So it’s time to introduce the newest Doodle Zoo critter for everyone that’s enjoying making these little guys.

If you haven’t heard about Doodle Zoo it’s my mini challenge to myself this year to design 12 free little animals for you all built on one simple base design so they all look related.

So without further ado let me introduce Peggy the Panda!

Peggy is a great little stash buster using roughly 30g / 90 yards of black and white yarn.  All the Doodle Zoo animals are designed to work up in less than an hour and because they are just the right hand size they become very steal-able so be prepared to make a few!  Peggy the Panda would make a cute additional gift for family and friends or an quick addition to a craft stall.

This is an easy pattern suitable for beginners looking to learn some new crochet techniques. Click here to add this pattern to your favourites / queue on Ravelry or click here to access on Craftsy or scroll down for the pattern.

For details about the other Doodle Zoo characters; see my posts about Doodle Duck, Rowan Rabbit, Finlay Frog and Ezra Elephant.

Don’t forget to look out for the next addition to the Doodle Zoo next month!

Peggy the Panda

Yarn: (8ply / yarn weight #3 or #4)

• 25g / 85 yards of white double knit yarn
• 5g / 15 yards of black double knit

Hook: 4mm (US size G)

You will also need:

• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
• 2 x 9mm blue or black safety eyes
• Polyester toy stuffing

Gauge: 4 dc/sc = 1 inch / 2.5 cm

Size: Finished panda measures = 3.25 inches / 8.3 cm

These measurements are approximated, and actual subjects may vary. Pattern will work in other yarns though gauge/size will be  different.

Abbreviations:

• st(s) = stitch(es)
• sp = space
• sl st = slip stitch
• ch(s) = chain  
• dc/sc = UK double / US single crochet
• dc/sc2tog = UK double Crochet / US Single Crochet 2 sts together
• popcorn (PC) = see specialist stitch guidance

Stitch Guidance:

• Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and pull through all loops.
• Double Crochet/Single Crochet (dc/sc): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
• Half Double Treble / Half Double Crochet (htr/hdc): Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook.
• Treble / Double Crochet (tr/dc): Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.

• Popcorn Stitch (PC): Work 5 tr/dc in st indicated, remove hook completely, insert hook in 1st tr/dc (1st tr/dc of the 5), insert hook in loop that you just removed your hook from (5th tr/dc of the 5), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.
• Double Crochet/Single Crochet 2 sts together (dc/sc2tog): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), Insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull through three loops on hook.

Pattern Guidance:

Working without joining:

All the parts of the panda are worked without  joining using a stitch marker to keep track of the rounds.  Place the stitch marker in the top of the first st to mark start of round.

Pattern:

Eye Spots (Make 2):

Rnd 1: With black yarn; either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 8 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary, on the last rnd sl st to the next st to join but leave a long tail for sewing eyes to body (8 sts).

Snout:

Rnd 1: With white yarn; either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary body (6 sts).

Rnd 2: 2 dc/sc in each st around, on the last rnd sl st to the next st to join but leave the tail for sewing the snout to body (12 sts).

• With black yarn embroider a black nose and mouth onto the snout (see photos)

Ears (Make 2):

Rnd 1: With black yarn; either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary body (6 sts).

Rnd 2: 2 dc/sc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnds 3-4: 1 dc/sc in each st around; on the last rnd sl st to the next st to join but leave a long tail for sewing (12 sts).

Feet (Make 2):

Rnd 1: With black yarn; ch 6, 1 dc/sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st along until end (5 sts), then working down the other side of your sts work 1 dc/sc until end (10sts).

Rnd 2 – 3: 1 dc/sc in each st around, on the last row sl st to the next st to join but leave a long tail for sewing. (10 sts).

Body:

Rnd 1: With white yarn; either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary (6 sts).

Rnd 2: 2 dc/sc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: *1 dc/sc in next, 2 dc/sc in next st *    repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (18 sts).

Rnd 4: * 1 dc/sc in next 2 sts,  2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to *  until the end of the rnd(24 sts).

Rnd 5: * 1 dc/sc in next 3 sts, 2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (30 sts).

Rnd 6 – 8: 1 dc/sc in each st around (30 sts).

• Change colour to black yarn; I love this great tutorial about jogless stripes for making a neat stripe around the panda: http://needlenoodles.com/home/node/139

Rnds 9-10: 1 dc/sc in each st around (30 sts).

Rnd 11- Arms: PC in the next st, 1 dc/sc in the next 14 sts, PC in the next st, 1 dc/sc in the in each of the remaining sts (30 sts).

Rnd 12: Change colour back to white; 1 dc/sc in each st around (30 sts).

• Add your safety eyes to the middle of each black eye spot and then attach to the body in between rows 7 and 8 about 1.25 inches/ 3.3cm apart and in-between the PC arms and sew securely into place.

• Sew on the snout in-between the eyes.

Rnd 13: * 1 dc/sc in the next 3 sts, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of rnd, begin to stuff your panda (24 sts).

Rnd 14: *1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (18 sts).

Rnd 15: *1 dc/sc in the next st, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (12 sts).

• Finish off stuffing the body

Rnd 16: *1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd, cut thread         leaving a long tail (6 sts).

• Using your tail end and using your yarn needle sew the last 6 stitches closed, finish off and weave in ends.

• Sew ears into place on top of your pandas head with tail end of yarn.

• Sew the sides of the feet together then sew onto the front of your panda on rnd 13 approximately 0.25 inch / 1.5 cm apart.

And that’s it!  Simple, cute and addictive!