Little Giant Panda

I would like to introduce you to a new crochet pattern today: a small panda. Pandas are fascinating animals that captivate us not only with their adorable appearance but also with their impressive characteristics. In this blog post, I will show you step by step how to crochet such a panda yourself. But before we get to the pattern, I would like to share some interesting facts about these unique animals with you.

Pandas, also known as Giant Pandas, are native to the mountainous regions of China and belong to the bear family. Their characteristic black and white fur helps them camouflage in their natural environment and regulate their body temperature. One of the most remarkable features of pandas is their diet: although they belong to the order of carnivores, their diet consists of 99% bamboo. These herbivores spend up to 14 hours a day eating bamboo to meet their energy needs.

The panda population has significantly declined in the past, mainly due to habitat loss and low reproduction rates. Fortunately, intensive conservation efforts and wildlife protection projects have contributed to a slow recovery in the number of wild pandas. Today, the panda is considered a symbol of wildlife conservation and is the mascot of the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature).

And now, grab your crochet hook and some white and black yarn, and let’s get started!

Preparation:

Materials List:

- Crochet hook size 3mm
- Cotton yarn (approx. 115m/50g) in white, black, and light and dark green (alternatively, other yarn with a suitable crochet hook)
- Stitch marker or a different colored thread
- Stuffing
- 6 mm safety eyes
- Embroidery thread in grey for detailing

Abbreviations:

sc - single crochet
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
st - stitch
inc - increase (2 stitches in one stitch)
dec - decrease (crochet 2 stitches together)
rep - repeat

Notes:
Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all parts are crocheted in spiral rounds, even if the pattern specifies, for example, "3 rounds sc."
The numbers before each step indicate the row/round number.
The number in parentheses at the end of each step indicates the number of stitches at the end of that step.

Crochet pattern

Body:

            In dark gray
            2 ch or Magic Ring

Round 1: 6 sc (6)
Round 2: double each st (12)
Round 3: double every 2nd st (18)
Round 4: double every 3rd st (24)
Round 5: double every 4th st (30)
Round 6: double every 5th st (36)
Round 7: double every 6th st (42)
Round 8: double every 7th st (48)
Rounds 9 - 10: sc in each st for 2 rounds (48)

Tip:

For a clean color transition, crochet the last stitch in the old color by first inserting the hook through the loops of the stitch below and pulling up the yarn (as usual). To finish the stitch with the two loops on the hook, switch to the new color! Since there will be many color changes in succession, you can simply leave the unused yarn hanging at the back when crocheting with the other color. When you need the other color again, make sure the yarn is not pulled tight when crocheting the first stitch in the new color.

Round 11: 6 sc in white, 1 sc in black, 8 sc in white, 1 sc in black, 32 sc in white (48)

Round 12: 5 sc in white, 2 sc in black, 8 sc in white, 2 sc in black, 31 sc in white (48)

Round 13: 5 sc in white, 2 sc in black, 8 sc in white, 2 sc in black, 31 sc in white (48)

Round 14: 4 sc in white, 2 sc in black, 4 sc in white, 2 sc in black, 4 sc in white, 2 sc in black, 30 sc in white (48)

Rounds 15-17: 3 rounds of sc in white (48)

Rounds 18-20: 3 rounds of sc in black (48)

Rounds 21-23: 3 rounds of sc in white (48)

Round 24: 1 round of sc in black (48)

                  Continue in black.

Round 25: single crochet together every 7th and 8th st (42)
Round 26: single crochet together every 6th and 7th st (36)
Round 27: single crochet together every 5th and 6th st (30)
Round 28: single crochet together every 4th and 5th st (24)
Round 29: single crochet together every 3rd and 4th st (18)
Now insert the eyes between rounds 13 and 14, with a distance of 10 stitches between them. Stuff the body firmly. At this point, you can also embroider the outlines of the eyes and the nose with black yarn.
Round 30: single crochet together every 2nd and 3rd st (12)
Round 31: single crochet together every 1st and 2nd st (6)

Slip stitch into the next stitch, cut the yarn, and close the small hole by threading the yarn through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close the hole completely.

