Crochet Tiger Granny Square

Bring a touch of the safari to your next crochet project with this adorable, large-scale tiger portrait square.

Perfect as a standalone accent pillow cover or as a bold panel for a wildlife-themed blanket, this project begins by working a classic flat circle for the face.

The circle is seamlessly transformed into a crisp square using varying stitch heights. Once the base is ready, individual facial appliques are crafted and sewn on to bring this friendly jungle cat to life.

Pattern Specifications

• Skill Level: Advanced Beginner / Intermediate
• Finished Dimensions: Approximately 14” x 14”
• Gauge: First 4 rounds of the center circle = 4” across

Materials Needed

Abbreviations Used

• MR: Magic Ring / Adjustable Loop
• ch: Chain
• st(s): Stitch(es)
• sl st: Slip stitch
• sc: Single crochet
• hdc: Half double crochet
• dc: Double crochet
• tr: Treble crochet
• ch-sp: Chain space
• RS / WS: Right Side / Wrong Side

Pattern Note: The initial ch-3 at the start of any double crochet round is counted as your very first stitch throughout this pattern.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Part 1: The Main Tiger Face & Square Base

The Orange Face Center

Using your Orange yarn, form a magic ring.

• Round 1: Ch 3, work 11 dc into the ring. Close the ring tightly and join with a sl st to the top of the starting ch-3. (12 sts)
• Round 2: Ch 3, dc in the very first stitch. Work 2 dc into every remaining stitch around. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3. (24 sts)
• Round 3: Ch 3, dc in the same stitch. Dc in the next stitch, then work 2 dc in the following stitch. Repeat from * to * all the way around, ending with 1 dc in the final stitch. Join with a sl st. (36 sts)
• Round 4: Ch 3, work 2 dc in the next stitch. Dc in each of the next 2 stitches, then 2 dc in the next stitch. Repeat from * to * until 1 stitch remains. Dc in that last stitch, then join with a sl st. (48 sts)
• Round 5: Ch 3, dc in the same stitch. Dc across the next 3 stitches, then work 2 dc in the next stitch. Repeat from * to * around, ending with a dc in each of the final 3 stitches. Join with a sl st. (60 sts)
• Round 6: Ch 3, dc in the next stitch, 2 dc in the next. Dc in each of the next 4 stitches, then 2 dc in the next. Repeat from * to * until 2 stitches remain. Dc in the last 2 stitches, then join with a sl st. (72 sts)
• Round 7: Ch 3, dc in the same stitch. Dc across the next 5 stitches, then 2 dc in the next. Repeat from * to * around, ending with a dc in each of the last 5 stitches. Join with a sl st. (84 sts)
• Round 8: Ch 3, dc in the next 2 stitches, 2 dc in the next. Dc in each of the next 6 stitches, then 2 dc in the next. Repeat from * to * until 3 stitches remain. Dc in the final 3 stitches, then join with a sl st. (96 sts)
• Round 9: Ch 3, dc in the same stitch. Dc across the next 7 stitches, then 2 dc in the next. Repeat from * to * around, ending with a dc in each of the last 7 stitches. Join with a sl st. (108 sts)

Fasten off the orange yarn.

The Green Squaring Border

We will now transition the circle into a square.

• Round 10: Attach Green yarn to the first stitch. Ch 1, sc in that same stitch, sc in the next stitch. Hdc in the next 4 sts, dc in the next 4 sts, tr in the next 4 sts. In the next stitch, create a corner: (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr). Then work tr in the next 4 sts, dc in the next 4 sts, hdc in the next 4 sts, sc in the next 2 sts, hdc in the next 4 sts, dc in the next 4 sts, tr in the next 4 sts. Repeat from * to * twice more. In the next stitch, work your final corner: (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr). Complete the sequence with tr in the next 4 sts, dc in the next 4 sts, and hdc in the last 4 sts. Sl st to the first sc to join. (120 sts + four ch-2 corners)
• Round 11: Ch 1, sc in the same stitch, sc in the next. Hdc in the next 4 sts, dc in the next 6 sts, tr in the next 4 sts. In the corner ch-sp, work (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr). Then tr in the next 4 sts, dc in the next 6 sts, hdc in the next 4 sts, sc in the next 2 sts, hdc in the next 4 sts, dc in the next 6 sts, tr in the next 4 sts. Repeat from * to * twice more. Work (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in the last corner space, then tr in the next 4 sts, dc in the next 6 sts, and hdc in the final 4 sts. Sl st to the first sc. (136 sts + four ch-2 corners)
• Round 12 & 13: Ch 3 (counts as a dc). Dc in every stitch across until you reach the corner ch-sp, then work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) directly into the space. Repeat from * to * around the entire square. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to finish the round. (152 sts for Round 12; 168 sts for Round 13)

Cut your yarn and secure the ends.

