Crochet Tutorial: Red Panda in Floral Dress – Free Crochet Pattern

This cheerful red panda crochet doll wears a green-and-white striped floral dress with shoulder straps, tiny daisies, embroidered flower borders, green sandals, a small crossbody bag, and a matching flower hair accessory. The set also includes a straw garden hat, a little gray watering can, and a small basket of red strawberries, just like a sweet handmade garden scene.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern creates a standing red panda amigurumi with a round head, compact body, short legs, rounded arms, white facial markings, brown paws, and a detailed garden outfit. The finished doll has a soft handmade texture, firm shaping, and many small decorative pieces that copy the image closely.

The main red panda is worked mostly in continuous spiral rounds. The dress, bag, sandals, hat, watering can, strawberries, and floral details are made separately and sewn on carefully. Take your time with placement because the charm of this design comes from the neat facial symmetry and the layered accessories.

Finished Size

• Main doll height: about 9.5 inches tall when using sport or DK weight cotton yarn and a 2.5 mm hook.
• Head width: about 4.25 inches across.
• Body width with dress: about 3.75 inches across.
• Garden hat: about 4 inches wide.
• Crossbody bag: about 1.5 inches wide by 1.35 inches tall.
• Strawberry basket: about 2 inches wide.
• Watering can: about 1.75 inches tall.

Skill Level

Advanced beginner to intermediate. You should know how to work in spiral rounds, increase, decrease, change colors, sew small parts, embroider simple details, and work front-loop-only or back-loop-only rounds.

Materials

• DK cotton yarn in rusty red-orange for the red panda head, body, arms, and legs.
• White cotton yarn for muzzle, cheeks, ear centers, facial markings, dress stripes, daisies, sandal flowers, hat flower, and lace hem.
• Green cotton yarn for dress stripes, collar, straps, sandals, bag, hat leaves, shoulder strap, and strawberry leaves.
• Dark brown cotton yarn for paw tips, foot pads, nose, and mouth embroidery.
• Light tan cotton yarn for straw hat and strawberry basket.
• Gray cotton yarn for watering can.
• Red cotton yarn for strawberries.
• Pink and peach cotton yarn for small flowers on the dress and hat.
• Yellow cotton yarn or embroidery floss for flower centers.
• Black safety eyes, 8 mm.
• One small tan button, about 8 to 10 mm, for the green bag.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• 2.5 mm crochet hook for the doll and most accessories.
• 2.25 mm crochet hook for flowers and facial details if you want tighter pieces.
• Yarn needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Small scissors.
• Sewing pins.
• Optional: plastic pellets or a small flat weight for the body base.

Abbreviations Used

• MR: magic ring
• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• inc: 2 single crochet in the same stitch
• dec: invisible single crochet decrease
• BLO: back loop only
• FLO: front loop only
• st: stitch
• sts: stitches
• R: round or row
• FO: fasten off

Gauge and Fabric Notes

For a firm amigurumi fabric, 6 single crochet stitches should measure about 1 inch across with the 2.5 mm hook. The exact gauge is less important than making sure the stuffing does not show through the stitches.

Use a smaller hook if your stitches are loose. The red panda in the image has visible, neat, rounded crochet stitches, so keep the tension even but not stiff. The head should stay round and plump, while the dress should sit smoothly over the body.

Important Construction Notes

• Work the head, body, arms, legs, ears, and tail in continuous rounds unless instructed otherwise.
• Stuff the head firmly. Stuff the body medium-firm so the doll stands without becoming stretched.
• Stuff arms lightly near the paws and barely stuff the top edges so they sit neatly against the sides.
• Use pins before sewing all face markings, ears, bag strap, sandals, and flowers.
• The dress is worked around the body, with green and white stripes and a wider skirt.
• The white cheek markings are sewn as curved patches, then small embroidered whisker marks are added on top.

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Color Placement Guide

The red panda has a rusty red-orange face and body. The ears are red-orange outside with white inner panels. The muzzle is a small white oval, centered low on the face. The cheeks are white crescent patches on both sides, and the small triangular white brow marks sit above the eyes.

The dress begins with a green collar, then alternates white and green stripes. Floral embroidery is placed across the chest and around the lower skirt. The hem has a white scalloped edge. The sandals are green with brown soles and tiny white-and-yellow flowers.

