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Hi everyone!
As you know, it’s animal month here on Boy Mom Crochet Life. This week’s animal is one that isn’t quite as well known as what I’ve shared so far.
The red panda isn’t actually a bear, or even related to the giant panda, but like its name sibling, is super adorable and loves to eat bamboo. And also like its name sibling, there aren’t many left in the wild. Red pandas are actually an endangered species, which is why September 21 is International Red Panda day.
If you want to learn more about red pandas, or donate to help preserve their habitats, you can visit https://www.redpandanetwork.org (please note, I am in no way affiliated with this organization, I just think red pandas are awesome and we should at the very least raise awareness of them as a species and of the issues they are facing).
When we lived in Hong Kong, we were actually lucky enough to see some red pandas in person at Ocean Park, and they are super interesting to watch. They’re adorable and after watching them interact with their keeper, they seem super smart. I totally understand why some people in Nepal keep them as house pets!
But since I don’t live in Nepal, and since even there, it’s kind of frowned upon to keep them as pets, I have to make due with a stuffed version. So, meet Rusty the Red Panda!
He enjoys hanging out with his buddies Pearl and Daisy, munching on some bamboo and just being adorable.
And here’s the pattern so you can make your own!
Some of the links in this article are “affiliate links”, a link with a special tracking code. This means if you click on an affiliate link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission- as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to you. I hope these links are as helpful as possible for you!
Rusty the Red Panda Pattern
Skill Level
Easy to Intermediate
Yarn and Hook Size
95 yards A) I Love This Yarn in Black (355 y/324.6 m per 7 oz/198.5 g skein); 100% acrylic, worsted weight (4) yarn
60 yards B) I Love This Yarn in Burnt Pumpkin (355 y/324.6 m per 7 oz/198.5 g skein); 100% acrylic, worsted weight (4) yarn
14 yards C) I Love This Yarn in White (355 y/324.6 m per 7 oz/198.5 g skein); 100% acrylic, worsted weight (4) yarn
1 yard D) DMC Embroidery Floss in Black (8.7 y/8 m); 100% cotton (for crocheted eyes only- not needed if you use a different eye) If you like to order from Yarnspirations, try this embroidery floss instead
2.0 mm crochet hook (for crocheted eyes only- not needed if you use different eyes)
Notions
Tapestry needle Scissors Stitch marker Fiber fill (for stuffing)- Optional: safety eyes, or embroidered or crocheted eyes
Measurements and Gauge
9.5 inches tall by 9 inches wide by 8.5 inches deep. Gauge measures at 7 stitches and 8 rows is 2 inches.
Abbreviations
| Ch chain stitch | Rep repeat |
| Dec decrease | Rd round |
| Inc increase | Sc single crochet |
| MR Magic Ring | St(s) stitch(es) |
[] denote a group of stitches that repeats as many times as directed
Instructions
Body
Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round on each piece.
Using Color A:
Rd 1: Create MR, ch 1, sc 6 (6)
Rd 2: inc 6 (12)
Rd 3: [sc, inc], rep [] five more times (18)
Rd 4: [sc 2, inc], rep [] five more times (24)
Rd 5: [sc 3, inc], rep [] five more times (30)
Rd 6: [sc 4, inc], rep [] five more times (36)
Rd 7: [sc 5, inc], rep [] five more times (42)
Rds 8-10: sc 11; change to color B and sc 21; back to color A sc 10 (42)
Rds 11-13: sc 12; change to color B and sc 21; back to color A sc 9 (42)
Rds 14-16: sc 13; change to color B and sc 21; back to color A sc 8 (42)
Rds 17-19: sc 14; change to color B and sc 21; back to color A sc 7 (42)
Rd 20: [sc 5, dec], rep [] once more in A; change to B and rep [] three times; back to A and rep [] once (36)
Rd 21: sc 13; change to B and sc 18; change to A sc 5 (36)
Rd 22: [sc 4, dec], rep [] one more time, sc; change to B sc 3, dec, rep [] twice, sc; back to A sc 3, dec (30)
Rd 23: sc 11; change to B and sc 15; back to A sc 4 (30)
Rd 24: [sc 3, dec], rep [] one more time, sc 2; change to B sc, dec, rep [] twice, sc 2; back to A sc 2, dec (24)
Rd 25: sc 10; change to B sc 11; back to A sc 3 (24). Stuff with fiber fill.
Rd 26: [sc 2, dec], rep [] one more time, sc 2; change to B sc, dec, rep [] twice, sc; back to A sc, dec (18)
Rd 27: sc 8; change to B sc 8; back to A sc 2 (18)
Rd 28: [sc, dec], rep [] five more times (12)
Fasten off, leaving a 10-12 inch tail to sew head on. Add any more fiber fill if necessary.
