Introduction
Meet the Sunflower Gardener Tiger: a cheerful amigurumi tiger dressed in a yellow tee and a denim-look pinafore with a 3D sunflower on the bib, tidy brown Mary Jane shoes, and a crochet baseball cap (not too big, so the ears show). A crossbody watering-can bag and a tiny potted sunflower complete the look.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Step 1: Form & Proportion Analysis
- Overall height: ~10 in (25 cm) using DK cotton and a 2.5 mm hook.
- Head: Round-oval; the widest belt sits around head Rnds 15–19. Eyes (8 mm) are low and wide—8 sts apart—between Rnds 13–14. Muzzle is a small rounded trapezoid that protrudes slightly; nose and smile centered.
- Ears: Medium round ears, set high, visible under the baseball cap (cap is fitted and does not cover ears).
- Body: Compact cylinder with a gentle belly; natural waist near Body Rnd 12.
- Arms: Straight tubes with rounded palms, attached slightly forward.
- Legs & Feet: Straight legs exiting brown Mary Janes; soles flat and parallel for stable posing.
- Markings: Soft chocolate stripes—three on forehead, two on each cheek, and banding on arms and tail—embroidered after assembly.
- Outfit:
- Tee: Butter-yellow, short sleeves with neat cuff line.
- Pinafore (overall dress): Desaturated denim blue, A-line to mid-calf, high bib with a sunflower applique (gold petals, brown center, green leaves).
- Shoes: Brown Mary Janes with cream toe insets and stitched strap.
- Cap: Wheat/caramel crochet baseball cap with curved brim; diameter sized to sit snugly above eyes.
- Accessories: Crossbody watering-can bag in warm gray; small potted sunflower prop.
Materials
- DK-weight cotton yarn (Category 3) in:
- C1 Tiger orange (head, body, limbs, tail)
- C1b Light cream (muzzle, toe insets)
- C2 Dark cocoa (stripes, mouth/nose embroidery)
- C3 Denim blue (pinafore)
- C4 Butter yellow (tee)
- C5 Brown (shoes)
- C6 Wheat/caramel (baseball cap)
- C7 Warm gray (watering can)
- C8 Sunflower yellow (applique petals & prop)
- C9 Olive/leaf green (applique leaves & prop stem/leaves)
- C10 Dark brown (sunflower center)
- C11 Terracotta (flower pot)
- Hooks: 2.5 mm for amigurumi; 3.0 mm for the pinafore skirt hem and cap brim (for nicer drape).
- 8 mm safety eyes (or crochet black circles).
- Stuffing (polyfill), tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- MR – magic ring
- sc – single crochet
- inc – increase (2 sc in one st)
- dec – invisible decrease
- sl st – slip stitch
- ch – chain
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- BLO / FLO – back loop only / front loop only
- rep – repeat
- sk – skip
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- Rnd / Row – round / row
- RS – right side
Gauge & Notes
- Target gauge for the doll: ~8 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm).
- Work in continuous spirals unless a join is stated.
- Stuff firmly but smoothly; keep shaping gentle for the cheeks and muzzle.
- All details (buttons/strap/badge) are crocheted; keep everything yarn-only.
The Tiger
Head (C1)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc [6]
Rnd 2: inc around [12]
Rnd 3: (sc, inc)×6 [18]
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc)×6 [24]
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc)×6 [30]
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc)×6 [36]
Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc)×6 [42]
Rnds 8–18: sc around [42]
— Insert safety eyes between Rnds 13–14, 8 sts apart.
Rnd 19: (5 sc, dec)×6 [36]
Rnd 20: sc around [36]
Rnd 21: (4 sc, dec)×6 [30]
Rnd 22: (3 sc, dec)×6 [24] — start stuffing.
Rnd 23: (2 sc, dec)×6 [18]
Rnd 24: (sc, dec)×6 [12]
Rnd 25: sc around [12]; fasten off, leaving a long tail.
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Muzzle (C1b)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc [6]
Rnd 2: inc around [12]
Rnd 3: (sc, inc)×6 [18]
Rnd 4: sc around [18]
Rnd 5: (2 sc, dec)×4 + sc 2 [14]; sl st to finish; lightly stuff.
Sew centered, the top edge sitting ~2 rnds below the eyes. With C2, satin-stitch a triangular nose and embroider a short vertical line and gentle smile.
Ears (make 2; C1 outer, C1b inner trim)
Rnd 1 (C1): MR, 6 sc [6]
Rnd 2: (sc, inc)×3 [9]
Rnd 3: (2 sc, inc)×3 [12]
Rnd 4: sc around [12]; sl st and leave a long tail.
With C1b, surface sl st a small crescent inside each ear for the lighter inner ear. Flatten ears; sew high on the head.
