Cosmo the Little Lion
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As promised – here is Cosmo, the Little Lion, designed using Red Heart Scrubby and Red Heart Scrubby Sparkle Yarn!
This pattern is featured in 61 Mini Crochet Animals [Free Patterns] from AllFreeCrochet
To receive the Easy Sunflower Dishcloth pattern from Tuesday, FOR FREE, please visit this post:
Cosmo has already found his forever home with my son Drew, who is 5 years old. He was so excited when he came home from camp today to see him all finished! He hasn’t let him out of his sight since then and is contentedly curled up sleeping now with his Little Lion.
Make Cosmo The Little Lion for your little one too! Free Amigurumi Pattern featuring #redheartyarn' quote='Make Cosmo The Little Lion for your little one too! Free Amigurumi Pattern featuring #redheartyarnYou can make one of these for your little one too – the pattern is quite easy to follow and the yarn is very forgiving. If you work a stitch in an incorrect spot it is difficult to tell – just try your best to follow the number of stitches in each round and check to make sure you don’t have any big holes the stuffing can fall out of and no one will ever notice if you worked 2 of the stitches in the same spot and skipped the next spot accidentally.
I tend to crochet my amigurumi a bit more snuggly – gauge is not imperative for this project – just be sure you make your stitches consistently the same size and if you can see your finger through the holes created by the stitches, switch to a smaller hook size.
If when you go to add your fiberfil, foam or stuffing you can see it through the small holes, one option I picked up from my friend Dedri (she is brilliant by the way!) is to pop your stuffing into bits of nylon stocking which you can tie off into little stuffing bombs. See how she does it right here:
If you are having trouble getting the stuffing into the lion, you can easily use the opposite end of your hook to push it inside. The eraser end of a pencil works well too 🙂
♥ ♥ You might also be interested in the Scrubby Summer of Desserts Giveaway taking place over at Red Heart dot com.
Each week through August 1st they are awarding 1 lucky person a Red Heart Yarn Prize Package worth $50.00. Please visit: Scrubby Summer of Desserts Giveaway – to find out how you can enter! ♥ ♥
Cosmo The Little Lion
Supplies
- Yarn: Yarn Label: Red Heart Scrubby Yarn, (Worsted Weight, 3 oz (85 g), 78 yd (71 m), 100% Polyester) AND Red Heart Scrubby Sparkle Yarn, (Worsted Weight 3 oz, (85 g), 174 yd (159 m, 100% Polyester)
- Sample shown in Colors: Color A: Scrubby Yarn: Zesty, Color B: Scrubby Sparkle Yarn: Lemon
- Care Instructions: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle; tumble dry low
- Hook 4.5 mm (7) Clover Amour Crochet Hook (pictured)
- Scissors, Yarn Needle, Stitch Marker, Fiber-Fil, 9″ Safety Eyes, Black Embroidery Thread
Difficulty Level
EASY-INTERMEDIATE
Finished Size
2 inches wide by approximately 5 inches long
Gauge
Gauge is not imperative for this project – just be sure there are no large holes between your stitches where the stuffing can fall out. If you can see your fingers clearly through the holes between the stitches, go down a hook size (or even two if you crochet loosely).
Abbreviations
US Terminology used
beg – beginning
ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet
hdc2tog – half double crochet 2 stitches together (this is a decrease stitch)
hdc2tog cluster stitch – all worked in one stitch half double crochet 2 together cluster stitch
hdc5tog cluster stitch – all worked in one stitch half double crochet 4 together cluster stitch
MR – magic ring
R – row/round
RS – right side (aka as the ‘pretty side’ of your work)
rem – remaining
rep – repeat
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
st/sts – stitch/stitches
* – Repeat the instructions between the asterisks the number of times indicated. This repeat will contain of multiple instructions.
() – Repeat the instructions between the parentheses the number of times indicated.
[] – at the end of the row – the total number of stitches
Helpful Tutorials
Magic Ring (also known as the magic circle and the adjustable loop)
Joining New Yarn with a Slip Stitch Join
Special Stitches
hdc4tog cluster stitch (this is sometimes called a ball stitch I believe): This cluster stitch is worked all in one stitch as follows: * yarn over the hook, insert hook into the specified stitch, yarn over and pull up 1 loop** Rep from * to ** 3 more times all in the same stitch; yarn over and draw through all 9 loops.
hdc2tog cluster stitch: This cluster stitch is worked all in one stitch as follows: * yarn over the hook, insert hook into the specified stitch, yarn over and pull up 1 loop** Rep from * to ** 1 more time all in the same stitch; yarn over and draw through all 5 loops.
Notes
- This project is worked in rounds for the body and the legs. The tail is worked in rows.
- Do not count the ch 2 as a stitch in the row end total counts
- Do not work into the ch 2 as a stitch (if you are getting extra stitches you may accidentally be working into the ch 2. I suggest using a stitch marker to remind you of where the ch 2 is 🙂
Cosmo The Little Lion Pattern Instructions
Body
You are starting at the NOSE of the lion.
R1: MR: Ch 2, 8 hdc in the MR, sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join [8]
R2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each hdc around, sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join [16]
R3: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each hdc around, sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join [16]
R4: Rep R3
R5: Ch 2, hdc2tog around, sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join [8]
NOTE: At this point I recommend you secure your safety eyes in position and hand-stitch the nose on the ‘face’ of the lion. Once this is done you can stuff the head of the lion, firmly, with polyfil.