Head
Using color A
Rd 1: create MR, ch 1, sc 6 (6)
Rd 2: inc 6 (12)
Rd 3: [sc, inc], rep [] five more times (18)
Rd 4: [sc 2, inc]; change to B rep [] three more times; back to A rep [] two more times (24)
Rd 5: [sc 3, inc]; change to B rep [] three more times; back to A rep [] two more times (30)
Rd 6: [sc 4, inc]; change to B rep [] three more times; back to A rep [] two more times (36)
Rd 7: [sc 5, inc]; change to B rep [] three more times; back to A rep [] two more times (42)
Rd 8: sc 7; change to B sc 21; back to A sc 14 (42)
Rd 9: sc 7; change to B sc 21; back to A sc 2; change to C sc 3; back to B sc 9 (42)
Rds 10 & 11: sc 2; change to C sc 3; change to A sc 2; back to B sc 21; back to A sc 2; back to C sc 2; back to B sc 10 (42)
Rd 12: sc 4; change to C sc 2; change to A sc 2; back to B sc 21; back to A sc 2; back to C sc 2; back to B sc 9 (42)
Rd 13: sc 4; change to C sc; change to A dec, sc; back to B sc 4, dec, [sc 5, dec], rep [], sc; back to A sc 3, back to C sc 1, back to B dec, rep [] once (36)
Rd 14: sc 4, change to C sc; change to A sc 2; back to B sc 19; back to A sc 2; back to C sc, back to B sc 7 (36)
Rd 15: sc 4; change to C sc; change to A sc 2; back to B sc 29 (36)
Rd 16: sc 36 (36)
Rd 17: [sc 4, dec], rep [] five more times (30)
Rd 18: sc 30 (30)
Rd 19: [sc 3, dec], rep [] five more times (24)
Rd 20: sc 24 (24). Stuff with fiber fill.
Rd 21: [sc 2, dec], rep [] five more times (18)
Rd 22: [sc, dec], rep [] five more times (12). Add more fiber fill if necessary.
Rd 23: dec 6 (6)
Fasten off, leaving a 6-8 inch tail and thread on your tapestry needle. Sew through the front loop of each stitch and pull tight. Weave in end.
Muzzle
Using color C
Rd 1: create MR, ch 1, sc 6 (6)
Rd 2: inc 6 (12)
Rds 3 & 4: sc 12 (12)
Rd 5: [sc, inc], rep [] five more times (18)
Fasten off, leaving a 6-8 inch tail to sew onto head.
Ears
Make 2
Using color C
Rd 1: create MR, ch 1, sc 6 (6)
Rd 2: inc 6 (12)
Rds 3-5: sc 12 (12)
Rd 6: [sc, inc], rep [] five more times (18)
Fasten off, leaving a 8-10 inch tail to sew onto head. Press flat and shape.
Arms
Make 2
Using color A
Rd 1: Create MR, ch 1, sc 6 (6)
Rd 2: inc 6 (12)
Rd 3: [sc, inc], rep [] five more times (18)
Rds 4-6: sc 18 (18)
Rd 7: [sc, dec], rep [] five more times (12)
Rds 8-15: sc 12 (12)
Fasten off, leaving an 8-10 inch tail to sew onto body. Stuff with fiber fill.
Legs
Using color A
Make 2
Rd 1: Create MR, ch 1, sc 6 (6)
Rd 2: inc 6 (12)
Rd 3: [sc, inc], rep [] five more times (18)
Rd 4: [sc 2, inc], rep [] five more times (24)
Rds 5-11: sc 24 (24)
Rd 12: [sc 2, dec], rep [] five more times (18)
Rds 13-18: sc 18 (18)
Fasten off, leaving an 8-10 inch tail to sew onto body. Stuff with fiber fill.
Tail
Using color B
Rd 1: create MR, ch 1, sc 6 (6)
Rd 2: inc 6 (12)
Rds 3-8: sc 12 (12)
Rd 9: [sc 2, dec], rep [] two more times (9)
Rds 10-14: sc 9 (9)
Fasten off, leaving a 6-8 inch tail to sew onto body. Stuff with fiber fill.
Assembly
Sew the head onto the body, making sure that the orange parts and black parts line up correctly.
Sew the muzzle onto the head between the white stripes from row 7 to 14. Add a little fiber fill as you sew to fill out the muzzle.
Sew the ears onto the head, having them end above the black stripe on the sides of the face.
Sew the ends of the arms together and sew them onto the body on the sixth row down.
Sew the legs onto the body.
Sew the tail onto the back.
And enjoy! If you want to make some friends for Rusty, check out the patterns for Daisy the Dino and Pearl the Pig!
