Jade the Jaguar: A Fierce and Free Crochet Pattern
If you’ve been looking for a jaguar crochet pattern that’s both adorable and beginner-friendly, you’re going to love Jade! This spotted sweetie joins my lineup of big cats, right alongside Laurence the Lion and Thomas the Tiger.
This amigurumi pattern works equally well as a jaguar or a leopard. It’s like having two jungle friends rolled up into one!
This idea came to life with the help of Joanna, a talented member of my Facebook group, who adapted my lion design into a snow leopard. I loved it so much that I asked her to collaborate with me to turn it into an official pattern.
She did an amazing job mapping out the spots and adding in all the color changes to the instructions!
Tackling Spots with Tapestry Crochet
Now, let’s talk spots. With so many color changes, this isn’t a project where you’ll want to cut and tie each one.
Instead, I recommend using tapestry crochet. Tapestry crochet is a technique where you carry one or more unused strands of yarn and crochet over them, allowing you to switch colors seamlessly without fastening off every time.
For Jade, I suggest crocheting over one strand while letting the other “float” behind your stitches, then alternating which strand you cover or float with each color change. This keeps your work neat and your crochet leopard covered in beautifully formed spots!
Tips for Tapestry Crochet Success
Of course, tapestry crochet comes with its own little challenge: keeping the strands untangled. Here’s my go-to trick: line your yarn skeins up in a specific order, like lightest to darkest or ROYGBIV. This becomes your “home position.”
Any time you cross yarns during a color change, make sure you cross them back into order on the next color change. If you skip this step, your strands will wrap around each other again and again until you’ve got a yarn monster on your hands.
Even those who’ve mastered the art of tapestry crochet will end up with the occasional tangle, so make sure you’re checking your strands every few rounds. It’s much easier to fix a small twist here and there than dealing with a jumbled mess when it hits critical mass!
Ready to Crochet Your Own Leopard or Jaguar?
If you’ve been wanting to try colorwork in crochet, Jade the Jaguar is the perfect place to start. With my easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll end up with a spotted cutie that looks impressive but feels surprisingly simple. Request the free amigurumi pattern PDF below and give it a try!
Resources
Photo Tutorials
Note: photos depict a lion, but techniques are the same.
Video Tutorials
Jade the Jaguar
Height: 13.5 inches (34cm) standing Skill Level: Intermediate Crochet Terms: USJade the Jaguar was born to blend in, but she prefers to stand out! She’s sleek, she’s spotted, and she’s strutting her stuff. Bring a little wild to your world with this dangerously adorable jungle cat!
Supplies
- 3.5mm (E-4) hook or size needed to obtain gauge
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Fiber fill
- Straight pins
- (2) 15mm safety eyes
- Disappearing ink marker
274 yards of acrylic (weight 4) yarn:
Notes
Steps to Complete Pattern
- Crochet the Ears
- Crochet the Nose
- Crochet the Snout & Head
- Crochet the Tail
- Crochet the Legs
- Crochet the Arms
- Crochet the Body
- Sew the Body to the Head
Abbreviations
- BLO – crochet in the back loop only
- BoR – beginning of round
- ch – chain
- dec – combine two stitches into one with an invisible decrease
- EoR – end of round
- inc – complete two single crochets within the same stitch
- sc – single crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- *sc x* – repeat the instructions between asterisks (*) the indicated number of times
- [sc x, *x* 2 times] – complete the stitches listed in the brackets the indicated number of times in order
- (sc x) – attach a body part while completing the stitches inside parentheses as instructed by the pattern
- {x, y} – complete the stitches listed in the curly brackets within the same stitch
General Instructions
- This pattern is worked in continuous rounds without joining.
- Use a stitch marker to mark the end of each round. Move the marker up each round.
- Work all stitches in both loops unless the pattern instructs otherwise.
- This pattern is worked from the bottom up. Some pieces are crocheted separately and either sewn on after finishing or crocheted directly into the body as you work.
Pattern Gauge
30 sts by 5 rounds in sc = 2 inches (5cm)
Work rounds 01 – 05 of Body and measure across the diameter of the circle. Piece should measure 2 inches (5cm) across.
Note: Using the same yarn brand for all colors will ensure that all parts of the pattern match gauge once gauge is obtained.