Part 2: Facial Appliques

Tiger Ears (Make 2)

• Round 1 (RS): Using Orange, create a MR. Ch 1, work 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
• Round 2: Work 2 sc into every stitch around. (12 sts)
• Round 3: 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in the following stitch. Repeat from * to * around. (18 sts)
• Round 4: Sc in the next 3 stitches. Change to Black and sc in the next 3 stitches. Switch back to Orange and sc in the remaining 12 stitches. (18 sts)
• Round 5: Sc in the next 2 stitches. Change to Black and sc across the next 5 stitches. Switch back to Orange and sc in the final 11 stitches. (18 sts)
• Rounds 6 – 7: Repeat the stitch and color pattern established in Round 5.
• Fasten off, leaving a long tail of orange yarn to sew the ears to the base.

Muzzle

Using Cream yarn, create a MR.

• Round 1: Ch 3, work 11 dc into the loop. Pull tight and join with a sl st to the ch-3. (12 sts)
• Round 2: Ch 3, dc in the same stitch, then work 2 dc into every stitch around. Sl st to join. (24 sts)
• Round 3: Ch 3, dc in the same stitch, dc in the next. 2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the following stitch. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st. (36 sts)
• Fasten off, leaving a generous tail for assembly.

Nose

Using Black yarn, ch 3.

• Row 1: Sc in the second chain from your hook, then sc in the last chain. Turn. (2 sts)
• Row 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in the first stitch, and 2 sc in the last stitch. Turn. (4 sts)
• Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first stitch, sc across to the final stitch, 2 sc in the last stitch. Turn. (6 sts)
• Border: Safely work single crochet stitches evenly all the way around the raw perimeter of the triangular nose. Place 2 sc into each corner to keep them flat. Sl st to the first stitch to join.
• Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail.

Eyes (Make 2)

• Round 1: Using Black, create a MR. Ch 3, work 10 dc into the ring. Pull closed and join with a sl st. (11 sts) Fasten off the black yarn, leaving a long sewing tail.
• Row 2: Attach Blue yarn to the first stitch of Round 1. Work a sl st across the next 5 stitches, then fasten off.
• Row 3: Attach White yarn to the same starting stitch of Round 1, running your hook right behind the blue stitches. Sl st across the next 5 stitches. Fasten off, keeping a long strand of white for eye details.
• Use the remaining white strand to stitch a small, bright reflection point in the center of the dark pupil.

Tiger Stripes (Make 9)

Using Black yarn, ch 8.

• Row 1: Sl st into the second chain from your hook. Sc in each of the next 2 chains, hdc in each of the next 2 chains, and finish with a dc in each of the final 2 chains.
• Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attachment.

Part 3: Assembly & Final Details

Using a tapestry needle and the long yarn tails left on your applique pieces, secure them onto the right side (RS) of your orange face circle:

1. Ears: Position and sew the ears securely near the upper curved edge of the orange face, aligning them neatly with the top corners of the green square frame.
2. Stripes: Arrange the 9 accent stripes symmetrically around the sides and top of the orange face, then sew them down flat.
3. Eyes: Place the eyes evenly in the upper-middle section of the face and sew them down.
4. Muzzle & Nose: First, sew the black triangular nose onto the upper center of the cream muzzle. Using a strand of black yarn, embroider a downward line and a classic curved smile underneath the nose. Once complete, stitch the entire muzzle assembly onto the lower center of the tiger’s face.
5. Whiskers: Take a long piece of black yarn and embroider fine whisker lines extending outward from the sides of the cream muzzle.
6. Finishing: Securely weave all remaining loose ends into the back of your work. Your tiger square is complete!