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Dottie the Panda Amigurumi Pattern

Dottie the Panda Amigurumi Pattern
4.6★ Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
4.2K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journey—perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

🧸

Cute Companion

An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.

About This Dottie the Panda Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates a colorful 16-inch plush panda named Dottie, crocheted top-down with plush worsted weight yarn. The design features large eye patches, a sculpted muzzle, separate limbs, ears and a tail for a professional finished look. Full instructions include stitch counts, shaping, and tips for assembly and needle sculpting for expressive facial detail.

Dottie the Panda Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Includes step-by-step rounds for head, body, arms, legs, ears, muzzle, tail and eye patches with exact stitch counts. Helpful tips on stuffing, eye placement and finishing are provided to ensure a clean, stable toy.

Why You'll Love This Dottie the Panda Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines bold, playful colors with classic amigurumi shaping to create a panda that feels both whimsical and cuddly. I enjoy the way the separate eye patches and muzzle add personality and give you room to customize. The construction is satisfying — crocheting the head top-down and joining it to a shaped body feels very rewarding. I also love teaching needle-sculpting techniques in this pattern; a few simple pulls make the face come alive.

Dottie the Panda Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Dottie the Panda Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Dottie the Panda Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Dottie the Panda Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I like to change up the colors to create themed pandas — try pastels for a baby-safe toy or neon shades for a playful look.

You can scale the pattern by changing yarn weight and hook size; use bulky yarn and a larger hook for a chunky plush, or sport-weight yarn and smaller hook for a mini version.

I sometimes embroider small freckles, hearts, or stars on the eye patches to personalize the face even more.

Swap safety eyes for embroidered eyes for a baby-safe version and adjust patch size accordingly to keep proportions balanced.

Try making matching outfits or tiny accessories — a crocheted scarf, bow, or tiny hat looks adorable on Dottie.

Use variegated yarn for the eye patches or limbs to add subtle color shifts without extra color changes.

If you want posable limbs, sew in thin wire before closing the arms and legs and cover with extra stuffing for stability.

I often add small surface embroidered eyebrows or eyelashes to change expression dramatically.

Mix different textures by using plush yarn for the body and a smooth acrylic for small details like paw pads and nose.

For a unique gift, create a family of pandas in matching color stories, varying eye sizes and nose shapes to give each one a personality.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not marking your starting stitch for spiral rounds can cause lopsided increases and misplaced eyes; use a stitch marker and move it each round to keep even stitch placement. ✗ Forgetting to stuff as you go results in a misshapen body and flattened features; stuff gradually during the shaping rounds and add small amounts to maintain roundness. ✗ Skipping counting increases or decreases will change your stitch totals and distort shaping; count your stitches at the end of every round, especially after increases and decreases. ✗ Pulling yarn or stitches too tightly when closing openings can create puckering and visible tension lines; close openings with even, loose tension and use small, regular mattress or whipstitches to finish. ✗ Attaching parts without pinning first can lead to uneven placement and asymmetry; always pin parts in place and check positions (use photos as a guide) before sewing securely.

Dottie the Panda Amigurumi Pattern

Make a colorful, cuddly Dottie the Panda with this complete amigurumi crochet pattern. You will create a 16-inch plush panda using plush worsted weight yarn, large safety eyes, and clear step-by-step shaping and assembly instructions. This pattern includes head, body, arms, legs, ears, muzzle, tail, eye patches and full assembly guidance so you can sew the pieces together with confidence. Perfect for gifting or keeping — bring Dottie to life in bright, playful colors.

Intermediate 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Dottie the Panda Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Worsted Weight Plush Yarn (#6), approximately 150g main color (Color A: White)
  • 02
    Approx. 50g each accent colors: Color B: Pink, Color C: Green, Color D: Blue, Color E: Orange, Color F: Purple
  • 03
    Color G: Black small amounts for paw details and nose
  • 04
    Exact yarn used in photos: Premier Parfait shades (Turquoise, Mango, Iris, White, Hibiscus, Key Lime)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size F / 3.75 mm
  • 02
    23 mm safety eyes (2)
  • 03
    24 mm safety nose (1)
  • 04
    Polyfill stuffing (fiberfill)
  • 05
    Scissors
  • 06
    Sewing/yarn needle for sewing pieces and weaving ends
  • 07
    Stitch markers
  • 08
    Pins for positioning pieces
  • 09
    Optional: extra yarn for needle-sculpting

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Eye Patches :

Info :

Make 1 in Color C, 1 in Color E

Round 1 :

Make 6 sc into a magic ring = 6

Round 2 :

Increase in each st around = 12

Round 3 :

(inc x 3, 3 sc) x 2 = 18

Round 4 :

((sc, inc) x 3, 3 sc) x 2 = 24

Info :

F/O and leave a long tail for sewing. Place the safety eyes after the 2nd increase, between rounds 1 and 2.