Body (C1)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc [6]
Rnd 2: inc around [12]
Rnd 3: (sc, inc)×6 [18]
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc)×6 [24]
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc)×6 [30]
Rnd 6–8: sc around [30]
Rnd 9: (4 sc, inc)×6 [36]
Rnd 10: sc around [36]
Rnd 11: (4 sc, dec)×6 [30]
Rnd 12: (3 sc, dec)×6 [24] — natural waist
Rnd 13: sc around [24]
Rnd 14: (2 sc, dec)×6 [18] — begin stuffing
Rnd 15: (sc, dec)×6 [12]
Rnd 16: dec around [6]; close.
Sew head to body with ladder stitches; keep the chin slightly forward.
Arms (make 2, C1)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc [6]
Rnd 2: (sc, inc)×3 [9]
Rnds 3–11: sc around [9]
Rnd 12: (2 sc, dec)×2, sc 1 [7]
Lightly stuff the hand end only to keep arms flexible. Flatten the top; sew slightly forward beneath the neckline.
Legs & Mary Jane Shoes (make 2)
Shoe Sole (C5)
Rnd 1: ch 6; sc in 2nd ch, sc 3, 3 sc in last; on other side sc 3, inc in last [12]
Rnd 2: inc, sc 3, inc×3, sc 3, inc×2 [18]
Rnd 3: BLO sc around [18] — sole edge.
Upper (C5)
Rnd 4–5: sc around [18]
Rnd 6: (4 sc, dec)×3 [15]
Rnd 7: (3 sc, dec)×3 [12] — rounded toe.
Toe Insert (C1b)
MR, 6 sc; inc around to 12; sew on the top front to mimic the cream inset.
Strap (C5)
Join at inner ankle; ch 8; sl st to outer ankle; fasten off.
Leg Tube (C1)
Rnd 8: switch to C1; sc around [12]
Rnds 9–12: sc around [12]
Rnd 13: (sc, dec)×4 [8]
Rnds 14–16: sc around [8]; fasten off with long tail.
Stuff and attach both legs parallel under the body so soles sit level.
Tail (C1)
Ch 20; sl st back along the chain for a neat cord. Sew at center back, low. Add 2–3 tiny C2 stripes with straight stitches.
Embroidered Stripes (C2)
- Forehead: three vertical-ish short bars radiating from the top center.
- Cheeks: two diagonal bars each side.
- Arms: two narrow rings on each arm at mid-length.
- Tail: short bands spaced evenly.
Work with a split strand of cotton for neat, flat lines.
Clothing & Accessories
Butter-Yellow Tee (C4)
Rnd 1: ch 56, join to ring [56]
Rnd 2: sc around [56]
Rnd 3: (sc 6, inc)×8 [64]
Rnd 4: sc around [64]
Rnd 5 (divide for sleeves): sc 9, ch 4, sk 12, sc 22, ch 4, sk 12, sc 9 [48 incl. chains]
Rnd 6: sc around, working 2 sc in each ch-4 underarm to close gaps [56]
Rnd 7–8: sc around [56]
Rnd 9 (hem): FLO sc around for a neat cuff line; sl st and fasten off.
Sleeves (each): pick up 22 sc evenly around armhole; Rnd 1: sc around [22]; Rnd 2: (sc 5, dec)×3 + sc 1 [19]; Rnd 3: sc around; sl st to finish. The sleeve ends slightly above the elbow.
Denim-Look Pinafore Dress (C3)
Skirt Base (in the round):
Rnd 1: ch 84, join without twist [84]
Rnd 2: sc around [84]
Rnd 3: (sc 6, inc)×12 [96]
Rnd 4–7: sc around [96]
Rnd 8 (texture ridge): BLO sc around [96]
Rnd 9–12: sc around [96]
Rnd 13 (hem): sl st loosely around; fasten off.
Bodice/Bib (worked flat):
Mark center front. Rejoin C3 at the ridge (Rnd 8) centered above the skirt.
Row 1: pick up 16 sts across [16]
Rows 2–8: sc across [16]
Row 9: dec, sc 12, dec [14]
Row 10: sc across [14]; fasten off.
Straps (make 2):
At the top corners of the bib, ch 20; Row 1: sc in back bumps across [19]; fasten off long tails. Cross straps over the back and sew to the skirt’s back waistline about 12 sts apart.
Sunflower Appliqué (C8 petals, C10 center, C9 leaves)
- Center: MR with C10, 8 sc; inc around [16]; sl st to close.
- Petals (make 10): [Join C8 anywhere on center] (sl st, ch 3, hdc, dc in same st, ch 2, sl st in next st). Work all around to create layered petals.
- Leaves (2): With C9, ch 6; sc in 2nd ch, hdc, dc, hdc, sc; sl st along the side to sharpen the tip.
Sew center to bib, petals outward, and tuck two leaves under the lower edge.
