Free Crochet Lion Beanie Pattern
Here is a free crochet lion beanie pattern for a shaggy, happy lion with a baby roar. It's perfect for Halloween, or just for a kid who loves lions! It comes in all sizes, from birth to adult.
I Made Beanie for Halloween
For Halloween, I've made my three sweet little boys their own crocheted hats – a fox, this crochet lion beanie pattern and a moose, all ideas from my oldest, Gabe. They look positively adorable and I really enjoyed making the hats and costumes! I made this lion hat for our middle child – he's got a mop of curly hair that reminds me of a lion and he loves to pretend he's one, roaring around the house.
Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this project! I love Vanna's Choice yarn and requested it – it's a strong acrylic with 8% rayon that makes it really soft and so easy to work with. The color choices are endless, so I can always find the color I need.
Free Crochet Lion Beanie Pattern
Materials Needed
- Vanna’s Choice Yarn by Lion Brand in Barley (the brown), Mustard (the hat color), Beige (cheeks), Autumn Print (part of the mane), Terra Cotta (smile and mane)
- Hook (unless otherwise stated for the face pieces): H, 5.0 mm
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle to sew on pieces and sew in tails
Tutorials to Help You
- How to Work In the Round – if you’ve never done a hat before, one skill that’s needed is to be able to work in the round. I have a complete photo tutorial to guide you all the way!
- Increasing and Decreasing – to make the triangle eyes and the ear flaps, you’ll need to know how to work a decreasing stitch. Check out my full photo tutorial to learn it!
- Hat Measurements for Crochet and Knit – if you know the exact size of the head for which you are making the hat, you might be better off using my sizing guide to make the perfect fit.
Newborn to 3 months
Round 1
- CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 7 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (8 HDC total)
Round 2
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 2 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (16 HDC total)
Round 3
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in next space
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in next space
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (24 HDC total)
Round 4
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (32 HDC total)
Round 5
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)
Round 6 (work an increasing stitch just 2 times this round, doesn’t matter where)
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 19 spaces
- 2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 19 spaces
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (42 HDC total)
Done with the crown!
The Sides: Rounds 7-17
(or keep working rounds until the hat is about 6 inches tall)
- CH 2 (or mark with a stitch marker and eliminate the CH 2 and SL ST at the end of the round, in other words, work a continual round)
- 1 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of CH 2 (42 HDC total)
Rounds 14-17 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space
3 to 6 months
Here's how to work the free crochet lion beanie pattern for cute 3-6 month olds.
Round 1
- CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 7 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (8 HDC total)
Round 2
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 2 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (16 HDC total)
Round 3
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in next space
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in next space
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (24 HDC total)
Round 4
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (32 HDC total)
Round 5
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)
Round 6
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 9 spaces
- *2 HDC in the next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 9 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (44 HDC total)
Done with the crown!
The Sides: Rounds 7-20
(or keep working rounds until it’s about 7 inches tall)
- CH 2 (or mark with a stitch marker and eliminate the CH 2 and SL ST at the end of the round, in other words, work a continual round)
- 1 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of CH 2 (44 HDC total)
Rounds 17-20 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space
6-12 Months (16 to 18 inch head)
Round 1
- CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 7 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (8 HDC total)
Round 2
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 2 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (16 HDC total)
Round 3
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in next space
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in next space
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (24 HDC total)
Round 4
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (32 HDC total)
Round 5
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)
Round 6
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (48 HDC total)
Done with the crown!
The Sides: Rounds 7-23
(or keep working rounds until it’s about 7.5 inches tall)
- CH 2 (or mark with a stitch marker and eliminate the CH 2 and SL ST at the end of the round, in other words, work a continual round)
- 1 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of CH 2 (48 HDC total)
Rounds 19-23 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space
Toddler – 12 Months to 3 Years
Here's how to work the crochet lion beanie pattern for toddlers!
Round 1
- CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 9 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (10 HDC total)
Round 2
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 2 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (20 HDC total)
Round 3
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in next space
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in next space
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (30 HDC total)
Round 4
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (30 HDC total)
Round 5
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)
Round 6
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)
Round 7
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (50 HDC total)
Done with the crown!
The Sides: Rounds 8-25
(or keep working rounds until it’s about 8 inches tall)
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (50 HDC total)
Rounds 21-25 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space
Child Size – 3-10 Years
Round 1
- CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 9 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (10 HDC total)
Round 2
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 2 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (20 HDC total)
Round 3
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in next space
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in next space
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (30 HDC total)
Round 4
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (30 HDC total)
Round 5
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)
Round 6
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (50 HDC total)
Round 7
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (60 HDC total)
Done with the crown!
The Sides: Rounds 8-25
(or keep working rounds until the hat is about 8 inches tall)
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (60 HDC total)
Rounds 20-25 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space
Pre-Teens and Teens
Here's how to work the crochet lion beanie pattern for teenagers!
Round 1
- CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 9 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (10 HDC total)
Round 2
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 2 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (20 HDC total)
Round 3
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in next space
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in next space
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (30 HDC total)
Round 4
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (30 HDC total)
Round 5
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)
Round 6
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (50 HDC total)
Round 7
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (60 HDC total)
Round 8
Work an increasing stitch only 5 times this round (an increasing stitch is 2 HDC in one stitch).