— Head :

Info :

Crocheted from top of head to bottom. With Color A: Ch 6

Round 1 :

sc in 2nd ch from hook, 4 sc, inc3 in last chain, working on the opposite side of the chain: 3 sc, inc = 12

Round 2 :

inc, 3 sc, inc x 3, 3 sc, inc x 2 = 18

Round 3 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 = 24

Round 4 :

(3 sc, inc) x 6 = 30

Round 5 :

(4 sc, inc) x 6 = 36

Round 6 :

(5 sc, inc) x 6 = 42

Round 7 :

(6 sc, inc) x 6 = 48

Round 8-14 :

sc in each st around

Info :

(In round 15: Mark the 1st sc and last sc of your first 12 sc worked in between your increases.) The picture is to show you where the eyes go without the patches in the way.

Round 15 :

((sc, inc) x 3, 12 sc, (inc, sc x 3)) x 2 = 60

Round 16 :

((2 sc, inc) x 2, 18 sc, (inc, 2 sc) x 2)) x 2 = 68

Round 17-20 :

sc in each st around

Info :

Place eyes and eye patches between rounds 12 and 13 above the stitch markers. The eyes will be 10 holes apart. Stuff the head as you work.

Round 21 :

Dec x 6, 10 sc, dec x 10, 18 sc, dec x 4 = 48

Round 22 :

(6 sc, dec) x 6 = 42

Round 23 :

(5 sc, dec) x 6 = 36

Round 24 :

(4 sc, dec) x 6 = 30

Round 25 :

(3 sc, dec) x 6 = 24

Info :

F/O the head. Sew the eye patches onto the head.

— Body :

Info :

Starting with Color A

Round 1 :

Make 12 sc into a magic ring = 12

Round 2 :

(sc, inc) x 6 = 18

Round 3 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 = 24

Round 4 :

(3 sc, inc) x 6 = 30

Round 5 :

(4 sc, inc) x 6 = 36

Round 6 :

(5 sc, inc) x 6 = 42

Round 7 :

(6 sc, inc) x 6 = 48

Round 8 :

(7 sc, inc) x 6 = 54

Round 9-15 :

sc in each st around

Round 16 :

15 sc, (dec, 2 sc) x 3, 15 sc, (dec, 2 sc) x 3 = 48

Round 17 :

sc in each st around

Round 18 :

(6 sc, dec) x 6 = 42

Round 19-20 :

sc in each st around

Round 21 :

(5 sc, dec) x 6 = 36

Info :

Start stuffing the body

Round 22 :

sc in each st around

Info :

Change to Color D

Round 23 :

sc in each st around

Round 24 :

(4 sc, dec) x 6 = 30

Round 25-26 :

sc in each st around

Round 27 :

(3 sc, dec) x 6 = 24

Round 28 :

sc in each st around

Info :

F/O and leave a long tail for sewing

— Arms :

Info :

Make 1 in Color C, 1 in Color B

Round 1 :

Make 6 sc into a magic ring = 6

Round 2 :

Increase in each st around = 12

Round 3 :

(sc, inc) x 6 = 18

Round 4 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 = 24

Round 5 :

4 sc, (Color G: bob, Color C: sc) x 3, 14 sc

Round 6 :

Sc in each st around

Round 7 :

(dec, 10 sc) x 2 = 22

Round 8 :

(dec, 9 sc) x 2 = 20

Info :

Start stuffing the arms

Round 9 :

(dec, 8 sc) x 2 = 18

Info :

Do not stuff the arms any more

Round 10 :

Sc in each st around

Round 11 :

(dec, 7 sc) x 2 = 16

Round 12 :

Sc in each st around

Round 13 :

(dec, 6 sc) x 2 = 14

Round 14 :

Sc in each st around

Round 15 :

(dec, 5 sc) x 2 = 12

Round 16 :

Sc in each st around

Info :

Work a sc, fold the arms in half and sc the opening closed. F/O and leave a long tail for sewing

— Ears :

Info :

Make 1 in Color B, 1 in Color D

Round 1 :

Make 6 sc into a magic ring = 6

Round 2 :

Increase in each st around = 12

Round 3 :

(sc, inc) x 6 = 18

Round 4 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 = 24

Round 5 :

sc in each st around

Info :

Do not stuff the ears

Round 6 :

(2 sc, dec) x 6 = 18

Round 7 :

(sc, dec) x 6 = 12

Info :

Fold the ears in half and sc the opening closed. F/O and leave a long tail for sewing

— Muzzle :

Info :

With Color F

Round 1 :

Make 6 sc into a magic ring = 6

Round 2 :