Head

Use rusty red-orange yarn. Work in continuous rounds. Stuff firmly as you go, especially around the cheeks and crown.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 6 times. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat 6 times. 24 sts.
5. R5: sc 3, inc; repeat 6 times. 30 sts.
6. R6: sc 4, inc; repeat 6 times. 36 sts.
7. R7: sc 5, inc; repeat 6 times. 42 sts.
8. R8: sc 6, inc; repeat 6 times. 48 sts.
9. R9: sc 7, inc; repeat 6 times. 54 sts.
10. R10: sc 8, inc; repeat 6 times. 60 sts.
11. R11 to R20: sc in each st around. 60 sts for 10 rounds.
12. R21: sc 8, dec; repeat 6 times. 54 sts.
13. R22: sc in each st around. 54 sts.
14. R23: sc 7, dec; repeat 6 times. 48 sts.
15. R24: sc in each st around. 48 sts.
16. R25: sc 6, dec; repeat 6 times. 42 sts.
17. R26: sc 5, dec; repeat 6 times. 36 sts.
18. R27: sc 4, dec; repeat 6 times. 30 sts.
19. R28: sc 3, dec; repeat 6 times. 24 sts.

Insert the safety eyes between R17 and R18, about 11 stitches apart. The eyes should sit slightly above the center line of the muzzle area. Stuff the head firmly before closing later. Do not fasten off yet if you prefer to attach the body directly, but for easier assembly, FO with a long tail after R28.

White Muzzle

Use white yarn. This muzzle is an oval piece placed low between the eyes, with the top edge slightly tucked under the nose area.

1. R1: ch 6. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 4, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side of chain, sc 3, inc in last st. 12 sts.
2. R2: inc, sc 3, inc 3 times, sc 3, inc 2 times. 18 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, sc 4, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 4, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc. 24 sts.
4. R4: sc in each st around. 24 sts.

FO with a long sewing tail. Stuff the muzzle very lightly so it rises gently from the face. Sew it centered between R18 and R24 of the head. The top of the muzzle should sit just below the eyes. The bottom should end close to R24.

Nose and Mouth

Use dark brown yarn or embroidery floss. Embroider a rounded triangle nose over the top center of the white muzzle, covering about 4 stitches wide and 3 rounds tall. Make several satin stitches until the nose looks full and smooth.

From the bottom point of the nose, embroider one straight vertical line down 3 rounds. Add a tiny split mouth by making one short diagonal stitch to the lower left and one short diagonal stitch to the lower right. Keep the expression gentle and centered.

White Cheek Crescent Patches

Make 2 with white yarn. These patches create the red panda’s bright side facial markings visible on both cheeks.

1. R1: ch 9. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 2, hdc 3, dc 2, 5 dc in last ch. Work on opposite side, dc 2, hdc 3, sc 2. 19 sts.
2. R2: ch 1, turn. sc 3, hdc 3, dc 3, 2 dc in each of next 3 sts, dc 3, hdc 2, sc 2. 25 sts.

FO with a long tail. Do not stuff. Pin one patch on each side of the muzzle, curving from about R17 down to R23. The wider rounded end should sit near the lower cheek. Sew around the edge with tiny stitches.

White Brow Marks

Use white yarn or embroidery floss. Above each eye, embroider one small angled triangle. Each brow mark should be about 3 stitches wide and 2 rounds tall. Place them between R14 and R15, slanting downward toward the center of the face.

To make each mark, create three short satin stitches in a small wedge shape. Keep both sides symmetrical. These marks are important because they give the doll the soft red panda expression seen in the image.

Small White Whisker Marks

Use white yarn. On each cheek, embroider three short marks. Place them to the outside of each eye and over the cheek patch area.

• Upper mark: 2 stitches long, angled slightly upward.
• Middle mark: 3 stitches long, nearly horizontal.
• Lower mark: 2 stitches long, angled slightly downward.

Keep the whisker marks short and tidy. They should not look like long cat whiskers. In the image, they appear as small decorative white dashes on the orange face and cheek area.

