Crochet Lion Baby Blanket (Free Pattern)

If you’re looking for a fun project, then you’ve come to the right place!

Today, I’m thrilled to share the free pattern for this crochet lion baby blanket with the most adorable little 3D faces.

COZY WARMTH

Made with a lightweight / DK / 8 ply yarn, this blanket is perfect for nurseries and playrooms.

It would also make a very unique handmade baby shower gift (a matching hat is also available).

Really fun to make, this lion blanket will bring a roar of joy to any little one’s day!

PDF PRINTABLE PATTERN

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VIDEO TUTORIAL

Crochet along with me to make this crochet lion baby blanket!

Just click on the play button below (you can view the full tutorial on the Maisie and Ruth YouTube channel).

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CROCHET LION BABY BLANKET: A FREE PATTERN

Please carefully read all the information below.

LEVEL

“Projects may include simple stitch patterns, color work, and/or shaping”.

Source: Craft Yarn Council of America’s www.YarnStandards.com

PATTERN NOTES

• US crochet terms used throughout.
• The blanket is worked in rounds.
• Rounds 1-8 of the lion are worked in continuous rounds: you do not join to the first stitch at the beginning of the round. Working in this way ensures that there is no seam.
• When working in continuous rounds, it’s important to attach a stitch marker to the first stitch of each round otherwise it will be extremely hard to spot the beginning of each round.
• There is a step-by-step video to accompany this pattern. If you would like to refer to the video for further guidance, I have put the relevant minute mark beside each section of the pattern. These timestamps can be found in the description box below the video on YouTube.

SUPPLIES

• Yarn: Any category #3 / DK / 8 ply yarn. I used Stylecraft Naturals Cotton & Bamboo, 273yds / 3.5oz (250m / 100g) in the following colours: 2 balls of Colour A: Natural (7146); 6 balls of Colour B: Ecru (7128); 1 ball of Colour C: Nutmeg (7147); 1 ball of Colour D: Umber (7161); 1 ball of Colour E: Pitch (7153).
• ALTERNATIVE YARN SUGGESTIONS: Premier Yarns Cotton Sprout DK, Cascade Pandamonium Yarn, Premier Yarns Bamboo Fair Yarn, Universal Yarns Bamboo Pop Yarn
• Crochet hook: 3mm (OPTIONAL: to seam the squares I sized up to an E / 3.5mm hook)
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)
• Stitch marker

GAUGE / TENSION

Each square measures 5.5″ (14cm)

Gauge is not crucial here, but I would recommend that you keep a consistent tension so that all your squares end up the same size.

FINISHED SIZE

Width – 31 inches / 79cm

Length – 31 inches / 79cm

STITCHES & ABBREVIATIONS (US CROCHET TERMS)

beg – beginning

BLO – back loop only. Insert your hook and work the stitch into the back loop only.

ch(s) – chain(s)

dc – double crochet. Yarn over (yo), insert hook into stitch, yo, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yo, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Yo, pull through remaining 2 loops. 1 double crochet completed.

FLO – front loop only. Insert your hook and work the stitch into the front loop only.

RS – right side: The side of your work that you want to have on display – the ‘pretty’ side.

sc – single crochet. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over (yo), pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Yo, pull through both loops on hook. 1 single crochet completed.

sk – skip: Do not crochet into this stitch / space.

sl st – slip stitch. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over (yo), pull up a loop, you will have 2 loops on your hook. Pull the first loop through the second loop. 1 slip stitch completed.

sp(s) – space(es).

st(s) – stitch(es)

tr – treble crochet. Yarn over (yo) twice, insert hook into stitch, yo, pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). Yo, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook). Yo, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Yo, pull through remaining 2 loops. 1 treble crochet completed.

SPECIAL STITCHES

EXdc– Extended double crochet: Yarn over (yo), insert hook into st or sp, pull up a loop, 3 loops on hook, yo, pull through 1 loop (3 loops remain on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops (2 loops remain on hook), yo, pull through both loops. I EXdc made.

