Knitting Tutorial: Fisherman Tiger – Free Knitting Pattern

This Fisherman Tiger is a cozy knitted tiger doll with a rounded orange striped head, white muzzle, glossy safety eyes, small rounded ears, and a tiny cream flower by one ear. The tiger wears a navy and cream fisherman cardigan with cable texture, wooden buttons, matching shoulder bag with a little fish charm, sandals with vine details, and a matching pom-pom hat beside a tiny fishing rod and basket.

 

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern creates a seated fisherman-style tiger plush with a large expressive head, compact body, short rounded arms, sturdy legs, and detailed accessories. The finished doll is designed to look like the image: soft orange tiger fur, black knitted and embroidered stripes, white face patches, a textured cream-and-navy cardigan, a navy crossbody bag, fishing details, sandals, a pom-pom hat, and a small basket.

The tiger is worked mostly in the round for the head, body, limbs, ears, muzzle, paws, and accessories. The cardigan, hat brim, bag flap, sandal straps, and decorative trims use flat knitting. Small details are embroidered after stuffing so the face can be shaped accurately.

Finished Size

• Tiger doll height: about 10.5 inches from feet to top of head.
• Head width: about 4.75 inches across the cheeks.
• Body width with cardigan: about 4.25 inches.
• Hat height: about 3.25 inches including pom-pom.
• Basket width: about 2 inches.
• Fishing rod length: about 5.5 inches.

Skill Level

Intermediate beginner to intermediate. The shaping is simple, but the tiger depends on careful placement, neat sewing, and embroidery. New knitters can complete it by following the stitch counts slowly and checking each section before moving on.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn in tiger orange, about 55 g.
• Worsted weight yarn in cream or warm white, about 45 g.
• Worsted weight yarn in navy blue, about 45 g.
• Small amount of black yarn or black embroidery thread for tiger stripes, eye accents, claws, and foot marks.
• Small amount of tan yarn for nose, sandal soles, basket, and rod wrap.
• Small amount of pale blue yarn for fish charm and bobber.
• Small amount of green yarn for leaves on sandals.
• Small amount of rust-orange yarn for tiny sandal flowers.
• Small amount of ivory yarn for flower by the ear.
• Pair of 12 mm glossy black safety eyes.
• Three 8 mm wooden buttons for the cardigan front.
• Two 6 mm wooden buttons for the bag flap and basket accent.
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing.
• Yarn needle for seaming and embroidery.
• Removable stitch markers.
• Small amount of strong sewing thread for attaching buttons.
• Two double-pointed knitting needles, US 4 or 3.5 mm, for small round pieces.
• Straight or circular needles, US 4 or 3.5 mm, for flat pieces.
• Optional: 5.5 inch wooden skewer or pipe cleaner for fishing rod core.

Gauge

Using worsted weight yarn and US 4 needles, work tightly so stuffing does not show. Aim for 6 stitches and 8 rows per inch in stockinette stitch. Exact gauge is less important than a firm fabric. If your knitting is loose, go down one needle size.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• K: knit.
• P: purl.
• St or sts: stitch or stitches.
• Rnd: round.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• Kfb: knit into front and back of same stitch, 1 stitch increased.
• K2tog: knit 2 stitches together, 1 stitch decreased.
• SSK: slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 knitwise, knit slipped stitches together through back loops.
• M1L: make 1 left increase.
• M1R: make 1 right increase.
• St st: stockinette stitch, knit on RS and purl on WS when flat, knit every round when circular.
• Seed st: K1, P1 across, then work opposite stitches on next row.
• C4F: slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, K2, then K2 from cable needle.

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Important Construction Notes

• Work small round pieces using double-pointed needles or magic loop.
• Always stuff gradually. The tiger should be firm, rounded, and plush, not floppy.
• Use mattress stitch for clean seams on flat pieces.
• For a close match to the picture, keep the head larger than the body and place the eyes wide apart.
• Embroidery is essential. The black stripes create the tiger expression and must be placed after the head is stuffed.
• The cardigan is removable in appearance, but it is sewn lightly to the body at the shoulders and side seams for stability.