Baseball Cap (C6; fitted so ears show)
Crown
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc [6]
Rnd 2: inc around [12]
Rnd 3: (sc, inc)×6 [18]
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc)×6 [24]
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc)×6 [30]
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc)×6 [36]
Rnd 7: sc around [36]
Rnd 8 (side band): BLO sc around [36]
Rnd 9: sc around [36]; sl st and fasten off. This crown sits just above the eyebrows; do not add more increases or it will hide ears.
Brim (switch to 3.0 mm)
Row 1: Reattach at front center; ch 1, sc 12 evenly across the front edge.
Row 2: ch 1, turn; sc2tog, sc 8, sc2tog [10]
Row 3: ch 1, turn; sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog [8]
Row 4: ch 1, turn; sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog [6]
Row 5: sl st around the brim edge for a clean curve; fasten off.
Place the cap so it nestles above the eyes and between the ears; tack at two points.
Watering Can Crossbody Bag (C7)
Body (oval base → side wall)
Rnd 1: ch 10; sc in 2nd ch, sc 7, 3 sc in last; rotate, sc 7, inc in final [18]
Rnd 2: inc, sc 7, inc×3, sc 7, inc×2 [24]
Rnd 3: BLO sc around [24]
Rnd 4–7: sc around [24]
Handle
Ch 18; sl st back for a cord; sew ends to opposite sides of the body, forming a high arc.
Spout
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc [6]
Rnd 2: sc around [6]
Rnd 3: (sc, inc)×3 [9]
Rnd 4–6: sc around [9]; stuff lightly and sew to the body’s front-right side.
Rose (tip): MR, 6 hdc; sl st to close and sew to the spout end.
Lid Ridge (optional): surface sl st a small circle on top.
Strap
Ch 80–90 (crossbody length); sl st back; sew to opposite sides so the can hangs at the right hip.
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Potted Sunflower Prop (C11 pot, C10 center, C8 petals, C9 greens)
Pot
Rnd 1: MR (C11), 6 sc [6]
Rnd 2: inc around [12]
Rnd 3: (sc, inc)×6 [18]
Rnd 4: BLO sc around [18]
Rnd 5–6: sc around [18]
Rnd 7 (rim): (2 sc, inc)×6 [24]; Rnd 8: sc around [24]; fasten.
Soil
MR (brown C10), 6 sc; inc around to 18; sl st and fit snugly into pot top.
Stem & Leaves
Stem: ch 14 with C9; sl st back for a firm cord; push into the soil and tack.
Leaves (2): ch 5; sc in 2nd ch, hdc, dc, hdc; sl st; sew to stem sides.
Flower Head
Center: MR with C10, 8 sc; inc around [16].
Petals: join C8 around—(ch 3, hdc, dc in same st, ch 1, sl st next st) repeat to make even petals.
Sew head to the top of the stem.
Assembly & Dressing
Order
- Dress the tee (it stretches slightly at the neckline).
- Put on the pinafore; cross and sew the straps at back waist.
- Add shoes; check parallel stance.
- Seat the baseball cap above the eyes; ensure both ears remain visible; tack at two points.
- Hang the watering-can bag from left shoulder; let it rest against the pinafore.
- Place the potted sunflower beside the doll for photos.
Blocking, Styling & Care
- Hover-steam to relax the pinafore hem and cap brim; do not press directly to avoid flattening stitches.
- Pinch the muzzle gently while warm so it stays rounded.
- Spot clean; air dry.
- For standing shots on a wooden table, lean the tiger softly against a mug or plant; flat soles keep it stable.
Troubleshooting
- Head wobble: Before sewing head to body, make a neck peg (6 sc around × 4–5 rnds) and insert between pieces.
- Cap covers ears: Remove Row 7 of the crown or tighten tension; brim must start above the ear line.
- Pinafore rides up: Add a hidden stitch at side seams to the tee, or increase the strap length by 2 chains.
- Shoes slipping: Add a second round of sc at the shoe opening or tack strap ends to the ankle.
- Sunflower applique curling: Steam and press with a towel barrier, then tack additional stitches beneath two opposite petals.
Quick Reference (Counts At a Glance)
- Head: max 42 sts; eyes at Rnds 13–14 (8 sts apart); close at 12.
- Ears: 12-st discs; lightly flattened.
- Body: max 36 → waist 24 → close at 6.
- Arms: 9-st tubes taper to 7.
- Legs/Shoes: sole 18; leg tube 12 → 8.
- Tee: ring 56 → divide sleeves with 12-st gaps; body 56; sleeves start 22 → taper to 19.
- Pinafore: skirt ring 84 → flare to 96; bib 16 → taper to 14; straps ch 20.
- Cap: crown to 36; side band BLO; brim 12 → 6.
- Watering can: base 24 sts; body 24 × 4 rnds; strap ch 80–90.
- Potted sunflower: pot to 24; soil 18; stem ch 14; petals all around a 16-st center.
