Free Panda Bear Crochet Poncho & Buddy Pattern

This great spring Panda Bear Crochet Poncho & Buddy is perfect for all the kiddos in your life. It is a fun design for them and simple construction for you. The pattern also includes instructions for a buddy for your little one.

Table of Contents

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Continue reading this post for the free pattern, or download the ad-free pdf version on Ravelry.

Fun Facts About Panda Bears

My oldest son loves telling me about pandas rolling around in horse poop to keep warm. He thinks it’s hilarious and really wants to see this. Here are a few more fun facts on Panda Bears:

Pandas have an extended wrist bone they use as a thumb. It helps them grip all that yummy vegetation.
They spend about 10-16 hours a day eating. That sounds fabulous.
Bamboo is most critical to a Panda Bear’s diet and is its main source of nutrients.
A Panda will sometimes do handstands when they pee. I know this sounds impossible, but my little puppy Luna pee’s this way, it takes some talent.

Love this poncho? There are more! Check them out:

Cactus Succulent Crochet Poncho & Buddy
Narwhal Crochet Poncho & Buddy
Pineapple Crochet Poncho & Buddy

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Panda Bear Crochet Poncho & Buddy Supplies:

Crochet Hook:
6.0mm (J hook), and 4.00 (G) Hook or hook to obtain gauge

Notions:
Fiberfill
2 Black Safety Eyes (.35”, 9mm)For younger ages, safety eyes can pose a choking risk, and sewn-on eyes with black yarn is recommended.
1” Buttons 4 (5, 6, 6, 7) needed

Removable stitch markers if needed
Yarn needle to weave in ends
Scissors

Yarn:
WeCrochet Brava Worsted
100% premium acrylic, 218yds/100g

Colors: Black and White

Yardage:
Approx. 275 (375, 505, 550, 610) yards for a poncho
Approx. 75 yards for ragdoll

Abbreviations/Stitches:
BLO- Back Loop Only
ch- Chain
FLO– Front Loop Only
Hdc- Half Double Crochet
Ldc- Linked Double Crochet
MR- Magic Ring
RS- Right Side
sc- single crochet
sc2tog-single crochet two together
WS- Wrong Side

Gauge:
12 sts x 7 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in Ldc

Skill Level:
Easy

Size:
newborn (baby, toddler, preschool, child)

Notes:
When joining, join to the first stitch of the round.
Chains at the beginning of the row or round do not count as a stitch.

Linked Double Crochet Tutorial:

For first Ldc in row:

Step 1: Chain 2

Step 2: Insert hook into the second chain from hook, yarn over, draw a loop through.

Step 3: Insert hook into the first stitch in row, yarn over, and draw through loop. (3 loops on hook)

Step 4: Yarn over, draw through two loops, yarn over, and draw through the final two loops.

For all other Ldc in the row:

Step 1: Insert hook into the horizontal bar of the previous stitch from top to bottom.

Step 2: Yarn over and draw a loop through the horizontal bar.

Step 3: Insert hook into the next stitch in the round.

Step 4: Yarn over and draw through loop.

Step 5: Yarn over, draw through two loops, yarn over, and draw through the final two loops.

Foundation Linked Double Crochet Video:

Video for Ldc with Button Holes:

Panda Bear Crochet Ponch Pattern

Poncho Body- Use 6.0mm (J) Hook

Sizes and stitch counts are indicated as: newborn (baby, toddler, preschool, child)

Horizontal Section:

Row 1 (RS) With Black Yarn: Foundation Ldc 48 (54, 60, 66, 72), turn Or chain 50 (56, 62,68, 74) and Ldc in the third chain from hook and across, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)

Row 2 (WS) Ch 2, working in FLO, Ldc across until last two stitches, dc in next (creating a buttonhole), Ldc in last, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)

Row 3 Ch 2, working BLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)

Row 4 Ch 2, working FLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)

Row 5 Ch 2, working BLO, Ldc in first 2, dc in next (creates a buttonhole), Ldc in remaining stitches, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)

Row 6 Ch 2, working FLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)

Row 7 Ch 2, working BLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn. 48 (54, 60, 66, 72)

Repeats Newborn: repeat rows 2-7 one more time. (row count = 13)

