How to Crochet Nele the Little Panda: A Detailed Step-by-Step Amigurumi Workshop

Nele the little Panda is a delightful crochet character built from a combination of simple amigurumi shapes, carefully placed color changes, felt facial pieces, and a charming light pink outfit. Rather than treating the pattern as one long sequence of stitches, this guide approaches the project as a complete crochet workshop: first establish the feet and body, then shape the head and facial features, make the limbs and clothing, and finally bring everything together through assembly.

The technical instructions below remain faithful to the original pattern by Amalou.Designs. The listed yarn, hook size, safety-eye size, colors, stitch counts, round numbers, color changes, placement instructions, and construction details are retained. Where the original source does not provide a measurement, gauge, or yardage, no new value is added.

Before Picking Up the Hook

The project calls for Schachenmayr Catania in four colors: white, black, light pink, and light green. The crochet hook is 2.5mm. The remaining materials are soft stuffing (Polyfill), scissors, pins, a stitch marker, felt in light pink, black, and white, and 12mm safety eyes.

Materials Checklist

• Schachenmayr Catania in white, black, light pink and light green
• 2.5mm crochet hook
• Soft stuffing (Polyfill)
• Scissors
• Pins and stitch marker
• Light pink, black and white felt
• 12mm safety eyes

Pattern Abbreviations

• Mc = Magic circle
• sc = single crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• ch = chain(s)
• inc. = increase
• dec. = decrease
• (…) = repeat
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet

Keep a stitch marker nearby throughout the project. The pattern is worked in rounds, and the stitch counts are especially useful checkpoints when shaping the head and body.

Workshop 1: Build the Feet First

Nele’s feet begin as two separate black crocheted pieces. The first leg is completed and finished before the second is started. The second leg follows the exact same twelve-round sequence, but its yarn remains attached so it can continue into the body.

First Leg — Black

1. Rd. 1: 6sc in Mc (6)
2. Rd. 2: 6 inc (12)
3. Rd. 3: (1sc, inc.) (18)
4. Rd. 4: (2sc, inc.) (24)
5. Rd. 5: sc (24)
6. Rd. 6: dec, dec, 9sc, inc, inc, 9sc (24)
7. Rd. 7: sc (24)
8. Rd. 8: dec, dec, 9sc, inc, inc, 9sc (24)
9. Rd. 9: sc (24)
10. Rd. 10: sc (24)
11. Rd. 11: dec, dec, 9sc, inc, inc, 9sc (24)
12. Rd. 12: sc (24)

Cut the yarn and sew it up.

Second Leg — Black

Now crochet the second leg in the same way. Repeat Round 1–12, but do not cut the yarn and continue with the body.

Workshop 2: Connect the Legs Correctly

This is one of the most important orientation points in the entire project. The original pattern says to connect both legs with a sc in the first leg and specifically notes that the tips of the feet should look at each other.

After the second leg, crochet 2sc, change to light pink and crochet 6ch(s), then continue with the body.

The joining sequence is:

23 sc around the first leg + 6sc in the chains + 24sc around the second leg + 6sc in the chains = 60 sc.

Before moving into Round 1, check the feet visually. Correct orientation at this stage is much easier than trying to compensate later during assembly.

Workshop 3: Shape the Body and Its Dress Colors

The body begins with five rounds of 60 sc. The first decreases then gradually reduce the circumference. Two special back-loop-only rounds also help establish the structure of the finished outfit.