Color Placement Guide

The tiger’s head is mainly orange, with large white cheek patches under both eyes, a white lower muzzle, and black tiger stripes on the forehead, cheeks, sides, legs, and feet. The cardigan has a cream yoke and upper chest, navy lower body and sleeves, and a cream-and-navy stranded band around the middle.

The image shows a handmade fisherman theme. The blue shoulder strap crosses from the tiger’s left shoulder toward the right side bag. The bag hangs at the lower right front of the cardigan and has a little pale blue knitted fish dangling below it.

Head

Work the head in the round from the top down using tiger orange. The shape should be round at the forehead, fuller at the cheeks, and slightly narrower at the neck.

1. CO 8 sts in orange. Divide evenly over needles and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 8 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K1, Kfb, repeat around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: K2, Kfb, repeat around. 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: K all sts.
9. Rnd 8: K3, Kfb, repeat around. 40 sts.
10. Rnd 9: K all sts.
11. Rnd 10: K4, Kfb, repeat around. 48 sts.
12. Rnd 11: K all sts.
13. Rnd 12: K5, Kfb, repeat around. 56 sts.
14. Rnd 13: K all sts.
15. Rnd 14: K6, Kfb, repeat around. 64 sts.
16. Rnds 15-22: K all sts for 8 rounds.

Begin the white face patches. The front center of the head uses a white cheek section under the eyes. Place a marker at the front center. The white patches are worked by intarsia-style color changes if you are comfortable. If not, knit the head fully orange and duplicate-stitch the white patches later. For the clearest beginner result, the instructions below use duplicate stitch after the head is finished.

1. Rnds 23-26: K all sts in orange.
2. Rnd 27: K7, K2tog, repeat around, ending with K1 if needed. 57 sts.
3. Rnd 28: K all sts.
4. Rnd 29: K5, K2tog, repeat around, K1 at end. 49 sts.
5. Rnd 30: K all sts.
6. Rnd 31: K4, K2tog, repeat around, K1 at end. 41 sts.
7. Rnd 32: K all sts.
8. Rnd 33: K3, K2tog, repeat around, K1 at end. 33 sts.
9. Rnd 34: K all sts.

Insert the safety eyes before closing the lower head. Place eyes between Rnds 22 and 23, about 13 stitches apart. The eyes should sit wide and slightly low, giving the tiger a soft baby-animal look. Do not place them too close together.

1. Rnd 35: K2, K2tog, repeat around, K1 at end. 25 sts.
2. Stuff the head firmly, shaping the cheeks outward with your fingers.
3. Rnd 36: K1, K2tog, repeat around, K1 at end. 17 sts.
4. Rnd 37: K2tog around, K1 at end. 9 sts.
5. Cut yarn with a 12 inch tail. Thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and secure.

White Face Patches

The white patches in the picture curve upward beside the eyes and meet the lower muzzle. Use cream yarn and duplicate stitch over the orange stitches, then add a separate muzzle piece for dimension.

• Left patch: cover about 9 sts wide and 8 rows tall, starting 2 rows below the left eye and curving toward the center nose area.
• Right patch: mirror the left patch exactly.
• Under-eye shape: use shorter duplicate stitches near the inner eye and wider rows toward the cheek.
• Keep the top edge feathered, not square, so it looks like soft tiger fur.

For each cheek patch, duplicate stitch as follows: Row 1 covers 3 sts, Row 2 covers 5 sts, Row 3 covers 7 sts, Rows 4-6 cover 9 sts, Row 7 covers 7 sts, Row 8 covers 5 sts. Repeat on the opposite side, mirrored.

Muzzle

The muzzle is knitted separately in cream and sewn below the eyes. It has two rounded cheeks and a small center dip under the nose.

1. CO 8 sts in cream.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K6, Kfb. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K8, Kfb. 12 sts.
6. Row 5: P all sts.
7. Row 6: K all sts.
8. Row 7: P all sts.
9. Row 8: K2tog, K8, SSK. 10 sts.
10. Row 9: P all sts.
11. Row 10: K2tog, K6, SSK. 8 sts.
12. BO all sts, leaving a long sewing tail.

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Sew the muzzle centered below the eyes, with its top edge about 3 rows below the eye line. Stuff lightly before closing the final side. Use cream yarn to make two vertical curved lines down the muzzle, dividing it into left and right puffed cheeks.