Ears

Make 2 outer ears with rusty red-orange yarn. The ears are rounded triangles with a slight cup shape. Do not overstuff them.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: sc in each st around. 6 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 3 times. 9 sts.
4. R4: sc in each st around. 9 sts.
5. R5: sc 2, inc; repeat 3 times. 12 sts.
6. R6: sc 3, inc; repeat 3 times. 15 sts.
7. R7: sc 4, inc; repeat 3 times. 18 sts.
8. R8: sc 5, inc; repeat 3 times. 21 sts.
9. R9: sc 6, inc; repeat 3 times. 24 sts.
10. R10 to R11: sc in each st around. 24 sts.

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Flatten the opening. Crochet through both layers with 12 sc to close. FO with a long tail.

White Inner Ear Panels

Make 2 with white yarn.

1. R1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 10 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 5 times. 15 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat 5 times. 20 sts.

FO with a long tail. Shape each circle into a soft triangle while sewing it onto the front of each ear. Add a small curved orange embroidery stitch inside the lower inner ear if desired, matching the warm shadow seen in the image.

Sew the ears to the head between R7 and R14. Place them wide apart, about 15 stitches between the inner edges. Angle them slightly outward so the head keeps a rounded, friendly shape.

Body

Use rusty red-orange yarn. The body is short and rounded, hidden partly under the dress. Stuff firmly at the bottom and medium-firm at the top.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 6 times. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat 6 times. 24 sts.
5. R5: sc 3, inc; repeat 6 times. 30 sts.
6. R6: sc 4, inc; repeat 6 times. 36 sts.
7. R7: sc 5, inc; repeat 6 times. 42 sts.
8. R8 to R13: sc in each st around. 42 sts.
9. R14: sc 5, dec; repeat 6 times. 36 sts.
10. R15 to R17: sc in each st around. 36 sts.
11. R18: sc 4, dec; repeat 6 times. 30 sts.
12. R19 to R20: sc in each st around. 30 sts.
13. R21: sc 3, dec; repeat 6 times. 24 sts.
14. R22: sc in each st around. 24 sts.

FO with a long tail. Sew the body to the head after the dress collar is added. The neck opening should sit centered under the head, with the body leaning only slightly forward.

Legs

Make 2 with rusty red-orange yarn, beginning at the foot. The feet are slightly oval and visible below the dress.

1. R1: ch 6. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 4, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side, sc 3, inc. 12 sts.
2. R2: inc, sc 3, inc 3 times, sc 3, inc 2 times. 18 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, sc 4, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 4, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc. 24 sts.
4. R4: BLO sc in each st around. 24 sts.
5. R5: sc in each st around. 24 sts.
6. R6: sc 6, dec 6 times, sc 6. 18 sts.
7. R7: sc 5, dec 4 times, sc 5. 14 sts.
8. R8 to R15: sc in each st around. 14 sts.

Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly. Flatten the top opening and close with 7 sc through both layers. FO with a long tail. Sew the legs under the body between R3 and R7 of the body, spacing them about 5 stitches apart.

Brown Foot Pads

Make 2 with dark brown yarn. These will show inside the green sandals.

1. R1: ch 5. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 3, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side, sc 2, inc. 10 sts.
2. R2: inc, sc 2, inc 3 times, sc 2, inc 2 times. 16 sts.
3. R3: sc in each st around. 16 sts.

FO with a long tail. Sew one brown oval to the front-bottom area of each foot. Position it so the green sandal frame can sit around it, leaving the brown center visible.

Arms

Make 2. Start with dark brown for the paw, then change to rusty red-orange for the arm. The arms hang slightly outward beside the dress.

1. R1: With dark brown, 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 6 times. 18 sts.
4. R4 to R6: sc in each st around. 18 sts.
5. R7: sc 1, dec; repeat 6 times. 12 sts.
6. R8: Change to rusty red-orange. sc in each st around. 12 sts.
7. R9 to R20: sc in each st around. 12 sts.

Stuff the paw firmly and the arm lightly. Flatten the top and close with 6 sc through both layers. FO with a long tail. Sew the arms to the body at R19 to R21, just below the neck, angled downward so the brown paws rest near the skirt sides.

