Nele the Little Panda Crochet Masterclass: From First Stitch to Final Finishing

Nele the little Panda is the kind of amigurumi project that becomes especially satisfying once every small component has a clear purpose. The black feet create the base, the body introduces the pink and white clothing colors, the rounded white head carries the panda face, and the smaller accessories transform the basic crocheted figure into the finished character.

This fifth article presents the pattern as a beginner-friendly masterclass focused on control, finishing, and visual accuracy. Instead of simply moving from Round 1 to the last round, the tutorial explains what to watch for while working each component and how to use the original photographs as assembly checkpoints.

All technical details in this guide are based on the supplied Amalou.Designs pattern. The original yarn, hook size, colors, safety-eye size, stitch counts, rounds, color changes, construction instructions, and placement details are retained. The source does not state a finished size, gauge, or yarn quantity, so none is invented here.

Materials and Tools

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

Abbreviations to Keep Beside You

• 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

Masterclass Stage 1: Start With the Feet

The first stage creates the two black feet. They are worked separately and later connected to form the beginning of the body.

First Leg in 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 in Black

Repeat Round 1 through Round 12 for the second leg. This time, do not cut the yarn. The second leg continues directly into the body.

Masterclass checkpoint: The two feet should be matching pieces. Only the yarn handling differs: the first leg is finished, while the second remains attached.

Masterclass Stage 2: Make the Feet Face Each Other

After the second leg, crochet 2sc, change to light pink and crochet 6ch(s). Then join the legs.

The complete stitch calculation supplied by the source is:

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

The source specifically instructs that the tips of the feet should look at each other. This is an important orientation check. If the feet are pointing in another direction, correct them before continuing the body.

Masterclass Stage 3: Build the Body With Three Color Zones

The body combines shaping with color changes. The safest approach is to treat each change as a deliberate checkpoint rather than as a casual yarn switch.

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 Three Body Color Checkpoints

• Round 9: work in back loops only, then change to white.
• Round 13: change to light pink.
• Round 25: work in back loops only, then change to black.

The body begins at 60 stitches and gradually decreases to 30 stitches by Round 28. These numbers are useful for checking your progress without changing the original instructions.

Masterclass Stage 4: Shape the White Head

The head is worked separately in white. It begins with six stitches in a magic circle, expands to 84 stitches, holds that maximum through Rounds 19 and 20, and then decreases to 30 stitches.

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.

Masterclass Stage 5: Build the Face With Felt and Safety Eyes

The face is made from several layers. First cut the black felt pieces. Then take the white felt and insert the safety eyes, cutting with a distance of 1mm (0.039 inch) around the eyes. Insert the eye+white felt into the black felt.

When the head is ready, insert the safety eyes. Count 18 rounds from the MC, with a distance of 9 st. Close the safety eyes and sew the black felt onto the head.

For the cheeks, cut circles (0,07 inch diameter) from light pink felt and sew them onto the black felt.

This stage benefits from checking the position visually before tightening the felt. The original pattern’s measurements should remain the final reference.

Masterclass Stage 6: Crochet the Ears

Two black ears are required.

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.

Masterclass Stage 7: Construct the Arms

The arms use a longer sequence than the ears, with shaping at Rounds 8, 17, and 25.

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.

Masterclass Stage 8: Create the Ruffled Tutu

The tutu is worked on the back at Round 9 from the body and 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 tutu’s ruffled appearance comes from this exact construction, so preserve the front-loop placement and the stitch sequence rather than substituting a different edging.

Masterclass Stage 9: Make the Flower and Leaves

Light Pink Flower

Work the flower in light pink.

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.

The source includes a special petal 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.

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.

Masterclass Stage 10: Make the Dress Straps

Make two straps in light pink:

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

Make two straps. Their final placement is shown in the assembly photograph.

Masterclass Assembly: Attach the Main Components

With all the crocheted pieces completed, the project moves from crochet construction into finishing. Work slowly during this stage because the placement of the pieces controls the final appearance.

Head

Sew the head onto the body using the long sewing tail.

Ears

Sew the ears onto the sides at 3° round from the top of the head.

Arms

Sew the arms under the seam of the head.

Light Pink Neck Detail

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

Nose

Use black yarn to stitch the nose over 4 stitches oblique.

Snout

Divide the yarn and stitch the snout over 4 rounds.

Bellybutton

Stitch the bellybutton with black yarn.

Straps

Sew the straps as you can see in the picture.

Masterclass Finishing: Position the Head Decoration

The source recommends using pins to find the right position of the leaves. This is an excellent moment to check the arrangement from the front before committing to the final stitches.

Sew the leaves and the flower to the right side of the head.

Beginner Masterclass: How to Check Your Work

A long amigurumi pattern can feel difficult when you look at every round at once. A better method is to divide the work into numerical checkpoints.

Body Checkpoints

• Rounds 1–5: 60 stitches.
• Round 6: 58 stitches.
• Round 8: 56 stitches.
• Round 9: 56 stitches, back loops only, change to white.
• Round 13: 52 stitches, change to light pink.
• Round 25: 36 stitches, back loops only, change to black.
• Round 28: 30 stitches.