Nose and Mouth

• Use tan yarn to embroider a rounded triangular nose at the top center of the muzzle.
• Make 7 horizontal satin stitches across 4 knitted stitches, then add 3 shorter stitches below to form the point.
• Use dark brown or black yarn to stitch a short vertical line from the nose down 3 rows.
• Add a tiny split mouth with two diagonal stitches, each 2 rows long.
• With black thread, add 3 small whisker dots on each side of the muzzle.

Tiger Stripe Embroidery on Head

Use black yarn or embroidery thread. Keep the lines slightly irregular, like the image. Do not pull tightly, because the head must stay round.

Forehead Stripes

• Center stripe: stitch a vertical curved black line from Rnd 10 to Rnd 20, about 2 sts wide at the top and narrowing to 1 st at the bottom.
• Left forehead stripe 1: embroider a short angled line over 5 rows, leaning from upper left toward center.
• Right forehead stripe 1: mirror the left line.
• Left forehead stripe 2: place below the first, 4 rows long and slightly curved.
• Right forehead stripe 2: mirror the second line.
• Top crown stripes: add four short black dashes, each 3 rows long, around the upper forehead.

Cheek and Side Stripes

• On each side of the face, stitch 3 short horizontal black stripes beside the white cheek patch.
• Each stripe should be 3 to 5 stitches long.
• Angle the lowest stripe slightly downward.
• Add 2 tiny black stitches beside each eye to create the soft eyelash-like look shown in the image.

Ears

Make two rounded tiger ears. Each ear has an orange outer piece and a darker warm brown inner piece. The ears are sewn to the sides of the head at a slight outward angle.

Outer Ear, Make 2

1. CO 8 sts in orange.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K6, Kfb. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K8, Kfb. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-8: Work in St st, starting with a P row. Keep 12 sts.
7. Row 9: P2tog, P8, P2tog. 10 sts.
8. Row 10: K2tog, K6, SSK. 8 sts.
9. Row 11: P2tog, P4, P2tog. 6 sts.
10. BO all sts.

Inner Ear, Make 2

1. CO 6 sts in warm brown.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K4, Kfb. 8 sts.
4. Rows 3-6: Work in St st.
5. Row 7: P2tog, P4, P2tog. 6 sts.
6. Row 8: K2tog, K2, SSK. 4 sts.
7. BO all sts.

Sew one inner ear to each outer ear. Fold the bottom edge slightly to cup the ear. Sew ears between Rnds 14 and 24 of the head, about 14 stitches apart across the back crown. Angle each ear outward and slightly forward.

Cream Flower by Ear

The small flower sits above the tiger’s right eye near the ear. It has cream petals and a warm golden center.

1. CO 20 sts in cream.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: K2tog across. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: K all sts.
5. Cut yarn, thread through all sts, and pull into a spiral flower.
6. Use golden tan yarn to make 5 small French knots in the center.
7. Sew the flower near the base of the right ear, slightly above the eye line.

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Body

The body is a compact rounded oval, slightly smaller than the head. It is mostly hidden by the cardigan but should be firm enough to support the head.

1. CO 10 sts in orange. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 10 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st. 20 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K1, Kfb, repeat around. 30 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: K2, Kfb, repeat around. 40 sts.
8. Rnds 7-15: K all sts.
9. Rnd 16: K8, K2tog, repeat around. 36 sts.
10. Rnd 17: K all sts.
11. Rnd 18: K7, K2tog, repeat around. 32 sts.
12. Rnd 19: K all sts.
13. Rnd 20: K6, K2tog, repeat around. 28 sts.
14. Rnd 21: K all sts.
15. Rnd 22: K5, K2tog, repeat around. 24 sts.
16. Stuff firmly.
17. Rnd 23: K2, K2tog, repeat around. 18 sts.
18. Rnd 24: K1, K2tog, repeat around. 12 sts.
19. Cut yarn and close the opening.

Sew the head to the body with the head tilted very slightly forward. Use a strong ladder seam around the neck twice. The head should look oversized and expressive, as in the image.

Legs

Make two short orange legs with white front paws. Black stripes are embroidered later. The legs point forward when seated.