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Tail

The tail is mostly hidden behind the dress, but a small plush red panda tail helps balance the doll. Use rusty red-orange yarn.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 6 times. 18 sts.
4. R4 to R12: sc in each st around. 18 sts.
5. R13: sc 1, dec; repeat 6 times. 12 sts.
6. R14: sc in each st around. 12 sts.

Stuff lightly. Flatten the opening and close with 6 sc through both layers. Sew the tail to the back of the body between R7 and R12 before adding the skirt, or sew it just under the back hem if you want it to peek out.

Striped Floral Dress

The dress is made directly around the body for a neat fit. Use green and white yarn. The bodice is snug, and the skirt flares slightly. The image shows bold green-and-white stripes with floral details across the chest and near the lower skirt.

Dress Bodice

With the body upside down, join green yarn around body R18, working into the surface stitches. Keep the first stitch centered at the back.

1. R1: With green, surface sc around the body, making 36 sc evenly. Sl st to first sc. 36 sts.
2. R2: ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st. 36 sts.
3. R3: Change to white. ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st. 36 sts.
4. R4: Change to green. ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st. 36 sts.
5. R5: Change to white. ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st. 36 sts.
6. R6: Change to green. ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st. 36 sts.
7. R7: Change to white. ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st. 36 sts.

Do not fasten off after R7 if you are continuing directly into the skirt. The bodice should reach from the upper chest down toward the waist, fitting snugly but not pulling the body inward.

Skirt

Continue with green yarn. The skirt should flare out, giving the dress the sweet garden shape shown in the image.

1. R1: With green, ch 1, working FLO only, sc 2, inc; repeat 12 times. Sl st. 48 sts.
2. R2: sc in each st around. Sl st. 48 sts.
3. R3: Change to white. sc in each st around. Sl st. 48 sts.
4. R4: Change to green. sc 5, inc; repeat 8 times. Sl st. 56 sts.
5. R5: sc in each st around. Sl st. 56 sts.
6. R6: Change to white. sc in each st around. Sl st. 56 sts.
7. R7: Change to green. sc 6, inc; repeat 8 times. Sl st. 64 sts.
8. R8: sc in each st around. Sl st. 64 sts.
9. R9: Change to white. sc in each st around. Sl st. 64 sts.
10. R10: Change to green. sc in each st around. Sl st. 64 sts.

FO green yarn after R10. The lower edge should sit just above the knees, allowing the red-orange legs and green sandals to show clearly.

White Scalloped Hem

Join white yarn at the back of the skirt hem.

1. R1: ch 1, sc in first st, skip 1 st, 5 dc in next st, skip 1 st; repeat around. Adjust the final repeat if needed so the scallops are evenly spaced. Sl st to first sc.

FO and weave in ends. The scalloped edge should look like the soft white lace trim at the bottom of the dress.

Green Collar

Join green yarn around the top edge of the bodice near the neck. Work evenly around the upper body.

1. R1: ch 1, sc 30 evenly around the neckline. Sl st to first sc.
2. R2: ch 1, sc 2, picot by chaining 3 and sl st into first chain, sc 3; repeat around. Sl st to close.

FO and weave in ends. Keep this collar flat against the base of the head. It should look like a small green neckline framing the red panda’s face.

Shoulder Straps

Make 2 with green yarn. These straps run from the front bodice over the shoulders to the back, and white daisies sit near the top front.

1. Ch 18.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 17.
3. FO with a long tail.

Sew one strap from the front left bodice to the back left bodice. Sew the second strap from the front right bodice to the back right bodice. Place the front ends about 7 stitches apart and the back ends about 8 stitches apart.

Dress Chest Flower Band

The image shows small pink and peach flowers across the upper front of the dress. Use pink, peach, yellow, and green yarn or embroidery floss.

• Place the flower band across the white stripe at the front chest, about R4 to R6 of the bodice.
• Make one peach flower at the center with 5 lazy-daisy stitches and a yellow French knot center.
• Make one pink flower to the left and one pink flower to the right, each about 4 stitches wide.
• Add tiny green leaf stitches between the flowers.

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Keep the embroidery flat and small. Each flower should be visible but not bulky. The floral band should sit just below the green straps.

Lower Skirt Flower Border

The lower skirt has a row of pink and peach flowers near the hem, above the white scallops. Embroider the flowers across the front half of the skirt only, from one side seam to the other.