* to * – Repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed.

( ) – Sets of stitches to be worked within one stitch or space. Or sets of stitches to be worked as many times as directed.

[ ] – The total number of stitches at the end of a row.

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

LION SQUARE (MAKE 13)

MINUTE MARK OF VIDEO: 03:10

Using Colour A:

Make a magic circle. (if you do not like the magic circle method, see the Alternative Round 1 below).

Round 1. 6sc in the magic circle, do not join round, instead place a st marker in the first sc of the round [6 sts].

Alternative Round 1. Ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (work over yarn tail), do not join round, instead place a st marker in the first sc of the round [6 sts].

Round 2. 2sc in next 6 sts [12 sts].

Round 3. *2sc in next st, 1sc in next st*, repeat from * to * 6 times [18 sts].

Round 4. 1sc in next st, 2sc in next st, *1sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st*, repeat from * to * 5 times, ending with 1sc in last st [24 sts].

Round 5. *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 3 sts*, repeat from * to * 6 times [30 sts].

Round 6. 1sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st, *1sc in next 4 sts, 2sc in next st*, repeat from * to * 5 times, ending with 1sc in last 2 sts [36 sts].

Round 7. *2sc in next st, 1sc in next 5 sts*, repeat from * to * 6 times [42 sts].

Round 8. 1sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st, *1sc in next 6 sts, 2sc in next st*, repeat from * to * 5 times, ending with 1sc in last 3 sts, to join sl st to 1st sc or make an invisible join [48 sts].

Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.

Change to Colour B:

Attach yarn to BLO of last stitch worked.

Round 9. Ch3 (counts as your 1st st here and throughout), 1dc in BLO of next 2 sts, 1EXdc in BLO of next 2sts, (2tr, ch2, 2tr) in BLO of next st, *1EXdc in BLO of next 2 sts, 1dc in BLO of next 7 sts, 1EXdc in BLO of next 2 sts, (2tr, ch2, 2tr) in the BLO of the next st*, repeat from * to * twice, 1EXdc in BLO of next 2 sts, 1dc in BLO of next 7 sts, 1EXdc in BLO of next 2 sts, (2tr, ch2, 2tr) in BLO of next st, 1EXdc in BLO of next 2sts, 1dc in BLO of last 4 sts, sl st to top of beg ch3 to join, [15 sts on each side of square, 4 x ch2 sps].

Round 10. Ch3, 1dc in next 6 sts, *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 corner sp, 1dc in next 15 sts*, repeat from * to * for a total of 3 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in last ch2 corner sp, 1dc in last 8 sts, to join sl st to top of beg ch3 or make an invisible join (for easier seaming later), [19 sts on each side of square, 4x ch2 sps].

Round 11. Ch3, 1dc in next 8 sts, *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 corner sp, 1dc in next 19 sts*, repeat from * to * for a total of 3 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in last ch2 corner sp, 1dc in last 10 sts, to join sl st to top of beg ch3 or make an invisible join (for easier seaming later), [23 sts on each side of square, 4x ch2 sps].

Round 12. Ch3, 1dc in next 10 sts, *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 corner sp, 1dc in next 23 sts*, repeat from * to * for a total of 3 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in last ch2 corner sp, 1dc in last 12 sts, make an invisible join, [27 sts on each side of square, 4x ch2 sps].

IMPORTANT: If you used the magic circle method in round 1, make sure that you weave in the yarn tail securely so that the middle of your square does not unravel.

Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.

MANE (1st PART)

MINUTE MARK: 01:19:46

With Colour C:

Attach yarn to any front loop of round 8:

Round 1. Ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next st*, repeat from * to 24 times *, sl st to 1st sc to join [72 sts].

Round 2. *Ch3 (counts as your 1st st), 4dc in same st, sk next 3 sts, sl st in next st*, repeat from * to * until end (sl st to base of beg ch3 at end of round) [18 SL/shells].

Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.