Leg, Make 2

1. CO 10 sts in white. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 10 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st. 20 sts.
4. Rnds 3-5: K all sts in white.
5. Change to orange.
6. Rnds 6-13: K all sts in orange.
7. Rnd 14: K3, K2tog, repeat around. 16 sts.
8. Rnd 15: K all sts.
9. Rnd 16: K2, K2tog, repeat around. 12 sts.
10. Stuff firmly, keeping the white paw rounded and wider than the ankle.
11. Rnd 17: K2tog around. 6 sts.
12. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and close.

Paw Shaping

• Use cream or white yarn to pull two shallow vertical indentations on the front of each paw, forming three toe bumps.
• Use black yarn to embroider a tiny claw stitch at the bottom of each outer toe.
• Add one black tiger stripe around the upper orange section of each leg.
• Add one shorter black stripe on the outside of each leg, about 3 rows above the paw.

Sew the legs to the lower front of the body, angled outward slightly. The white paws should rest flat and visible below the cardigan.

Arms

The arms are short and rounded, with white paws and orange wrists. The navy cardigan sleeves will cover most of the arms, leaving white paws visible.

1. CO 8 sts in white. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 8 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
4. Rnds 3-5: K all sts in white.
5. Change to orange.
6. Rnds 6-10: K all sts in orange.
7. Rnd 11: K2, K2tog, repeat around. 12 sts.
8. Rnds 12-14: K all sts.
9. Stuff lightly, keeping the arm soft enough to hang downward.
10. Rnd 15: K2tog around. 6 sts.
11. Cut yarn and close.

Make two arms. Sew each arm to the side of the upper body at shoulder level. Angle the arms downward so the white paws sit beside the cardigan hem.

Cardigan Body

The fisherman cardigan is one of the most important visual details. It has a cream upper yoke, navy lower body, a navy and cream patterned band, wooden buttons, ribbed hem, and cable-like texture on the cream front panels.

The cardigan is knitted flat from the bottom up. It wraps around the tiger’s body and is sewn lightly at the shoulders and sides after the sleeves are added.

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Lower Navy Cardigan

1. CO 54 sts in navy.
2. Row 1: K2, P2 across, ending K2.
3. Row 2: P2, K2 across, ending P2.
4. Rows 3-6: Repeat Rows 1-2 twice more for ribbing.
5. Row 7 RS: K all sts.
6. Row 8 WS: P all sts.
7. Rows 9-12: Continue in St st.

Colorwork Band

Use navy as the background and cream as the contrast. If stranded knitting feels difficult, knit the rows in navy and duplicate-stitch the cream motifs afterward.

1. Row 13 RS: K3 navy, K1 cream, repeat across, ending with navy as needed.
2. Row 14 WS: P all sts in navy.
3. Row 15 RS: K1 navy, K1 cream, K2 navy, repeat across.
4. Row 16 WS: P all sts in navy.
5. Row 17 RS: K3 navy, K1 cream, repeat across.
6. Row 18 WS: P all sts in navy.

Cream Yoke and Front Texture

1. Change to cream.
2. Row 19 RS: K all sts.
3. Row 20 WS: P all sts.
4. Row 21 RS: K5, P2, K6, P2, K24, P2, K6, P2, K5.
5. Row 22 WS: P5, K2, P6, K2, P24, K2, P6, K2, P5.
6. Row 23 RS: K5, P2, C4F, K2, P2, K24, P2, C4F, K2, P2, K5.
7. Row 24 WS: Repeat Row 22.
8. Rows 25-30: Repeat Rows 21-24, then Rows 21-22 once.

The two small cable panels should sit on the front chest, one on each side of the button opening. The center 24 stitches form the plain back and upper body section.

Shape Armholes

1. Row 31 RS: K12, BO 5 sts, K20, BO 5 sts, K12. You now have left front, back, and right front sections.
2. Row 32 WS: Work each section separately in pattern.
3. Rows 33-36: Continue each section in cream St st, keeping cable texture on the front panels where possible.
4. BO each section loosely.

Wrap the cardigan around the body with the opening at the front. The cream yoke should sit directly under the tiger’s chin. Do not sew it on yet; sleeves and buttons are added first.