Video Tutorials
I’ve made lots of video tutorials that will be referenced throughout this pattern. They will be marked with a clickable play button symbol. A full list of tutorials can be found in the video tutorials section of the pattern.
Instructions
Ears (make 2)
With yellow yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
06. sc in each st around [30]
07. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
08. sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 5 times, sc [18]
09. *sc, dec* 6 times [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) tail. Do not stuff the ear. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed. Hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work. The ears are now ready to attach as you crochet the head at a later step.
Nose
With black yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. *sc, inc* 3 times [9]
03. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 2 times, sc [12]
04. *sc 3, inc* 3 times [15]
05. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 4 times, sc [20]
06. switch to yellow yarn: sc in each st around [20]
07 – 10. sc in each st around (see Figure 1) [20]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) tail. Do not stuff the nose. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed (see Figure 2).
Hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work. The nose is now ready to attach as you crochet the head at a later step (see Figure 3).
Snout & Head
W = with white yarn; Y = with yellow yarn; BR = with brown yarn; BL = with black yarn
01. W: Chain 5 Start: inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, sc 5 in last ch. Working on opposite side of chain base: sc 2, sc 3 in last ch [14]
02. inc, sc 4, *inc* 3 times, sc 4, *inc* 2 times [20]
03. [inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc] 2 times [26]
04. [inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* 2 times] 2 times [32]
05. [sc 14, *inc* 2 times] 2 times [36]
06 – 08. sc in each st around [36]
09. sc 8, leave remaining 28 sts unworked [8+28]
Shifting the BoR: Move EoR stitch marker into the last worked stitch. This is considered the EoR for round 09. The next stitch will be the BoR for round 10.
10. Y, BLO: sl st in each st around [36]
Attaching the Nose: Attach the nose as you crochet the next round (see Figure 4). To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Nose to Snout video. You do not need to use stitch markers as shown in the video.
11. BLO: sc 14, attach the nose: (sc 10), sc 12 [36]
At the end of the round, the nose should appear centered above the Chain 5 Start. If the nose appears off center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the nose as necessary.
Tacking Down the Nose: Using an 18-inch (46cm) strand of black yarn and a yarn needle, tack down the tip of the nose centered on the Chain 5 Start (see Figure 5 & Figure 6).
Fasten off W. We are done with this color for the remainder of the head.
12. *sc 5, inc* 6 times [42]
13. sc 3, inc, sc 4, BL: sc, Y: sc, inc, sc 6, inc, sc 2, BL: sc, Y: sc 2, inc, sc 6, inc, sc 2, BL: sc, Y: sc 3, inc, sc 4 [48]
14. *sc 7, inc* 3 times, sc 5, BL: sc, Y: sc, inc, *sc 7, inc* 2 times [54]
15. sc 4, inc, sc 8, inc, sc 2, BL: sc, Y: sc 5, inc, sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 6, inc, *sc 8, inc* 2 times, sc 4 [60]
16. sc 13, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 17, BL: sc, Y: sc 26 [60]
17. sc 13, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 12, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 11, BL: sc, Y: sc 2, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 12 [60]
18. sc 13, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 9, BL: sc, Y: sc 2, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 5, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 6, BL: sc, BR: sc 2, Y: sc 12 [60]
19. sc 28, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 5, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 6, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 12 [60]
20. sc 20, BL: sc, Y: sc 15, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 13, BL: sc, Y: sc 7 [60]
21. sc 12, BL: sc, Y: sc 21, BL: sc, Y: sc 25 [60]
Attaching the Ears: Attach the ears as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Ears video. You do not need to use stitch markers as shown in the video.
22. sc 20, attach the first ear: (sc 6), sc 15, attach the second ear: (sc 6), sc 13 [60]
At the end of the round, the ears should appear centered on the top of the head. If your ears appear off center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the ears as necessary.
23. sc in each st around [60]
24. sc 18, BL: sc, Y: sc 12, BL: sc, Y: sc 7, BL: sc, Y: sc 20 [60]
25. sc 50, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 7 [60]
26. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 4 times, sc 4, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc, dec, sc 4 [54]
27. *sc 7, dec* 3 times, sc 6, BL: sc, Y: dec, sc 7, dec, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 4, dec [48]
28. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 2 times, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 2 times, sc 3 [42]
29. *sc 5, dec* 2 times, sc 4, BL: sc, BR: dec, BL: sc, Y: sc 4, dec, * sc 5, dec* 2 times [36]
30. sc 2, dec, sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 2, dec, sc 4, dec, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc, dec, *sc 4, dec* 2 times, sc 2 [30]
Stuff the head.
