Free Red Panda Crochet Pattern
Ruben the Red Panda
This free red panda crochet pattern, Ruben the Red Panda, was my entry for the 2022 Amigurumi.com design content.
I’ve voted for designers in this competition for the past couple of years, but have never taken part as a designer myself. Until this year, of course! 2022 was the first time I ever entered, and I’m so glad I did.
The theme of the competition was all about endangered animals, and after doing my research, I couldn’t help but design a red panda. They are so adorable! Seriously, watch some videos of them online - it’s super addictive and you’ll no doubt fall in love just like I did!
Anyway, enough chat from me, I’m delighted to share Ruben the Red Panda’s pattern with you all for free below. The pattern is an intermediate crochet pattern written in US terminology.
If you do decide to make Ruben the Red Panda, I would absolutely love to see your makes. You can share them with me on social media using the hashtag #CrochetRubenTheRedPanda and by tagging me @cillacrochets.
I hope you have fun!
Prefer the PDF Crochet Pattern?
Ruben the Red Panda’s PDF Crochet Pattern includes additional photos, plus a crocheted eye tutorial. While the pattern is available on my website below, if you’d prefer to download the PDF you can find it via the buttons below.
Ruben the Red Panda Crochet Pattern Information
Materials Needed
Here’s everything you’ll need to crochet Ruben the Red Panda:
Aran / Worsted Weight yarn. I used Rico Design Creative Cotton Aran in the following colours. Amounts used are included in brackets.
A - Fox Orange (75 grams = 127.5m / 140yds)
B - White (13 grams = 22.1m / 24.1yds)
C - Grey (50 grams = 85m / 93yds)
D - Red (12 grams = 20.4m / 22.3yds)
E - Black (5 grams = 8.5m / 9.3yds)
Crochet hook size 3.5 mm (E)
Stuffing
Needle
Scissors
Pins
Stitch marker
Safety eyes 9 mm or additional black yarn/embroidery thread for the eyes
Amigurumi Size
I used the yarn above with a 3.5 mm (E) hook and the amigurumi turned out to be 19 cm / 7.5 " high when seated (from bottom to top of ears) and 21 cm / 8.3 " wide when arms are splayed.
Please note: I do tend to crochet quite tightly, so your Ruben may turn out larger.
Gauge
Gauge is not required for this pattern, however for reference my gauge for the amigurumi was as follows:
11 sc stitches on 5 cm / 1.96 "
11 rows on 5 cm / 1.96 "
Crochet Pattern Abbreviations
R# - Row/round number
st - Stitch
ch - Chain
sl st - Slip stitch
mc - Magic circle
sc - Single crochet
inc - Increase
dec - Decrease
FLO - Front loop only
BLO - Back loop only
cc# - Change colour to the yarn indicated (#), e.g. ccB = change to yarn B (White)
[...] x ... - Repeat the sequence of stitches in brackets x-times
(...) - Total number of stitches at the end of each row/round
Top Tips & Additional Information
Yarn: The yarn choice is completely up to you, and you can change the yarn weight, material, and colours based on your own personal preference. Just be aware that the weight of your yarn may impact the hook size you need to use and also the size of your final make.
Hook size: I recommend using a smaller hook size than recommended on the yarn label. This will stop the stuffing appearing through your stitches.
Eyes: Please note that safety eyes are a choking hazard and are not suitable for children under 3 years of age. As an alternative, use additional black yarn to crochet or embroider the eyes. A simple crochet eye tutorial is included on page 13 of this pattern.
Working in rounds: All parts within this pattern are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated.
Stitch marker: Use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round to keep track of the number of stitches in each round.
Stuffing: Unless otherwise stated, stuff all amigurumi parts firmly as you crochet.
Decreases: I recommend using invisible decreases throughout.
X-shaped single crochet: While not mandatory, I recommend using the X-shaped single crochet st for this pattern. To do this, simply yarn under instead of over when hooking onto your yarn and when pulling yarn through your stitches.
Changing colour: To ensure straight lines for any colour changes, add the new colour in the last yarn over (or 'yarn under' if you're using the X-shaped single crochet) of the sc before the new colour is stated.
Copyright: You may not copy, reproduce or sell this pattern. However, I’m more than happy for you to sell the makes you’ve created using this pattern on a small scale. For more information, please read the full copyright notice at the bottom of this page.
Crochet Pattern
Head
Using Yarn Colour A (Fox).
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
R6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
R8: [6 sc, inc] x 6 (48)
R9 - 16: sc around (48) - 8 rounds
R17: [7 sc, inc] x 6 (54)
R18: [8 sc, inc] x 6 (60)
R19 - 20: sc around (60) - 2 rounds
Insert safety eyes between R14 & R15 with 7 sts in between each eye. Alternatively, you can crochet or embroider the eyes. A simple crocheted eye tutorial is included within the PDF pattern.