SNOUT

MINUTE MARK: 01:19:46

With Colour B:

Make a magic circle (if you do not like the magic circle method, see the Alternative Round 1 below).

Round 1. 8sc in the magic circle, do not join round, instead place a st marker in the first sc of the round [8 sts].

Alternative Round 1. Ch2, 8sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join round, instead place a st marker in the first sc of the round [8 sts].

Round 2. 2sc in next 8 sts [16 sts].

Round 3. *2sc in next st, 1sc in next st*, repeat from * to * 8 times [24 sts].

Cut yarn (leave a long tail of 10 inches /25 cm for sewing) & fasten off.

EMBROIDER THE NOSE

MINUTE MARK: 01:44:45

With Colour D:

Cut a piece of yarn about 10 inches / 25cm.

Thread the yarn through your yarn needle and begin embroidering the nose in between the second and third rounds, over 3 stitches:

SEW ON SNOUT

MINUTE MARK: 01:52:55

Sew snout onto bottom centre of lion face.

EYES

MINUTE MARK: 02:01:23

With Colour E:

Cut two pieces of yarn approx. 8” / 25cm each.

Embroider one eye on either side of the snout.

EARS (MAKE 26)

MINUTE MARK: 02:08:00

With Colour A:

Make a magic circle, leaving a cast on tail of about 8 inches / 20cm (if you do not like the magic circle method, see the Alternative Round 1 below).

Round 1. 6sc in the magic circle, do not join round, instead place a st marker in the first sc of the round [6 sts].

Alternative Round 1. Ch2 (leave a cast on tail of about 8 inches / 20cm), 6sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join round, instead place a st marker in the first sc of the round [6 sts].

Round 2. 2sc in next 5 sts (leave last st unworked), sl st to 1st sc to join round [10 sts].

Cut yarn (leave a long tail of 8 inches / 20cm for sewing) & fasten off.

SEW ON EARS

MINUTE MARK: 02:13:03

Sew one ear in each corner corner of lion square.

MANE (2nd PART)

MINUTE MARK: 02:19:28

With Colour C:

Row 1. Ch13, 4dc in 5th ch from hook, sk next 3 ch, sl st in next ch, (ch3, 3dc) in next ch, sl st in last ch, TURN.

Row 2. Ch1, sl st in next 4 sps, (sl st, ch3, 3dc, sl st) in next sl st.

Cut a yarn tail approx. 4” / 10cm long for sewing mane to lion square, fasten off.

SEW ON MANE

MINUTE MARK: 02:27:39

Sew the second part of the mane onto the lion square, in between the ears.

BACKING FOR LION SQUARE (MAKE 13)

MINUTE MARK: 02:34:19

I like to make backings for my lion squares. This is an easy and effective way to hide all the yarn tails.

To make each backing, just follow rounds 1-8 of the lion square pattern above.

Cut a long yarn tail (about 20 inches / 50 cm) and sew the circle (with the wrong side facing you) onto the back of your lion square. I like to use the whip stitch.

MINUTE MARK: 02:38:05

Using Colour B:

Make a magic circle. (if you do not like the magic circle method, see the Alternative Round 1 below).

Round 1. Ch5 (counts as your 1st dc and a ch2), (3dc, ch2 into the magic circle) 3 times, 2dc, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch5 to join [3dc on each side of square].

Alternative Round 1. Ch4, sl st to 1st ch to form a ring, ch5 (counts as your 1st dc and a ch2), (3dc, ch2) into the ring 3 times, 2dc, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch5 to join [3dc on each side of square].

Round 2. Ch3 (counts as your 1st dc here and throughout), *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next ch2 corner sp, 1dc in next 3 sts*, repeat from * to * for a total of 3 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in last ch2 corner sp, 1dc in last 2 sts, sl st to top of beg ch3 to join, [7 dc on each side of square].

Round 3. Ch3, 1dc in next 2 sts, *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next ch2 corner sp, 1dc in next 7 sts*, repeat from * to * for a total of 3 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in last ch2 corner sp, 1dc in last 4 sts, sl st to top of beg ch3 to join, [11 dc on each side of square].

