If you want to purchase an ad-free PDF version of this amigurumi bear keychain 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 stuffed animal, a mini amigurumi teddy bear, and a teddy bear keychain!
This micro amigurumi panda bear keychain pattern uses embroidery floss instead of yarn or crochet thread. I love the finished look of crocheted embroidery floss so it’s definitely worth the challenge!
If you’re a bit worried about working with embroidery floss, check out this other blog post that has the pattern to make the stuffed animal version. Either way I’m you’ll end up with an adorable panda bear of your own!
NOTE: If you are wanting to sell a finished micro amigurumi panda bear keychain (or multiple) 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 1.30mm crochet hook
- One skein of black embroidery floss (I used DMC 310)
- One skein of white embroidery floss (I used DMC BLANC)
- 1 pair of 4mm safety eyes (4.5mm can also work)
- Scissors
- Embroidery needle
- Stuffing (I use polyester fiberfill)
- A keychain and jump ring
Head
Begin with the white embroidery floss
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 5-6: sc 24 each round
Rnd 7: sc 8, ch 2 and skip over one stitch, sc 4, ch 2 and skip over one stitch, sc 10 (26 counting each individual chain stitch)
** each ch 2 space creates the hole for the pegs of the 4mm safety eyes **
Rnd 8: sc 8, sc in the hole created by the ch 2, sc 4, sc in the hole created by the ch 2, sc 10 (24)
Rnd 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.
** Ignore the fact that the embroidery floss is blue in the photo, these are just the photos I have on hand to illustrate this portion of the pattern **
Side Note: I found that the backs on the 4mm safety eyes are TOO BIG for such a small head. So to make them fit I had to trim the backing down to be a very small ring. If you have the same issue, just cut the outside ring of your safety eyes backs until they look like the middle ones in the picture below.
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 the black embroidery floss
Rnd 1: 7 sc in a Magic Ring (7)
Rnd 2: inc in each sc around (14)
Rnd 3: sc 14
Switch to white embroidery floss
Rnd 4: sc 14
Switch to black embroidery floss
Rnd 5: *sc, dec* 4 times, then dec (9)
FO, leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing on later.
Arms (make 2)
Begin with the black embroidery floss
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 the black embroidery floss
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 the black embroidery floss
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 the black embroidery floss
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 the white embroidery floss
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 panda bear keychain together. But for now I have some close-ups of some finished crochet bears to help you see where to place things.
Throughout the assembly steps you’ll see close-up photos of the bigger bear. This is done on purpose because the patterns are so similar that the assembly steps are the same and it’s easier to see the placement on the bigger one.
If you want to see more close-ups of the keychain version, those will be at the end of this assembly section.
Quick Note: This little guy is so small that it’s important to be careful when sewing on the various parts. If they’re off just a little too much it can make your bear look crooked! These instructions will help you attach each piece in a way to help your bear remain balanced and symmetrical.
Let’s get started!
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 that you only attach it to the black portion of the body, leaving the white stripe uncovered.
A keychain can get a LOT of wear and tear, so to stop arms, legs, and ears coming off your keychain, I’d highly recommend “anchoring” your embroidery floss tails together before weaving them in. If you do this there’s no way they’ll fall of while you’re on the go! 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.
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 embroidery floss.
Have the yarn come up through the center of the snout, then go back into the snout 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.
To complete this project you just need to attach your keychain to the bear.
Hook your jump ring through the MR you started with, place the keychain on, and close the jump ring. And your keychain is assembled!
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!
Thanks for following along! I hope you love your new micro amigurumi panda bear keychain!
