Mini Safari Friends Lion


Mini Lion,
About 5 inches tall, this Lion is part of a set called the Mini Safari Friends. It is the second in this series to be published. The Elephant will follow soon, the Giraffe pattern is available here





Other patterns in the Mini Friends series,
Mini Forest Friends here
Mini Bears here
Mini Wedding accessories here

Video tutorials available in this series:
I filmed a tutorial for adding the mane and making the I-cord tail, link is in the pattern below. If you need help with other parts, this Lion uses same pattern that I used to make the Mini Bears aside from the  tail, muzzle and the ears.
The Mini Bears have a full video tutorial series! That means there are videos to help you crochet the head, body, legs and arms and how to sew it all together. Once you've made those parts you shouldn't have any trouble following the written pattern for the ears and muzzle. View the video playlist of the Mini Bears here.


How to print the pattern,
Use the free print friendly service here

Copyright 2018 Author: Sharon Ojala - Amigurumi To Go, All rights reserved


Supplies:
worsted weight yarn in 2 different colors
4mm to 4.25mm hook
blunt end yarn needle for sewing
scissors
polyester stuffing
8mm to 10mm safety eyes

Abbreviations:
st = stitch
sc = single crochet
ch1 = chain one
sl st = slip stitch
2tog = crochet 2 stitches together
f/o = finish off

How to read the rows:

Mark off the last st of row 2. Move the marker at the end of each row. Each row has a sequence. Example: 1sc then 2sc in next st means repeat that sequence 1sc then 2sc in next st followed by 1sc then 2sc in next st over and over to the end of that particular row. The number inside the parentheses ( ~ ) is the number of stitches you should have at the end of that particular row.


Special notes for the Lion pattern:
Make the muzzle first, you will sew this on after you finish row 10 of the head. I found it easier to sew the ears on after the head was stuffed and closed but you can sew them on before. There's no right or wrong way, it's personal preference.
INV DEC: If you see gaps in your stitches as you decrease the rows then use the inv dec. I explain how to do the inv dec in the bear pattern. Fast forward this video to 3 min 46 sec.

Muzzle: with body color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3-4) 1sc in each st for 2 rows
sl st next st and f/o leaving a long tail for sewing
Whip stitch the nose in place then set the muzzle aside until you're ready to sew it on.

Ears: 
with body color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 1sc then 2sc in the next st (9)
3) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (12)
4-5) 1sc in each st for 2 rows
sl st next st and  f/o leaving a tail for sewing.
Do not stuff the ears.


Head and Body:
Starting at the top of the head working down to bottom of body:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
4) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
5-9) 1sc in each st for 5 rows
10) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (18)
Now place the top of the muzzle just below row 5 and sew it in place. Sew on the inside edge, not the outside, for a cleaner look. Knot off, cut the yarn tail shorter and leave it inside the head.
Install the eyes on either side of the muzzle in between the 6th and 7th row.
11) 1sc then 2tog (12)
12) 1sc in each st for 1 row
13) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
14) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
stuff and shape head. Add more stuffing into the head over the next few rows as needed
15) 1sc in each st for 1 row
16) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (30)
17-18) 1sc in each st for 2 rows
19) 1sc in next 3st then 2tog (24)
20) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (18)
21) 1sc then 2tog (12)
stuff the majority of the body
22) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (9)
f/o leaving a tail for sewing. Weave in and out of the remaining stitches then stuff the body. Make sure to shape the body as you stuff. Once done, pull yarn tail tight to close up the body, knot off and hide yarn tail inside body.





Arms: with body color
1) magic circle  with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (9)
4) 1sc in each st for 1 row
stuff to the top edge of arm
5) 1sc through both sides to close up the arm
f/o leaving a tail for sewing

Legs: with body color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc in 3st then 2sc in next st (15)
4) 1sc in each st for 1 row
5) 1sc in next 3st then 2tog (12)
6) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (9)
7) 1sc in each st for 1 row
stuff the first 4 rows of the foot
8) 1sc through both sides across to close up the leg
f/o leaving a tail for sewing

Tail: with body color: Need help with the I-cord tail, Fast forward this video to 2:59
1) make an i-cord about 2 inches long. The finishing yarn tail will be sewn to the body. Bring the starting yarn tail through the center of the i-cord and knot it off at the other end, sew it to the body along with the finishing yarn tail.
If you have troubles making an i-cord, make a tail similar to the giraffe, that would work just as well, I think.

End of tail: with alternate color
1) insert alternate color into any space at the end of the tail that has no yarn tails, ch9 then sc or sl st  into the space beside the start of the chain, ch9 then sc or sl st into any space on the edge of the tail. Do this 4 times then ch5 and sc into the top, center of a chain to connect them. Then sc into the top, center of the next chain and so on until you have connected all the chains. Once you're done connecting the chains together you might have a big gap between the first and last chain, sc through both of them to close that gap. Ch5 and sl st into the edge of the tail. Weave in the yarn tails.
Sew tail to the back of the body.

Assembly of legs and arms:
If feeling unsure about the assembly please watch the video here It is the bear assembly video but the sewing is the same for the legs and arms.

1) It's important to sew the legs on first. Make sure the stuffing is still in the first four rows, squish it around with your fingers and arrange the stuffing best you can. If you sew the legs too far back then the giraffe will not sit up on its own. Play around with position until you are certain it will sit. Whip stitch the edge to the body then tack down both sides so the legs stay in position. About 3 minutes into the assembly video I give you a tip on how to get it to sit up if it falls over.


2) Sew the arms on. Refer to the picture or the assembly video. 



3) Sew the ears on. The top corner should be sewn between the 1st and 2nd row, on either side of the center hole of row 1 as pictured. 




Lion's Mane: Need help with the mane, fast forward this video to 9:38 
Insert your hook anywhere you want to start. I started in front of the ears. Chain 6 then sc in the next space to connect the chain to the head. Repeat all the way around back to where you started then go around one more time for a full look. Once you're done in the front, knot off the starting yarn tail and hide it inside the head. Fill in the back of the head the same way with a series of chain 6.





Copyright 2018 Author: Sharon Ojala - Amigurumi To Go  All rights reserved


Comments

  1. Oh my god, he is so cute ♥ I adore him.

    I want to say, Sharon that I love your amigurumi so much. They are just so adorable. Actually, you're probably the main reason why I fell in love with crochet. But thank you for that. I have a whole notebook of your patterns, every one of them translated and there is still so much to do. Can I ask you just one question? Is it possible to use this type of mane and tail for your Little Bigfoot Lion? That's just an idea that popped in my mind :) Anyway, I love your amazing work. Please never stop. Greetings from the Czech Republic. Simona

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  2. Oi Sharon,sou do Brasil e conheci hoje teu trabalho, é incrível ,você é realmente muito criativa. ...vou fazer o Elefante e te mando foto...obrigada por compartilhar tantos Amigurumis conosco.
    Beijo Anne do Brasil

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you found your way here! I look forward to your photos. Happy crocheting!

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  3. Hi! From Sri Lanka. Thank you sooo much for this lovely bear crochet pattern. Written pattern is very clear and I did it. I love my cute little bear. Thank you again. 🙏 💖

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  4. Dear Sharon, I started Amigurumi with the help of your videos.. Your patterns are Amazing and easy to understand. Thanks a lot for all the wonderful stuff… Looking forward to more…

    ReplyDelete

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