Round 4. Ch3, 1dc in next 4 sts, *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next ch2 corner sp, 1dc in next 11 sts*, repeat from * to * for a total of 3 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in last ch2 corner sp, 1dc in last 6 sts, sl st to top of beg ch3 to join, [15 dc on each side of square].

Round 5. Ch3, 1dc in next 6 sts, *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next ch2 corner sp, 1dc in next 15 sts*, repeat from * to * for a total of 3 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in last ch2 corner sp, 1dc in last 8 sts, sl st to top of beg ch3 to join, [19 dc on each side of square].

Round 6. Ch3, 1dc in next 8 sts, *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next ch2 corner sp, 1dc in next 19 sts*, repeat from * to * for a total of 3 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in last ch2 corner sp, 1dc in last 10 sts, sl st to top of beg ch3 to join, [23 dc on each side of square].

Round 7. Ch3, 1EXdc in next 10 sts, *(2EXdc, ch2, 2EXdc) in next ch2 corner sp, 1EXdc in next 23 sts*, repeat from * to * for a total of 3 times, (2EXdc, ch2, 2EXdc) in last ch2 corner sp, 1EXdc in last 12 sts, sl st to top of beg ch3 to join or make an invisible join (easier when seaming later), [27 EXdc on each side of square].

Weave in ends.

IMPORTANT: If you used the magic circle method in round 1, make sure that you weave in the yarn tail securely so that the middle of your square does not unravel.

ARRANGEMENT OF LION CROCHET BABY BLANKET

MINUTE MARK: 03:19:09

Once you’ve made all your squares, you will arrange them before joining.

The following diagram shows you how you will arrange your squares:

JOINING YOUR SQUARES

MINUTE MARK: 03:19:27

Using Colour B and an E (3.5mm) crochet hook:

Seam your squares together. I used the single crochet seam to join my squares.

You can use any method you like to join your squares (e.g. the flat slip stitch seam).

BORDER

MINUTE MARK: 03:32:27

Once you have joined your squares, you will then finish your blanket off with a border consisting of 9 rounds.

Using Colour B:

Attach yarn to the ch2 corner sp in the top right hand corner of the blanket:

Round 1. *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 corner sp, 1dc in each st to next ch2 corner sp, working 1 tr2tog over the ch2 sps at each seam*, repeat from * to * 4 times, sl st to 1st dc at beg of round to join.

Working a tr2tog at the seams.

Round 2. Sl st in next st, sl st in ch2 sp, *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 corner sp, 1dc in each st to next ch2 corner sp*, repeat from * to * 4 times, sl st to 1st dc at beg of round to join.

Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.

Change to Colour A:

Attach yarn to dc immediately after any ch2 corner sp:

Round 3. Ch3, 1dc in ch2 corner sp, cross st completed – photo 11, *(sk next st, 1dc in st just skipped) until next ch2 corner sp, work each ch2 corner sp as follows: sk ch2 corner sp, 1dc in next st, 1dc in ch2 sp just skipped*, repeat from * to * around blanket, sl st to top of beg ch3 to join round.

Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.

Change to Colour B:

Attach yarn to the corner of blanket, in between the two sets of cross stitches:

Round 4. *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in corner of blanket, 1dc in each st to next corner*, repeat from * to * 4 times, sl st to 1st dc at beg of round to join.

Round 5. Repeat round 2.

Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.

Change to Colour C:

Attach yarn to dc immediately after any ch2 corner sp:

Round 6. Repeat round 3.

Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.

Change to Colour B:

Attach yarn to the corner of blanket, in between the two sets of cross stitches:

Rounds 7 & 8. Repeat round 2.

Round 9. Sl st in next st, sl st in ch2 sp, ch1 *(1sc, ch1, 1sc) in ch2 corner sp, 1sc in each st to next ch2 corner sp*, repeat from * to * 4 times, sl st to 1st sc at beg of round to join.

Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.

Your crochet lion baby blanket is now finished!

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