Find joy in a lovable tiger with our free crochet tiger cub pattern that brightens any space or becomes a special gift for loved ones.

Small paws and bold stripes catch the eye, making little hearts feel happy and safe. With its cute rounded ears and friendly face, this crochet tiger cub becomes a cheerful buddy in any home. The crochet tiger cub pattern lets anyone make a gentle companion that's both a toy and a lovely decoration for a child's room or a sofa corner. No need for special tools or advanced skills, just simple steps that guide you to shape each part with care.

Free Crochet Pattern for a Cute Plush Tiger Cub

This cozy cub makes a thoughtful gift for birthdays, baby showers, or "just because" days, bringing smiles to all ages. Holding the tiger cub brings comfort at bedtime and turns any corner into a spot for warm hugs and playful stories. With bright colors and a calm expression, the crochet tiger cub pattern offers joy, comfort, and the sweet beauty of something made with love.

Amigurumi Tiger Cub Pattern

Materials

Yarn:
- Main color (Light yellow, orange, red, or gray for tiger; white/cream for white tiger)
- Contrast color (cream or off white for muzzle/tummy and feet)
- Black or dark brown for stripes and nose
Crochet hook: Size to match yarn (sample used 1.5 mm for thin yarn; adjust for thicker yarn)
Polyester fiberfill
Safety eyes (5 mm and up, or sew-on/glue-on eyes)
Sewing needle
Pins
Stitch marker/yarn scrap (to track rounds)
Scissors
Optional: Felting needle + wool for dry-felted stripes

Abbreviations (US Terms)

Abbreviation	Description
ch	chain
sc	single crochet
inc	increase (2 sc in same st)
dec	decrease (sc 2 together)
sl st	slip stitch
st(s)	stitch(es)
FO	fasten off

Special Notes

Use a stitch marker to mark the start of each round.
Most pieces worked in continuous rounds, unless stated.
Invisible decreases (working front loop only) are recommended for smoother shaping.
Color changes should occur at the back of limbs/muzzle for neater transitions.
Stripes can be added using embroidery (for beginners) or dry felting (for advanced).
Stuff as you go; add extra at the paws after round 17.

Pattern

Legs (Make 4)

With Contrast Color (white, Light yellow)

Ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook, 6 sc or alternatively work 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
Round 2: Inc in each st (12)
Round 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (18)
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (24)
5-6. Rounds 5-6: Sc in each st (24 per round)
Round 7: 6 sc, (dec, 1 sc) x4, 6 sc (20)
- Invisible decrease recommended; sc2tog in the front loop only.
- 6 sc, (dec, sc) four times, 6 sc
Change to Main Color: Sc in each st (20)
Round 9: 7 sc, (dec, sc) x2, 7 sc (18)
Round 10: 6 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec, 6 sc (16)
Round 11: Sc in each st (16)
Round 12: 6 sc, inc, 2 sc, inc, 6 sc (18)
13-14. Rounds 13-14: Sc in each st (18)

FO, leave tail. (No stuffing or sew closed yet.)

Body

With Contrast Color (Light yellow)

Ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook, 6 sc (6)
Round 2: Inc in each st (12)
Round 3: (inc, 3 sc) 3 times, inc, 3 sc (18)
Round 4: (sc, inc) 3 times, 3 sc, (sc, inc) 3 times, 3 sc (24)
Round 5: (2 sc, inc) 3 times, 3 sc, (2 sc, inc) 3 times, 3 sc (30)
Change to Main Color: (3 sc, inc) 3 times, 3 sc, (2 sc, inc) 3 times, 4 sc (36)

Join Legs to Body (Row 7):

Orient legs carefully so all face forward.
Round 7: 2 sc, 6 sc through both leg and body to join first front leg, 2 sc, 6 sc through both leg and body to join second front leg, 4 sc, 6 sc through both leg and body to join third (back) leg, 2 sc, 6 sc through both leg and body to join fourth leg, 2 sc. (60)
Double-check paw position.

Round 8: 2 sc on body, sc in each remaining 12 st of the leg, 2 sc, sc in each remaining 12 st of next leg, 4 sc, sc in each remaining 12 st of back leg, 2 sc, sc in each remaining 12 st of final leg, 2 sc. (60)

The rest of the leg stitches are worked as you crochet around the body, "encasing" the legs.

Rounds 9-13: Sc in each st (60 per round)

Round 14: 12 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec, 24 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec, 12 sc (56)

Round 15: dec, 25 sc, dec, 12 sc (52)

(Decrease at beginning and opposite side.)