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 11 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 11 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (65 HDC total)
Done with the crown!
The Sides: Rounds 9-28
(or keep working rounds until the hat is about 9 inches tall)
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (65 HDC total)
Rounds 23-28 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space
Adults (for a 22-23 inch head)
Round 1
- CH 3, SL ST to form a ring
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 9 HDC in ring, SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (10 HDC total)
Round 2
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 2 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (20 HDC total)
Round 3
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in next space
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in next space
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (30 HDC total)
Round 4
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (30 HDC total)
Round 5
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (40 HDC total)
Round 6
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (50 HDC total)
Round 7
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (60 HDC total)
Round 8
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in same space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 5 spaces
- *2 HDC in next space
- 1 HDC in each of the next 5 spaces
- Repeat from * all the way around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (70 HDC total)
Done with the crown!
The Sides: Rounds 9-34
(or keep working rounds until the hat is about 9 inches tall)
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each space around
- SL ST to top of beginning CH 2 (70 HDC total)
Rounds 30-34 change to white and continue with 1 HDC in each space
Trick For Sewing On the Face Parts Symmetrically
I have spent many a precious hour sewing and resewing facial parts onto projects before and have found the best and easiest way to do it is to tack all of the pieces onto the hat with sewing pins first. It takes more time up front, but saves lots of frustration and time later!
Crochet Ear Flap Pattern
Knowledge of a half double crochet decrease stitch is necessary to complete the ear flaps. If you’ve never worked one, here is my complete photo tutorial!
Row 1
- CH 16
- In 3rd CH from hook, work a HDC
- 1 HDC in each CH down (13 HDC total)
Row 2
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
- 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces (11 HDC total)
Row 3
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces
- 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 HDC in each of the next 4 spaces (10 HDC total)
Row 4
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 HDC decrease in each of the next 4 spaces (9 HDC total)
Row 5
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 HDC decrease in each of the next 3 spaces (8 HDC total)
Row 6
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces
- 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces (7 HDC total)
Row 7
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in the next space
- 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 HDC in each of the next 3 spaces (6 HDC total)
Row 8
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC in the next space
- 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces (5 HDC total)
Row 9
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces (4 HDC total)
Row 10
- CH 2 (counts as first HDC)
- 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 HDC in the last space (3 HDC total)
Row 11
- CH 2
- 1 HDC decrease in the next 2 spaces
Finish off
The Pucker Stitch Border
Once the ear flaps are sewn on, I crocheted a pucker stitch border around the entire hat.
- SL ST anywhere you want, CH 1
- *Treble crochet in the next stitch
- SC in the next
- Repeat all the way around
- SL ST to the CH 1 and fasten off
Crochet Eye Pattern
G hook, use the barley (brown) yarn
Round 1
- CH 2, SL ST to form a ring (or use a magic circle)
- 7 SC in ring (8 total)
Round 2
- CH 2
- 2 SC in next space
- *1 SC in next space
- 2 SC in next space
- Repeat from * all the way around (12 SC total)
Round 3
- CH 2
- 1 SC in each space around (12 SC total)
Sew into middle of the eye triangles
Crochet Nose Pattern
Use barley (brown) yarn, G hook
Row 1
- CH 8
- 1 SC in 2nd CH from hook
- 1 SC in each CH (7 total)
Row 2
- CH 1 (counts as first SC)
- 1 SC in the next space
- 1 SC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 SC in each of the next 3 spaces (6 SC total)
Row 3
- CH 2 (counts as first SC)
- 1 SC in the next space
- 1 SC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 SC in each of the next 2 spaces (5 SC total)
Row 4
- CH 2 (counts as first SC)
- 1 SC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 SC in each of the next 2 spaces (4 SC total)
Row 5
- CH 2 (counts as first SC)
- 1 SC decrease in the next 2 spaces
- 1 SC in the last space (3 SC total)
Row 6
- CH 2
- 1 SC decrease in the next 2 spaces
Finish off
Cheeks
Use wheat (creamish) yarn, G hook
- Round 1: CH 3, SL ST to form a ring (or work a magic circle)
- Round 2: CH 1, 7 SC in ring (8 SC total)
- Round 3: CH 1, 2 SC in each space around (16 SC total)
- Round 4: CH 1, 1 SC in same space, 1 SC in next space. *2 SC in next space, 1 SC in next space. Repeat from * all the way around (24 SC total)
Crochet Smile Pattern
Use Radiant Orange – CH 13. Sew in between cheeks.
Crochet Braids Patern
Take 10 strands of yarn and cut them 24 inches long
Fold them in half as a group and knot onto the end of 1 ear flap by inserting the loop into a space at the point of the flap and pull the ends of the strands through the loop.
Divide evenly into 3 groups and braid. Tie off the end of the braid with a strand of yarn and trim the ends so they are even.
Crochet Mane Tutorial
To make the lion mane for this crochet lion beanie pattern, cut many strips of all the yarn colors, 12 inches long. I cut so many I can't remember how many there were. I folded each strand in half, pulled it through each stitch, and tied a loop knot. I lined them up on the middle of the hat, starting from the bottom and did 3 stitches across, like in the picture.