Lion Brand Crochet Patterns

Which Lion Brand crochet patterns suit your next project?

Lion Brand has built its crochet library around a handful of workhorse yarns, so the quickest way to choose a pattern here is to start with the yarn you fancy working with, then pick the shape. Homespun turns up again and again because its tweedy, self-striping colourways do the hard work for you, which is why it's behind blankets, wraps and even the Poet Dog Sweater. If you're after something for the house rather than to wear, afghans and throws dominate the free download bins, and each is downloadable as a PDF once added to your basket.

Every pattern on this page is a free PDF, so there's no need to hunt for one elsewhere – you simply click through, download, and print or save it for later. If you want the same deal in knitting form, the Lion Brand Knitting Patterns collection works the same way.

Choosing a design: blanket, garment or accessory?

Afghans and throws are the most forgiving starting point because gauge is rarely critical – a few centimetres out either way just changes the finished size slightly. The Tree Of Life Afghan and the New Wave Throw both use simple repeated motifs, which makes them ideal for picking up and putting down between other projects. For something wearable, the Crochet Urban Wrap is a one-piece design with minimal shaping, while a fitted piece like the Flattering Jacket asks for more concentration around the armholes and front bands. There are also quick-win accessories – scarves, cowls and even dog coats such as the Casual Friday Dog Sweater – for when you want to finish something over a weekend.

Matching yarn weight and fibre to the pattern

Each pattern is written for a specific Lion Brand yarn, and swapping it out changes drape and warmth more than people expect. Homespun is a bulky-weight yarn with a soft, tweedy halo, good for cosy throws and garments that don't need crisp stitch definition. Wool-Ease is a worsted-weight yarn that holds its shape well for afghans and hats, while Wool-Ease Thick & Quick is super chunky and works up fast – you'll see it behind the Crochet Oversized Beret. Heartland leans towards variegated, landscape-inspired colourways and a slightly rustic feel, and Scarfie is a self-striping yarn designed to pair two colours along one strand, which is exactly what gives the One Ball Crocheted Scarf its graduated stripe. If a pattern calls for a yarn you can't source locally, match the weight first, then the yardage, before worrying about exact shade.

Hook sizes, tension and reading the pattern

Most of these patterns list a recommended hook alongside a tension square, usually measured over double crochet (UK) or treble crochet (UK) rows. Always crochet a swatch before starting a garment; blankets and scarves are more forgiving if your tension runs a little tight or loose, but a jacket or dog sweater needs to come out at the stated measurements to fit properly. UK and US terms differ for the same stitches, so check which convention a pattern uses before you begin: UK double crochet is the US single crochet, and UK treble is the US double crochet.

Skill level and timing

Granny-square style afghans, simple cowls and basic scarves are a good entry point if you're newer to the hook – stitch counts stay constant and there's little shaping to track. Dog sweaters and ponchos involve more shaping and finishing steps, so they suit someone who's already comfortable increasing and decreasing. A worsted-weight scarf or hat can realistically be finished over a couple of evenings, while a full-size afghan is more of a multi-session project worked in sections.

• Pick blankets and wraps for relaxed, low-gauge-pressure projects
• Pick fitted jackets and ponchos once you're confident shaping
• Check whether the pattern uses UK or US crochet terms before you start
• Swatch in the exact yarn weight specified, not just "similar"

For yarn to go with any of these patterns, browse Lion Brand Yarn directly, or compare it against other brands via Knitting & Crochet Yarn By Brand.

Frequently asked questions

Are Lion Brand crochet patterns here actually free? Yes, every pattern in this collection is a free, instantly downloadable PDF – you simply save or print the file.

Which yarn is easiest for a beginner's first crochet project? Homespun or Wool-Ease in a simple scarf or afghan pattern is a forgiving starting point, since both are consistent worsted-to-bulky weights that make it easier to read your stitches as you learn.

Can I substitute a different Lion Brand yarn than the one listed? You can, provided you match the weight and re-check your tension square, since swapping, say, Homespun for a smoother yarn will change both drape and finished size.