Large Tiger Floor Rug

Crochet pattern for Alize Puffy loop yarn

A plump, cartoon tiger rug seen from above: striped oval body, round head with a sweet face, four legs, and a ringed tail. Worked in dense single crochet so the fabric is thick and floor-safe. Designed for beginners — only sc, increases, decreases, and full-row color changes, with the face added as simple sewn pieces.

Skill level: Beginner
Finished size: One size — about 62 in long × 32 in wide (158 × 81 cm), including legs and tail. Thickness about 1½ in (4 cm).

Materials

Yarn: Alize Puffy (100% micro-polyester loop yarn; super bulky; 100 g / 10 yd / 9.2 m per skein). This is loop yarn, not worsted-weight yarn.

Buy one extra MC skein if your gauge is looser than stated.

Hook: US P/16 (11.5 mm), or any large hook that is comfortable for pulling the premade loops. A 10 mm–15 mm hook all work; match gauge.

Notions:

• 2 stitch markers
• Scissors
• Your hook (used for seaming; a tapestry needle will not pass through this yarn)
• Optional: a few yards of black worsted-weight yarn for a finer embroidered mouth
• Required for a floor rug: non-slip rug pad or anti-slip fabric plus strong sewing thread to tack it to the back

Gauge

5 sc × 5 rows = 4 × 4 in (10 × 10 cm) in single crochet, worked flat.

Each stitch should measure about 0.8 in (2 cm) square. Swatch: chain 10, work 8 rows of 9 sc, measure the center 5 × 5 sts.

If your swatch is larger than 4 in: use a smaller hook or pull the loops snug.
If your swatch is smaller than 4 in: use a larger hook or leave the loops more relaxed.

A slightly dense fabric is better than a loose one — gaps on a floor rug catch toes.

Abbreviations (US)

• ch — chain
• sc — single crochet
• inc — increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec — decrease (sc2tog: pull 1 loop through the next 2 stitches)
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• sl st — slip stitch
• rnd — round
• RS — right side
• WS — wrong side
• MC / CC1 / CC2 / CC3 — main color / contrast colors as listed above

Pattern Notes

• The rug is worked flat, in rows, then assembled. The body starts at the rear and is worked toward the chest; the head is worked onto the live chest stitches.
• Alize Puffy method (recommended): The yarn is a chain of premade loops. Use the hook only as a pulling tool. 1 sc = pull 1 new loop through 1 stitch of the row below. inc = pull 2 new loops through 1 stitch. dec = pull 1 new loop through 2 stitches. At the end of every row, turn. Do not make a turning chain.
• Traditional sc option: If you prefer to treat the strand as super-bulky yarn, ch 1 at the start of every row (does not count as a stitch) and work regular sc. Stitch counts are identical.
• Stitch counts are given in parentheses at the end of shaping rows, with a running check.
• Color changes happen at the start of a row: drop the old color and pull the first loop of the new color through the first stitch. For one-row stripes, cut CC1 leaving a 4 in (10 cm) tail and knot + weave it on the WS. Do not carry unused colors across the back — the extra bulk will make the rug lumpy.
• RS is the side with the cleaner stripes; WS faces the floor.
• Do not use safety eyes, buttons, or beads. This is a floor rug.
• Polyester chenille can crush or melt. Do not steam or iron. Shape with your hands only.

Body

With MC, count off / ch 12 loops (foundation).

Row 1 (RS): Sc in each st across. (12 sts)
Row 2: Inc in first st, sc in next 10 sts, inc in last st. (12 + 2 = 14 sts ✓)
Row 3: Sc in each st. (14 sts)
Row 4: With CC1, inc in first st, sc in next 12 sts, inc in last st. (14 + 2 = 16 sts ✓)
Row 5: With MC, sc in each st. (16 sts)
Row 6: Inc in first st, sc in next 14 sts, inc in last st. (16 + 2 = 18 sts ✓)
Row 7: Sc in each st. (18 sts)
Row 8: Inc in first st, sc in next 16 sts, inc in last st. (18 + 2 = 20 sts ✓)
Row 9: With CC1, sc in each st. (20 sts)
Row 10: With MC, inc in first st, sc in next 18 sts, inc in last st. (20 + 2 = 22 sts ✓)
Row 11: Sc in each st. (22 sts)
Row 12: Inc in first st, sc in next 20 sts, inc in last st. (22 + 2 = 24 sts ✓)

Place a marker at each end of Row 12 — this is the widest point of the hips.