Tail Gap & Shaping (Row 15-16):

Place 3 ch (for tail). Skip 3 center sts and rejoin to continue in a circle.
Round 16: 6 sc, dec, 4 sc, dec, 4 sc, 8 sc, (2 sc, dec) 6 times, 2 sc (45)
Round 17: 21 sc, (2 sc, dec) 6 times (39)
Begin stuffing legs and body as you go.

Round 18: 21 sc, (sc, dec) 3 times, 13 sc (36)
Round 19: (4 sc, dec) x6 (30)
Round 20: (3 sc, dec) x6 (24)
Round 21: (2 sc, dec) x6 (18)
Round 22: (sc, dec) x6 (12)
Round 23: dec around to close (6)

FO, pull tight to close hole, weave in securely.

Tail

Pick up 6 sc in the tail gap/hole left in the body.
Rounds 1-12: Sc in each st (6)
Stuff lightly if desired.
Dec around to close, FO.
If tail sticks out, tack to body with a few stitches for desired position.

Head

With Contrast Color (light, for muzzle):

Ch 5.
- Work down first side: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, inc, 2 sc, 2 inc at end; continue on opposite side: 2 sc, inc (12)
Round 2: (inc, sc) x6 (18)
Round 3: (inc, 2 sc) x6 (24)
Round 4: (inc, 4 sc) x6 (30)
Round 5: 4 sc with light, change to main color, 10 sc, switch back to light, 16 sc (30)
- Check position: 10 central sts should be main color above nose; use color jogs as needed for symmetry.
Round 6: Repeat as Round 5.
Round 7: 4 sc (light), 10 sc (main), 9 sc (light), switch to main, 7 sc (main) (30)
Round 8: Sc in each st (main color for remainder). (30)
Round 9: Sc up to center, over main color patch, alternate (sc, inc) 6 times (accommodate center shaping as needed), then finish round with sc. (36)
Round 10: 4 sc, then (2 sc, inc) 6 times (center), then finish to end with sc. (42)
Round 11: (6 sc, inc) x6 (48)
Round 12: (7 sc, inc) x3, 24 sc (51)
13-16. Rounds 13-16: Sc in each st (51 per round)
Round 17: (7 sc, dec) x3, 24 sc (48)
Round 18: (6 sc, dec) x6 (42)
Round 19: (5 sc, dec) x6 (36)
Round 20: (4 sc, dec) x6 (30)
21-24. (sc count decreases by one between each dec per round):
- 21: (3 sc, dec) x6 (24)
- 22: (2 sc, dec) x6 (18)
- 23: (sc, dec) x6 (12)
- 24: dec around to close, stuff well before fully closing.

Nose

With Black/Brown (make a triangle):

Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6)
(Sc, 4 inc in one st) x3 around (15)
3 sc, 3 sc in one st, 3 sc, 3 sc in one st, 4 sc, 3 sc in one st, 2 sc (make a triangle, 21)

FO, sew between muzzle and main fur patch.

Ears (Make 2)

With Main Color:

Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)
Inc in each st around (12)
(sc, inc) x6 (18)
(2 sc, inc) x6 (24)
(3 sc, inc) x6 (30)

Fold in half, switch to dark/black yarn, sc along open edge through both sides to close ear.
FO, sew to head after folding base for gentle curve.

Assembly

Sew Nose: Center nose between color change and white muzzle patch; pin, then sew down.
Sew Ears: Fold base for gentle cup, sew on head symmetrically.
Face Sculpting: For eye sockets, use a long needle and double thread. Pull thread through from underside of head, exit below/at each eye position, pulling gently to shape sockets before securing at the base.
Attach Eyes: Sew/glue on or add safety eyes as desired.
Sew Head to Body: Attach at neckline with secure, even stitches all around, pin head in place before sewing for best position.
Add Stripes: Embroider with yarn or dry-felt wool as desired throughout head and torso for tiger stripes. Dry felting offers more realism with curves and shapes.

Conclusion

You have created a soft, expressive tiger cub! Incorporating color changes, sculpting, and optional stripes or felting, the pattern offers potential for creativity in every step. The toy's size will vary with yarn and hook chosen.

Pattern Corrections & Tips

Tip: Color changes are best done before completing the last yarn-over of the last stitch of the prior color.
Tip: If your stitch count differs slightly when joining legs or shaping the head, adjust with an extra sc or dec as needed-it won't show in the finished toy.
Tip: If the tail sticks up post-stuffing, anchor it with a few hidden stitches.
Tip: Use invisible decreases (front loop only) for smoothest shaping.
Pattern Correction: The oval body base and subsequent increases are vital for the right shape; count often to avoid drift.
Tip: Try a variety of yarns and adjust hook size for desired softness and plushness.

Crochet Tiger Cub with a Free Stepwise Pattern