1. Rd. 1: sc (60)
2. Rd. 2: sc (60)
3. Rd. 3: sc (60)
4. Rd. 4: sc (60)
5. Rd. 5: sc (60)
6. Rd. 6: 12sc, dec, 28sc, dec, 16sc (58)
7. Rd. 7: sc (58)
8. Rd. 8: 12sc, dec, 27sc, dec, 15sc (56)
9. Rd. 9: sc in back loops only (56) change to white
10. Rd. 10: 12sc, dec, 26sc, dec., 14sc (54)
11. Rd. 11: sc (54)
12. Rd. 12: 12sc, dec, 25sc, dec., 13sc (52)
13. Rd. 13: sc (52) change to light pink
14. Rd. 14: 12sc, dec, 24sc, dec, 12sc (50)
15. Rd. 15: sc (50)
16. Rd. 16: 12sc, dec., 23sc, dec, 11sc (48)
17. Rd. 17: sc (48)
18. Rd. 18: 12sc, dec, 22sc, dec, 10sc (46)
19. Rd. 19: sc (46)
20. Rd. 20: 12sc, dec, 21sc, dec, 9sc (44)
21. Rd. 21: sc (44)
22. Rd. 22: 12sc, dec, 20sc, dec, 8sc (42)
23. Rd. 23: 12sc, dec, 19sc, dec, 7sc (40)
24. Rd. 24: 12sc, dec, 18sc, dec, 6sc (38)
25. Rd. 25: 12sc, dec, 17sc, dec, 5sc (36) in back loops only! Change to black
26. Rd. 26: 12sc, dec, 16sc, dec, 4sc (34)
27. Rd. 27: 12sc, dec, 15sc, dec, 3sc (32)
28. Rd. 28: 12sc, dec, 14sc, dec, 2sc (30)

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the body!

The body should now have the tapered structure created by the original sequence. Avoid changing the placement of the decreases or color transitions, since those details determine the shape and visual bands of the finished panda.

Workshop 4: Prepare the Panda Face

The face combines 12mm safety eyes with felt layers. Take the felt and cut the black pieces. Take the white felt and insert the safety eyes, cut with a distance of 1mm (0.039 inch) around the eyes. Insert the eye+white felt into the black felt.

Insert the safety eyes when you are ready with the head. Count 18 rounds from the MC, with a distance of 9 st. Close the safety eyes and sew the black felt onto the head. Cut circles (0,07 inch diameter) out of the light pink felt and sew them onto the black felt.

Workshop 5: Crochet the White Head

The head starts with six sc in a magic circle and grows through a series of increases until it reaches 84 stitches. The final rounds then decrease the stitch count to create the rounded lower section.

1. Rd. 1: 6sc in Mc (6)
2. Rd. 2: inc. (12)
3. Rd. 3: (sc, inc.) (18)
4. Rd. 4: (2sc, inc.) (24)
5. Rd. 5: (3sc, inc.) (30)
6. Rd. 6: (4sc, inc.) (36)
7. Rd. 7: (5sc, inc.) (42)
8. Rd. 8: (6sc, inc.) (48)
9. Rd. 9: sc (48)
10. Rd. 10: (7sc, inc.) (54)
11. Rd. 11: sc (54)
12. Rd. 12: (8sc, inc.) (60)
13. Rd. 13: (9sc, inc.) (66)
14. Rd. 14: (10sc, inc.) (72)
15. Rd. 15: sc (72)
16. Rd. 16: (11sc, inc.) (78)
17. Rd. 17: sc (78)
18. Rd. 18: (12sc, inc.) (84)
19. Rd. 19: sc (84)
20. Rd. 20: sc (84)
21. Rd. 21: (12sc, dec.) (78)
22. Rd. 22: (11sc, dec.) (72)
23. Rd. 23: (10sc, dec.) (66)
24. Rd. 24: (9sc, dec.) (60)
25. Rd. 25: (8sc, dec.) (54)
26. Rd. 26: (7sc, dec.) (48)
27. Rd. 27: (6sc, dec) (42)
28. Rd. 28: (5sc, dec.) (36)
29. Rd. 29: (4sc, dec.) (30)

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the head.

Workshop 6: Shape the Panda Ears

The ears are black and two identical pieces are required. The first five rounds expand the piece, followed by four rounds of single crochet that maintain the 30-stitch circumference.

1. Rd. 1: 6sc in MC (6)
2. Rd. 2: inc (12)
3. Rd. 3: (sc, inc) (18)
4. Rd. 4: (2sc, inc) (24)
5. Rd. 5: (3sc, inc) (30)
6. Rd. 6–9: sc (30) 4 rounds

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Workshop 7: Make the Long Black Arms

The arms are worked in black and are intentionally elongated. The shaping changes several times along the piece, so keep the round numbers visible as you work.

1. Rd. 1: 6sc in Mc (6)
2. Rd. 2: inc. (12)
3. Rd. 3: (sc,inc.) (18)
4. Rd. 4–7: sc (18) 4 Rounds
5. Rd. 8: decx2, 14sc (16)
6. Rd. 9–16: sc (16) 8 Rounds
7. Rd. 17: 10sc, dec., 4sc (15)
8. Rd. 18–24: sc (15) 7 Rounds
9. Rd. 25: 11sc, dec, 2sc (14)
10. Rd. 26: sc (14)
11. Rd. 27: sc (14)
12. Rd. 28: fold together and crochet both sides together.

