July 29 is International Tiger Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about one of the world’s most magnificent big cats. It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate these incredible animals while enjoying a relaxing crochet project inspired by their bold beauty. It was established to bring attention to tiger conservation and the importance of protecting wild tiger populations and their habitats. While these beautiful animals face many challenges in the wild, we can all help spread awareness and appreciation for their conservation.
If you love wildlife-inspired crochet, my Tiger Pillow Sham Crochet Pattern is a fun and creative way to bring a touch of the jungle into your home décor.
A Roaring Addition to Your Home
Featuring the unmistakable stripes and majestic face of a tiger, this pillow sham makes a striking accent for a couch, reading nook, child’s bedroom, or wildlife-themed space. Whether you’re decorating your own home or making a thoughtful gift for an animal lover, this project is sure to stand out.
The tiger design captures the strength and beauty of these amazing creatures while giving crocheters an enjoyable project that will be admired for years to come.
Creating tiger-inspired crafts is a wonderful way to celebrate these remarkable animals and spark conversations about protecting wildlife.
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
- 🐅 Eye-catching tiger design
- 🧶 Fun and rewarding crochet project
- 🛋️ Beautiful home décor piece
- 🎁 Makes a unique handmade gift
Celebrate with Crochet
International Tiger Day is a wonderful reminder to appreciate the beauty of wildlife and the creativity that crochet allows us to express. Pick up your favorite yarn, enjoy every stitch, and create a tiger pillow sham that’s both cozy and conversation worthy.
Happy International Tiger Day—and happy crocheting!
Photos by Freckled Fawn Photography
Tiger Pillow Sham measures approximately 19” wide by 13” tall. Length varies by pillow size.
Materials:
Worsted weight yarn –
16 oz. orange
7 oz. black
4 oz. white
Size H (5.00 mm) crochet hook
Bed pillow (20×28 used for photos)
Yarn needle
20” orange zipper
Directions:
BACK:
Row 1: With orange yarn, ch 77, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (76 hdc).
Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st.
Row 5: Attach black yarn. Ch 1, turn, hdc in each of next 37 sts, switch to orange yarn and hdc in remaining sts.
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, with orange yarn hdc in each of next 38 sts, with black yarn hdc in remaining 38 sts.
Row 7: Repeat Row 5.
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, with orange yarn hdc in each of next 39 sts, with black yarn hdc in remaining 37 sts.
Row 9: Ch 1, turn, with black yarn hdc in each of next 38 sts, with orange yarn hdc in remaining 38 sts.
Row 10: Repeat Row 8.
Repeat Rows 5-10 until piece measures 28” (or desired length equal to pillow length).
Repeat Row 2 with orange yarn for 4 more rows.
BELLY:
Row 1: With orange yarn, ch 61, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (60 hdc).
Rows 2-10: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st.
Row 11: Ch 1, turn, with orange hdc in each of the next 15 sts, with white hdc in each of next 30 sts, with orange hdc in each of next 15 sts.
Repeat Row 11 until piece measures 10 rows less than back. Then work 10 rows in orange hdc. Fasten off.
LEGS (Make 4):
Rnd 1: With white yarn, ch 2, 10 hdc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with sl st.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 hdc in each st, join with sl st. (20 hdc).
Rnd 3: Ch 1, *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st,* repeat around, join with sl st (30 hdc).
Rnd 4: Ch 1, hdc in each st, join with sl st. Fasten off white yarn.
Rnds 5-6: With orange yarn, ch 1, hdc in each st, join with sl st.
Rnd 7: With black yarn, ch 1, hdc in each st. join with sl st.
Repeat Rnds 5-7 three times.
Repeat Rnds 5-6 once. Fasten off leaving 12” length for sewing.
TAIL:
Rnd 1: With black yarn, ch 2, 10 hdc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with sl st. (10 hdc).
Rnd 2: Ch 1, *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (15 hdc).
Rnds 3-4: Ch 1, hdc in each st. Join with sl st.
Rnds 5-6: With orange yarn, ch 1, hdc in each st. Join with sl st.
