If you’re looking for a panda crochet project that feels a little more realistic than a traditional teddy-bear-style amigurumi, this pattern is a lovely option to try.

Instead of sitting upright, this crochet panda is designed on all fours with rounded legs, a shaped body, and a slightly tilted head. The combination of black-and-white yarn and carefully positioned features gives the finished panda its recognizable look while keeping it soft and adorable.

This project uses a few shaping techniques that are slightly different from standard amigurumi construction. The front legs are crocheted together as one piece, while short rounds are used to shape the hind legs so they sit naturally against the body.

Because of these techniques, the pattern is best suited to an intermediate crocheter who is already comfortable with basic amigurumi stitches, increases, decreases, sewing pieces together, and working short rounds.

Panda Crochet Pattern Details

Skill Level

Intermediate

You should be familiar with:

• Chain stitches (ch)
• Single crochet (sc)
• Increases (inc)
• Decreases (dec)
• Right side (RS)
• Wrong side (WS)
• Crocheting in rounds
• Sewing amigurumi pieces together
• Short-round shaping

Supplies

You will need:

• Red Heart With Love yarn
  • 100% acrylic
  • Worsted weight
  • 370 yds / 7 oz / 198 g
  • Black: 1 ball
  • White: 1 ball
• G (4.00 mm) crochet hook
• Two 15 mm solid black safety eyes
• Polyfill stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Straight pins

Finished Measurements

The completed panda measures approximately:

11.5 inches long × 7 inches tall

Gauge

8 sts × 8 rows in single crochet = 2″ × 2″

Pattern Notes

When a row is marked WS (Wrong Side), the stitches should face toward the inside of the piece.

When a row is marked RS (Right Side), the stitches face outward as they normally would when making amigurumi.

These markings are especially useful when working the short rounds used to shape the panda.

A round marked Short Rnd is worked back and forth rather than completing the entire round. Some stitches are intentionally left unworked and will be picked up again during later rounds.

Crochet Panda Instructions

Front Legs

The two front legs are made as one connected piece, beginning at the feet.

Foot One

Using BLK, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the second ch from the hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in every st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnds 5–7: Sc evenly around.

Fasten off and place Foot One aside.

Foot Two

Using BLK, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the second ch from the hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in every st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnds 5–7: Sc evenly around.

Do not cut the yarn.

Rnd 8: Ch 3. Work 24 sc around Foot One, 3 sc across the chain joining the feet, 24 sc around Foot Two, then 3 sc across the underside of the joining chain. (54)

Rnds 9–16: Sc evenly around.

Stuff both feet.

Rnd 17: [7 sc, dec] 6 times. (48)

Rnd 18: [6 sc, dec] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 19: [5 sc, dec] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 20: [4 sc, dec] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 21: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 22: [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)

Finish adding stuffing.

Rnd 23: [Sc, dec] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 24: Dec 6 times. (6)

Cut the yarn and thread the tail through the front loops of the final 6 stitches. Pull firmly to close the opening, then weave in the end.

Body

Using WHT, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the second ch from the hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in every st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] 6 times. (48)

Rnds 9–16: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 17: [6 sc, dec] 6 times. (42)

Rnds 18–22: Sc evenly around.

Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.

Stuff the body.

On one side of the front-leg section, use straight pins to outline a six-sided hexagon. Each side of the hexagon should measure approximately 7 stitches or rows.

Position the open end of the body over this marked area.

Using the pins as your guide, sew the body securely to the front legs.

Before completing the seam, add extra stuffing if necessary so the body remains firm and evenly shaped.

Hind Legs

Make 2.

Using BLK, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the second ch from the hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in every st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 5: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 6: Sc evenly around, then turn.

Rnd 7: WS – Short Rnd: Work 12 sc. Leave the remaining 12 sts unworked and turn. (12)

Rnd 8: RS – Short Rnd: Work 11 sc, leaving the remaining st unworked. Turn. (11)

Rnd 9: WS – Short Rnd: Work 10 sc, leaving the remaining st unworked. Turn. (10)

Rnd 10: RS – Short Rnd: Work 9 sc, leaving the remaining st unworked. Turn. (9)

Rnd 11: WS – Short Rnd: Work 8 sc, leaving the remaining st unworked. Turn. (8)

Rnd 12: RS – Short Rnd: Work 7 sc, leaving the remaining st unworked. Turn. (7)

Rnd 13: WS – Short Rnd: Work 6 sc, leaving the remaining st unworked. Turn. (6)

Rnd 14: RS – Short Rnd: Work 5 sc, leaving the remaining st unworked. Turn. (5)

Rnd 15: WS – Short Rnd: Work 4 sc, leaving the remaining st unworked. Turn. (4)

Rnd 16: RS – Short Rnd: Work 4 sc.

Rnd 17: Working into the stitches that were left unworked during the previous short rounds, crochet 4 inc, 12 sc, 5 inc, 3 sc. (33)

Fasten off and leave a long yarn tail for sewing.

