Kindly Lion and Mouse

The Kindly Lion and Mouse pattern are sure to delight while also reminding us all that kindness comes in all shapes and sizes and even the small can help the great.

The Lion measures approximately 3 inches tall (7.6 cm) not including the glorious mane and the Mouse measures a super small 5/8 inch (1.6 cm).

Read on to learn more about my inspiration and yarn choice (as well as several variable yarn options) for the Kindly Lion and Mouse or scroll down to the bottom to find the free pattern.

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The Inspiration

Do you know Aesop’s Fable The Lion and the Mouse? The story has been shared with several slight variations over the years, but goes something like this,

One day a Lion lay asleep in the forest with his head resting on his great paws. A timid Mouse came across his path unexpectedly, and in her fright and great haste to get away, she ran across the Lion’s nose.

The Lion rouse from his nap and angrily laid his paw on the small frightened Mouse, ready to kill her.

“Spare me, ” she begged. “Let me go and one day I will repay you.” The Lion laughed, amused at the thought that such a wee Mouse could ever actually help him, but generously he let her go.

Several days later, while out stalking prey, the Lion became trapped in a hunter’s net. He roared and roared, filling the forest with his angry cries for help. The Mouse knew the voice of the Lion and quickly found him struggling, unable to free himself from the net’s grasp.

Running to one of the thick ropes that held him bound, the mouse gnawed and gnawed until eventually, the Lion was free. “You laughed when I said that I would repay you,” said the Mouse. “Now you see that even a Mouse can help a Lion.”

The perfect story with a moral of how giving mercy brings a reward and shows that even the smallest being can help those who are considered greater.

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When an Amigurumi Showcase challenge was recently announced over on Instagram, hosted by @lex_in_stitches, @ohanacraft, @belleandgrace_hmc, @lemonyarncreations, and @made_by_penguins I quickly knew what I would make for my submission.

The fable of the Lion and the Mouse just seemed fitting, for in a way it is also a story of community over competition.

Time and time again I see people in the fiber community, those well known as well as those that are less known, reaching out to help each other in various ways. There is so much more that can be accomplished when we do together in kindness.

My Lion and Mouse submission was not chosen to be in the top six shortlisted, but congratulations go to @kindlycrochet, @erins_amigurumi, @amimaland, @chrisette_designs, @skatiedes, @migus.lanudos.

And if you’re on Instagram, you may also want to check out the hashtag #amigurumishowcase to see pictures of the many fabulous submissions, find some new artists to follow, and if you’re not already doing so, you can follow me there too!

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The Yarn

I’ve been playing around with several ideas for smaller crochet pieces, so when the challenge directed us to create a piece that was small enough to fit into the palm of our hand, I went straight to my Paintbox Yarns Simply DK that I’ve been enjoying recently. It is available through LoveCrafts.com in 50 different shades, so plenty of colors to choose from!

It is a soft acrylic yarn with 302 yds (276 m) to a skein, so plenty to make multiple lion and mouse friends! I originally used the colors Mustard Yellow, Champagne White, Soft Fudge, and Coffee Brown to create my lion but then thought how fun it would be to create one in a different color combination. I chose grey tones, using Slate Grey, Misty Grey, and Granite Grey, and am absolutely delighted how this lion turned out as well.

This is very much me. I make something in one color combination and then wonder what it would look like in every other color combination possible, lol. I’ll be excited to see what you create!

Substitutions

The Paintbox Simply DK yarn is a light, size 3 acrylic yarn so other yarns in that size and fiber content should work well as a substitution.

If cotton yarn is preferred, I think that it would make a fine substitution for this project. Acrylic and cotton yarns have unique characteristics so the overall look will change, but both are great options. I personally use both cotton and acrylic for my pieces depending on the look that I’m going for, but I do know that some individuals absolutely prefer one over the other. I will note that mixing them in the same project is not something that I do.