Ears (Make 2):

               Using black yarn:
               Chain 2 or make a magic ring
Round 1: 6 sc in the ring (6)
Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12)
Rounds 3 - 5: 3 rounds of sc (12)
Slip stitch in the next stitch, cut the yarn leaving a long tail, and finish off. Fold the ears into small ovals.

Feet (make 2):

                In black
                2 ch or Magic Ring

Round 1: 6 sc (6)

Round 2: double each st (12)
Round 3: double every 2nd st (18)
Round 4: sc in each st (18)
Round 5: single crochet together every 2nd and 3rd st (12)
Round 6: single crochet together every 1st and 2nd st (6)

Slip stitch into the next stitch, cut the yarn long enough for sewing, and finish off. Flatten the feet so that the end is centered on the back of the foot.

Tail:

                In black
                2 ch or Magic Ring

Round 1: 6 sc (6)
Round 2: double every 2nd st (9)
Round 3: double every 3rd st (12)

Slip stitch into the next stitch, cut the yarn long enough for sewing, and finish off.

Paws (make 2):

                In grey
                2 ch or Magic Ring

Round 1: 6 sc (6)

Slip stitch into the next stitch, cut the yarn, and finish off.

Arms (make 2):

               In black
               2 ch or Magic Ring

Round 1: 6 sc (6)
Round 2: double every 2nd st (9)
Rounds 3-4: sc in each st for 2 rounds (9)
Round 5: single crochet together every 2nd and 3rd st (6)
Rounds 6-9: sc in each st for 4 rounds (6)

Slip stitch into the next stitch, cut the yarn long enough for sewing, and finish off.

Bamboo

                Using light green yarn:
                Chain 2 or make a magic ring
Round 1: 6 sc in the ring (6)
Rounds 2 - 12: 11 rounds of sc (6)
Slip stitch in the next stitch, cut the yarn, and weave in the ends, closing the small hole at the end.

To finish the bamboo, thread some dark green yarn onto a thick tapestry needle and insert it from the bottom of the bamboo, bringing it out between two stitches. Ensure the needle tip points away from the bamboo and wrap the yarn around the needle about 12-14 times. Then, insert the needle one stitch above the exit point and bring it out on the opposite side at an angle. Gently pull the yarn through, holding the loops on the needle to ensure they pass over the eye. You have now completed the first leaf. Continue this process up the bamboo, securing and trimming the yarn at the top.

Assembly Instructions

Start by attaching all body parts to the body and secure them with pins. Pay special attention to ensuring that the panda sits well and that the arms and legs are positioned at the same height. None of the body parts (ears, arms, legs, tail) are to be stuffed!

Once everything is properly aligned, begin by sewing on the legs and tail. The legs and tail together form a triangle, ensuring a stable posture for the little giant panda.

Tip: To achieve a clean sewing edge on the belly, nose, and paw pads, start sewing from the back of the piece, inserting the needle through two loops of the stitch, then through the next stitch from the front (this wraps the thread around the bridge between the two stitches, creating a neat finish). Only after this, sew into a stitch on the body. Repeat this process all around until you've gone full circle.

Next, sew on the arms. Position them slightly above the black stripe and centered on the body. Begin by sewing the shoulders first. Then, tuck the bamboo under one of the arms and sew it firmly in place. Ensure the arm without bamboo is also attached at a medium height (where the elbow would be) to prevent it from sticking out.

Now sew on the ears: place them approximately 3 rounds away from the starting point (center of the head) and centered on the body.

Lastly, attach the paw pads to the feet, keeping in mind the sewing tip mentioned earlier! Position them slightly downward and outward from the center of each foot. Now, finish with a few embellishments: use some leftover gray yarn to sew claws onto the paws and sew in the white parts of the eyes.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial, and if you have any questions or issues, please write them in the comments. I'd also appreciate any positive feedback :)

Enjoy crocheting your panda, and feel free to check out my other free blog posts or browse my shop, where you'll find many more sewing and crochet patterns for practical items or adorable amigurumi toys.