Attaching the Hind Legs

Place a pin at Rnd 10 of the body, lining it up with the inside edge of the front legs.

Use this point to position each hind leg so that the front and back legs align naturally.

The longer edge of each hind leg should sit flush against the body.

Pin the legs into place before sewing.

Use the pins as guides and sew the hind legs firmly to the body.

Add stuffing to each hind leg before completely closing the attachment.

Head

Using WHT, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the second ch from the hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in every st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] 6 times. (48)

Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] 6 times. (54)

Rnds 10–14: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 15: [7 sc, dec] 6 times. (48)

Rnd 16: [6 sc, dec] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 17: [5 sc, dec] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 18: [4 sc, dec] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 19: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 20: [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)

Stuff the head firmly while maintaining a rounded shape.

Rnd 21: [Sc, dec] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 22: Dec 6 times. (6)

Cut the yarn.

Thread the yarn through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tightly to close.

Leave a long tail for attaching the head.

Pass this long tail through the head and bring it out through any stitch on Rnd 17. It will be used later when attaching the head to the body.

Snout

Using WHT, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the second ch from the hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in every st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnds 5–6: Sc evenly around.

Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.

Attaching the Snout

Use pins to mark a 6 × 6 square on the panda’s head.

The upper side of the square should cross the center point of the head.

Place the snout inside this marked area.

Sew around it carefully, using the pins to maintain the correct positioning.

Add stuffing to the snout before closing the final section of the seam.

Eye Patches

Make 2.

Using BLK, ch 2.

Row 1: Work 4 sc into the second ch from the hook, then turn. (4)

Row 2: Ch 1, inc in every st across, then turn. (8)

Row 3: Ch 1, [sc, inc] 4 times, then turn. (12)

Row 4: Ch 1, [2 sc, inc] 4 times. (16)

Fasten off and leave a long yarn tail for sewing.

Place both eye patches on a flat surface so they mirror each other, with the curved edges toward the outside.

Insert one 15 mm safety eye into the upper half of each eye patch.

Once you are satisfied with the placement, secure the safety-eye washers.

Position the patches on the panda’s face and sew them carefully in place.

Nose

Cut a long strand of BLK yarn and thread it onto a tapestry needle.

Position the nose along the top area of the snout, centered evenly between the eyes.

Create the nose using vertical stitches covering approximately two rows, beginning around two stitches of Rnd 2 and widening to approximately three stitches around Rnd 4.

Continue going over the same area until the nose reaches your preferred thickness and has a clean, solid appearance.

Ears

Make 2.

Using BLK, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the second ch from the hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in every st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnds 4–6: Sc evenly around.

Fasten off and leave a long yarn tail for sewing.

Press each ear flat. The finished ears should naturally curve inward slightly.

Attaching the Ears

Mark a straight attachment line approximately 9 stitches long along Rnd 13 of the head.

Position the ears so their inner edges line up approximately with the inner edges of the eye patches.

The ears should be approximately 8 stitches apart.

Sew through both layers of the final round of each flattened ear to attach it securely to the head.

Once attached, gently bend the ears so their curved sides face forward.

Attaching the Head

On the front-leg piece, mark another six-sided hexagon directly opposite the area where the body was attached.

Each side of this hexagon should measure approximately 6 stitches.

Next, mark a corresponding hexagon around Rnd 17 of the head, again making each side approximately 6 stitches long.

Position the head against the front legs.

Tilt it slightly to achieve the characteristic panda pose.

Once you are happy with the angle, secure the head with pins.

Using the long yarn tail left on the head, sew along the marked hexagon until the head is firmly attached.

Check the position several times while sewing to make sure the head maintains the desired tilt.

Tail

Using BLK, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the second ch from the hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in every st around. (12)

Rnds 3–5: Sc evenly around.

Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.

Press the tail flat.

Position it at approximately Rnd 7 of the body, centered evenly between the two hind legs.

Sew through both layers of the final round of the tail to secure it to the body.

Finishing the Panda

Before weaving in the remaining yarn ends, examine the entire panda from several angles.

Check that:

• The front and hind legs are aligned.
• The head has a natural-looking tilt.
• Both eye patches sit evenly.
• The ears are symmetrical and face forward.
• The snout is centered.
• The tail is positioned between the hind legs.
• The body and legs have enough stuffing to maintain their shape.

Once everything is positioned correctly, weave in all remaining yarn tails securely.

Your realistic crochet panda is now complete!

Final Panda Size

When made using the recommended yarn and 4.00 mm crochet hook, the finished panda should measure approximately:

11.5 inches long × 7 inches tall

with a gauge of:

8 sts × 8 rows in sc = 2″ × 2″

Small differences in tension may slightly affect the finished dimensions, but keeping the original stitch counts and gauge will help maintain the intended proportions.