Head Checkpoints

• Round 1: 6 stitches.
• Round 8: 48 stitches.
• Round 12: 60 stitches.
• Round 14: 72 stitches.
• Round 18: 84 stitches.
• Rounds 19–20: 84 stitches.
• Round 29: 30 stitches.

Accessory Checkpoints

• Two ears are required.
• Two arms are required.
• The flower has 6 petals.
• Four leaves are required.
• Two straps are required.
• The safety eyes are 12mm.

Finishing Advice for a Clean Result

The source does not prescribe a stuffing quantity, so the best way to stay faithful to the pattern is to use the supplied Polyfill and follow the shape created by the rounds rather than adding a new measurement.

When checking the body, look at the color transitions from several angles. The white section begins after the back-loop-only Round 9, light pink begins at Round 13, and black begins after the back-loop-only Round 25.

For the head, use the magic circle as the reference point when counting the 18 rounds for the safety-eye placement. The specified 9-stitch distance should be treated as a fixed technical instruction rather than estimated visually.

For assembly, pinning is especially helpful for the small floral components. It lets you compare the position of all four leaves before sewing them permanently.

Troubleshooting the Most Important Construction Points

The Feet Are Facing Away From Each Other

Return to the leg connection. The tips of the feet should look at each other. Correct the orientation before continuing the body.

The Body Has the Wrong Number of Stitches

Recount the current round and review the previous decrease round. Do not alter a later round to compensate.

The White Color Starts in the Wrong Place

Check Round 9. It is worked in back loops only and then changes to white.

The Light Pink Section Is Misplaced

Check Round 13, where the source changes to light pink.

The Black Upper Section Is Misplaced

Check Round 25, which is worked in back loops only before changing to black.

The Head Looks Too Flat or Too Pointed

Check the increase sequence leading to Round 18 and the decrease sequence after Round 20. The head reaches 84 stitches and then decreases in the specified order.

The Ears Are Uneven

Check that both ears follow the same Round 1–9 sequence and that they are sewn at 3° round from the top of the head.

The Arms Twist

Review Round 28 and the note that the decx2 should look to the side.

The Tutu Does Not Have the Expected Shape

Confirm that it is worked on the back at Round 9 from the body, in the front loops, with Nele’s feet to the top.

Complete Pre-Assembly Checklist

• First leg finished through Round 12.
• Second leg finished through Round 12 with yarn attached.
• Legs joined to create 60 stitches.
• Feet correctly facing each other.
• Body finished through Round 28.
• Body stuffed.
• Head finished through Round 29.
• Head stuffed.
• Two ears completed.
• Two arms completed.
• Tutu completed.
• Flower completed with 6 petals.
• Four leaves completed.
• Two straps completed.
• Safety eyes and felt pieces prepared.

Complete Final-Assembly Checklist

1. Sew the head onto the body.
2. Sew the ears onto the sides at the specified position.
3. Sew the arms under the head seam.
4. Add the light pink slip-stitch detail.
5. Attach the facial felt and safety eyes according to the original placement.
6. Stitch the black nose.
7. Stitch the snout over 4 rounds.
8. Stitch the bellybutton.
9. Sew the two pink straps.
10. Pin the four green leaves.
11. Sew the leaves and flower to the right side of the head.

Final Visual Review

At the final stage, the panda should read as one complete character rather than a collection of separate pieces. The black feet and arms balance the white head and pink outfit. The face adds the panda expression, while the ruffled tutu gives the lower body its distinctive silhouette.

The final decorative layer is the headpiece. The pink flower and four green leaves are placed on the right side of the head, completing the visual design shown in the source.

A Simple Workflow for Future Crochet Projects

Nele also demonstrates a useful general crochet workflow: build the structural pieces first, verify the numerical checkpoints, then make the decorative pieces separately, and only after that move into final assembly. This keeps the sewing stage organized and gives you multiple opportunities to catch orientation or stitch-count issues before they become difficult to correct.

For this pattern specifically, the most important technical anchors are the 60-stitch leg join, the body color changes at Rounds 9, 13, and 25, the 84-stitch maximum of the head, the 12mm safety eyes, and the placement of the ears, arms, tutu, straps, and floral decoration.

Original Pattern Note

The supplied source credits Amalou.Designs. It states that the pattern is for personal use only and 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.

The source also invites makers to share pictures using #pandanele and @amalou.designs.

Conclusion

Nele the little Panda is best approached as a sequence of manageable construction stages rather than one intimidating pattern. The feet establish the foundation, the body creates the dressed torso, the head builds the character’s face, and the ears and arms complete the panda silhouette. The tutu, straps, flower, and leaves then provide the finishing details that make the design distinctive.

For the most reliable result, keep the original numbers visible as you work. Check stitch counts at the end of important rounds, preserve the specified back-loop-only instructions, change colors exactly where indicated, and use the photographs to guide assembly and decoration. The combination of numerical accuracy and visual checking is the simplest way to keep the finished Nele faithful to the supplied pattern from the first magic circle to the final sewn flower.