Perhaps you have to crochet another sc first. It is important that the decx2 look tot the side.

Workshop 8: Turn the Body Into a Skirted Outfit

The tutu begins on the back at Round 9 from the body and is worked in the front loops. Turn Nele, feet to the top.

1. Rd. 1: (sc), sl st (56)
2. Rd. 2: 3ch(s)+2dc in same st, (3dc in next st),sl st (168)
3. Rd. 3: 3ch (s), (dc), sl st (168)

Cut the yarn and sew it up.

The source photograph shows the characteristic gathered edge produced by this construction. The front-loop instruction should be followed exactly because the tutu is attached to the body at that specific round.

Workshop 9: Add the Floral Headpiece

Light Pink Flower

The flower is made in light pink. The original pattern includes a specific bobble-stitch instruction: do not crochet the dc from the petal completely through. At the end of every petal you will have 6 loops on your hook which you crochet all together = Bobble Stitch.

1. Rd. 1: 12sc in MC, sl st (12)
2. Rd. 2: (2ch+5dc in same st, 3ch(s), sc in next st) (6 petals)

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Four Light Green Leaves

Make four leaves in light green.

1. Rd. 1: 7ch(s), insert in 2° st from hook, sc, hdc, dc, dc, hdc, sc, 2ch(s), turn your work
2. Rd. 2: sc, hdc, dc, dc, hdc, sl st

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Workshop 10: Crochet the Dress Straps

The straps are light pink and two are required.

1. 12ch(s), sc in 2°st from hook, (3sc in next st) x9, sc in last st.

Make two straps. The original source uses the photograph as the visual reference for their final placement.

Assembly Workshop: Put the Main Pieces Together

At this stage, all major crocheted components are ready. Assembly is not merely the final sewing step; it is where the facial expression, posture, clothing, and floral decoration become recognizable as Nele.

Attach the Head

Sew the head onto the body. Use the long sewing tail left on the head and work carefully around the opening so the attachment remains secure.

Attach the Ears

Sew the ears onto the sides at 3° round from the top of the head. Check the two sides before tightening the stitches so the ears remain balanced.

Attach the Arms

Sew the arms under the seam of the head. Remember the orientation note from Round 28 when positioning the folded arm pieces.

Add the Pink Neck Detail

Crochet sl st with light pink on the body where the colour changes from white to light pink.

Embroider the Nose and Snout

Use black yarn to stitch the nose over 4 stitches oblique. Divide the yarn and stitch the snout over 4 rounds.

Add the Bellybutton

Stitch the bellybutton with black yarn.

Sew the Straps

Sew the straps as you can see in the picture.

Positioning the Leaves and Flower

Use pins to find the right position of the leaves. This temporary placement step is useful because the four leaves need to form the head decoration around the flower.

Sew the leaves and the flower to the right side of the head. Keep the decorative pieces on the right side as specified by the source rather than moving the arrangement to the opposite side.

Face Assembly Checkpoint

Before calling the doll finished, inspect the face as one complete unit. The white crocheted head should carry the black felt eye areas, the 12mm safety eyes, and the light pink felt circles. The black yarn nose and snout provide the central facial details.

The original facial instructions specify counting 18 rounds from the magic circle with a distance of 9 stitches for the safety-eye placement. The white felt is cut with a distance of 1mm (0.039 inch) around the eyes, while the light pink felt circles are specified as 0,07 inch diameter.

Stitch and Color Checkpoints

A useful way to manage this pattern is to pause at the major numerical checkpoints instead of trying to remember the entire sequence.

• The joined legs create 60 sc.
• The body begins with five rounds of 60 sc.
• Body Round 9 is worked in back loops only and changes to white.
• Body Round 13 changes back to light pink.
• Body Round 25 is worked in back loops only and changes to black.
• The body ends at 30 stitches in Round 28.
• The head reaches 84 stitches at Round 18 and remains at 84 through Rounds 19–20.
• The head decreases to 30 stitches by Round 29.
• Each ear reaches 30 stitches and remains there for four rounds.
• The tutu reaches 168 stitches in Rounds 2 and 3 as written.
• The flower contains 6 petals.
• Four leaves are made.
• Two straps are made.