Cardigan Sleeves

The sleeves are navy with a ribbed cuff and should end above the white paws, matching the image.

1. CO 18 sts in navy. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-5: K1, P1 rib around.
3. Rnds 6-12: K all sts.
4. Rnd 13: K4, K2tog, repeat around. 15 sts.
5. Rnds 14-16: K all sts.
6. BO loosely.

Make two sleeves. Slide each sleeve over one arm, with the ribbed cuff at the wrist and the bind-off edge at the shoulder. Sew the top edge of each sleeve to the cardigan armhole. Then sew a few hidden stitches through the sleeve into the arm so it stays in place.

Cardigan Front Finishing

• Overlap the left front slightly over the right front.
• Sew three wooden buttons down the center front of the navy section and cream lower front opening.
• Place button 1 just below the cream yoke, button 2 at the patterned band, and button 3 at the lower navy hem.
• Use tan sewing thread or yarn to attach the buttons securely.
• Add two short cream duplicate-stitch highlights beside the buttons to imitate the chunky handmade texture in the photo.

Shoulder Bag

The shoulder bag is navy with a cream patterned band and a wooden button on the flap. It hangs on the tiger’s right side, with a navy strap crossing the chest diagonally.

Bag Body

1. CO 18 sts in navy.
2. Rows 1-4: K all sts for garter base.
3. Rows 5-8: Work in St st, beginning with a K row.
4. Row 9: K2 navy, K1 cream, repeat across.
5. Row 10: P all sts in navy.
6. Row 11: K1 navy, K1 cream, repeat across.
7. Row 12: P all sts in navy.
8. Rows 13-16: Work in St st in navy.
9. BO all sts.

Fold the lower edge up to form a pouch about 2 inches deep. Sew both side seams. Leave the top open.

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Bag Flap

1. CO 16 sts in navy.
2. Rows 1-3: K all sts.
3. Row 4: K2tog, K12, SSK. 14 sts.
4. Row 5: K all sts.
5. Row 6: K2tog, K10, SSK. 12 sts.
6. Row 7: K all sts.
7. BO all sts.

Sew the flap to the back top edge of the bag. Add one small wooden button to the front center of the flap.

Bag Strap

1. CO 4 sts in navy.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Do not turn. Slide sts to the other end of the needle and K all sts again to make I-cord.
4. Repeat until the cord measures 11 inches.
5. BO all sts.

Sew one end of the strap to the upper left back of the bag and the other end to the upper right back of the bag. Place it across the tiger from the left shoulder to the right hip. Tack it to the cream cardigan shoulder with two hidden stitches.

Little Fish Charm

A small pale blue fish hangs below the bag, matching the fisherman theme in the image.

1. CO 6 sts in pale blue.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K4, Kfb. 8 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Rows 4-6: Work St st.
6. Row 7: P2tog, P4, P2tog. 6 sts.
7. Row 8: K2tog, K2, SSK. 4 sts.
8. BO all sts.

For the tail, CO 4 sts in pale blue, K one row, BO. Make two. Sew both tail pieces to one end of the fish body in a V shape. Embroider one tiny black eye. Attach the fish under the bag using 3 strands of cream yarn twisted into a tiny cord.

Sandals

The tiger wears tan sandals over white paws. Each sandal has a flat sole, crossing straps, and small green leaves with orange flower accents on top.

Sandal Sole, Make 2

1. CO 8 sts in tan.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K6, Kfb. 10 sts.
4. Rows 3-10: K all sts.
5. Row 11: K2tog, K6, SSK. 8 sts.
6. Row 12: K all sts.
7. BO all sts.

Sew one sole under each white paw. The sole should be visible as a tan outline around the bottom and front edge of the paw.

Sandal Straps

1. CO 3 sts in tan.
2. Work I-cord for 2.25 inches.
3. BO and make four straps total.

For each foot, sew one strap diagonally from the outer front sole to the inner ankle. Sew the second strap diagonally in the opposite direction, forming an X over the white paw. Add one short horizontal tan stitch across the front toe line.

Sandal Leaves and Flowers

• For each green leaf, CO 4 sts, K one row, K2tog twice, cut yarn and pull through. Make 4 leaves.
• For each rust-orange flower, CO 6 sts, K one row, cut yarn and pull through tightly to curl. Make 2 flowers.
• Sew one leaf and one tiny flower to the top outer edge of each sandal.