Don’t have any DK yarn on hand? The Lion and the Mouse can also be made using worsted weight yarn. I recommend using a Size E/4 (3.5 mm) hook and 9 mm safety eyes. For an even smaller version use a Size 10 Crochet Thread. I recommend a No.4 (1.25 mm) steel hook and hand stitching the eyes.

Note that changing the yarn and hook size will change the size of the finished piece. The Lion made in worsted weight yarn is approximately 5 inches (12.7 cm) tall and the Lion in crochet thread is approximately 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) tall not including their manes.

The Mouse in worsted weight yarn is approximately 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) long without the tail and 1 inch (2.5 cm) tall. The crochet thread Mouse is approximately .5 inch (1.27 cm) long without the tail and 3/8 inch (0.95 cm) tall.

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The Pattern

Difficulty

Intermediate

Materials

• Crochet Hook, Size B/1 (2.25 mm)  
• Stitch Marker(s)
• Scissors
• Stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Pins
• Disc Needle Puller (optional)
• Glue to stiffen the mouse’s tail (optional)
• Safety eyes, 4 mm 
• Embroidery Floss, Black and Pink (for the mouse)
• Embroidery Needle 
• Chopstick, dowel, or something similar to help with stuffing small parts
• Paintbox Yarns Simply DK (light 3-Light,100% acrylic, Approx 302 yds/276 m, 3.5 oz/100 g): Color (A) Mustard Yellow/Col. 123, used approx. 45 yds, Color (B) Champagne White/Col. 102, used approx. 6 yds, Color (C) Coffee Bean/Col. 110, used approx. 6 yds, Color (D) Soft Fudge/Col. 109, used approx. 15 yds, Color (E) Slate Grey/Col. 105, used approx. 5 yds

Gauge

Using hook size B/1 (2.25 mm) the first 5 rounds of the body measure approximately 1.25 inches (3.18 cm) in diameter.

Finished Measurements

Using hook size B/1 (2.25 mm) the Lion measures approximately 3 in (7.6 cm) tall in the sitting position to the tip of the ear, not considering the mane.

Using hook size B/1 (2.25 mm) the Mouse measures approximately .75 in (1.9 cm) long not including the tail and is approx 5/8 in (1.6 cm) tall to the tip of the ear.

Design Notes

• The pattern is written using US crochet terminology.
• The pattern is primarily written in rounds, it will be helpful to place a stitch marker at the beginning stitch of the round and move it up at the start of each additional round. The nose piece and a portion of the hind leg for the Lion will be worked in rows. This will be indicated in the pattern.
• At the end of each round/row, the number of stitches for completion is noted in parentheses.
• Further design notes will be provided throughout the pattern to help aid in construction.
• Caution! If using safety eyes take into consideration who will be using the item. The use of safety eyes is not recommended for children under the age of three or for those prone to putting things in their mouth as they may cause a choking hazard. Crocheted or hand embroidered eyes are a great alternative! The Mouse in this design is also very small and could pose a choking hazard if swallowed.

Abbreviations/Stitches Used

• back bar of the ch – horizontal bar on the backside of a ch
• bo – Bobble (described below under special stitches)
• ch – Chain
• Rnd(s) – Round(s)
• sc – Single crochet
• sc2tog – Single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease)
• sl st – Slip stitch
• st(s) – Stitch(s)
• [ ] / ( ) – Work instructions between brackets as many times as directed
• magic circle/adjustable ring

Special Stitches

Bobble (bo): A 3dcbo (three double crochet bobble) is used in this pattern. Essentially it’s 3 half-finished double crochets worked all in the same stitch that are joined at the end as one stitch, creating a puffy stitch.

To create a 3dcbo

With the working loop on the hook:

1. Yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch,
2. Yarn over and pull up a loop (three loops on the hook),
3. Yarn over and pull through two loops (one leg made, two loops on the hook),
4. Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch,
5. Yarn over and pull up a loop (four loops on the hook)
6. Yarn over and pull through two loops (two legs made, three loops on the hook),
7. Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch,
8. Yarn over and pull up a loop (five loops on the hook)
9. Yarn over and pull through two loops (three legs made, four loops on the hook),
10. Yarn over and pull through all four loops. (3dcbo completed)

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Let’s Make Our Lion!