Baby: repeat rows 2-7 one more time, then repeat rows 2-3 one more time. (row count = 15)

Toddler: repeat rows 2-7 one more time, then repeat rows 2-5 one more time. (row count = 17)

Preschool: repeat rows 2-7 two more times (row count = 19)

Child: repeat rows 2-7 two more times, then repeat rows 2-3 one more time. (row count = 21)

Vertical Section:

Row 1:

Ch 2, working in FLO, Ldc 24 (27, 30, 33, 36), turn (leave the rest of the stitches unworked)24 (27, 30, 33, 36)

Row 2: Ch 2, working in BLO, Ldc 24 (27, 30, 33, 35), turn. 24 (27, 30, 33, 36)

Repeats:

Newborn: repeat rows 1-2 ten more times, then repeat row 1 one more time. (23 total vertical rows)

Baby: repeat rows 1-2 twelve more times, then repeat row 1 one more time. (27 total vertical rows)

Toddler: repeat rows 1-2 fourteen more times, then repeat row 1 one more time. (31 total vertical rows)

Preschool: repeat rows 1-2 sixteen more times, then repeat row

1 one more time. (35 total vertical rows)

Child: repeat rows 1-2 eighteen more times, then repeat row 1

one more time. (39 total vertical rows)

Fasten off and weave in ends. With right side facing the poncho

is now a big ‘L’ shape.

Panda Poncho Hood

Row 1: With ivory yarn and right side facing, skip the first 4 (4, 4, 5, 5,) stitches and join yarn. Ch 1, slip stitch 40 (46, 52, 58, 64) evenly across, turn

Tip: Use stitch markers to evenly place the hood.

Place stitch marker 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) stitches in from the right top edge of the horizontal section. Measure the area from that stitch marker to where the vertical section begins.

Measure the same distance on the vertical section and place the stitch marker. Crochet 40 (46, 52, 58, 64) stitches evenly between markers.

Row 2: Ch 2, working in FLO, hdc in each stitch across, turn 40 (46, 52, 58, 64)

Row 3: Ch 2, working BLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn 40 (46, 52, 58, 64)

Row 4: Ch 2, working FLO, Ldc in each stitch across, turn 40 (46, 52, 58, 64)

Newborn: repeat rows 3-4 five more times, then repeat row 3 one more time (13 total Ldc rows for hood)

Baby: repeat rows 3-4 six more times, then repeat row 3 one more time (15 total Ldc rows for hood)

Toddler: repeat rows 3-4 seven more times, then repeat row 3 one more time (17 total Ldc rows for hood)

Preschool: repeat rows 3-4 eight more times, then repeat row 3 one more time (19 total Ldc rows for hood)

Child: repeat rows 3-4 nine more times, then repeat row 3 one more time (21 total Ldc rows for hood)

Hood Joining:

With wrong sides facing fold the hood end in half to join. Ch 1, *slip stitch through the BLO of fabric closest to hook and FLO of joining fabric. Repeat across to join all hood stitches.

Total Slip Stitches: 20 (23, 26, 29, 32)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Edging Attach yarn to edge of poncho at the back corner and chain 1.

Row 1: Slip stitch evenly around the entire border of the poncho including around the hood. Join with the first slip stitch.

Row 2 Ch 1, working in BLO, slip stitch in each edge border stitch around, join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Panda Poncho Ears- Use 4.0mm (G) Hook and Black Yarn

This will be worked in continuous rounds, use a stitch marker to keep track of rounds.

Round 1: With Black Yarn: 6 In MR (magic ring), sc 6OR chain 2 and sc 6 in the second chain from hook

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around 12

Round 3: *2 sc in first, sc in next; repeat * around 18

Round 4: *2 sc in first, sc in next 2; repeat * around 24

Round 5: *2 sc in first, sc in next 3; repeat * around 30

Round 6: *2 sc in first, sc in next 4; repeat * around 36

Round 7: *2 sc in first, sc in next 5; repeat * around 42

Fasten off leaving a long tail. Sew ears to each side of the hood, weave in ends.

Hood Tie:

Using G-hook and Ivory yarn, chain a length of yarn approx 34 (36, 38, 40, 42) inches. Weave through the hdc row of the hood. Create two tassels (instructions below) and attach to the ends of the chained strand.

