This pattern is inspired by the Brawling Bar Belles roller derby team (I designed it for their bench manager :). It is ridiculously easy to make.

This pattern is written in American crochet notation and uses a 4mm hook and black and orange 8 ply wool. Stuff the tail as you go.

With black wool

Round 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)

Round 2: increase in every stitch (12 stitches)

Round 3: sc in the first stitch, increase in the next stitch – repeat (18 stitches)

Round 4: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (24 stitches)

Round 5: sc in the first three stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (30 stitches)

Rounds 6 – 9: sc in each stitch (30 stitches)

Change to orange wool

Rounds 10 – 13: sc in each stitch (30 stitches)

Change to black wool

Rounds 14 – 17: sc in each stitch (30 stitches)

Continue like this until you have 26 stripes of 4 rounds each (although obviously you can increase or decrease the number of stripes if you are making the tail for someone who is taller or shorter than me)

Round 114: sc in the first three stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (24 stitches)

Round 115: sc in the first two stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (18 stitches)

Round 116: sc in the first stitch, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (12 stitches)

Round 117: decrease until the hole closes.

Fasten off, weave in end.

Waist strap

With black wool

Row 1: chain 6

Row 2: sc along the chain (with one turning chain) (5 stitches)

Row 3: sc in each stitch (5 stitches)

Keep going until the strap is long enough to comfortably go around the waist of the intended tail recipient and be tied in a knot.

Fasten off, weave in end.

Assembly

Sew the half-way point of the strap to the end of the tail (round 117). Happy tigering 🙂