Creating Paf the Panda Dad is a rewarding intermediate crochet project because the finished character is built from many familiar amigurumi techniques and then brought together through careful assembly. The pattern combines a rounded head, a rounded body, separate arms and legs, shaped ears, embroidered facial details, safety eyes, and a complete pair of French Blue overalls.
This fifth article presents the project as a practical finishing masterclass. Instead of simply following the pattern as one uninterrupted list, the work is divided into preparation, component checkpoints, shaping checks, clothing construction, and final assembly. The technical instructions remain unchanged: the same hook size, yarn colors, stitch counts, round numbers, measurements, and placement instructions are used throughout.
Paf the Panda Dad is approximately 22 cm (8.6 inches) when finished. The source identifies the project as Paf – Panda Dad, No. 1020-211-2748, with an intermediate skill level. The recommended hook is 2.50 mm, and the yarn is Friends Cotton 8/4 in White (#001), Anthracite (#122), and French Blue (#084).
Materials and Technical Reference
- Pattern: Paf – Panda Dad
- Pattern number: 1020-211-2748
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Finished size: Approx. 22 cm (8.6 inches)
- Crochet hook: 2.50 mm
- White Friends Cotton 8/4: #001, 1 skein
- Anthracite Friends Cotton 8/4: #122, 1 skein
- French Blue Friends Cotton 8/4: #084, 1 skein
- Black scrap yarn: for the eyebrows
- Safety eyes: 2 x 8 mm
- Wooden buttons: 2 x 12 mm
- Fiberfill: for stuffing
The pattern abbreviations are ch for chain, sc for single crochet, sl st for slip stitch, mr for magic ring, inc for increase, dec for decrease, and rnd(s) for round(s). A number in parentheses gives the number of stitches after the round is completed. An increase means 2 stitches in the same stitch, while a decrease means 2 stitches together.
Three Rules for a Clean Amigurumi Result
The source gives three particularly useful working tips. First, always stuff the head and body firmly. Second, stuff between the head and body while sewing the head onto the body to avoid a wobbly head. Third, work tightly to avoid holes between the stitches.
These three instructions can guide the entire project. Firm stuffing supports the rounded character shape, the additional stuffing at the neck helps stabilize the head, and tight even crochet helps keep the fiberfill from showing through the fabric.
Because the recommended hook is 2.50 mm, keep the same hook throughout unless the source specifically instructs otherwise. Consistent tension is especially important in the head and body because their stitch counts become the foundation for later placement and assembly.
Work the Small Pieces Before the Main Body
A useful way to organize the project is to complete the smaller components first. This reduces interruptions when working the large head and body and makes it easier to keep pairs together.
Arms
Make 2 arms in Anthracite (#122).
- Round 1: 6 sc in a mr.
- Round 2: (inc) 6 times (12).
- Round 3: (1 sc, inc) 6 times (18).
- Rounds 4-7: 1 sc in each st (18).
Stuff the hand and the arm as you work. Round 8 is (dec) 5 times, 8 sc (13). Then work Rounds 9-23: 1 sc in each st (13). Fasten off and leave a tail long enough for sewing.
The important count to remember is that the arm begins its straight section at 13 stitches after Round 8. Both arms should be prepared before the body reaches its arm-attachment round.
Ears
Make 2 ears in Anthracite (#122).
- Round 1: 6 sc in a mr.
- Round 2: (inc) 6 times (12).
- Round 3: (1 sc, inc) 6 times (18).
- Round 4: (5 sc, inc) 3 times (21).
- Rounds 5-7: 1 sc in each st (21).
Fasten off and leave a tail long enough for sewing. Keep the ears together as a pair so their shapes and orientation can be compared during final placement.
Snout
In Anthracite (#122), work Round 1: 6 sc in a mr, 1 sl st. Fasten off and leave a tail long enough for sewing.
Tail
Make the tail in Anthracite (#122):
- Round 1: 6 sc in a mr.
- Round 2: (inc) 6 times (12).
- Round 3: (1 sc, inc) 6 times (18).
- Rounds 4-6: 1 sc in each st (18).
- Round 7: (1 sc, dec) 6 times (12).
Stuff the tail lightly. Fasten off and leave a tail long enough for sewing.
Build the Eyes Carefully
The eyes are made from two separate crocheted parts. Make 2 white eye parts in White (#001). Round 1 is 4 sc in a mr. Do not tighten the loop, and leave a tail long enough for assembling.