Rows 13–18: With MC, sc in each st. (24 sts)
Row 19: With CC1, sc in each st. (24 sts)
Rows 20–23: With MC, sc in each st. (24 sts)
Row 24: With CC1, sc in each st. (24 sts)
Rows 25–28: With MC, sc in each st. (24 sts)
Row 29: With CC1, sc in each st. (24 sts)
Rows 30–32: With MC, sc in each st. (24 sts)
(Rows 13–32 = 20 even rows at 24 sts ✓)

Row 33: With CC1, dec, sc in next 20 sts, dec. (24 − 2 = 22 sts ✓)
Row 34: With MC, sc in each st. (22 sts)
Row 35: Dec, sc in next 18 sts, dec. (22 − 2 = 20 sts ✓)
Row 36: Sc in each st. (20 sts)

Do not fasten off. Body measures about 19¼ in wide × 28¾ in long (49 × 73 cm). Continue to the Head.

Head

Keep MC. The 20 live stitches are the chest / neck.

Row 1: Inc in first st, sc in next 18 sts, inc in last st. (20 + 2 = 22 sts ✓)
Row 2: Sc in each st. (22 sts)
Row 3: Inc in first st, sc in next 20 sts, inc in last st. (22 + 2 = 24 sts ✓)
Rows 4–5: Sc in each st. (24 sts)
Row 6: With CC1, sc in each st. (24 sts) (forehead stripe)
Rows 7–9: With MC, sc in each st. (24 sts)
(Rows 4–9 = 6 rows at 24 sts, one of them black ✓)

Place a marker at each end of Row 8 — ear placement.

Row 10: Dec, sc in next 20 sts, dec. (24 − 2 = 22 sts ✓)
Row 11: Sc in each st. (22 sts)
Row 12: Dec, sc in next 18 sts, dec. (22 − 2 = 20 sts ✓)
Row 13: Dec, sc in next 16 sts, dec. (20 − 2 = 18 sts ✓)
Row 14: Dec, sc in next 14 sts, dec. (18 − 2 = 16 sts ✓)
Row 15: Dec, sc in next 12 sts, dec. (16 − 2 = 14 sts ✓)
Row 16: Dec, sc in next 10 sts, dec. (14 − 2 = 12 sts ✓)
Row 17: Dec, sc in next 8 sts, dec. (12 − 2 = 10 sts ✓)
Row 18: Dec, sc in next 6 sts, dec. (10 − 2 = 8 sts ✓)

Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15 cm) tail. Head is about 19¼ in at the cheeks × 14½ in long (49 × 37 cm), tapering to a 6½ in (16 cm) muzzle.

Tail

With MC, count off / ch 8.

Rows 1–4: Sc in each st. (8 sts)
Row 5: With CC1, dec, sc in next 4 sts, dec. (8 − 2 = 6 sts ✓)
Row 6: With CC1, sc in each st. (6 sts)
Rows 7–10: With MC, sc in each st. (6 sts)
Row 11: With CC1, dec, sc in next 2 sts, dec. (6 − 2 = 4 sts ✓)
Row 12: With CC1, sc in each st. (4 sts)
Rows 13–18: With MC, sc in each st. (4 sts)
Row 19: With CC1, dec, dec. (4 − 2 = 2 sts ✓)
Row 20: With CC1, sc in each st. (2 sts)
Rows 21–24: With MC, sc in each st. (2 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming. Tail is about 19¼ in long (49 cm), tapering from 6½ in to 1½ in (16 to 4 cm).

Legs (make 4)

With MC, count off / ch 8.

Rows 1–5: Sc in each st. (8 sts)
Rows 6–7: With CC1, sc in each st. (8 sts)
Rows 8–12: With MC, sc in each st. (8 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming. Each leg is about 6½ in wide × 9½ in long (16 × 24 cm).

Outer Ears (make 2)

With MC, count off / ch 6.

Row 1: Sc in each st. (6 sts)
Row 2: Sc in each st. (6 sts)
Row 3: Dec, sc in next 2 sts, dec. (6 − 2 = 4 sts ✓)
Row 4: Sc in each st. (4 sts)
Row 5: Dec, dec. (4 − 2 = 2 sts ✓)
Row 6: Dec. (2 − 1 = 1 st ✓)

Fasten off, leaving a tail for seaming.

Inner Ears (make 2)

With CC3, count off / ch 4.

Row 1: Sc in each st. (4 sts)
Row 2: Sc in each st. (4 sts)
Row 3: Dec, dec. (4 − 2 = 2 sts ✓)
Row 4: Dec. (2 − 1 = 1 st ✓)

Fasten off, leaving a tail. Sew each pink triangle onto the RS of an orange ear, matching the point. The orange should show as a border.

Muzzle

With CC2, count off / ch 7.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (6 sts)
Row 2: Inc in first st, sc in next 4 sts, inc in last st. (6 + 2 = 8 sts ✓)
Row 3: Inc in first st, sc in next 6 sts, inc in last st. (8 + 2 = 10 sts ✓)
Rows 4–6: Sc in each st. (10 sts)
Row 7: Dec, sc in next 6 sts, dec. (10 − 2 = 8 sts ✓)
Row 8: Dec, sc in next 4 sts, dec. (8 − 2 = 6 sts ✓)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming. Oval is about 8 in × 6½ in (20 × 16 cm).