Matching Fisherman Hat

The hat sits beside the tiger in the image rather than on the head. It is cream with a navy ribbed brim, navy-and-cream colorwork band, and a large navy-and-cream pom-pom.

Hat Body

1. CO 40 sts in navy. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-7: K2, P2 rib around.
3. Change to cream.
4. Rnds 8-13: K all sts.
5. Rnd 14: K2 navy, K2 cream, repeat around.
6. Rnd 15: K1 navy, K3 cream, repeat around.
7. Rnd 16: K2 navy, K2 cream, repeat around.
8. Change to cream.
9. Rnds 17-21: K all sts.
10. Rnd 22: K6, K2tog, repeat around. 35 sts.
11. Rnd 23: K all sts.
12. Rnd 24: K5, K2tog, repeat around. 30 sts.
13. Rnd 25: K all sts.
14. Rnd 26: K4, K2tog, repeat around. 25 sts.
15. Rnd 27: K all sts.
16. Rnd 28: K3, K2tog, repeat around. 20 sts.
17. Rnd 29: K2, K2tog, repeat around. 15 sts.
18. Rnd 30: K1, K2tog, repeat around. 10 sts.
19. Cut yarn and pull through remaining sts.

Pom-Pom

Wrap navy and cream yarn together around three fingers 45 times. Tie tightly at the center. Cut loops and trim into a round pom-pom about 1.25 inches wide. Sew it firmly to the top of the hat.

Fishing Rod

The fishing rod is a slim tan piece with a navy handle and a pale blue bobber. It rests beside the tiger in the image.

1. Use a 5.5 inch wooden skewer, pipe cleaner, or tightly rolled I-cord as the center.
2. For a knitted rod cover, CO 4 sts in tan and work I-cord for 5.5 inches. Insert the rod core inside as you sew it closed.
3. For the navy handle, CO 5 sts in navy and work I-cord for 1.25 inches. Sew around the lower rod.
4. Tie a 6 inch strand of white yarn to the rod tip as fishing line.

Bobber

1. CO 6 sts in pale blue. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb around. 12 sts.
4. Rnds 3-5: K all sts.
5. Rnd 6: K2tog around. 6 sts.
6. Stuff lightly, close, and tie to the end of the fishing line.

Basket

The small basket is tan, rounded, and textured. It holds a little blue fish, as shown beside the tiger.

Basket Base and Sides

1. CO 24 sts in tan. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-3: K all sts.
3. Rnd 4: P all sts to create a turning ridge.
4. Rnds 5-10: K2, P2 around for a woven rib texture.
5. Rnds 11-13: K all sts.
6. BO loosely.

Flatten the base slightly. Sew the bottom closed with tan yarn using a circular seam. Shape it into a small oval basket with your fingers.

Basket Handle

1. CO 4 sts in tan.
2. Work I-cord for 5 inches.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one end to each side of the basket rim.

Basket Fish

1. CO 5 sts in pale blue.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K3, Kfb. 7 sts.
4. Rows 3-5: Work St st.
5. Row 6: K2tog, K3, SSK. 5 sts.
6. BO all sts.
7. Add a tiny black eye and a small blue tail.

Place the fish inside the basket and tack it with one hidden stitch so it stays visible.

Facial Shaping

To match the soft, rounded look in the image, shape the face after the muzzle and eyes are attached. Use a long yarn needle and strong thread in a color close to orange.

1. Insert the needle at the back of the head and come out just under the left eye.
2. Go back in one stitch beside the eye and exit at the back of the head.
3. Pull gently to indent the eye socket.
4. Repeat for the right eye.
5. Make two passes only. Do not over-tighten.
6. Use your fingers to push stuffing toward the cheeks after shaping.

Body Stripe Embroidery

The cardigan covers most of the body, but the visible legs and small exposed orange areas need black tiger markings.

• Add two black stripes on the outer side of each orange leg.
• Add one short stripe on the front upper ankle of each leg.
• Add two tiny black claw accents at the bottom of each white paw.
• Add a small black dash at each wrist where the orange arm meets the white paw, if visible under the sleeve.