Beginner-Friendly Problem Solving

If the Stitch Count Is Wrong

Do not compensate by changing the next round. Recount the current round and, if necessary, review the previous round. The stitch counts supplied by the source are part of the construction.

If the Feet Face the Wrong Direction

Return to the leg connection before continuing the body. The source specifically says the tips of the feet should look at each other. Correcting the orientation before the body is complete is simpler than correcting it after assembly.

If the Tutu Looks Different From the Photograph

Check that you started on the back at body Round 9, worked in the front loops, and turned Nele with the feet to the top. Then verify the 3ch and dc sequence exactly as written.

If the Arms Do Not Sit Correctly

Check the final folding instruction. At Round 28, both sides are crocheted together, and the source says that the decx2 should look to the side.

If the Floral Decoration Looks Uneven

Use pins before sewing, just as the source recommends. Position the four leaves and the flower on the right side of the head, compare the arrangement visually, and then sew them permanently.

Finishing Checklist

• Both legs completed and correctly oriented.
• Body completed through Round 28 and stuffed.
• Head completed through Round 29 and stuffed.
• Two ears completed.
• Two arms completed and folded at Round 28.
• 12mm safety eyes prepared and positioned according to the pattern.
• Black felt facial pieces attached.
• Light pink felt circles attached.
• Tutu completed from the body front loops at Round 9.
• Six-petal flower completed.
• Four leaves completed.
• Two straps completed.
• Head sewn onto body.
• Ears sewn at the specified position.
• Arms sewn under the head seam.
• Light pink slip-stitch detail added at the color change.
• Nose and snout stitched with black yarn.
• Bellybutton stitched.
• Straps sewn according to the photograph.
• Leaves and flower pinned, positioned, and sewn to the right side of the head.

The Finished Nele: A Final Construction Review

When all of the stages are complete, the individual components form the recognizable Nele the little Panda shown in the source. The black legs and arms frame the light pink outfit, the white head provides the base for the panda face, and the black ears and eye patches establish the animal character.

The light pink tutu adds the distinctive ruffled edge, while the straps and bellybutton finish the dress. Finally, the four light green leaves and light pink flower create the decorative headpiece on the right side.

The original pattern closes with an invitation to have fun with little Nele and to share pictures using #pandanele and @amalou.designs. The source credits Amalou.Designs and states that the pattern is for personal use only; it may not be resold, shared, rewritten, or distributed. If the finished doll is sold, the source asks that the designer Amalou.Designs be pointed out.

Complete Project Roadmap

1. Gather Schachenmayr Catania in white, black, light pink, and light green.
2. Prepare the 2.5mm hook, Polyfill, scissors, pins, stitch marker, felt, and 12mm safety eyes.
3. Make the first black leg through Round 12 and finish it.
4. Make the second black leg through Round 12 without cutting the yarn.
5. Continue through Round 13 and connect the legs.
6. Complete body Rounds 1–28 with the specified colors and stitch counts.
7. Stuff the body.
8. Prepare the facial felt and safety-eye pieces.
9. Crochet and stuff the white head.
10. Make two black ears.
11. Make two black arms.
12. Crochet the light pink tutu.
13. Make the light pink flower.
14. Make four light green leaves.
15. Make two light pink straps.
16. Sew the head, ears, and arms to the body.
17. Add the facial embroidery and bellybutton.
18. Sew the straps.
19. Pin and sew the leaves and flower to the right side of the head.
20. Complete the final inspection and enjoy your finished Nele.

Conclusion

Nele the little Panda is a rewarding project because the construction combines familiar amigurumi techniques with a few carefully planned decorative details. The most important part of the process is consistency: preserve the stitch counts, follow the exact round sequence, keep the original color changes, and use the photographs as visual checkpoints when working through the assembly.

Once the numerical work is complete, the personality of the panda comes from the finishing details. The felt eye patches and pink cheeks define the face, the ruffled tutu gives the body its distinctive silhouette, and the floral headpiece provides the final decorative touch. By approaching the project section by section, you can keep the construction organized while staying faithful to the original Amalou.Designs instructions.