R21: [8 sc, dec] x 6 (54)
R22: [7 sc, dec] x 6 (48)
R23: [6 sc, dec] x 6 (42)
R24: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)
R25: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
R26: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
Stuff firmly.
R27: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
R28: [sc, dec] x 6 (12)
Finish stuffing.
R29: [dec] x 6 (6)
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Use needle to weave through FLO of last 6 sc and pull tight to close. Weave yarn tail into head to hide.
Mouth
Using Yarn Colour B (White).
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
R6 - 8: sc around (30) - 3 rounds
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off.
Now we'll add the grey fur to the sides of the mouth.
Count 4 sts in a clockwise direction from where you fastened off and attach Yarn B (Grey) to FLO of 5th st.
*R9: FLO 8 sc
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Weave in starting yarn tail.**
Skip 7 sts and attach Yarn Colour C (Grey) to FLO of 8th st.
Repeat R9 (from * to **) to make second piece of fur.
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Weave in starting yarn tail.
Cheek Fur (Make 2)
Using Yarn Colour B (White).
Start: Ch 9
R1: Start in 2nd ch from hook and sc in next 8 sts, turn to crochet along other side of ch, 2 sc, 2 dec, 2 sc, sl st to 1st sc in round to join (15) - st count includes sl st
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off.
Make two.
Eyebrows (Make 2)
Using Yarn Colour B (White).
Start: Ch 5
R1: Start in 2nd ch from hook and sc in next 4 sts, turn to crochet along other side of ch, sc, dec, sc, sl st to 1st sc in round to join (8) - St count includes sl st
Cut yarn leaving a long yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Make 2 Eyebrows.
Body
Using Yarn Colour A (Fox).
Stuff firmly as you crochet.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
R6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
R8: [6 sc, inc] x 6 (48)
R9: [7 sc, inc] x 6 (54)
R10: [8 sc, inc] x 6 (60)
R11: [9 sc, inc] x 6 (66)
R12 - 16: sc around (66) - 5 rounds
R17: [9 sc, dec] x 6 (60)
R18 - 20: sc around (60) - 3 rounds
R21: [8 sc, dec] x 6 (54)
R22: sc around (54)
R23: [7 sc, dec] x 6 (48)
R24: sc around (48)
R25: [6 sc, dec] x 6 (42)
R26 - 27: sc around (42) - 2 rounds
R28: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)
R29: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
R30: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
Stuff
R31: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
R32: sc around (18)
Finish stuffing. Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off.
Legs (Make 2)
Using Yarn Colour C (Grey).
Stuff this piece firmly as you crochet.
Start: Ch 7
R1: Start in 2nd ch from hook and sc in next 6 sts, turn to crochet along other side of ch and sc in next 6 sts (12)
R2: [inc, sc] x 6 (18)
R3: [inc, 2 sc] x 6 (24)
R4: 3 inc, 7 sc, 5 inc, 7 sc, 2 inc (34)
R5 - 7: sc around (34) - 3 rounds
R8: 6 dec, 14 sc, 4 dec (24)
R9: 4 dec, 10 sc, 3 dec (17)
R10: sc around (17)
Stuff foot firmly.
R11: dec, 15 sc (16)
R12 - 20: sc around (16) - 9 rounds
Stuff leg firmly.
At this stage, check your positioning before crochet R21. You may need to adjust your positioning slightly (by adding or taking away a st or two from R20) until you get to a point where R21 appears horizontal when the front of the foot is facing forwards.
R21: Hold sides together and 7 sc across to join, leaving 1 unworked st on each end (7)
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Make 2 legs.
Arms (Make 2)
Using Yarn Colour C (Grey).
Stuff this piece firmly as you crochet.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R5 - 6: sc around (24) - 2 rounds
R7: [6 sc, dec] x 3 (21)
R8: sc around (21)
Stuff hand firmly.
R9: [5 sc, dec] x 3 (18)
R10: [4 sc, dec] x 3 (15)
R11 - 24: sc around (15) - 14 rounds
Finish stuffing arm firmly.
R25: Hold sides together and 7 sc across to join, leaving 1 unworked st (7)
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Make 2 arms.
Ears (Make 2)
Using Yarn Colour B (White).
Do not stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [2 sc, inc] x 2 (8)
From here on, colourwork is required. Each row involves switching between Yarn Colour C (Grey) and Yarn Colour B (White). Please see abbreviations section above and read the colour changing note under Top Tips & Additional Pattern Information.
Change to Yarn Colour C (Grey).
R3: [ccC 3 sc, ccB inc] x 2 (10)
R4: [ccC 4 sc, ccB inc] x 2 (12)
R5: [ccC 5 sc, ccB inc] x 2 (14)
R6: [ccC 6 sc, ccB inc] x 2 (16)
R7: [ccC 7 sc, ccB inc] x 2 (18)
R8: [ccC 8 sc, ccB inc] x 2 (20)
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Make 2 ears.
Tail
Using Yarn Colour C (Grey).
