Crochet Pattern: Gift Pocket Red Panda

Free crochet pattern: Gift Pocket Red Panda amigurumi by Underground CrafterThe Gift Pocket Red Panda amigurumi pattern combines two of my favorite crochet projects: granny squares and amigurumi! This portly, huggable critter is based on the red panda, one of the most unusual looking mammals. A rectangular granny square sewn to the belly is just the right size for fitting in a gift card. This pattern is part of my Granny Square Month celebration.

Granny Square Month 2018 on Underground Crafter ] 30 days of granny square patterns, inspiration, and giveaways!

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Materials for the sample were generously provided by Fairfield, Red Heart, and Clover USA.

The idea for a red panda has been on my mind for quite a while. They are such interesting looking animals and they have very unique markings. If you’re new to red pandas, here’s a video of two playing in the snow.

A few years ago, I had the idea of making crochet patterns based on endangered species, but I’ve been very slow in bringing this project to reality! This Gift Pocket Red Panda is the first one I’ve actually made.

Free crochet pattern: Gift Pocket Red Panda amigurumi by Underground CrafterThis pattern started out as a variation on my Gift Pocket Bear, but I made a bunch of changes along the way, so this is a unique character.

Free crochet pattern: Gift Pocket Red Panda amigurumi by Underground CrafterLike the Gift Pocket Bear, this project uses a granny motif (in this case, a rectangle) sewn to the belly to make a perfect pocket for a gift card or even some cash. The Gift Pocket Red Panda makes a wonderful gift in its own right, but adding a gift card just takes it up a notch!

Free crochet pattern: Gift Pocket Red Panda amigurumi by Underground CrafterIf you make your own Gift Pocket Red Panda, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

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Gift Pocket Red Panda

Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

Free crochet pattern: Gift Pocket Red Panda amigurumi by Underground CrafterThis huggable toy has as much character as its namesake, the red panda. A rectangular granny square on its belly is the perfect size for including a gift card.

 

Finished Size

  • 12” (30.5 cm) height.

Materials

Gauge

  • Exact gauge is not critical for this project. Stitches should be small so that fiber filling doesn’t show.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

  • BL – back loop only
  • CA – Color A
  • CB – Color B
  • CC – Color C
  • ch – chain
  • dc – double crochet
  • invdec – invisible decrease – Insert hook in back loop only of each of next 2 sts, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops. (Planet June has a great invisible decrease tutorial here, though she works into the front loops instead.)
  • pm – place stitch marker
  • rep – repeat
  • Rnd(s) – Round(s)
  • sc – single crochet
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • sp – space
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • yo – yarn over
  • * Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.
  • () Repeat instructions between parentheses in same stitch or space.
  • [] Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated.

Pattern Notes

  • Most pieces are worked in rounds in continuous spirals without joining. Move stitch marker up each round to mark last st.
  • Most pieces start with magic adjustable ring. Oombawka Design has a helpful magic ring tutorial here.
  • A tutorial for the whipstitch seam is available here.
  • To make a larger Gift Pocket Rectangle, continue repeating Rnd 3 until desired size is reached.