For the grey eye part, make 2 in Anthracite (#122). Chain 1 to turn after each completed row.
- Row 1: ch 4, turn.
- Row 2: begin in the 2nd chain from the hook, (inc) 3 times, ch 1, turn (6).
- Row 3: (inc) 6 times, ch 1, turn (12).
- Row 4: make an edge around the entire eye, working 1 sc in each st and 2 sc in each corner (19).
Fasten off and leave a tail long enough for sewing. Attach the safety eye at the edge of the grey part of the eye, 3 rounds below the top. The curved part should point outwards.
Making the eye components before the head is completed gives you a useful preparation checkpoint. The two grey pieces should look like matching counterparts, and the safety eyes should sit securely before the pieces are sewn onto the head.
The Head: A Round Shape With Precise Facial Placement
Work the head in White (#001). The increase section is:
- Round 1: 6 sc in a mr.
- Round 2: (inc) 6 times (12).
- Round 3: (1 sc, inc) 6 times (18).
- Round 4: 1 sc in each st (18).
- Round 5: (inc) 6 times, 12 sc (24).
- Round 6: (1 sc, inc) 6 times, 12 sc (30).
- Round 7: (4 sc, inc) 6 times (36).
- Round 8: 1 sc in each st (36).
- Round 9: (5 sc, inc) 6 times (42).
- Round 10: (6 sc, inc) 6 times (48).
- Round 11: (7 sc, inc) 6 times (54).
- Round 12: (8 sc, inc) 6 times (60).
- Round 13: (9 sc, inc) 6 times (66).
Once Round 13 reaches 66 stitches, the facial placement can be completed. Place the grey eye parts with their safety eyes. Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 6 and 7 on the head, with 12 sc between the eyes and approximately 6 sc between the upper parts of the grey pieces. Make sure the snout points upwards.
Place the white part around the safety eye and tighten the magic ring. Sew the grey eye part onto the head.
Stuff the head as you make it. Work Rounds 14-25: 1 sc in each st (66).
Head Decreases
- Round 26: (9 sc, dec) 6 times (60).
- Round 27: (8 sc, dec) 6 times (54).
- Round 28: (7 sc, dec) 6 times (48).
- Round 29: (6 sc, dec) 6 times (42).
- Round 30: (5 sc, dec) 6 times (36).
- Round 31: (4 sc, dec) 6 times (30).
- Round 32: (3 sc, dec) 6 times (24).
- Round 33: (2 sc, dec) 6 times (18).
- Round 34: (1 sc, dec) 6 times (12).
- Round 35: (2 sc, dec) 3 times (9).
Fasten off and leave a tail long enough for closing the hole. Use a needle to gather the last 9 stitches in the front loop and tighten the yarn to close the hole neatly. Weave in the ends.
Use the Body as the Central Construction Checkpoint
The body is worked in White (#001). Its increase sequence takes the piece to 66 stitches:
- Round 1: 6 sc in a mr.
- Round 2: (inc) 6 times (12).
- Round 3: (1 sc, inc) 6 times (18).
- Round 4: (2 sc, inc) 6 times (24).
- Round 5: (3 sc, inc) 6 times (30).
- Round 6: (4 sc, inc) 6 times (36).
- Round 7: (5 sc, inc) 6 times (42).
- Round 8: (6 sc, inc) 6 times (48).
- Round 9: (7 sc, inc) 6 times (54).
- Round 10: (8 sc, inc) 6 times (60).
- Round 11: (9 sc, inc) 6 times (66).
- Rounds 12-24: 1 sc in each st (66).
Stuff the body as you make it. Then work Round 25: (9 sc, dec) 6 times (60). Rounds 26-27: 1 sc in each st (60). Round 28: (8 sc, dec) 6 times (54). Rounds 29-30: 1 sc in each st (54).
Round 31: (7 sc, dec) 6 times (48). Rounds 32-33: 1 sc in each st (48). Round 34: (6 sc, dec) 6 times (42). Change to Anthracite (#122).
Rounds 35-36: 1 sc in each st (42). Round 37: (5 sc, dec) 6 times (36).
Round 38 is the arm-attachment round. Attach the arms on this round by crocheting through both layers of the arm, using all 4 loops on the arm. Then work: 8 sc, 6 sc with arm, 15 sc, 6 sc with arm, 1 sc (36).