• Make 7 flowers total: 3 pink, 3 peach, and 1 small white daisy.
• Each flower uses 5 lazy-daisy petals.
• Use yellow for each flower center.
• Add two small green leaf stitches beside each flower.
• Keep the flowers aligned along the green stripe just above the scalloped hem.

This border is one of the most important dress details. Do not place flowers all the way around unless you want extra decoration. In the image, the most visible decoration is concentrated across the front.

White Daisies on Shoulder Straps

Make 2 daisies with white and yellow yarn. Use a 2.25 mm hook if possible.

1. With yellow, make 5 sc in MR. Sl st to first sc and FO.
2. Join white in any stitch.
3. Ch 3, sl st in same stitch; repeat in each of the 5 yellow stitches to make 5 petals.
4. FO with a sewing tail.

Sew one daisy on each front shoulder strap. Place them high on the chest, just below the neck, matching the daisy placement in the image.

Green Crossbody Bag

The bag is a small rectangular pouch worn across the red panda’s body. Use green yarn. Work in rows.

1. R1: ch 11. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 10. 10 sts.
2. R2 to R10: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. 10 sts.
3. R11: ch 1, turn, sc 10. Do not FO.

Now work a border around the rectangle: sc 10 across the top, sc 10 down the side, sc 10 across the bottom, sc 10 up the other side. Sl st to close. FO and weave in ends.

Bag Flap

1. With green, ch 11.
2. R1: Starting in second ch from hook, sc 10.
3. R2 to R4: ch 1, turn, sc 10.
4. R5: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 6, dec. 8 sts.
5. R6: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 4, dec. 6 sts.

FO with a long tail. Sew the flap to the top back edge of the bag and fold it over the front. Sew a small tan button in the lower right area of the flap, just like the visible button on the image.

Bag Strap

With green yarn, ch 55. Starting in second ch from hook, sl st in each chain across. FO with long tails. Sew one strap end to the upper left corner of the bag and the other end to the upper right corner.

Place the strap diagonally across the doll from the left shoulder down to the right hip. Sew the bag to the doll’s right side so it rests on the skirt. Use small hidden stitches so the bag stays flat.

Green Sandals

Make 2 sandal soles with green yarn. These frame the brown foot pads and match the image.

1. R1: ch 8. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 6, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side, sc 5, inc. 16 sts.
2. R2: inc, sc 5, inc 3 times, sc 5, inc 2 times. 22 sts.
3. R3: sc in each st around. 22 sts.

FO with a long tail. Place each green sole under the foot and sew around the outer edge, leaving the brown pad visible at the front center.

Sandal Top Strap

Make 2 with green yarn.

1. Ch 12.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 11.
3. FO with a long tail.

Sew one strap across each foot, from left side to right side, just above the brown pad. Add a tiny white daisy with yellow center to the outer side of each sandal strap.

Flower Hair Accessory

The red panda wears a small floral decoration near the top left side of the head. It includes a white flower, pink flower, yellow center, and green leaves.

White Head Flower

1. With yellow, 5 sc in MR. Sl st and FO.
2. Join white. Ch 3, sl st in same st; repeat 5 times for 5 petals.
3. FO with a long tail.

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Pink Head Flower

1. With yellow, 5 sc in MR. Sl st and FO.
2. Join pink. Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, ch 2, sl st in same st; repeat 5 times.
3. FO with a long tail.

Green Leaves

1. Ch 5.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sl st, sc, hdc, 3 hdc in last ch.
3. Work on opposite side, hdc, sc, sl st.
4. FO with a long tail.

Make 2 leaves. Sew the leaves first at the upper left side of the head between R8 and R11. Sew the white flower slightly above and the pink flower slightly below, forming a clustered garden accent.

Straw Garden Hat

The hat sits beside the doll in the image. Use light tan yarn. Work tightly so the brim holds its shape.

Hat Crown

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 6 times. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat 6 times. 24 sts.
5. R5: sc 3, inc; repeat 6 times. 30 sts.
6. R6: BLO sc in each st around. 30 sts.
7. R7 to R11: sc in each st around. 30 sts.
8. R12: sc 3, dec; repeat 6 times. 24 sts.