Body

Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (18sts)
• Rnd 4: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (24sts)
• Rnd 5: [Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (30sts)
• Rnds 6-9: Sc in each st around. (30sts for 4 Rnds)
• Rnd 10: [Sc in the next 3sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (24sts)
• Rnd 11: Sc in each st around. (24sts)
• Rnd 12: [Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (18sts)

Firmly stuff and shape the body and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.

• Rnds 13-14: Sc in each st around. (18sts for 2 Rnds)
• Rnd 15: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 6 times. (12sts)
• Rnd 16: Sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Fasten off leaving a long tail for stitching. Leave the starting stitch marker in place for later reference.

Head

The head is worked from the front muzzle to the back of the head. 

Using Color (B)

• Ch 5
• Rnd 1: In the back bar of the ch: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in the next 2sts, 3sc in the last st (one side worked, corner rounded, first st on other side worked), In the front loops of the ch: sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the last st. (10sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in the next st, sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next st. (14sts) 
• Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (14sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 4: Sc2tog, sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog, sc in the next st, sc2tog, sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog, sc in the next st. (10sts)
• Rnd 5: 2sc in each st around. (20sts)
• Rnds 6-7: Sc in each st around. (20sts for 2 Rnds)
• Rnd 8: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 10 times. (30sts)
• Rnd 9: [Sc in the next 5sts, 2sc in next st] 5 times. (35sts)
• Rnds 10-12: Sc in each st around. (35sts for 3 Rnds)

Insert the safety eyes. Suggested placement is between Rnds 8 and 9 approximately 5sts apart. Firmly stuff and shape the head and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.

• Rnd 13: [Sc in the next 5sts, sc2tog] 5 times. (30sts)
• Rnd 14: [Sc in the next 4sts, sc2tog] 5 times. (25sts)
• Rnd 15: Sc in each st around. (25sts)
• Rnd 16: [Sc in the next 3sts, sc2tog] 5 times. (20sts)
• Rnd 17: [Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 5 times. (15sts)
• Rnd 18 : [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 5 times. (10sts)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail to close up the hole. Close the hole with a tapestry needle stitching only through the front loops until the hole pulls nicely closed, secure and weave in the end.

Nose Piece

Using Color (C)

Leave a 5+ inch long starting tail for stitching.

• Ch 2
• Row 1: In the back bar of the ch: 2sc in the 2nd ch from the hook. (2sts)
• Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2sc in each st across. (4sts)
• Fasten off leaving a long tail to stitch the nose piece to the muzzle portion of the head.

Ears

Make 2

Using Color (A)

The ears are not stuffed except for the starting tail tucked inside.

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 4: Flatten the top edges and sl st together across. (6sts)
• Fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching the ears to the head.

Front Legs

Make 2

>Design Note: The first leg is fastened off when noted in the pattern. The second leg is NOT fastened off and will be joined to the first.  

Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 3: Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in next st, [bo in the next st, sc in the next st] 2 times, bo in the next st, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next 3sts. (14sts)

>Design Tip: If needed use a chopstick or other instrument to push the bobble stitches out.

• Rnd 4: Sc in the next 3sts, [sc2tog] 4 times, sc in the next 3sts. (10sts)
• Rnd 5: Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog, sc in the next st, sc2tog, sc in the next 3sts. (8sts)

Firmly stuff and shape the leg and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.

• Rnds 6-8: Sc in each st around. (8sts for 3 Rnds)
• If making Leg 1 fasten off leaving a long for stitching and set aside. Leave the starting stitch marker for future reference. If making Leg 2 continue as directed below.
• Rnd 9: Sc in the next 3sts, leave the remaining stitches unworked. Mark the 4th st with a stitch marker for future reference. The starting stitch marker can be removed once this is done. (3sts)

Joining the Front Legs Together

To make a sc join: with the working loop on the hook, insert the hook into the noted stitch from the right side of the work to the wrong side of the work, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on the hook), yarn over, pull through both loops. Sc and join made.

