One of my designer friends, Nadia of Yarnutopia, is expecting a baby. We are part of group with Red Heart Yarns called Joy Creators. The rest of our group wanted to help her celebrate the new baby. Marly Bird helped organize a surprise for Nadia by making arrangements for each of us to send a gift that would be opened at the family baby shower. I am so glad I got to be part of it.
Nadia chose Navy, White and Black for her nursery colors since she is having a boy. I decided I wanted to make a panda lovey for the little one.
I think loveys are cute for baby pix and also something for the little one to cuddle with when they get older.
This would also make a sweet pillow by making two, sewing them together and stuffing.
The Baby Shower
You will LOVE seeing all of the gifts she received from many of our favorite designers. Here are just two of the gifts, beautiful blankets by Marly Bird and Kate Wagstaff.
The video is really fun! You can see the video and all of the crocheted and knit items on Nadia’s Blog, Yarnutopia.
All of the patterns will all be available for free too. COMING SOON!
Nadia’s Panda Lovey
An ad-free, downloadable PDF which includes all of the photos and instructions is available for only $2.
Click here for the download: RAVELRY LISTING
Materials
- Yarn: worsted weight yarn. Red Heart With Love Black, White; Red Heart Super Saver Turqua or Shocking Pink
- Crochet Hook: H (5mm), J (6mm)
- Notions: Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Optional: Measuring tape, scissors
Measurements
- Finished Measurements: 15.5” x 8.5”
- Gauge: Not necessary for this project
Tips
- First stitch of each row is worked into the same stitch as the turning chain.
- Numbers at the beginning of each line may refer to steps and not indicate number of rows.
- Stitch count remains the same unless noted at end of row/round.
- If you have any questions about this pattern please contact [email protected].
Directions
This project starts at the panda’s feet.
- With a J hook and black yarn, ch 16, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (15sts)
- Ch 1, turn, 2sc in same st, sc in each st until 1 st remains, 2sc in last st. (17sts)
- Ch 1, turn, 2sc in same st, sc in each st until 1 st remains, 2sc in last st. (19sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc in each st to end of row.
- Ch 1, turn, 2sc in same st, sc in each st until 1 st remains, 2sc in last st. (21sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc in each st to end of row.
- Ch 1, turn, 2sc in same st, sc in each st until 1 st remains, 2sc in last st. (23sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc in each st to end of row.
- Change to white yarn. Ch 1, sc in each st to end of row.
- Ch 1, turn, 2sc in same st, sc in each st until 1 st remains, 2sc in last st. (25sts)
- Ch 1, turn, 2sc in same st, sc 11, 2sc in next st, sc 11, 2sc in lasst st. (28sts)
- Ch 1, turn, (2hdc, dc) in same st, sk 2, *(sc, hdc, dc) in next st, sk 2*, repeat until 1 st remains, sc in last st.
- Repeat previous row for an additional 17 rows.
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 11, sc2tog, sc 11, sc2tog. (25sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each st until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. (23sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc in each st to end of row.
- Change to black yarn. Ch 1, turn, sc in each st to end of row.
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each st until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. (21sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc in each st to end of row.
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each st until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. (19sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc in each st to end of row.
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each st until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. (17sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each st until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. (15sts)
Finish off and weave in ends.
- Do not turn piece. Attach white yarn to the first st of last row. This is so all color changes are done on the same
side of the piece. This is the right side of the panda. Ch 1, sc in each st to end of row. (15sts)
- Repeat previous row for an additional 4 rows.
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each st until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. (13sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc in each st to end of row.
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each st until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. (11sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each st until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. (9sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc, hdc 3, sc, sc2tog. (7sts) Finish off and weave in ends.
Edging: Attach black yarn to the bottom section of the panda. With a J hook, sc evenly around the outer edge of the panda, working 2sc in each corner around. Change colors to match each section.
Face
Eye Patches (make 2)
With an H hook and black yarn, ch 4, 2sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc, (sc, ch 1, sl st) in last ch. Finish off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing in place.
With a yarn needle, use the yarn tail from each eye patch to sew them to the center of the head section.
Nose: With a yarn needle and balck yarn, create the nose by adding a few stitches to the center of the face.
Ears (make 2)
- With an H hook and black yarn, start with a magic circle of 6 sts (or preferred method for starting a circle of 6
sc sts), sl st to join. (6sts)
- Ch 1, 2sc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. (12sts) Finish off and weave in ends. Set aside.
Back of Head
- With a J hook and white yarn, ch 16, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st to end of row. (15sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc in each st to end of row.
- Repeat previous row for an additional 3 rows.
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each st until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. (13sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc in each st to end of row.
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each st until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. (11sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each st until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. (9sts)
- Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc, hdc 3, sc, sc2tog. (7sts)
- Ch 1, do not turn. Sc in same st and in each st around the outer edge, working 2sc in each corner.
Place the back of head piece against the main head piece. Pin each ear between the layers. With a yarn needle and white yarn, sew the two head pieces together from edge of black section, across the top (through the base of the ears) and to the black section on the other end.
Small Heart (optional)
1.5” across
With an H hook and ww yarn, start with a magic circle of 8 sts (or preferred method for starting a circle of 8 sc
sts), sl st to join. (8sts)
Sl st in next st, (sc, hdc, dc 2, hdc) in next st, hdc 2, (hdc, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, hdc) in next st, hdc 2, (hdc,
dc 2, hdc, sc) in next st, sl st in next sp (between posts) to join. Finish off, leaving a tail for sewing in place.
With a yarn needle, use the yarn tail to sew the heart to the front of the panda.
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Thank you so much! I love how all of you are weaving together or stitching together for Nadia. She has amazing patterns as well as everyone who has stitched something beautiful for Nadia, Nate and their baby boy that we are all excited to see when he arrives. All of you are AMAZING! Thank you for the adorable pattern.
Heidi due to my eyesight getting worse, I cannot see these light colors like the green, pinks, oranges, etc so can’t see links or whatever they are! hoping you’ll go back to black or Dark type. thank you