Stuff the crown lightly only if needed for shape, then press the top gently flat. Do not close the bottom because it should look like a small hat.

Hat Brim

Join tan yarn into the front loops left from R6.

1. R1: FLO sc 2, inc; repeat around. 40 sts.
2. R2: sc 3, inc; repeat around. 50 sts.
3. R3: sc 4, inc; repeat around. 60 sts.
4. R4: sc in each st around. 60 sts.
5. R5: sl st loosely in each st around for a neat edge. 60 sts.

FO and weave in ends. Flatten the brim with your fingers. The hat should look like a soft straw sunhat lying beside the red panda.

Floral Hat Band

With a small strip of floral fabric or crochet band, wrap around the lower crown. For a crochet band, use white yarn and ch 36, then sc 35 across. Sew around the hat crown.

Embroider tiny pink, red, and green flower dots along the band. Use very small stitches so the band looks like the floral ribbon in the image.

Gray Watering Can

Use gray yarn. The watering can is small, rounded, and sits beside the doll. Work the can body first.

Can Body

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 6 times. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat 6 times. 24 sts.
5. R5: BLO sc in each st around. 24 sts.
6. R6 to R11: sc in each st around. 24 sts.
7. R12: sc 2, dec; repeat 6 times. 18 sts.
8. R13: sc 1, dec; repeat 6 times. 12 sts.

Stuff lightly. FO with a long tail and close the top by weaving through the front loops. Leave the top slightly rounded.

Can Opening

With gray yarn, ch 14. Sl st to form a ring. Ch 1, sc 14 around the ring. Sl st and FO. Sew this ring to the top of the can, leaving the center open-looking. Embroider a dark gray oval inside the ring if desired.

Watering Can Handle

1. With gray yarn, ch 18.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 17.
3. FO with long tails.

Sew one end of the handle to the upper right side of the can and the other end to the lower right side, creating a curved handle.

Spout

1. R1: With gray, 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. R2 to R6: sc in each st around. 5 sts.
3. R7: sc 1, inc, sc 3. 6 sts.
4. R8: sc in each st around. 6 sts.

Do not stuff. FO with a long tail. Sew the spout to the upper left side of the can, angling it upward. Add a light blue yarn wrap or tiny blue stitches near the spout tip to mimic the pale blue accent seen on the image.

Strawberry Basket

The small basket is tan with red strawberries and green tops. It sits near the watering can.

Basket Base

Use light tan yarn.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 6 times. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat 6 times. 24 sts.
5. R5: BLO sc in each st around. 24 sts.
6. R6 to R9: sc in each st around. 24 sts.
7. R10: sl st loosely in each st around. 24 sts.

FO and weave in ends. The basket should be shallow and round, like a small woven bowl.

Basket Rim Texture

Join tan yarn at the front loop left from R5. Sl st around the base once. Then embroider a few horizontal tan lines around the basket sides to create a woven effect.

Strawberries

Make 5 strawberries with red yarn.

1. R1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 10 sts.
3. R3 to R4: sc in each st around. 10 sts.
4. R5: sc 1, dec; repeat 3 times, sc 1. 7 sts.

Stuff very lightly. FO and close the top. Use green yarn to embroider 4 small leaf stitches on the top of each strawberry. Use white or yellow thread to add 3 tiny seed stitches on the visible front of each berry.

Sew or place the strawberries inside the basket. Attach them with a few stitches so they do not fall out.

Optional Body Weighting

The red panda stands upright in the image. To help your doll stand, place a small flat pouch of plastic pellets inside the lower body before stuffing fully. Keep the weight centered and safely sealed inside fabric or nylon.

Do not use loose pellets if the toy is intended for a young child. For a child-safe version, simply stuff the lower body more firmly and adjust the legs so both feet sit flat on the surface.

Assembly Order

1. Sew the muzzle to the head and embroider the nose and mouth.
2. Add the safety eyes if you have not already secured them.
3. Sew the white cheek patches to both sides of the face.
4. Embroider brow marks and small white whisker dashes.
5. Sew the white inner ear panels onto the ears.
6. Sew both ears to the head, angled slightly outward.
7. Sew the legs under the body.
8. Sew the arms to the upper sides of the body.
9. Sew the body firmly to the head.
10. Add the dress bodice, skirt, collar, shoulder straps, and flower decorations.
11. Sew sandals around the feet and attach sandal daisies.
12. Attach the crossbody strap and bag.
13. Sew the flower accessory to the upper left side of the head.
14. Make the hat, watering can, basket, and strawberries separately.