• Rnd 10: Join Leg 2 to Leg 1 with a sc in the first st of Leg 1. Mark this as the new starting st of the Rnd! Sc in the remaining 7sts of Leg 1. Join back onto Leg 2 with a sc in the fourth st of Rnd 9 (marked earlier with a stitch marker), sc in the remaining 7sts. (16sts)

>Design Note: There will likely be a small hole in between the two leg pieces where they were joined. This will be stitched in a moment.

• Rnds 11-12:  Sc in each st around. (16sts for 2 Rnds)

Using the tail left when fastening off Leg 1, sew up the little hole between the legs.

• Rnd 13: Sc in the next 14sts, leave the remaining sts unworked. (14sts)
• Secure the working loop for a moment in preparation to set up for joining the front legs to the body.

Attaching the Legs and the Body Together

Set Up

• On the legs, mark st 4 of Rnd 13 with a stitch marker. The starting stitch marker can be removed once this is done.
• On the body, the first st should already be marked with a stitch marker as noted in the previous feet instructions.

Joining

• Rnd 14: Join the legs to the body with a sc in the first st of the body. Mark this as the new starting st. Sc in the next 6sts across the back of the body. Leaving the remaining body sts unworked, join the body to the legs with a sc in st 4 of the legs, sc in the next 10sts across the front of the body. (18sts)

Using the tail that was left from fastening off the body, on the inside of the lion’s body stitch the skipped sts together with a whip stitch through both loops on each side.   

Remember to continue to firmly stuff and shape as the pattern progresses.

• Rnd 15: Sc2tog, sc in the next 4sts, [sc2tog] 2 times, sc in the next 6sts, sc2tog. (14sts)
• Rnd 16: Sc in each st around. (14sts)
• Rnd 17: [Sc in the next 5sts, sc2tog] 2 times. (12sts)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail to stitch the body to the head.

Hind Legs

Right Hind Leg

Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 3: Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in next st, [bo in the next st, sc in the next st] 2 times, bo in the next st, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next 3sts. (14sts)

>Design Tip: If needed use a chopstick or other instrument to push the bobble stitches out.

• Rnd 4: Sc in the next 3sts, [sc2tog] 4 times, sc in the next 3sts. (10sts)
• Rnd 5: Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog, sc in the next st, sc2tog, sc in the next 3sts. (8sts)

Firmly stuff and shape the leg and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.

• Rnds 6-7: Sc in each st around. (8sts for 2 Rnds)
• Rnd 8: Sc in the next st, leave the remaining sts unworked. (1st)

>Design Note: The rest of the leg will be worked in rows. The Rnd/Row count will continue. Turn and ch1 at the end of each row.

>Design Tip: When working in Rows use a regular decrease.

• Rows 9-10: Ch 1, turn, sc in the next 5sts. (5sts for 2 Rows)
• Row 11: Sc2tog, sc in the next st, sc2tog. (3sts)
• Row 12: Sc2tog, sc in the next st. (2sts)
• Fasten off leaving a long tail for stitching the leg to the body.

Left Hind Leg

Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 3: Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in next st, [bo in the next st, sc in the next st] 2 times, bo in the next st, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next 3sts. (14sts)

>Design Tip: If needed use a chopstick or other instrument to push the bobble stitches out.

• Rnd 4: Sc in the next 3sts, [sc2tog] 4 times, sc in the next 3sts. (10sts)
• Rnd 5: Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog, sc in the next st, sc2tog, sc in the next 3sts. (8sts)

Firmly stuff and shape the leg and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.

• Rnds 6-7: Sc in each st around. (8sts for 2 Rnds)
• Rnd 8: Sc in the next 5sts, leave the remaining sts unworked. (5sts)

>Design Note: The rest of the leg will be worked in rows. The Rnd/Row count will continue. Turn and ch1 at the end of each row.