Belly patch (optional but recommended)

With CC2, count off / ch 11.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (10 sts)
Row 2: Inc in first st, sc in next 8 sts, inc in last st. (10 + 2 = 12 sts ✓)
Row 3: Inc in first st, sc in next 10 sts, inc in last st. (12 + 2 = 14 sts ✓)
Rows 4–12: Sc in each st. (14 sts)
Row 13: Dec, sc in next 10 sts, dec. (14 − 2 = 12 sts ✓)
Row 14: Dec, sc in next 8 sts, dec. (12 − 2 = 10 sts ✓)
Row 15: Sc in each st. (10 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Oval is about 11 in × 12 in (28 × 30 cm).

Eyes (make 2)

White (CC2): Ch 3. Join with sl st to form a tiny ring (or work all sts into the first ch).
Rnd 1: 8 sc into the ring. Join with sl st to first sc. (8 sts ✓)
Fasten off, leaving a tail.

Pupil (CC1): Ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with sl st. (6 sts ✓)
Fasten off, leaving a tail. Sew one pupil onto each white circle, slightly toward the nose so the tiger looks inquiring, not startled.

Nose

With CC3 (or CC1 if you prefer a black nose), count off / ch 4.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (3 sts)
Row 2: Dec, sc in last st. (3 − 1 = 2 sts ✓)
Row 3: Dec. (2 − 1 = 1 st ✓)

Fasten off, leaving a tail. Small triangle.

Forehead / cheek stripes (make 5)

With CC1, work small strips to sew on — easier and cleaner than colorwork for a beginner.

• Center forehead stripe (make 1): Ch 3. Work 5 rows of 2 sc. Fasten off.
• Side forehead stripes (make 2): Ch 3. Work 4 rows of 2 sc. Fasten off.
• Cheek stripes (make 2): Ch 3. Work 3 rows of 2 sc. Fasten off.

Finishing

Weave every tail to the WS by pulling it through nearby loops with the hook. Knot once against the fabric, weave another 2 in (5 cm), and trim. A floor rug gets stepped on — loose ends will work out if they are only tucked.

Assembly order (all seams with RS facing you, using matching color loops pulled through both layers):

1. Belly. Center the cream oval on the RS of the body, between the hip markers (Row 12) and the chest (Row 36). Sew around the edge.
2. Tail. Sew the 8-st end of the tail to the center of the body foundation (Row 1), so the tail continues the spine.
3. Back legs. Sew two legs to the sides of the body over Rows 6–16, with the 8-st top edge against the body and the paws pointing slightly back and out.
4. Front legs. Sew the remaining two legs over Rows 28–36 (chest), paws pointing slightly forward and out. Overall width should now be about 32 in (81 cm).
5. Ears. Sew the ear pair to the head at the Row 8 markers, points up and slightly out, about 4 sts left and right of center. Inner pink faces forward (toward the muzzle).
6. Muzzle. Sew the cream oval onto the lower head, covering Rows 13–18 and overlapping the 8-st front edge. Keep the top of the muzzle just below the forehead stripe.
7. Nose. Sew the pink triangle, point down, onto the lower third of the muzzle.
8. Eyes. Sew the eyes on either side of the center forehead stripe, on Head Rows 8–12, leaving about 3–4 sts between them.
9. Stripes. Sew the long center strip down the forehead (between the ears, above the muzzle). Sew the two shorter strips as a shallow V on either side of it. Sew one cheek strip on each side of the muzzle, angling back toward the ears.
10. Mouth. With CC1 (or the optional black worsted), embroider a short vertical line down from the nose and a shallow curve to each side — a simple inverted Y.
11. Whiskers. Cut six 8 in (20 cm) lengths of CC1. Pull 3 through each side of the muzzle like fringe and trim to 4–5 in (10–13 cm).
12. Claws. With CC1, make 3 short stitches at the paw end of each leg.

Check the silhouette: From above you should see two ears, a round face looking at you, an oval striped body, four legs splayed, and a tapering ringed tail. Adjust any piece before the seams are fully locked.

Blocking: Pat the rug into shape on the floor with your hands. If needed, mist very lightly with water and let it dry flat. No steam, no iron, no heavy weights.

Non-slip backing (do not skip): Cut anti-slip fabric or a rug pad ½ in (1 cm) smaller than the tiger all around. Tack it to the WS with strong thread in a few dozen spots — at the head, each leg, the tail, and along the body — so it cannot bunch when stepped on. This yarn is slick on hard floors.

Care: Spot-clean with a damp cloth. Do not machine-wash (the loops distort and the sewn pieces shift). Shake out dust. Store flat, not folded, so the chenille does not crease.

Finished measurements (at gauge)

Length check: 28¾ in body + 14½ in head + 19¼ in tail = 62½ in (159 cm) ✓
Width check: 19¼ in body + 6½ in + 6½ in legs = 32¼ in (82 cm) ✓

Enjoy your tiger. May it only trip people in the charming way.