Stuff this piece firmly as you crochet.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: sc around (12)
R4: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R5: sc around (18)
R6: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R7: sc around (24)
R8: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
R9 - 10: sc around (30) - 2 rounds
Change to Yarn Colour A (Fox).
R11 - 14: sc around (30) - 4 rounds
Change to Yarn Colour D (Red).
R15: sc around (30)
R16: [8 sc, dec] x 3 (27)
R17 - 18: sc around (27) - 2 rounds
Change to Yarn Colour A (Fox).
R19 - 22: sc around (27) - 4 rounds
Change to Yarn Colour D (Red).
R23: sc around (27)
R24: [7 sc, dec] x 3 (24)
R25 - 26: sc around (24) - 2 rounds
Change to Yarn Colour A (Fox).
R27 - 30: sc around (24) - 4 rounds
Change to Yarn Colour D (Red).
R31: sc around (24)
R32: [6 sc, dec] x 3 (21)
R33 - 34: sc around (21) - 2 rounds
Change to Yarn Colour A (Fox).
R35: sc around (21)
R36: [5 sc, dec] x 3 (18)
R37 - 38: sc around (18) - 2 rounds
Change to Yarn Colour D (Red).
R39: sc around (18)
R40: [4 sc, dec] x 3 (15)
R41 - 42: sc around (15) - 2 rounds
Change to Yarn Colour A (Fox)
R43: sc around (15)
R44: [3 sc, dec] x 3 (12)
R45: sc around (12)
Stuff tail firmly.
R46: Hold sides together and 5 sc across to join leaving 1 unworked st at each end (5)
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off.
Assembly Instructions for Ruben the Red Panda
Step 1: Sew mouth piece to head
Top of mouth piece sits between R15 & R16 of head. Bottom of mouth piece sits between R23 & R24 of the head. Grey sections of mouth sit flat against the head to the right and left sides of the mouth.
Use white yarn tail from mouth piece to sew around the entire mouth avoiding the grey sections to secure the mouth to the head. Once you reach half way, fill the mouth piece with stuffing.
Use grey yarn tails to sew grey sides flat against the head to either side of the mouth.
Step 2: Sew eyebrows to head
The eyebrows sit over R9 - R12 of the head on an angle so the tops point in.
There are approximately 6 sts on the head between the top of the eyebrows, and 9 sts on the head between the bottom of the eyebrows.
Use white yarn tail from eyebrows to sew each one to the head.
Step 3: Sew cheek fur to head
Cheek pieces sit vertically over R16 - R22 of the head approximately 1 st away from either side of the grey mouth piece.
Use white yarn tail from cheek fur to sew each one to the head.
Step 4: Sew body to head
Using yarn tail from body, sew last round of body to between R26 & R27 of the head.
Step 5: Sew arms to body
Arms sit between R29 & R30 of the body with 8 sts between the arms at the front of the body.
Using yarn tail from arms, sew each arm to body.
Step 6: Sew legs to body
Legs sit between R11 & R12 of the body with 2 sts in between the legs at the front of the body.
Using yarn tail from legs, sew each leg to body.
Step 7: Sew tail to body
Tail sits between R11 & R12 of the body at the back in the middle.
Using yarn tail from the tail, sew tail to the body.
Step 8: Sew ears to head
Using Colour B (White) yarn tail from ears, sew last round of ears to head.
Top of ears sit between R5 & R6 of the head with approximately 10 sts between each ear.
Bottom of ears sit between R11 & R12 of the head with approximately 20 sts between each ear.
The middle of the ears should curve inwards with the middle sts of the ears being sewn approximately 2 sts back from the sides of the ear.
Step 9: Embroider nose
Using Yarn Colour E (Black), embroider a triangular nose.
The bottom of the nose sits between R2 & R3 in the middle at the top of the mouth.
The top points of the nose sit between R5 & R6 of the mouth with approximately 4 sts between each end.
Congratulations, you’ve finished crocheting Ruben the Red Panda!
I hope you’ve enjoyed crocheting Ruben the Red Panda!
I’d absolutely love to see your creations and share them with the crochet community. You can share your makes with me by posting a picture on social media using the hashtag #CrochetRubenTheRedPanda and by tagging me @cillacrochets. I’ll also see your makes if you upload a project (with a photo) to Ravelry linking to my pattern.
Until next time, happy crocheting,
Cilla x
© 2022 Cilla Crochets. Cilla Richards - All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use only.
The pattern (or parts of it) may not be reproduced, distributed or resold, translated, published, altered, shared, or posted (for sale or for free) over the internet or offline.
You can sell items made from this pattern if they are handmade by yourself in a limited number and you give credit to the designer. Please add the following text to your item description for any item designed by Cilla Crochets/Cilla Richards that you are selling:
“This product is handmade by [your name] from a design and pattern by Cilla Richards at Cilla Crochets. See www.cillacrochets.com for more information.”