Facial Placement Details

The face should be soft, centered, and friendly. Place the eyes evenly and avoid pulling the cheek patches too tightly. The muzzle should be oval, raised, and centered low on the face. The nose should sit near the upper third of the muzzle, not in the middle.

When sewing cheek patches, curve them so they frame the muzzle rather than forming flat circles. The inner edges should almost touch the muzzle sides, while the outer edges should reach toward the sides of the face.

The small white brow marks are essential. They should not be long eyebrows. They are tiny triangular slashes, placed above the eyes and angled inward. These little details make the doll look like the red panda in the picture.

Dress Fit and Shaping Tips

The dress should fit close at the chest and flare gently at the skirt. If your bodice is too tight, add 2 to 4 extra stitches when surface crocheting around the body. If it is loose, sew it down with hidden stitches after finishing.

The green and white stripes should look clean and even. Always change color on the final yarn-over of the last stitch in the previous round. Carry unused yarn only when it will not show, or cut and weave ends for a neater finish.

The white scalloped hem should sit evenly around the skirt. If your stitch count does not divide perfectly, skip one extra stitch near the back. Small adjustments at the back will not be visible from the front.

Flower Embroidery Guide

For each small flower, make five short petal stitches around a yellow center. Use pink and peach flowers on the dress, white daisies on the straps and sandals, and a mix of white and pink flowers on the head accessory.

• Small flower size: about 4 stitches wide.
• Daisy petal length: about 2 stitches long.
• Leaf size: 1 to 2 stitches long.
• Best needle: a sharp yarn needle or embroidery needle suitable for cotton yarn.

Do not overcrowd the dress with flowers. The image has floral accents, but the green-and-white stripes remain visible. Leave small spaces between the flowers so the outfit looks balanced.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the red panda from the front before fastening the final knots. The ears should be even, the muzzle should be centered, and the eyes should sit at the same height. Adjust with gentle shaping stitches if needed.

Use a long strand of rusty red-orange yarn to make small hidden shaping stitches under the head if the neck feels loose. Pull gently until the head sits firmly on the body. Do not pull so tightly that the dress collar disappears.

Secure the crossbody bag strap at the shoulder and hip with hidden stitches. This keeps the strap from sliding over the face or twisting. Sew the bag to the skirt lightly so it rests at the right front side.

Place the garden accessories around the doll for display. The straw hat should sit to one side, the watering can to the other, and the strawberry basket in front. These pieces complete the garden theme shown in the image.

Care Notes

• Spot clean the red panda with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not soak if using safety eyes, buttons, or detailed embroidery.
• Gently reshape the ears, dress hem, bag, and hat while damp.
• Let every piece air dry completely before storing.
• Keep the doll away from high heat because cotton can shrink and stuffing can clump.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is round, firm, and evenly stuffed.
• The white muzzle is centered below the eyes.
• The cheek patches curve neatly around the muzzle.
• The ears are wide, rounded, and angled outward.
• The dress has green-and-white stripes with a scalloped white hem.
• The shoulder straps have white daisies.
• The green bag has a diagonal strap and small tan button.
• The sandals show brown centers with green edges.
• The hat, watering can, strawberry basket, and flowers are complete.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For regular cleaning, use a soft dry brush to remove dust from the stitches, flowers, hat brim, and bag. Brush gently in the direction of the crochet rows so the embroidered details do not loosen.

If the doll needs deeper cleaning, dampen a white cloth with cool water and a small amount of mild soap. Dab the stained area instead of rubbing. Rubbing may fuzz the cotton and distort the small white facial markings.

After spot cleaning, press the area with a dry towel and reshape the doll with your hands. Let it dry flat in a shaded place. Avoid direct sunlight for long periods because the rusty red-orange and green yarn may fade.

Store the red panda upright or lying flat in a breathable cotton bag. Keep the small accessories together in a labeled pouch so the hat, watering can, and strawberry basket do not get misplaced.