Assembly Order

1. Knit and stuff the head.
2. Add white face duplicate stitch, muzzle, nose, mouth, and stripes.
3. Knit and attach ears, then sew the flower beside one ear.
4. Knit and stuff the body.
5. Sew the head firmly to the body.
6. Knit and attach legs so the tiger sits upright.
7. Knit and attach arms angled downward.
8. Knit cardigan body and sleeves.
9. Dress the tiger in the cardigan and tack it in place.
10. Add buttons, shoulder bag, fish charm, sandals, hat, basket, and fishing rod.

Detailed Cardigan Placement

Place the cardigan so the cream yoke circles the neck and sits directly under the tiger’s white muzzle. The navy sleeves should cover the orange arms almost completely, leaving the white paws showing. The lower navy cardigan should reach the top of the legs but not hide the sandals.

Sew a few hidden stitches at the back neck, both shoulders, and both side seams. Do not stitch across the front opening. The buttons should remain visible and centered. The bag strap should cross naturally over the cream yoke and navy lower front.

Finishing the Fisherman Look

• Set the hat slightly behind and to one side if displaying the doll like the image.
• Place the basket near the tiger’s foot with the fish visible inside.
• Lay the fishing rod along the opposite side, with the bobber near the handle.
• Make sure the shoulder bag hangs over the right lower front of the cardigan.
• Let the tiny fish charm hang below the bag, centered and visible.

Beginner Tips for Neat Results

• Use small amounts of stuffing at a time instead of one large piece.
• Check eye placement before locking safety backs.
• Pin ears, arms, and legs before sewing.
• Use duplicate stitch for color patches if stranded knitting feels too advanced.
• Use matching yarn tails to sew pieces so seams disappear.
• Keep embroidery relaxed, especially around the head and muzzle.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the tiger from the front before securing the last knots. The head should be centered, the eyes should look even, and the muzzle should sit below the eyes with a gentle rounded shape. The ears should sit wide on the head and tilt forward slightly.

Add final black stripes only after the face is complete. This prevents the stripes from shifting during shaping. Add the cream flower last so it sits cleanly against the orange head without being pulled out of shape.

• Brush away loose yarn fibers with your fingers.
• Trim all yarn tails close after weaving them in securely.
• Check every button and accessory for firm attachment.
• For display pieces, arrange the fishing rod, hat, and basket close to the tiger’s feet.

Care Notes

This knitted tiger is best used as a decorative handmade plush. Because it includes safety eyes, buttons, and small accessories, it is not recommended for children under three years old. For a child-safe version, embroider the eyes and replace buttons with stitched circles.

• Spot clean only with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if using wooden buttons, safety eyes, or a rod core.
• Press gently with a towel to remove moisture.
• Air dry flat away from direct sunlight.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Large round orange head with white cheek patches completed.
• Black tiger stripes placed on forehead, cheeks, and legs.
• Glossy eyes placed wide and evenly.
• Cream muzzle shaped with tan nose and small mouth.
• Rounded ears attached evenly.
• Cream flower sewn near one ear.
• Navy and cream cardigan fitted neatly.
• Three wooden buttons attached down the front.
• Crossbody bag and fish charm secured.
• Sandals include tan straps, green leaves, and tiny orange flowers.
• Hat, basket, fish, and fishing rod completed for display.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the Fisherman Tiger upright or lying flat in a clean, dry place. Avoid crushing the muzzle, ears, hat pom-pom, and shoulder bag. If the doll is displayed on a shelf, gently reshape the face, cardigan, and sandals every few weeks.

To remove dust, use a soft dry cloth or a clean makeup brush. Do not scrub the embroidered stripes. If the cardigan or accessories become flattened, fluff them gently with your fingers and allow the fibers to relax naturally.

• Keep away from damp storage areas.
• Avoid direct heat, which can affect plastic safety eyes.
• Wrap loosely in tissue paper if storing long term.
• Do not hang the doll by the bag strap or arms.
• Refresh the pom-pom by rolling it gently between your palms.

Your Fisherman Tiger is now complete, with the cozy cardigan, playful fishing accessories, rounded tiger face, and small handmade details that match the warm fisherman style shown in the image.