Increase in each st around = 12

Round 3 :

(sc, inc) x 6 = 18

Round 4 :

sc, inc, (2 sc, inc) x 5, sc = 24

Round 5 :

sc in each st around

Info :

Place the safety nose in between rounds 2 and 3. F/O and leave a long tail for sewing

— Tail :

Info :

With Color D

Round 1 :

Make 6 sc into a magic ring = 6

Round 2 :

Increase in each st around = 12

Round 3 :

(sc, inc) x 6 = 18

Round 4 :

Sc in each st around

Round 5 :

(sc, dec) x 6 = 12

Info :

Start stuffing the tail

Round 6 :

Dec x 6 = 6

Info :

F/O and sew the tail closed. Leave a long tail for sewing

— Legs :

Info :

Make 1 in Color E and 1 in Color F. Starting with Color G

Round 1 :

Make 6 sc into a magic ring = 6

Round 2 :

Increase in each st around = 12

Info :

Change to Color E or F

Round 3 :

(sc, inc) x 6 = 18

Round 4 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 = 24

Round 5 :

3 sc, inc, (Color E or F: 3 sc, Color G: inc) x 3, Color E or F: (3 sc, inc) x 2 = 30

Round 6 :

(4 sc, inc) x 6 = 36

Round 7-8 :

sc in each st around

Round 9 :

10 sc, (2 sc, dec) x 4, 10 sc = 32

Round 10 :

10 sc, (sc, dec) x 4, 10 sc = 28

Round 11 :

10 sc, dec x 4, 10 sc = 24

Info :

Start stuffing the legs

Round 12 :

(dec, 10 sc) x 2 = 22

Round 13 :

sc in each st around

Round 14 :

(dec, 9 sc) x 2 = 20

Round 15 :

sc in each st around

Info :

F/O and leave a long tail for sewing

— Assembly :

Item Name (P1) :

Head/Body/Ears/Muzzle: If you want a needle sculpted look: Place a pin on the center of the head in between rounds 22 and 23. Thread your needle with a strand of yarn. (Any color yarn will work) Insert the needle into the hole on the bottom of the head. Bring the needle up to a corner on the bottom of an eye. Insert the needle into another hole next to that one and bring it through the head to a hole on the bottom of the opposite eye. Insert the needle into a hole next to that one and bring the needle down to the pinned spot. Insert the needle in another hole next to that one. Repeat this about 2 more times like a triangle pulling slightly to indent the eyes and make a little mouth.

Item Name (P2) :

Pin the muzzle onto the head in between the eyes. You may need to add more stuffing as you sew.

Item Name (P3) :

Sew the head and body together. You may need to add more stuffing before you close the head and body together.

Item Name (P4) :

Arms: Pin the arms to the sides of the body approximately between rounds 26 and 27. Sew the arms onto the body.

Item Name (P5) :

Legs: Pin the legs onto the front of the body. Sew the legs onto the body.

Assembly Instructions

  • If you want a needle-sculpted look: place a pin at the center of the head between rounds 22 and 23, thread a yarn strand and pass the needle through the bottom of the head to corners under the eyes, repeat to create a triangle and gently pull to indent the eyes and shape a small mouth.
  • Pin the muzzle onto the head between the eyes, adjusting stuffing as needed, then sew securely using a yarn needle and matching yarn.
  • Sew the head and body together securely; add more stuffing before closing so the join is smooth and well-shaped.
  • Pin each arm to the sides of the body approximately between rounds 26 and 27, check symmetry, then sew the arms onto the body firmly.
  • Pin each leg to the front lower body in desired positions, check alignment and symmetry, then sew the legs onto the body so the panda sits properly.

Important Notes

  • 💡Do not join rounds unless stated; work in a continuous spiral for even amigurumi shaping.
  • 💡Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round to keep increases and decreases aligned.
  • 💡All stitches are worked in both loops unless otherwise stated in the pattern.
  • 💡Stuff firmly but incrementally; overstuffing can distort shape while understuffing will flatten features.

This colorful Dottie the Panda was designed to brighten any shelf or nursery with playful patches and a friendly face. Whether you choose the exact colors shown or swap in your own palette, each stitch adds personality and charm to your handmade companion. Thank you for supporting small pattern makers—happy crocheting and share your Dotties with pride! 🧶🧸

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished amigurumi measures approximately 16 inches from bottom to top of head when using the recommended worsted weight #6 plush yarn and a 3.75 mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can substitute yarn weights, but this will change the final size; use an appropriate hook for your yarn and adjust eye and nose placement accordingly.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate; basic knowledge of single crochet, increases, decreases and working in continuous spirals is recommended for best results.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in 12-15 hours depending on experience, assembly time and customization choices.