How to Crochet a Panda Plushie

Steps

1. 1. Start with a Magic Ring

   Begin the head with your white yarn. Make a magic ring and work 8 single crochet stitches into it, then pull the tail to cinch the ring closed.

   Tip: Watch this step If the ring keeps loosening, hold the tail down with the same finger you crochet with. A firm magic ring means no gap for the stuffing to peek through later.

   

2. 2. Increase into a Ball

   Now build up the sphere. Round 2 is 8 increases to get you to 16 stitches, and you keep increasing evenly around each following round until the head reaches its widest point.

   Tip: Watch this step Count your stitches at the end of each round. Catching a missed increase now is a lot easier than ripping back six rounds later when the ball looks lopsided.

   

3. 3. Decrease and Stuff the Head

   Once the ball is as wide as you want it, switch to decrease rounds to curve the top of the head back inward. Round 11 works 3 single crochet then 1 decrease, repeated around, and the rounds after keep pulling it closed.

   Tip: Watch this step Add the stuffing in small pinches rather than one big lump. Little bits let you push filling right into the top and sides so there are no soft, empty pockets.

   

4. 4. Set the Safety Eyes

   Push a black safety eye through the fabric between rounds 9 and 10, leaving about 5 stitches between the two eyes so they sit at a friendly distance. Line the second eye up the same number of stitches across.

   Tip: Watch this step Set the eyes before you finish stuffing and closing the head. Once the back is sewn shut you can no longer reach in to clip on the washers.

   

5. 5. Add the Black Popcorn Markings

   Join your black yarn to build the panda's dark patches. Where the pattern calls for it, on rounds 14 and 17, you work black popcorn stitches instead of plain single crochet.

   Tip: Watch this step Keep an even tension on the popcorn stitches.

   

6. 6. Make and Attach the Ears and Arms

   The ears and arms are small pieces you make separately in black yarn. Each round ear is a quick cluster worked with chain 1, 2 half double crochet, chain 1, and a slip stitch to join.

   Tip: Watch this step Pin both ears before you sew either one. Seeing them in place lets you nudge the spacing until the panda looks right, and only then do you commit with the needle.

   

7. 7. Embroider the Face and Finish

   Time to give the panda its expression. Thread your yarn needle with black yarn and stitch a small nose and a curved mouth just below and between the eyes.

   Tip: Watch this step Sketch the nose position with a stitch you can pull out before you commit.