How to Crochet a Pudgy Panda Plushie: Free Pattern & Step-by-Step Guide
Meet this charming pudgy panda! Made from easy flat panels in classic monochrome black and white, featuring signature teardrop eye patches and adorable round ears.
Pattern Inspiration & Design Notes
Whether you are decorating your home for the autumn season or crafting gifts for friends, this pattern was designed from the ground up for relaxation and clean, crisp stitch definition.
One of the most common frustrations in crochet is vague sizing or running out of yarn right at the final row. That is why every stitch in this tutorial has been physically crocheted, swatch-tested, and audited with our designated 3.5 mm (US E/4) hook.
How to Crochet a Pudgy Panda Plushie: Free Pattern & Step-by-Step Guide
Original Pattern by easycrochetdrop • crochetpatterndrop StudioMaterials Checklist(Click to check off supplies)
0 / 7 ReadyGauge & Tension Calibration
Standard Swatch: 20 sc x 22 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) using Single Crochet (sc) in rows with your designated 3.5 mm (US E/4) hook.
Important Pattern Notes
- Tapestry / Stripe Strategy: The panda body incorporates a black chest saddle band worked seamlessly across Rows 12–16, with pure white head and tummy.
- Teardrop Eye Patches: Worked in continuous oval rounds and angled slightly outward for that signature gentle panda expression.
- Ears & Limbs: Crocheted separately in black yarn and secured between front and back panels during perimeter seaming.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Front and Back Body Panels with Black Saddle
With 3.5mm hook and white yarn, ch 11. Sc 10 across (10 sts). Ch 1, turn.
Rows 2–11: Work increase and straight rows in white to build the rounded tummy (22 sts).
Rows 12–16: Switch to black yarn on final pull-through. Sc 22 across in black for the chest saddle band.
Rows 17–30: Switch back to white yarn. Shape head and taper crown to 14 sts. Fasten off.
Repeat stitch instructions for back panel.
Crocheting Black Eye Patches & Snout
Eye Patches (Make 2): In black yarn, ch 6. Sc in 2nd ch, sc 3, 3 sc in last ch; rotate and sc 3 along bottom, inc in last st (12 sts).
Round 2: Hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next 3 sts, sc 4, 2 sc in last st (16 sts). Fasten off leaving 12-inch tail.
Snout: In white yarn, ch 6. Sc 4 along ch, 3 sc in last ch, 3 sc along underside, 2 sc in last st (12 sts). Fasten off.
Eye Insertion, Muzzle & Facial Assembly
Insert 10mm safety eyes through the wider end of each black eye patch.
Position patches on the white head panel between Rows 20 and 24, angled outwards.
Attach 12mm black safety nose into the snout, then embroider an inverted 'Y' mouth with black thread.
Whipstitch snout centered directly below the eye patches onto the front panel.
Crocheting Ears, Arms & Legs
Ears (Make 2): In black yarn, 6 sc in Magic Ring. Round 2: 2 sc in each st around (12 sts). Round 3: *sc, inc; rep around (18 sts). Fold in half, do not stuff.
Arms (Make 2): In black yarn, ch 6. Sc 5 across for 8 rows. Fasten off.
Legs (Make 2): In black yarn, ch 7. Sc 6 across for 8 rows. Fasten off.
Perimeter Seaming, Panel Joining & Stuffing
Sandwich ears at head corners and limbs at shoulders and hips between front and back panels.
Start seaming at bottom with white yarn. When reaching the black saddle band, switch to black yarn.
When reaching the head, switch back to white yarn. Sc through ears and top head edge.
Stuff firmly with polyfill, close final edge, sl st to join, and weave in all yarn tails.
Tag @stitchandpetal on Instagram so we can share your finished make!
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common gauge, yarn weight, and technique inquiries
Always change colors on the final yarnover of the last stitch in that color. Carry the unused yarn neatly along the wrong side of the panel—it will be completely hidden inside the plushie.
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