Crochet Lion's Mane Square

Create a unique square design inspired by the majestic mane of a lion using crochet techniques. The intricate patterns and textures of the mane can be replicated through various stitches and color combinations. By carefully selecting yarns that mimic the golden hues of a lion's mane, you can bring this square to life with warmth and character. Experiment with different crochet hook sizes to achieve the desired level of detail and dimension in your lion's mane square. Whether you choose to make a standalone lion's mane square or incorporate it into a larger project, this design is sure to impress with its intricate beauty and creative flair. 

Finished size: 12 inch square

MATERIALS: Approx. 4 ounces worsted weight yarn (peach used for example), US size «I» hook, Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Note: Ch 1 spaces count as a st. ie., when it says to skip the next [insert number] sts, this includes ch 1 sps.

ch 5

Round 1: dc in 5th ch from hook (counts as beg ch 3, ch 1, dc), ch 1, (dc, ch 1) 6 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3 being sure to leave the ch 1 sp. (8 dc, 8 ch 1 sp)

Round 2: sl st into next ch 1 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch 1 sp, sk next st, (3 dc in next ch 1 sp, skip next st) 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (24 dc)

Round 3: ch 1, 2 sc in same st, tr in next st, (2 sc in next st, tr in next st) 11 times, join with sl st in beg sc. (24 sc, 12 tr)

Round 4: ch 1, sc in same st and in each st around, join with sl st in beg sc. (36 SC)

Round 5: ch 1, sc in same st, tr in next st, (sc in next st, ch 3, sc in next st, tr in next st) 11 times, sc in next st, ch 3, join with sl st in beg sc. (24 sc, 12 tr)

Round 6: sl st into next st, ch 1, sc in same st, *skip next st, 5 dc in next ch 3 sp, skip next st, sc in next st, rep from * 10 times more, skip next st, 5 dc in next ch 3 sp, skip next st, join with sl st in beg sc. (60 dc, 12 sc)

Round 7: ch 5 (counts as beg ch 3 + ch 2), sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 2, sk next 2 sts, *dc in next st, ch 2, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 2, sk next 2 sts, rep from * 10 times more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (24 ch 2 sp)

Round 8: sl st into next ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in same ch 2 sp and in each remaining ch 2 sp around, join with sl st in beg sc. (72 sc)

Round 9: ch 1, sc in same st, (tr in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts) 23 times, tr in next st, sc in last st, join with sl st in beg sc. (48 sc, 24 tr)

Round 10: ch 1, sc in same st, (3 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts) 23 times, 3 sc in next st, sc in next st, join with sl st in beg sc. (120 sc)

Round 11: sl st in next st, ch 2, hdc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, *(skip next 2 sts, sc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1) 3 times, skip next 2 sts, hdc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next 2 sts, dc in next st, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next 2 sts, hdc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, rep from * twice more, (skip next 2 sts, sc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1) 3 times, skip next 2 sts, hdc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next 2 sts, dc in next st, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next 2 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 2. (36 sc, 24 hdc, 24 dc)

Round 12: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch 1 sp, ch 1, sc in same ch 1 sp, (ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch 1 sp) 3 times, *ch 3, hdc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next ch 1 sp, (ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch 1 sp) 4 times, rep from * twice more, ch 3, hdc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, join with sl st in beg sc. (40 dc, 20 ch 3 sp)

Round 13: sl st into next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1) 3 times, *skip next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next st, (3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1) 5 times, rep from * twice more, skip next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next st, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (108 dc, 32 ch 1 sp)

Round 14: ch 2, hdc in each of next 2 sts, (hdc in next ch 1 sp, hdc in each of next 3 sts) 5 times, *(hdc, ch 2, hdc) in next ch 2 sp, hdc in each of next 3 sts, (hdc in next ch 1 sp, hdc in each of next 3 sts) 8 times, rep from * twice more, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in next ch 2 sp, (hdc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next ch 1 sp) 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 2, fasten off, weave in ends. (148 hdc)

This is a dishcloth I made with this pattern.
I simply ended off at the end of Row 10.