Tatum the Tiger – Free Crochet Pattern

I love crocheting amigurumi, but sewing the pieces together is not my favorite. So when I designed this free tiger crochet pattern, I wanted to make it with as little sewing as possible. This friendly tiger crochet pattern is first made with the legs, arms, and tail, and then those are crocheted directly into the body and heady, which are worked as one piece. The only sewing is for the snout and ears!

I hope you enjoy this free crochet pattern available here on my blog! An ad-free, formatted PDF version of this crochet pattern is also available for purchase here:

I would classify this pattern as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.

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Free Crochet Pattern for Tatum the Tiger

Stitch Abbreviations

st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease is recommended)

Special Stitches

SC2tog (using invisible decrease method): Insert hook into front loop of the first stitch. Insert hook into front loop of second stitch. Yarn over. Draw through the first two loops on hook. Yarn over. Draw through both loops on hook.

Notes

• Checking your gauge is not required for this pattern. Use a hook that is smaller than the size recommended for your yarn weight. This will ensure that your stuffing will not show through the stitches.
• This pattern requires minimal sewing. The body and head are worked as one piece, and the legs, tail, and arms are worked directly into the body as you work, rather than sewing later. The only sewing required is the snout and the ears..
• All pieces are worked in the round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
• All pieces, with the exception of the ears and tail, require full stuffing. Stuff as you work to ensure each piece is completely filled.
• See tutorial photos.

Pattern

Legs (make 2)

Using color A (orange):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts, SC2tog, SC2tog, SC in each of the next 10 sts. (16 sts)

R5: 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts, SC2tog, SC2tog, SC in each of the next 9 sts. (14 sts)

R6-11: 1 SC in each st around. (14 sts)

R12: SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 6 sts, SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. (12 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R13: 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. [Note that these 2 SC sts will move the beginning of the round over to align with the foot.] Fold the leg closed. Working through both sides to close, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. (5 sts) See tutorial photos.

Fasten off.

Arms (make 2)

Using color A (orange):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3-16: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R17: Fold the arm closed. Working through both sides to close, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. (5 sts) See tutorial photos.

Fasten off.

Tail

Using color A (shown as orange):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2-11: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)

R12: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (8 sts)

R13-14: 1 SC in each st around. (8 sts)

R15: Fold the tail closed. Working through both sides to close, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. (3 sts) See tutorial photos.

Cut yarn and fasten off.

Body

Using color A (shown as orange):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R6: 1 SC in first st. Place the first leg, and working through both the sts of the leg and the sts of the body, 1 SC in the next 5 sts. 1 SC in next st. Place the second leg, and working through both the sts of the leg and the sts of the body, 1 SC in the next 5 sts. 1 SC in each of the next 18 sts. See tutorial photos. (30 sts)

R7: 1 SC in the next 20 sts. Place the tail, and working through both the sts of the tail and the sts of the body, 1 SC in the next 3 sts. 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts. See tutorial photos. (30 sts)

R8-11: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

R12: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R13-15: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R16: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * an additional 4 times. SC2tog, 1 SC in the next st. Place the first arm, and working through both the sts of the arm and the sts of the body, 1 SC. See tutorial photos. (18 sts)

R17: Continuing through the sts of the arm and the sts of the body, 1 SC in the next 4 sts. 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Place the second arm, and working through both the sts of the arm and the sts of the body, 1 SC in the next 5 sts. 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. See tutorial photos. (18 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R18: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

Do not fasten off. Move on to head.

Head

R19: 2 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R20: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R21: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)

R22: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

R23: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (42 sts)

R24-29: 1 SC in each st around. (42 sts)

R30: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)

R31: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

If using safety eyes, insert them now between R28-29, with 5 sts between. Embroider around eyes for additional detail, if desired.

R32: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R33: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts) 

Fill with stuffing.

R34: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R35: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

Weave in and out of remaining sts and pull tight to close. Fasten off.

Snout

Using color B (shown as beige):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Ears (make 2)

Using color A (shown as orange):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R4-5: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R6: Fold the ear closed. Working through both sides to close, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. (5 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Assembly & Finishing

Attach snout to the front of the face, just below the eyes, over R21-26.

Using color C (shown as black), embroider nose on the snout at R2-3, with a line downwards to the middle of the magic ring.

Attach ears to each side of the top of the head, between R29-34.

Using color C (shown as black), embroider stripes as follows:

1. On the top of the head, between the ears, with one larger line down the middle, and a smaller line on each side.
2. One line on each cheek on both sides of the snout on R24, across 3 sts, and one line on each check on both sides of the snout, angled upwards, across 3 sts.
3. On each arm: 3 sts across R9 and 5 sts across R12.
4. On each leg: 3 sts across R7 and 5 sts across R10.
5. On the tail, 3 sts across R5 and 1 st across R7.
6. On both sides of the body: 5 sts across R7, 8 sts across R9, and 5 sts across R11.

*Note: Safety eyes and noses pose a choking risk for babies; therefore, if making this toy for a baby, I recommend using yarn, felt, or embroidered details.

I hope you enjoyed this free tiger crochet pattern as much as I enjoyed designing it!

Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Tatum the Tiger

Tips & Tricks

• When sewing the ears and snout of this free tiger crochet pattern, use pins to hold the pieces in place. This will prevent the pieces from moving while sewing so that they are attached where you want them!
• The invisible decrease method for the SC2tog stitches will blend your decreases in with the rest of your single crochet stitches.

Alterations

• Parfait Chunky or another plush yarns will create a larger amigurumi with this free tiger crochet pattern! Be sure that you use a hook size that corresponds to your yarn.
• Learn more about choosing your hook size for amigurumi here.

More Free Amigurumi Crochet Patterns

Finished with this free tiger crochet pattern? Check out some of my other free amigurumi crochet patterns! For more no-sew/minimal-sewing projects, check out Nala the No-Sew Turtle and Charlie the Chunky Bear.