Rnd 7: With black yarn, ch 1, hdc in each st. Join with sl st.
Repeat Rnds 5-7 seven times.
Repeat Rnds 5-6 once. Fasten off leaving 12” length for sewing.
HEAD:
Rnd 1: With orange yarn, ch 2, 9 hdc in 2nd ch from hook (9 hdc). Join with sl st.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 hdc in each st (18 hdc). Join with sl st.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st,* repeat around (27 hdc). Join with sl st.
Rnd 4: Ch 1, *hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st,* repeat around (36 hdc). Join with sl st.
Rnd 5: Ch 1, *hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st,* repeat 4 times, with black yarn repeat * to * twice, with orange yarn repeat * to * 3 times (45 hdc). Join with sl st.
Rnd 6: With orange yarn ch 1, *hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st,* repeat around (54 hdc). Join with sl st.
Rnd 7: Ch 1, *hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st,* 4 times, hdc in next 3 sts, black hdc in 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts, orange hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, repeat * to * 3 times (63 hdc). Join with sl st.
Rnd 8: Ch 1, *hdc in next 8 sts, 2 hdc in next st,* repeat around (70 hdc). Join with sl st.
Rnd 9: Ch 1, orange hdc in next 39 sts, black hdc in next 4 sts, orange hdc in next 27 sts. Adjust sts as necessary to center stripes over one another. Join with sl st.
Rnds 10-11: Ch 1, orange hdc in each st.
Rnd 12: Ch 1, black hdc in each st.
Rnd 13: Ch 1, orange hdc in each st.
Rnd 14: Ch 1, black hdc in each st.
Rnd 15: Ch 1, orange hdc in each st.
Rnd 16: Ch 1, black *hdc in next 9 sts, dec over next 2 sts*, repeat around (63 hdc).
Rnd 17: Ch 1, orange *hdc in next 5 sts, dec over next 2 sts*, repeat around (54 hdc).
Rnd 18: Ch 1, *hdc in next 4 sts, dec over next 2 sts*, repeat around (36 hdc).
Rnd 19: Ch 1, *hdc in next 3 sts, dec over next 2 sts*, repeat around (36 hdc).
Rnds 20-22: Hdc in each st.
SNOUT:
Rnd 1: With white yarn, ch 2, 10 hdc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with sl st.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 hdc in each st, join with sl st. (20 hdc).
Rnd 3: Ch 1, *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st,* repeat around, join with sl st (30 hdc).
Rnd 4: Ch 1, hdc in each st, join with sl st. Fasten off white yarn.
Rnds 5-6: With orange yarn, ch 1, hdc in each st, join with sl st. Fasten off leaving 12” length for sewing.
Attach black plastic safety nose or use black yarn to embroider nose. With black yarn, work straight sts for mouth and from mouth to nose. Stuff snout and sew to face at Rnds 12-18 centered under eyebrow stripes.
EYES (Make 2):
Rnd 1: With white yarn, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 chs, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of starting ch, sc in next 2 chs, 2 sc in last ch (10 sc). Do not join.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next 3 sts, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next 2 sts, join with sl st. Fasten off leaving length for sewing. Sew and eye patch to each side of brow stripes. Insert safety eye on bottom half of eye patch.
EARS (Make 2):
Rnd 1: With black yarn, ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sc).
Rnds 3-4: Sc in each st. Fasten off leaving 6” length for sewing. Fold in half. Use white yarn to sc around edge. Fasten off black with 6” length for sewing. Sew ears to head at Rnds 4-7.
ASSEMBLY:
With right sides together, sew back to belly at side seams. Lay flat and measure to be sure back extends equally on both sides.
Then sew end seam with right sides together. On back end, sew in 20” zipper with double seams. Stuff tail and sew centered above zipper.
Stuff legs and sew to sides approximately 4” from ends with bottom of leg at side seam.
Center head approximately 3” from front edge. Stuff firmly and sew in place with a double seam.
Alternatively, sew tiger head at end with tiger pillow “sitting up.”
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