Pattern Instructions

Head

  • With CA, start with magic adjustable ring (see Pattern Notes).
  • Rnd 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, pull the yarn tail tightly to close ring, pm to mark last st. (6 sts)
  • Rnd 2: 2 scBL in each st around. (12 sts)
  • Rnd 3: *2 scBL in next st, scBL in next st; rep from * around. (18 sts)
  • Rnd 4: *2 scBL in next st, scBL in next 2 sts; rep from * around. (24 sts)
  • Rnd 5: *2 scBL in next st, scBL in next 3 sts; rep from * around. (30 sts)
  • Rnd 6: *2 scBL in next st, scBL in next 4 sts; rep from * around. (36 sts)
  • Rnd 7: *2 scBL in next st, scBL in next 5 sts; rep from * around. (42 sts)
  • Rnd 8: *2 scBL in next st, scBL in next 6 sts; rep from * around. (48 sts)
  • Rnd 9: *2 scBL in next st, scBL in next 7 sts; rep from * around. (54 sts)
  • Rnd 10: *2 scBL in next st, scBL in next 8 sts; rep from * around. (60 sts)
  • Rnd 11: *2 scBL in next st, scBL in next 9 sts; rep from * around. (66 sts)
  • Rnd12: ScBL in each st around.
  • Rnds 13-17: Rep Rnd 12, 5 times.
  • Rnd 18: *ScBL in next 9 sts, invdec; rep from * around. (60 sts)
  • Rnd 19: *ScBL in next 8 sts, invdec; rep from * around. (54 sts)
  • Rnd 20: *ScBL in next 7 sts, invdec; rep from * around. (48 sts)
  • Rnd 21: *ScBL in next 6 sts; invdec; rep from * around. (42 sts)
  • Rnd 22: *ScBL in next 5 sts, invdec; rep from * around. (36 sts)
  • Rnd 23: *ScBL in next 4 sts, invdec; rep from * around. (30 sts)
  • Rnd 24: *ScBL in next 3 sts, invdec; rep from * around. (24 sts)
  • Rnd 25: *ScBL in next 2 sts, invdec; rep from * around. (18 sts) Fasten off.

Muzzle

  • With CA, rep instructions for Head through Rnd 5, pm to mark location, sc in each st around until Muzzle measures 1” (2.5 cm) from marker. Fasten off with 18” (46 cm) yarn tail for seaming.

Arms (Make 2)

  • With CB, rep instructions for Head through Rnd 3, pm to mark location, scBL in each st around until arms measure approximately 2.5” (6.5 cm) from marker. Fasten off with 18” (46 cm) long yarn tail for seaming.

Neck, Body, and Legs

  • Beginning at the neck with MC and a long yarn tail (approximately 24”/61 cm long) for joining, ch 19
  • Set Up Row: Turn, skip 1 ch, sc in next 18 ch, being careful not to twist, join with sl st to first sc and begin working in the round, pm to mark last st.
  • Rnd 1: Ch 1, scBL in same st and in each st around. (18 sts)
  • Rnd 2: ScBL in each st around.
  • Rnd 3: *2 scBL in next st, scBL in next st; rep from * around. (27 sts)
  • Rnd 4: Rep Rnd 2.
  • Rnd 5: *2 scBL in next st, scBL in next 2 sts; rep from * around. (36 sts)
  • Rnd 6: Rep Rnd 2.
  • Rnd 7: Rep Rnd 5. (48 sts)
  • Rnd 8: Rep Rnd 5. (64 sts)
  • Rnd 9: Rep Rnd 2. Pm to mark location.
  • Rnd 10: Rep Rnd 2 until body measures approximately 3” (7.5 cm) from marker, pm to mark last st.
  • Rnd 11: *ScBL in next 6 sts, invdec; rep from * around. (56 sts)
  • Rnd 12: *ScBL in next 5 sts, invdec; rep from * around. (48 sts)
  • Rnd 13: *ScBL in next 4 sts, invdec; rep from * around. (40 sts)
  • Rnd 14: Rep Rnd 2.
  • Rnd 15: *ScBL in next 8 sts, invdec; rep from * around, changing to CB in last yo of final sc. (36 sts) Fasten off CA.

Shape First Leg

  • Rnd 1: ScBL in next 18 sts, skip next 18 sts, begin working in the Rnd into CB sts.
  • Rnd 2: ScBL in each st around.
  • Rnd 3: Rep Rnd 2 until leg measures approximately 3” (7.5 cm) long.
  • Fasten off with 24” (61 cm) long yarn tail for seaming and joining.

Shape Second Leg

  • Join MC with sl st to Body in next st from First Leg, ch 1, sc in next 18 sts.
  • Rep from Rnd 2 as for First Leg.

