Meet the Baby Bobble Panda Bear, my newest addition to the Baby Bobble Bear family! This easy, no-sew amigurumi panda bear is based on the same construction as the original Baby Bobble Bear crochet pattern, with just a few tweaks to make it a true panda.
This DIY amigurumi panda tutorial is quick to make, soft, and perfect as a gift, nursery companion, or cozy collectible. The arms and legs are made using bobble stitches, and the ears are crocheted directly onto the head, so there's no sewing required. I've included step-by-step photos and clear instructions, so whether you're a beginner or experienced crocheter, this panda is approachable, fun to make, and impossible not to love!
What You Need / Materials
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- DK, light worsted (weight #3) chenille yarn, shown in Scheepjes' Little Darling (100% polyester; 98 yards / 90 m per 1.76 oz / 50 g skein) in the following colors:
- White (I used Ice Bear #401)
- Black (I used Puffin #424)
- 3.25 mm crochet hook
- 5.0 mm safety eyes
- Polyester stuffing
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
Prefer the PDF version?
Grab the ad-free, printable PDF pattern. Download and print at home, or view on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.Finished Size
Finished amigurumi measures approximately 7 cm (2.76 inches) in height.
Consider using a different yarn weight/category and appropriate hook size for this project to make it bigger/smaller.
Level of Difficulty
- ★★★☆☆ Easy / Intermediate
- Requires familiarity with stitches used (below), attaching plastic safety eyes, changing yarn colors, and basic embroidery.
Stitches & Abbreviations
- st/sts - stitch/stitches
- ch - chain
- slst - slip stitch
- sc - single crochet
- sc-inc - single crochet increase, 2 single crochets in one stitch
- sc-dec - single crochet decrease, single crochet 2 stitches together
- hdc - half double crochet
- FLO - front loops only
- bbl - bobble stitch
- Yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Repeat until you have 6 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all of the loops on the hook. Push the bobble stitch forward towards you when you sc into the next stitch.
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is written using US crochet terms.
- Use the yarn under single crochet technique to achieve tighter, more aligned stitches.
- Learn how to seamlessly change color in crochet mid-row or round to create clean color transitions.
- Crochet in continuous spiral rounds. Do not join at the end of each round unless otherwise stated.
- Use a running stitch marker to keep your place when crocheting in rounds.
- Use the ultimate finish to neatly close up your amigurumi pieces.
- Optional: Use invisible decrease to enhance the appearance of your amigurumi.
Free Bear Crochet Pattern
Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and white yarn...
Round 1: Magic ring with a base of 8 sc (8 sts)
Round 2: Sc-inc in each st around (16 sts)
Round 3: [Sc, sc-inc] x 8 times (24 sts)
Round 4: Bbl, 7 sc, [bbl in black], 6 sc, [bbl in black], 8 sc (24 sts)
PS: I had to look it up, but it turns out that panda bears have white tails!
Round 5: Sc in each st around (24 sts)
Round 6: 9 sc, 4 sc-dec, 7 sc (20 sts)
Change to black yarn...
Round 7: 7 sc, bbl, 5 sc, bbl, 6 sc (20 sts)
Round 8: [Sc-dec, 3 sc] x 4 times (16 sts)
Change to white yarn...
Round 9: Working in the FLO, [sc, sc-inc] x 8 times (24 sts)
Round 10: Sc, [sc-inc, 2 sc] x 2 times, 3 sc-inc, 5 sc, 3 sc-inc, [2 sc, sc-inc] x 2 times (34 sts)
Round 11: Sc in each st around (34 sts)
Round 12: 10 sc, 3 sc-dec, 5 sc, 3 sc-dec, 7 sc (28 sts)
Round 13-15: Sc in each st around (28 sts)
Insert safety eyes between rounds 12 and 13, approximately 4 sts apart. Stuff the amigurumi bear with polyester stuffing as you decrease.
Round 16: [5 sc, sc-dec] x 4 times (24 sts)
Round 17: [Sc, sc-dec] x 8 times (16 sts)
Round 18: Sc-dec in each st around (8 sts)
Fasten and close using the ultimate finish.
Right Ear
Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and black yarn...
Join Round 14, pull up loop on your hook, and chain 1. Then 3 hdc into Round 15, and slst into Round 16. Fasten off and weave in the yarn tail.
Left Ear
Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and black yarn...
Join Round 16, pull up loop on your hook, and chain 1. Then 3 hdc into Round 15, and slst into Round 14. Fasten off and weave in the yarn tail.
Embroider Features
Embroider a T-shaped nose between the eyes and a line using black fingering-weight yarn.
Prefer the PDF version?
Grab the ad-free, printable PDF pattern. Download and print at home, or view on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.Crochet Tutorial Video
Inspiration Behind the Crochet Design
This little panda bear was inspired by so many things! After finishing the Baby Bobble Bear crochet pattern, I knew I wanted to make a panda version, but I didn't have the right yarn colors until now. If you know We Bare Bears, you might recognize the trio of a brown bear, a polar bear, and a panda bear. With this one added to my collection, my little bear family feels complete!
Another inspiration came from the children's book Pom Pom Panda Gets the Grumps, which my kids and I loved to read as a bedtime story when they were little. Reading it together and making all the grumpy sounds was so much fun!
With the Lunar New Year coming up, I also wanted to celebrate these iconic black-and-white bears, which are a national treasure of China. On the day I finished this panda, I noticed two other makers I follow on Instagram had published their own panda bear patterns, and I couldn't help but wonder — could pandas be the crochet animal of the year?
Creative Uses and Ideas
- Dopamine decor: Add your panda bear to shelves, playrooms, or craft corners for a cheerful pop of crochet cuteness.
- Celebrate Chinese New Year: Symbolic and playful, no-sew amigurumi panda bear fits the theme perfectly.
- Bag charm or backpack accessory: Small and adorable, perfect for a little handmade touch on the go.
- Storytime companion: Pair it with Pom Pom Panda Gets the Grumps or other panda-themed books.
- Craft fair item: Quick, small, and easy to make in a variety of colors, perfect for selling at craft fairs.
- Gifts for kids: Great for birthdays, holidays, or special surprises.
- Nursery friendly: A soft, cuddly crochet friend for babies and toddlers (consider embroidering the eyes instead of using plastic eyes for safety).
More to Love...
- Chinese New Year Crochet Patterns: A festive roundup of crochet designs inspired by Lunar New Year traditions, symbols, and celebrations.
- Crochet Bao (with Buns): These fluffy crochet baos are irresistibly cute and perfect for playful decor, gifts, or market makes.
- Crochet Fortune Cookie Pillow: A fun statement crochet project with whimsical charm that works as both decor and a heartfelt handmade gift.
Share Your Creation with Me!
Did you make this project? I'd love to see it! Please share it with me on Instagram and/or use the #onceuponacheerio hashtag.
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This is an original crochet pattern written by Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio. Please do not claim this crochet pattern as your own. If you wish to share this crochet pattern, you may link to this blog post, but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for personal use, but please DO NOT sell or distribute the crochet pattern.
You may sell products made from this crochet pattern, but please clearly credit the design to me, Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio, and provide a link to my blog www.OnceUponaCheerio.com. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you for understanding!
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