Adding the Safety Eyes: Using straight pins, mark location of eyes 18 stitches apart between rounds 13 & 14, centered above the nose (see Figure 7).
Replace straight pins with safety eyes, then secure backings (see Figure 8).
Indenting the Eyes: Using an 18-inch (46cm) strand of yellow yarn and a yarn needle, indent the eyes by adding tension between them (see Figure 9).
To view a tutorial, watch my Indent Eyes 2.0 video.
Fasten off BR. We are done with this color for the remainder of the head.
31. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
32. sc, dec, sc 2, dec, sc, BL: sc, Y: dec, *sc 2, dec* 3 times, sc [18]
33. *sc, dec* 4 times, BL: sc, Y: dec, sc, dec [12]
Fasten off BL and finish stuffing.
34. *dec* 6 times [6]
Close with an Ultimate Finish.
Tail
Y = with yellow yarn; BR = with brown yarn; BL = with black yarn
01. BL: start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03 – 05. sc in each st around [12]
06. Y: sc in each st around [12]
07. dec, sc 3, *inc* 2 times, sc 3, dec [12]
08. dec, sc, BL: sc, Y: sc, *inc* 2 times, sc, BL: sc, Y: sc, dec [12]
09. dec, sc 3, *inc* 2 times, sc 3, dec [12]
10. dec, sc 2, BL: sc, Y: inc, {sc, BL: sc} in same st, Y: sc 3, dec [12]
11. dec, sc 3, *inc* 2 times, sc 3, dec [12]
12. sc 6, BL: sc, Y: sc 5 [12]
13. sc 2, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 7 [12]
14. sc 2, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 3, BL: sc 3, Y: sc [12]
15. sc 2, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 3, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc [12]
16. sc 8, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc [12]
Fasten off BR. We are done with this color for the remainder of the tail.
17. sc 6, BL: sc, Y: sc 5 [12]
18. sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 10 [12]
Fasten off BL. Stuff the tail.
19. dec, sc 8, dec [10]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Stuff the tail. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.
The tail is now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step.
Legs (make 2)
W = with white yarn; Y = with yellow yarn; BR = with brown yarn; BL = with black yarn
01. W: start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
Tip: Use my Perfect Leg Base method for seamless color transitions.
05. Y, BLO: sl st in each st around [24]
06. BLO: *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
07. BLO: sc 27, BL: sc, Y: sc 2 [30]
Fasten off W. We are done with this color for the remainder of the leg.
08. sc, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 8, BL: sc, Y: sc 9, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 5 [30]
09. sc, BR: sc 2, BL: sc, Y: sc 18, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 5 [30]
10. sc, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 18, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 5 [30]
11. sc 7, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 4, dec, sc 2, BL: sc, Y: sc 11 [29]
12. sc 7, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 17, dec [28]
13. sc 7, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 3, dec, sc 13 [27]
14. sc 15, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 6, BL: sc, dec [26]
15. Y: sc 5, BL: sc, Y: sc 6, dec, sc, BL: sc, BR: sc 2, Y: sc 8 [25]
Fasten off BR. We are done with this color for the remainder of the leg.
16. sc 14, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 6, dec [24]
17. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
18. sc 21, dec [22]
19. sc 10, dec, BL: sc, Y: sc 6, BL: sc, Y: sc 2 [21]
20. sc 2, BL: sc, Y: sc 16, dec [20]
21. sc 8, BL: sc, Y: dec, sc 9 [19]
Fasten off BL. We are done with this color for the remainder of the leg.
22. sc 17, dec [18]
23. *sc 7, dec* 2 times [16]
24. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Stuff the leg. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.
The legs are now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step.
Arms (make 2)
W = with white yarn; Y = with yellow yarn; BR = with brown yarn; BL = with black yarn
01. W: start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
Tip: Use my Perfect Arm Base method for seamless color transitions.
04. Y, BLO: sl st in each st around [18]
05. BLO: sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
06. BLO: sc in each st around [24]
Fasten off W. We are done with this color for the remainder of the arm.
