If you want to purchase an ad-free PDF version of this crochet panda bear pattern, you can find it HERE on etsy or HERE on ravelry. The PDF is a FOUR-in-one, so it also has the directions to make this panda bear as a keychain, a mini teddy bear, and a teddy bear keychain!
This little panda bear is the perfect size for a child to play with. It fits right in their hands and doesn’t take up too much space!
This crochet panda bear pattern is fairly easy and quick to make. It’s a good project for beginner and advanced crocheters alike. It does require a fair amount of sewing pieces together and weaving ends in, but because the parts are small the project doesn’t take too much time.
I hope that you enjoy making your own little panda bear!
NOTE: If you are wanting to sell finished products from this crochet panda bear pattern you’re welcome to, just make sure you link back to my pattern here and credit me with the design. Thank you!
Abbreviations
- Sc – single crochet
- Inc – increase
- Dec – decrease
- FO – Finish off
- Rnd – round
- sts – stitches
Materials
- Size F 3.75mm crochet hook
- One skein of white worsted weight yarn (For example Red Heart Super Saver, Loops & Threads Impeccable, etc.)
- One skein of black worsted weight yarn
- 1 pair of 12mm safety eyes
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Stuffing (I use polyester fiberfill)
Head
Begin with white yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a Magic Ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc in each sc around (12)
Rnd 3: *sc, inc* 6 times (18)
Rnd 4: *sc (2), inc* 6 times (24)
Rnds 5-9: sc 24 each round
If you are using safety eyes, place them in now between rows 7 and 8, with 5 stitches in between them. Snap on the back of the eyes, then begin stuffing the head.
Rnd 10: *sc (2), dec* 6 times (18)
Rnd 11: *sc (1), dec* 6 times (12)
Rnd 12: *dec* 6 times (6)
You should now have 6 sts left. Cut the yarn leaving a tail about 6 inches long. Use a yarn/embroidery needle to thread the tail through the remaining loops. Pull tight to close the hole, similar to closing a drawstring bag. Then weave the tail in back through the head.
Body
Begin with black yarn
Rnd 1: 7 sc in a Magic Ring (7)
Rnd 2: inc in each sc around (14)
Rnd 3: sc 14 each round
Switch to white yarn
Rnd 4: sc 14 each round
Switch back to black yarn
Rnd 5: *sc, dec* 4 times, then dec (9)
FO, leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing on later.
Arms (make 2)
Begin with black yarn
Rnd 1: 4 sc in a Magic Ring (4)
Rnd 2: dec, sc 2 (3)
Rnd 3: sc 2
Sl st and pull through to finish off, leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing on.
Legs (make 2)
Begin with black yarn
Rnd 1: 5 sc in a Magic Ring (5)
Rnds 2-3: sc 5 in each rnd
FO leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing on.
Ears (make 2)
Begin with black yarn
Rnd 1: 5 sc in a Magic Ring (5)
Rnd 2: sc 5 (5)
FO, leaving a 6-7 inch tail for sewing on later.
Tail
Begin with black yarn
Rnd 1: 5 sc in a Magic Ring (5)
Rnd 2: sc 5 (5)
FO, leaving a 6-7 inch tail for sewing on later.
Snout
Begin with white yarn
Rnd 1: 4 sc in a Magic Ring (4)
Rnd 2: *sc, inc* 2 times (6)
FO, leaving a 6-7 inch tail for sewing on later.
Now that you’ve made all your individual pieces, it’s time to put your little guy together!
Assembly:
Unfortunately I don’t currently have any process photos showing how to sew the bear together. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to take some, but for now some detailed explanations and close-up photos will have to do!
Quick Note: This little guy is so small that it’s important to be careful in your placing and sewing on of the various parts. If they’re off just a little too much it can make your little guy look crooked! These instructions will help you attach each piece in a way to help your bear remain balanced and symmetrical.
Begin by sewing the body onto the head.
You’ll want to center the top of the body on the underside of the head, then use the remaining yarn tail from the body piece to sew it onto the head.
Then sew the feet to the front of the body so that each one is lined up below a safety eye. Attach them at the front of the body from the end of rnd 2 to the end of rnd 4. Make sure you only stitch them onto black yarn, don’t cover the white yarn on the body!
If you’re worried about a child pulling arms, ears, or a snout off of your creation I’d highly recommend “anchoring” your yarn tails together before weaving them in. If you do this there’s no way a child will pull them off! To learn more about this process check out my post on anchoring HERE.
Next, sew the arms onto the sides of the body. Stitch them onto the seam where the top of the body meats the bottom of the head.
Place one arm on each side one stitch width over from the edge of the leg below it. This keeps the arms off to the side but still pointing slightly forward. (See photos below.)
Then sew the tail onto the back of the body.
Place it from rounds 2-4 on the center of the back of the body, like how you did the feet before. Once again, only sew it onto the black portion of the body,
When doing this try to keep the bottom of the tail towards the underside of the body. This helps keep the base of your bear flat so that it will sit without toppling over.
Next, sew the snout onto the front of the head.
Center the snout between the eyes with the top of it touching the top of round 7. Use the tail of yarn you left on it earlier to sew it on. (I waited to embroider the black nose on until the very end.)
Then sew the ears onto the top of the head.
Position the ears so that the inside part of each ear begins at the lines between rnds 2 and 3 with the outside edge of the ears being at the lines between rnds 5 and 6. (See photos below.)
Lastly, embroider on the details.
In this case, that’s the little nose on the snout. Do this by covering up about 1/4th of the first round of your snout with your small piece of black yarn.
Have the yarn come up through the center of the snout, then go back into the snout up above it between rnds 1 and 2. Repeat this process about 8-12 times until you have a nose that’s the shape and thickness you’re satisfied with.
(I don’t have a head-on photo of the panda nose. But I do have some good ones of the brown bear! The nose is embroidered the same on both, so the pictures should still give you a good idea of the result. If you want to make the brown bear check out my post on it HERE!).
And that’s it, your panda bear is done!
If you made one feel free to post a picture on social media with #lifewithbubbins or tag me on instagram @lifewithbubbins so I can see your lovely creations!
Don’t forget to check out my other post on using this pattern to make a teddy bear keychain HERE!
Thanks for following this crochet panda bear pattern!