Tassel:

Cut all strands of yarn at once by wrapping approx. 20 times around a phone and cutting once. Wrap the length of the phone for a long tassel and the width of the phone for a short tassel.

Cut another strand of yarn approx. 6 inches and tie in the middle of cut strands OR use the ends of your hood tie.

Fold strand in half and cut an additional strand of yarn to tie just below the top of the folded tassel.

Buttons:

Fold poncho, overlapping button the holes to the opposite side. Mark buttonholes on opposite fabric and sew buttons into place.

Panda Bear Crochet Buddy

Body of Panda (make 2)- Use 4.0mm (G) Hook

With Black Yarn:

Row 1: Foundation sc 6, turn OR Ch 7, sc in second chain from hook and across, turn (6)

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first, sc in next 4, 2 sc in last, turn (8)

Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in first, sc in next 6, 2 sc in last, turn (10)

Row 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in first, sc in next 8, 2 sc in last, turn (12)

Row 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in first, sc in next 10, 2 sc in last, turn (14)

Rows 6-8: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn (14)

Rows 9-10: Fasten off Black yarn and attach Ivory yarn, ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn (14)

Row 11: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 10, sc2tog, turn (12)

Row 12: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 8, sc2tog, turn (10)

Row 13: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog, turn (8)

Row 14: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog, turn (6)

Row 15: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 2, sc2tog, fasten off and weave in ends (4)

Head of Panda (make 2)- Use 4.0mm (G) Hook

Row 1: With Ivory Yarn: Foundation sc 6, turn OR Ch 7, sc in second chain from hook and across, turn (6)

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first, sc in next 4, 2 sc in last, turn (8)

Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in first, sc in next 6, 2 sc in last, turn 10 4-7 Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn (10)

Rows 4-7: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn (10)

Row 8: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog, turn (8)

Row 9: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog, turn (6)

Row 10: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 2, sc2tog, fasten off and weave in ends (4)

Arms of Panda (make 2)- Use 4.0mm (G) Hook and Black Yarn

This will be worked in continuous rounds, use a stitch marker to keep track of rounds.

Round 1: In MR (magic ring), sc 4 OR chain 2 and sc 4 in second chain from hook

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around (8)

Rounds 3-9: sc in each stitch around (8)

Fasten off and weave in ends

Legs of Panda (make 2)- Use 4.0mm (G) Hook and Black Yarn

This will be worked in continuous rounds, use a stitch marker to keep track of rounds.

Round 1: In MR (magic ring), sc 6 OR chain 2 and sc 6 in second chain from hook

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around (12)

Rounds 3-8: sc in each stitch around (12)

Fasten off and weave in ends

Ears of Panda (make 2)- Use 4.0mm (G) Hook and Black Yarn

With Black Yarn: In MR (magic ring), hdc 10 OR chain 2 and hdc 10 in second chain from hook. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Panda Eyes (make 2)- Use 4.0mm (G) Hook and Black Yarn

With Black Yarn: In MR (magic ring), 2sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 2 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, join OR chain 2 and (2sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 2 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc) in second chain from hook

Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing onto the panda head.

Panda Buddy Assembly:

Hand sew black eye outline onto the front of the panda head and secure safety eyes in place on top. For younger ages, safety eyes can pose a choking risk and sewn on eyes with black yarn is recommended.

Using black yarn, stitch a small triangle nose and smile below the eyes. If rosy cheeks are desired, a q-tip or make-up brush can be used to lightly add color with pastel chalk or even make-up blush.

Place panda heads together and with ivory yarn hand sew the ears in place between head layers on each side of top head. This will close any gaps where the ears are places and join all the layers together. Weave in ends.

Place head pieces over the top of the two body pieces. Using ivory yarn sew these pieces together to attach them all together. With crochet hook attach ivory yarn to right side of head, sc both layers together around. Over ears and bottom of head crochet through the front layer only.

Using Ivory yarn for the arms sew them between the panda body layers to attach all pieces together. Using black yarn repeat this process for the legs.

With ivory yarn, join to panda and sc the layers together. When working across the arms and legs, crochet through the front layer only. Continue to sc around panda, joining layers together until there is a couple of inches left. Stuff with the desired amount of fiberfill. Continue to sc layers together to close all openings. Fasten off and weave in ends.