07. sc 15, BL: sc, Y: sc 8 [24]
08. sc 5, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 13, BL: sc, Y: sc 2 [24]
09. sc 5, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 16 [24]
10. sc 5, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 3, dec, sc 11 [23]
11. sc 16, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 4 [23]
12. sc 12, BL: sc, Y: sc 3, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 2, dec [22]
13. sc 3, BL: sc, Y: sc 12, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 3 [22]
14. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
15. sc 8, BL: sc, Y: sc 12 [21]
16. sc 19, dec [20]
17. sc 12, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 5 [20]
18. sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 2, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 2, dec, sc, BR: sc 2, BL: sc, Y: sc 5 [19]
19. sc 4, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 4, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 5 [19]
20. sc 4, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 10, dec [18]
Fasten off BR. We are done with this color for the remainder of the arm.
21. sc in each st around [18]
22. sc 8, dec, sc 8 [17]
23. sc 11, BL: sc, Y: sc 5 [17]
Fasten off BL. We are done with this color for the remainder of the arm.
24. sc 15, dec [16]
25 – 26. sc in each st around [16]
27. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Stuff the arm. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.
The arms are now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step.
Body
Y = with yellow yarn; BR = with brown yarn; BL = with black yarn
01. Y: start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]
Attaching the Legs: Attach the legs as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Legs video.
07. attach the first leg: (sc 5, inc), sc 5, inc, attach the second leg: (sc 5, inc), *sc 5, inc* 3 times [42]
08. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
09. sc 5, BL: sc, Y: sc, inc, sc 7, inc, sc 6, BL: sc, Y: inc, *sc 7, inc* 3 times [54]
10. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
Attaching the Tail: Attach the tail as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Tail video.
11. sc 17, BL: sc, Y: sc 24, attach the tail: (sc 5), sc 7, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 3 [60]
At the end of the round, the tail should appear centered above the legs. If your tail appears off center, redo the round and adjust placement of tail as necessary.
12. sc 11, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 24, BL: sc, Y: sc 15, BL: sc, BR: sc 2, Y: sc 3 [60]
13. sc 11, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 7, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 30, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 3 [60]
14. sc 6, BL: sc, Y: sc 4, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 7, BR: sc 2, BL: sc Y: sc 7, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 26 [60]
15. sc 21, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 3, BL: sc, Y: sc 3, BL: sc, BR: sc 2, Y: sc 12, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 11 [60]
16. sc 31, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 12, BR: sc 2, BL: sc, Y: sc 11 [60]
17. sc 46, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 11 [60]
18. sc 4, dec, sc 5, BL: sc 3, Y: dec, sc 3, BL: sc, Y: sc 4, BL: dec, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 6, dec, *sc 8, dec* 2 times, BL: sc, Y: sc 3 [54]
19. sc 3, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 4, BL: sc, BR: sc 2, Y: sc 9, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 10, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 16 [54]
20. sc 3, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc, dec, sc, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 3, dec, sc 4, BL: sc 3, Y: dec, sc 7, BL: dec, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 5, dec, sc 7, dec [48]
21. sc 3, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 25, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 14 [48]
22. sc 3, dec, sc 3, BL: sc, Y: sc 2, dec, sc 2, BL: sc, Y: sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 3 times, sc 3 [42]
23. sc in each st around [42]
24. sc 15, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 6, BL: sc, Y: sc 6, BL: sc, Y: sc 4, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc 3 [42]
25. sc 3, BL: sc, Y: sc, dec, sc 5, dec, sc, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc, dec, *sc 5, dec* 2 times, sc, BL: sc, BR: sc, BL: sc, Y: sc, dec [36]
Fasten off BR. We are done with this color for the remainder of the body.
26. sc 13, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 15, BL: sc 3, Y: sc 2 [36]
27. sc 10, BL: sc, Y: sc 7, BL: sc, Y: sc 17 [36]
28. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
29. sc in each st around [30]
Fasten off BL. We are done with this color for the remainder of the body.
Attaching the Arms: Attach the arms as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Arms video.
30. sc, attach the first arm: (sc 6), sc 8, attach the second arm: (sc 6), sc 9 [30]
At the end of the round, the arms should appear centered above the legs. If your arms appear off center, redo the round and adjust the placement of arms as necessary.
Stuff the body.
31. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail the length of your arm span (~65in / ~165cm).
Sewing the Body to the Head: Using the attached yarn tail and a yarn needle, sew the body to the head. To view a tutorial, watch my How to Sew Body to Head video.