shape.
  7. Trim the mane to shape it as desired.

Adding Hair to the Tail

Attach hair to the dark brown section of the tail using the same method, then trim to shape.

Final Assembly

  1. Sew the body to the head, centering them and positioning at round 13 of the head.
  2. Attach the arms to the sides of the body, centering them with where the ears are positioned above.
  3. Sew the legs to the bottom of the body, about 1 round above the lowest part.
  4. Attach the tail to the back of the body, centered between rounds 7-8.

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Conclusion

Congratulations! Your Tyrion the Lion amigurumi is complete! This adorable character with his luxurious mane makes a wonderful gift or decorative piece. The combination of basic crochet techniques with the special touch of the yarn mane creates a unique and charming stuffed toy that’s sure to be treasured.

The techniques you’ve learned in this project—including creating facial features, joining pieces, and adding detailed yarn hair—can be applied to many other amigurumi projects. With practice, you’ll be able to create your own variations and designs.

Enjoy your handmade lion, and remember that each creation is unique, just like Tyrion himself!