Bring fun to life with this Free Crochet Tiger Pattern offering simple steps for cute playful toy with charming details perfect for kids.

Bright stripes and a kind smile bring a tiger to life right in your home. With the crochet tiger pattern, everyone can easily turn colorful yarn into a cheerful friend. This toy is beautiful to look at, with bold colors that catch the eye, and it feels good to hold. Children love having this tiger as a playtime buddy or a bedtime guardian, while adults enjoy using it to decorate a room or give to someone special.

Handmade Tiger with This Free Crochet Pattern

Each finished tiger can be made in a favorite color, making it truly personal. The simple steps mean this pattern is friendly for all ages, and the finished tiger quickly becomes a family favorite. Giving or keeping a tiger made from this pattern means sharing smiles and adding joy to daily life.

Plush Tiger Crochet Pattern

Materials

Plush yarn in Plum, black, and white
5.5 mm crochet hook
12 mm safety eyes
Stitch marker
Darning/yarn needle
Scissors
Fiberfill stuffing

Optional:

Pins for positioning during assembly
Tape measure/ruler

Abbreviations (US Terms)

Abbreviation	Meaning
ch	Chain
st	Stitch
sc	Single crochet
inc	Increase (2 sc in same st)
dec	Decrease (see notes for plush)
sl st	Slip stitch
FO	Fasten off

Special Notes

Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated. Use a stitch marker to track the first st of each round.
For this plush yarn, use a decrease as: Pull up a loop in next 2 sts (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all loops (yarn under). This produces a neater decrease with thick yarn.
Always stuff pieces firmly, but not overstuffed, for a neat shape.
Safety eyes are installed between rounds as directed (see "Head").

Pattern

Head

With Plum yarn:
- Start: ch 2 (or magic ring if preferred)
- Rnd 1: Skip first ch, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)
- Pull yarn tail to cinch closed.
Rnd 2: 6 inc (2 sc in each st around) (12)
Rnd 3: (sc, inc) repeat around (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) repeat around (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) repeat around (30)
Rnds 6-10: sc in each st around (30)
(You'll have 5 rounds of 30 sc)
Insert eyes:
- Place first eye between round 9 and 10.
- Place second eye 5-6 sts away from first.
- Attach backings securely.
Rnd 11: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)
Rnd 12: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18)
Rnd 13: (sc, dec) repeat around (12)
- Stuff head firmly with fiberfill
Rnd 14: (2 sc, dec) repeat 3 times (9)
Finish:
- Add extra stuffing if needed.
- Optionally work a few more decreases to close the small hole.
- Sl st, FO. Weave in end through front loops to close.

Body

With Plum yarn: (work directly onto the head if possible, or sew later)
- Rnd 1: 9 inc (2 sc in each st) (18)
Rnd 2: (sc, inc) repeat around (24)
Rnds 3-5: sc in each st around (24)
Rnd 6: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18)
- Stuff as you go - add stuffing in both head and body
Rnd 7: (sc, dec) repeat around (12)
Rnd 8: (dec) around (6)
- FO and weave to close, or work additional decreases if there is still a gap.

Legs (Make 2)

With Plum:
- ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnds 3-4: sc in each st around (12)
Rnd 5: (sc, dec) repeat around (8)
Sl st, FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
- Stuff and shape legs before attaching.

Arms (Make 2)

With Plum:
- ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)
Rnd 2: (sc, inc) repeat around (9)
Rnd 3: sc in each st around (9)
Rnd 4: (sc, dec) repeat around (6)
- Add a small amount of stuffing.
Rnd 5-7: sc in each st around (6)
Rnd 8: Flatten opening, sc through both sides across (3 sc) to close.
- FO, leaving tail for sewing.

Ears (Make 2 orange, 2 white)

Plum Part:
- ch 2, 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook (8)
- Sl st, FO, leave long tail for sewing.
White Part:
- ch 2, 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook (5)
- Sl st, FO, leave tail.
Assembly: Place one orange and one white together (backs touching), coil yarn tails to hide in middle, and sew white on the front of orange as per video.
- Sew ears to head, approx. 4 rounds above eyes (between rounds 3 & 4 from top).

Muzzle

With white:
- ch 2, 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook (5)
Rnd 2: 5 inc (10)
Rnd 3: sc in each st around (10)
- Sl st, FO, leave tail for sewing.
- Lightly stuff, sew under eyes, centered.

Tail

With Plum:
- ch 2, 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook (5)
Rnd 2: sc in each st around (5)
- Sl st, FO. Change to black.
With black: Join, ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st, FO.
Repeat orange, black stripes for a total of three black stripes and four orange sections.
End with 2 rounds Plum, close top with 2-3 sc through both sides (flatten and seam).
- FO, weave in tails. Stuff lightly.
- Sew to center-back of body.

Assembly

Ears: Attach between rounds 3 and 4 from crown (about four rounds above eye line).
Arms: Position at "shoulders," slightly diagonal, sew securely.
Legs: Attach below body, in line with edges of the eyes.
Muzzle: Center between eyes, sew all around. Add light stuffing before closing final stitches.
Tail: Attach at lower back, centered.
Hide all yarn tails inside work.

Details & Embroidery

Stripes

Thread darning needle with black yarn.
For stripes, insert at starting point, bring needle out where you want the stripe to end, and repeat for all desired stripes (top, cheeks, arms, body, tail).
To secure: after embroidering, knot yarn tails together securely, pull inside with hook or needle, and trim.

Face

Embroider a nose by repeatedly stitching back and forth over two or three central sts at the top of the muzzle (just below eye level).
Add a straight mouth by pulling thread out at bottom of nose and through lower part of the muzzle.
Secure and hide thread ends.

Conclusion

You've now completed your plush tiger! This adorable amigurumi is perfect as a gift or for display. Thanks to the bold shaping and plush yarn, it comes together quickly and looks vibrant and soft.

Pattern Correction

Leg and arm closure: If using a different (non-plush) yarn or tighter tension, you may wish to use an invisible decrease for a tidier finish.
If any gaps remain after closing, always use a darning needle to whip-stitch closed.

Tips

Use a stitch marker for each round-the plush yarn can make stitches hard to see.
Keep stuffing firm but not distorting the shape.
Hide all ends well inside the toy for safety and neatness.
Make your stripes and muzzle embroidery symmetrical, and adjust cheek placement for personality.

Easy & Free Crochet Tiger Pattern for Beginners