R6: Ch 2, hdc2tog around, sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join [4]
R7: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each hdc around, sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join [8]
R8: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each hdc around, sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join [16]
R9: Ch 2, *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in the next st**. Rep from * to ** around. Sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join [24]
R10: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each hdc around, sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join [24]
R11: Ch 2, hdc2tog around, sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join [12]
R12: Ch 2, *hdc2tog over the next 2 sts, 1 hdc in the next st**. Rep from * to ** around , sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join. [8]
Now you need to stuff the rest of the lion’s body completely and firmly – you have one more round where you can top-up the stuffing but the hole will be quite small so you will need to push the stuffing in with the opposite end of your crochet hook, or the eraser-end of a pencil.
R13: Ch 2, hdc2tog around, sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join [4]
Now add a little bit more stuffing. Once you are satisfied you were able to get enough stuffing in there you will need to close the small hole left over.
The closing method I use, is the same method I use when I close the end of my mittens and slouch hats:
Next we need to make 4 legs for our little lion – I have to admit these are the shortest legs I have ever made for a toy / amigurumi. If you want yours a bit longer feel free to repeat the R3 an additional time or two 🙂
Legs (make 4)
R1: MR: ch 1, 5 sc in the MR, sl st to the initial ch 1 to join. [5]
R2: Ch 2, 1 hdc in the bl of each sc around. (if you have trouble finding the back loop just turn your hook slightly and drag the hooky part of the hook across the stitch – it should easily pick up the loop (loops). You can work in both loops here if you want…I don’t think it will make much difference with the type of yarn we are using 🙂 Sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join. [5]
R3: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each st around, sl st to the top of the ch 2 to join. Finish off, leaving a long tail (about 4 – 5 inches) of yarn. You will need this yarn tail to sew the leg to the lion’s body.
Remember if you want the legs a bit longer just repeat R3.
For the legs I just stuffed them with the yarn end from the beginning of R1. You can use polyfil to stuff them if you wish but it wasn’t necessary for the little lion I made for Drew.
Tail
R1: Ch 10, beg in the 2nd ch from the hook and work 1 sc in each ch across, finish off, leaving a long tail for sewing the tail to the body. [9]
Next, attach the Scrubby Sparkle yarn to the end of the tail with 1 sl st (Join to the end without the yarn tails – so in the spot where you skipped 1 ch).
Not sure how to do a sl st join? Please visit this post:
Work hdc4tog cluster (This cluster stitch is worked all in one stitch as follows: * yarn over the hook, insert hook into the specified stitch, yarn over and pull up 1 loop** Rep from * to ** 3 more times all in the same stitch; yarn over and draw through all 9 loops), ch 1, sl st back to base of the tail where you initially joined the Scrubby Sparkle with the sl st. Finish off and weave in any ends of the Scrubby Sparkle yarn.
Mane
This is the fun part 🙂 Don’t be worried because it is super easy! I created my mane with 3 separate rounds of stitches worked directly into the lion’s head. I started with the middle round – then worked the round closest to the lion’s tail. Then I made the Ears (see below) and then finally I worked the front round – you need the ears to be in place in order to successfully work the front round.
Let’s begin. Pick a spot on the lion’s head to begin. See the image below for my example:
Mane Middle Row (1)
Join Scrubby Yarn with a sl st (see joining with a sl st tutorial for assistance) around the post, or stitch you have chosen. *Ch 4, sl st to the next st**. Rep from * to ** around the entire head, finishing as close to where you started as possible. Finish off and weave in any loose ends. If you want it thicker, you can sl st to the same stitch each time, instead of to the next st.
Mane Back Row (toward the tail of the lion) (2)
Join Scrubby Yarn with a sl st (see joining with a sl st tutorial for assistance) around the post, or stitch you have chosen. *Ch 5, sl st to the next st**. Rep from * to ** around the entire head, finishing as close to where you started as possible. Finish off and weave in any loose ends. If you want it thicker, you can sl st to the same stitch each time, instead of to the next st.
We will come back to Mane Front Row after you complete the ears.
Ears (make 2)
The ears are created by working directly into the lion’s head. Choose where you would like the ears to be located.
Take a look at mine if you need help:
Next, join the Scrubby yarn with a sl st to the post of the st you have chosen. Work a hd2tog cluster stitch in the same spot. Ch 1 and sl st back to the post to join. Finish off and then weave in the loose ends.
Note: The hd2tog cluster stitch is all worked in one stitch (just like the hdc4tog cluster stitch was for the tail, except you only need to repeat the instructions 1 time; not 3 times.).
Mane Front Round (3)
Join Scrubby Yarn with a sl st (see joining with a sl st tutorial for assistance) around the post, or stitch you have chosen. *Ch 3, sl st to the next st**. Rep from * to ** around the entire head, finishing as close to where you started as possible. Finish off and weave in any loose ends. If you want it thicker, you can sl st to the same stitch each time, instead of to the next st.
I did not work in front of the ears, only behind them. Feel free to work in front of them if you would like them peeking out from between 2 of the rounds of mane hair 🙂
Finishing
Sew the legs in place and then the tail. You can see where I put mine in the images below:
Weave in any remaining loose ends. If you have not yet embroidered your little lion’s face yet, you can do so now. If you do not want to embroider it you can always try using felt for a nose 🙂
He really is just a little guy 🙂
PS: If you want a bag like the one I have – you can get them from Amy 🙂 Functionally Stylish with Amy I LOVE my Thirty-One Gifts bags! The Caddy’s are great too 🙂 I pop my small works in progress in them with my yarn and hook and cell phone and then sit on the deck and crochet 🙂
This is the one I have and I use it every day! Creative Caddy
Here’s his little photo shoot – he was a bit shy and Drew really wanted to play with him so it was a bit difficult!
Please remember to add Cosmo The Little Lion to your favorites on Ravelry 🙂 I’d ♥ to see your project pages too!
Have fun!
