Free Crochet Tutorial: Plush Tiger Cub by Irina Filimonova (@filirinka.toys)
In this tutorial, you can learn how to crochet a cute plush tiger cub. You can use any plush yarn for this amigurumi project, such as Himalaya Dolphin Baby, YarnArt Dolce, or others. Optionally, you can embroider the nose or use a plastic safety nose.
Finished Toy Size: Approximately 16 cm
Materials and Tools
- Plush yarn: Himalaya Dolphin Baby (80316 – orange, 80301 – white) or YarnArt Dolce (or any other plush yarn)
- Yarn: YarnArt Jeans 53 (black)
- Hook: 4 mm
- Safety eyes: 14 mm
- Plastic safety nose: 14×11 mm (optional)
- Stuffing: For the toy
- Needle: For sewing the details
- Scissors
All necessary materials can be purchased here.
Crochet Abbreviations
- KA — Magic ring
- ch — Chain stitch
- sl st — Slip stitch
- sc — Single crochet
- inc — Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
- dec — Decrease (sc 2 together)
- (…) x n — Repeat n times
- (…) — Total number of stitches in the row
Crochet Instructions for Plush Tiger Cub
Hands (2 pieces)
Start with white yarn:
- Ch 2, in the first ch, make 6 sc (6)
- (1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)
- 9 sc
Change to orange yarn. - 2 sc, 2 dec, 3 sc (7)
- 2 sc, 1 dec, 3 sc (6)
6-8. 6 sc (3 rows)
Fold in half and crochet 3 sc through both sides. Secure the yarn, cut it, and hide the tail inside the hand. Embroider stripes with black yarn.
Legs (2 pieces)
Start with white yarn:
- Ch 2, in the first ch, make 6 sc (6)
- 6 inc (12)
- 12 sc
Change to orange yarn. - 3 sc, 3 dec, 3 sc (9)
- 3 sc, 1 dec, 4 sc (8)
Add a little stuffing.
6-8. 8 sc (3 rows)
Fold in half and crochet 4 sc through both sides. Secure the yarn, cut it, and hide the tail inside the leg. Embroider stripes with black yarn.
Body
- Ch 2, in the first ch, make 6 sc (6)
- 6 inc (12)
- (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
- 1 sc, inc, (2 sc, inc) x 5, 1 sc (24)
Crochet the legs. - 4 sc, 4 sc with the leg, 8 sc, 4 sc with the other leg, 4 sc (24)
6-9. 24 sc (4 rows) - (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
- 18 sc
- (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Secure the yarn, cut it, and leave a tail for sewing. Embroider black stripes.
Head
- Ch 2, in the first ch, make 6 sc (6)
- 6 inc (12)
- (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
- 1 sc, inc, (2 sc, inc) x 5, 1 sc (24)
5-10. 24 sc (6 rows)
Insert the safety eyes between rows 6 and 7, 3 sc apart. - (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
- (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Secure the yarn, cut it.
Ears (2 pieces)
- Ch 2, in the first ch, make 4 sc (4)
- Ch 1, turn, 4 sc, sl st
Secure the yarn, cut it, and leave a long tail for sewing.
Muzzle
Crochet with white yarn:
- Ch 2, in the first ch, make 6 sc (6)
- 6 inc (12)
Secure the yarn, cut it, and leave a long tail for sewing. Insert the nose and embroider the mouth.
Tail
- Ch 2, in the first ch, make 4 sc (4)
2-12. 4 sc (11 rows)
Secure the yarn, cut it, and leave a long tail for sewing. Embroider stripes with black yarn.
Assembly and Finishing
- Sew the muzzle under the eyes, between rows 7-12.
- Attach the ears between rows 3-6.
- Sew the head to the body, and use the same yarn to make indentations under the eyes.
- Embroider the whites of the eyes with white yarn, and use black yarn to embroider eyebrows, lashes, and stripes on the head.
Now you have your own adorable plush tiger cub!
Feel free to share your finished tiger cub on social media and tag @filirinka.toys when posting! Happy crocheting!