Round 39: 1 sc in each st (36). Round 40: (4 sc, dec) 6 times (30). Round 41: 1 sc in each st (30). Fasten off and leave a tail long enough for sewing.
Legs and Their Stuffing Balance
Make 2 legs in Anthracite (#122).
- Round 1: 6 sc in a mr.
- Round 2: (inc) 6 times (12).
- Round 3: (1 sc, inc) 6 times (18).
- Round 4: (2 sc, inc) 6 times (24).
- Round 5: (3 sc, inc) 6 times (30).
- Round 6: (4 sc, inc) 6 times (36).
- Rounds 7-10: 1 sc in each st (36).
- Round 11: (dec) 6 times, 24 sc (30).
- Round 12: (3 sc, dec) 6 times (24).
- Round 13: (2 sc, dec) 6 times (18).
- Rounds 14-24: 1 sc in each st (18).
Stuff the foot firmly and the rest of the leg lightly with fiberfill. Fasten off and leave a tail long enough for sewing.
This distinction is worth following exactly. The foot benefits from firm support, while the lighter stuffing in the upper leg helps preserve the intended soft amigurumi feel.
Make the Overalls in Separate Construction Stages
The French Blue (#084) overalls are the main clothing feature. Completing the pants, front panel, and straps separately makes the final fitting easier.
First Pants Leg
Round 1: ch 30 and join into a ring with a sc in the first ch. Rounds 2-12: 1 sc in each st (30). Fasten off.
Second Pants Leg
Make one more pants leg but do not break off the yarn. Chain 6 and attach the second pants leg to the first pants leg. Now work around both pants legs.
Round 13: 30 sc around one leg, 6 sc in the chains between the two legs, 30 sc around the second leg, 6 sc in the chains between the two legs (72).
Rounds 14-18: 1 sc in each st (72).
Round 19: 13 sc, dec, 34 sc, dec, 21 sc (70).
Rounds 20-31: 1 sc in each st (70).
Round 32: 15 sc to end at the side of the pants and finish nicely. Fasten off.
Front Panel
In French Blue (#084), work:
- Round 1: 6 sc in a mr.
- Round 2: (inc) 6 times (12).
- Round 3: (1 sc, inc) 6 times (18).
- Round 4: (2 sc, inc) 6 times (24).
- Rounds 5-13: 1 sc in each st (24).
Fasten off. Attach the front panel on the front side of the pants in the middle and crochet the 2 layers together with 12 sc.
Straps
Make 2 straps in French Blue (#084). Round 1: ch 48, turn. Round 2: begin in the 2nd chain from the hook, 46 sc. Fasten off and leave a tail long enough for sewing.
Clothing Assembly Checkpoints
Before attaching the overalls permanently, compare the two straps and check that the front panel is centered. The source instructs you to attach the straps onto the middle of the back side of the overalls with approximately 10 sc in between.
The buttons are sewn in front of the straps. After the clothing is attached, fold the pants legs up 2-3 times. These folds are part of the stated finishing instructions and should be kept consistent on both sides.
Facial Finishing: Small Details, Big Difference
The ears are sewn onto Round 23 with approximately 13 sc in between. This measurement helps establish the width of the face and keeps the ears balanced on the rounded head.
Embroider the eyebrows between Rounds 11 and 12 with 6 sc in between. Use the black scrap yarn specified in the materials list.
Sew the snout to the tip and embroider a stripe downwards. The direction of the snout is already established during eye placement, where the pattern says to make sure the snout points upwards.
Final Assembly Sequence
Once every component is complete, the pattern provides a clear finishing order. Follow these points without changing the stated placement measurements:
- Sew on the ears on Round 23 with approximately 13 sc in between.
- Embroider the eyebrows between Rounds 11 and 12 with 6 sc in between.
- Sew the snout to the tip and embroider a stripe downwards.
- Sew on the legs diagonally from Round 3.
- Attach the overalls to the body.
- Sew the straps onto the middle of the back side of the overalls with approximately 10 sc in between.
- Sew on the buttons in front of the straps.
- Fold the pants legs up 2-3 times.
- Sew on the head.
- Sew on the tail in the middle of the back side of the pants.
The head deserves special attention. While sewing it onto the body, stuff between the head and body to avoid a wobbly head. This is one of the source’s explicit finishing tips and is especially important for a character with a large rounded head.