Gift Pocket Rectangle

  • With CB, ch 9.
  • Rnd 1: Turn, skip 3 ch (counts as dc), (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch, ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next 2 ch, ch 1, skip 1 ch, [(2 dc, ch 1) in next ch] twice, 2 dc in same ch, turn to work on unworked side of foundation chain, ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next 2 ch, ch 1, skip 1 ch, 2 dc in first ch, ch 1, sc (counts as ch-1 sp) to top of first ch 3 to join.
  • Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, ch 1, sk 2 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp, [ch 1, sk 2 sts, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp] across to ch-2 sp, ch 1, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, skip 2 sts] twice, *[skip 2 dc, ch 1,** 2 dc in ch-1 sp]; rep from * across to first ch-2 sp, 2 dc in same ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc to top of ch 3 to join.
  • Rnd 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, *[ch 1, skip 2 dc, 2 dc in ch-1 sp] across to corner ch-2 sp,** (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * around, ending last rep at ** before first ch-2 sp, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc to top of ch 3 to join. Fasten off with 24” (61 cm) long yarn tail for joining.

Ears (Make 2)

  • With CC, ch 2.
  • Row 1: Turn, skip first ch, 2 sc in next ch. (2 sts)
  • Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st. (3 sts)
  • Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and each st across to last st, 2 sc in last st. (Increase by 1 st)
  • Rows 4-9: Rep Row 3, 6 times until you have 10 sts. Fasten off with 12” (30.5 cm) long yarn tail for joining.

Eyes (Make 2)

  • With CC, rep instructions for Head through Rnd 2, sl st to next st. Fasten off with 12” (30.5 cm) long yarn tail for joining.

Cheeks (Make 2)

  • With CC, repeat instructions for Eyes.

Tail

  • Beginning with CA and a long yarn tail (approximately 12”/30.5 cm) for joining, repeat instructions for Head through Rnd 2, change to CB, do not fasten off CA. Carry unworked yarn on inside of Tail.
  • Rnd 3: ScBL in each st around.
  • Rep Rnd 3 until Tail measures approximately 2.5” (6.5 cm) long, alternating between CA and CB every 2 Rnds and carrying unworked color on inside.

Assembly and Finishing

Free crochet pattern: Gift Pocket Red Panda amigurumi by Underground Crafter

  • With yarn needle, weave in non-seaming yarn tails.
  • Insert safety nose inside Muzzle between second and third Round. When you are satisfied with the position, insert the washer until it clicks.
  • Thread yarn needle with the yarn tail from the first Cheek. Sew the Cheek to the Muzzle. Repeat with other Cheek. Stuff Muzzle firmly.
  • Thread yarn needle with the yarn tail from the first Eye. Sew to the Head with the top at about Round 8. Thread yarn needle with the yarn tail from the second Eye. Skip 4 sts from first Eye and sew the second Eye to Head. Position safety eyes over Eyes. When you are satisfied with positions, insert the washers until they click. Stuff Head firmly.
  • Thread yarn needle with yarn tail from the Muzzle. Sew the Muzzle to the Head, adding additional stuffing to muzzle before closing join.
  • Stuff first Leg. Thread yarn needle with yarn tail from first Leg. Sew Leg closed using whipstitch (see Pattern Notes). Repeat for second Leg.
  • Stuff Body firmly.
  • Stuff Tail. Thread yarn needle with yarn tail from Tail. Sew to back of Body, centered between Legs and starting about 6 Rounds above legs.
  • Thread yarn needle with yarn tail from Gift Pocket Rectangle. Position Rectangle so short side is centered underneath Head. With yarn needle, sew Rectangle to body on three sides (leaving short side at top un-seamed).
  • Thread yarn needle with yarn tail from Neck. Match stitches on Neck with stitches on Head. Sew pieces together.
  • Thread yarn needle with yarn tail from first Ear. Join Ear to side of Head with whipstitch on the back of Ear and top corner of Ear on Round 4. Repeat for second Ear.
  • Stuff Arms. Thread yarn needle with yarn tail from first Arm. Whipstitch Arm closed. Seam Arm to side of Body. Repeat for second Arm.
  • Weave all remaining ends into inside of Body.
© 2018 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: https://undergroundcrafter.com/2018/06/14/crochet-pattern-gift-pocket-red-panda. Thanks for supporting indie designers!

If you make your own Gift Pocket Red Panda, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

Add the Gift Pocket Red Panda to your Ravelry favorites or queue.

Underground Crafter on Ravelry

If you want an easy print format, you can buy an ad-free PDF version on Craftsy.

Underground Crafter on Craftsy

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