>Design Tip: When working in Rows use a regular decrease.

• Row 9: Ch 1, turn, sc in the next 5sts. (5sts)
• Row 10: Sc2tog, sc in the next st, sc2tog. (3sts)
• Row 11: Sc2tog, sc in the next st. (2sts)
• Fasten off leaving a long tail for stitching the leg to the body.

Tail

Using Color (A)

The tail is not stuffed except for the starting tail.

• Rnd 1: 5sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (5sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 5sc in 2nd chain from hook. (5sts)
• Rnds 2-16: Sc in each st around. (5sts for 15 Rnds)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail to stitch the tail to the body. 

Assembly

Pin all the pieces together to determine the desired placement for the entire lion and stitch securely into place. Remember to add additional stuffing before closing the holes to fill in the gaps as appropriate.

>Design Tip: Be careful not to poke the pins all the way through the project into your fingers!

General placement and stitching suggestions:

• Center the nose piece on the front muzzle portion of the head with the widest part resting on the color change at about Rnd 4 of the head. Stitch the nose piece in place. Use the starting tail to stitch a line down from the nose piece.
• Attach the ears on the top of the head over about Rnd 12-13 approximately 4sts apart. 
• Fasten the body to the head with the neck centered over about Rnd 8-12 of the bottom of the head.
• Attach the tail on the body at about Rnd 1-2 of the body.
• Place the hind legs with the back at about Rnd 6 of the body in the sitting position. Stitch around the edge of the Rows portion and the top of the last Rnd where the sts were skipped to secure the leg in place. Add a bit more stuffing to the top of the leg before closing up the hole.
• Using Color (D) cut approx. 170 – 3-inch pieces to loop for the mane, one at a time and approx. 12 – 3.5-inch pieces to loop for the tail, two strands held together at a time. Trim all as desired.

How to Make Loops

• Pictured Top Left:  The loops are placed around one complete stitch in a row. Determine where the loop will be placed, insert the hook from the bottom of the stitch, around the back, and back up at the top of the stitch. Fold the length of yarn in half and hook it onto the hook.
• Pictured Top Right: Pull the length of yarn through the stitch about halfway.
• Pictured Bottom Left: Remove the hook and put the loop over both of the loose tail ends.
• Pictured Bottom Right: Pull on the yarn tails at the same time to tighten and secure the loop.

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Let’s Make Our Mouse!

Body

Using Color (E)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 3-4: Sc in each st around. (12sts for 2 Rnds)
• Rnd 5: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 4 times. (8sts)

Firmly stuff and shape the mouse and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.

• Rnd 6: [Sc2tog] 4 times. (4sts)
• Fasten off leaving a long tail to close up the hole. Close the hole with a tapestry needle stitching only through the front loops until the hole pulls nicely closed. Weave the end through to the back of the body to make the tail, add a small amount of glue that will dry clear, and once dry, trim to the desired length.

Ears

Make 2

Using Color (E)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Fasten off leaving a long tail to stitch the ears to the body.

Assembly

• Stitch the ears to the body at about Rnd 4, 1st apart. The starting or ending tail can be used to stitch the ear and then be woven into the body.
• Using black embroidery floss and an embroidery needle make 2 french knots (or small sts) for the eyes.
• Using pink embroidery floss and an embroidery needle whip stitch a few sts for the tip of the nose.

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Looking for more great patterns?

These may be of interest! 1. Crochet Puppy Dog 2. Ridged Crochet Feathers in Four Sizes 3. Cottage Garden Crochet Bunny

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Copyright and Use Policy

This pattern and its photos are copyright of Jennifer Hayes (Jen Hayes Creations) and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not copy, sell, republish, distribute, or translate my patterns, photos, or tutorials in part or whole. Share this pattern on social media by using the social sharing buttons or a link to the pattern. You are welcome to sell any finished items produced from this pattern. Please credit Jen Hayes Creations as the designer and include a link to the pattern listing if selling the finished piece online. Thank you!