Common Checkpoints Before Sewing Permanently
Checkpoint 1: Paired Pieces
Before sewing, place both arms, both legs, both ears, and both eye pieces next to one another. The source requires two of each of these paired components, so keeping their shapes visually matched helps during assembly.
Checkpoint 2: Round Numbers
Do not replace the source’s round numbers with visual guesses. The ears belong on Round 23, the eyebrows are between Rounds 11 and 12, the safety eyes are between Rounds 6 and 7, and the legs are sewn diagonally from Round 3.
Checkpoint 3: Stitch Spacing
The face uses 12 sc between the safety eyes, approximately 6 sc between the upper parts of the grey eye pieces, and 6 sc between the eyebrows. The ears have approximately 13 sc between them, while the overall straps have approximately 10 sc between them on the back side.
Checkpoint 4: Color Changes
The head remains White (#001). The body begins in White (#001) and changes to Anthracite (#122) after Round 34. The arms, legs, ears, eye parts, snout, and tail use Anthracite (#122). The clothing uses French Blue (#084).
Stitch-Count Quick Reference
- Arms: 18 stitches at Round 3; 13 stitches from Round 8 through Round 23.
- Grey eye parts: 19 stitches after Row 4.
- Head: 66 stitches at Round 13 and through Round 25; closes to 9 stitches at Round 35.
- Body: 66 stitches at Round 11 and through Round 24; 36 stitches at Round 37 and Round 38.
- Legs: 36 stitches at Round 6; 18 stitches from Round 13 through Round 24.
- Ears: 21 stitches from Round 4 through Round 7.
- Overalls: 72 stitches at Round 13 and through Round 18; 70 stitches from Round 19 through Round 31.
- Front panel: 24 stitches from Round 4 through Round 13.
- Straps: ch 48 followed by 46 sc on Row 2.
How to Keep the Finished Shape Consistent
Amigurumi shape depends on more than stitch counts. The same count can produce a different-looking piece if tension changes significantly. That is why the source’s instruction to work tightly is important. A tight, consistent fabric keeps the shaping defined and helps prevent stuffing from appearing between stitches.
Stuffing should also be added progressively rather than saved entirely for the end. The head and body are specifically stuffed as they are worked. The legs have differentiated stuffing instructions, and the tail is stuffed lightly. Following those notes keeps each component close to the intended structure.
During sewing, avoid pulling one side much tighter than the other. The goal is not to distort the crocheted fabric but to join the pieces securely while preserving their rounded forms. This is particularly useful for the ears, eye pieces, head, and overall straps, where uneven sewing can affect symmetry.
Final Project Checklist
- Finished size is approximately 22 cm (8.6 inches).
- The hook used is 2.50 mm.
- The yarn colors are White #001, Anthracite #122, and French Blue #084.
- Two 8 mm safety eyes are installed.
- Two 12 mm wooden buttons are installed.
- The head and body are firmly stuffed.
- The foot portions of the legs are firmly stuffed and the remaining leg sections are lightly stuffed.
- The tail is lightly stuffed.
- The arms are attached during Body Round 38 through both layers using all 4 loops.
- The ears are sewn on Round 23 with approximately 13 sc between them.
- The eyebrows are embroidered between Rounds 11 and 12 with 6 sc between them.
- The legs are sewn diagonally from Round 3.
- The overalls are attached to the body.
- The straps are sewn onto the middle of the back side with approximately 10 sc between them.
- The buttons are positioned in front of the straps.
- The pants legs are folded up 2-3 times.
- The head is sewn securely with stuffing between the head and body.
- The tail is sewn in the middle of the back side of the pants.
Final Thoughts
Paf the Panda Dad is a project where precision pays off most strongly during the final stages. The individual crochet pieces are manageable when separated into checkpoints, but the character’s finished expression and proportions depend on following the stated placement instructions carefully.
The most useful strategy is to treat every major stitch count as a checkpoint. Confirm the number before moving forward, especially at the widest parts of the head and body and at the transitions into decreases. Keep the paired components organized, use the specified yarn colors, and prepare long sewing tails where the pattern asks for them.
Once the head, body, limbs, facial pieces, and overalls are assembled, the result is a complete approximately 22 cm panda character. The white and Anthracite palette establishes the panda shape, while the French Blue overalls and wooden buttons give Paf his distinctive dad character. With careful stuffing, tight crochet fabric, and accurate placement, the final project can retain the clean rounded appearance shown in the finished photos.