Knitting Tutorial: Cute Panda in Floral Cardigan – Free Knitting Pattern

This knitted panda is designed to match the sweet garden look in the image, with a round white face, black ears and limbs, a soft blue floral cardigan, striped hat, tiny crossbody bag, and bright red shoes. It makes a charming handmade panda doll for nursery decor, gift giving, toy collectors, and anyone searching for a knitted stuffed animal, heirloom plush, or boutique-style handmade gift. The shaping is small and detailed, but every step is broken down clearly so confident beginners and intermediate knitters can follow it with care and create a polished finished toy.

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

Materials

• Main panda yarn: DK weight yarn in white, black, pale blush pink, sky blue, cream, bright red, yellow, green, and tiny scraps of rose pink.
• Suggested fiber: Smooth cotton blend or soft wool blend that holds neat stockinette stitches and embroidery well.
• Needles: 2.75 mm straight or double-pointed needles for the toy, plus 2.5 mm needles for accessories if you want firmer fabric.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, locking markers, toy stuffing, sewing needle, black embroidery floss, cream sewing thread, and two tiny heart buttons for the shoes.
• Optional: A little felt or plastic insert for the soles if you want the shoes to sit flatter.
• Safety: If making for a child under three, replace all detachable decorations with fully embroidered details.

Finished Size

The finished panda is approximately 10 to 11 inches tall from the top of the floral headband to the bottoms of the shoes when laid flat. The body itself, without hat and shoes, measures about 8 1/2 inches.

The proportions are important for matching the image. The head is oversized and rounded, about the same width as the widest point of the cardigan body. The legs are long and slim. The arms are medium length and slightly bent inward. The ears are small and rounded, not large.

Gauge

Gauge matters because the toy in the image has a smooth, tightly worked finish with very little stuffing showing between stitches.

• Stockinette gauge: 28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches on 2.75 mm needles in DK yarn.
• Toy fabric goal: Dense enough that stuffing does not peek through.
• If your fabric is loose: Go down a needle size.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St st = stockinette stitch
• G st = garter stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• M1 = make 1 increase
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• rep = repeat

Construction Overview

This panda is worked in separate pieces and then assembled. The legs, body, head, ears, arms, cardigan, hat, shoes, crossbody bag, and flower crown are all made individually so the final shape stays close to the image.

• The legs are narrow black tubes with gentle shaping at the feet.
• The body is a small stuffed torso hidden mostly under the cardigan.
• The head is large and round with embroidered facial features and knitted eye patches.
• The cardigan is worked flat in pieces and decorated after knitting.
• The hat, bag, shoes, and headband flowers create the exact styling seen in the photo.

Color Placement Notes for Accuracy

• Head: White head with black ears and black eye patches.
• Body and legs: Black legs and lower body, mostly covered by the cardigan.
• Arms: Sky blue cardigan sleeves with black mitten-like paws showing at the cuffs.
• Cardigan: Pale sky blue with pale pink trim at the neck and hem.
• Front decorations: Small pink roses, one white cloud, one yellow sun with a white cloud, and subtle leaf texture near the lower edge.
• Hat: Pale blue and white horizontal stripes with a pale blue pom-pom.
• Bag: Cream or oatmeal crossbody bag with white daisies and yellow centers.
• Shoes: Bright red uppers with cream soles and tiny heart buttons.
• Headband: Cream band with one small pink flower and three yellow flowers, plus tiny green leaves.

Legs Make 2

Each leg is long, slim, and lightly stuffed. The top of each leg is sewn into the lower body so the panda can sit in a relaxed position, just like the image.

Leg Base

1. Using black, CO 12 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in G st.
3. Next row RS: K1, kfb, K8, kfb, K1. 14 sts.
4. Purl 1 row.
5. Next row: K all sts.
6. Next row: P all sts.
7. Repeat last 2 rows 3 more times.

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Leg Tube

1. Next row RS: K1, ssk, K8, k2tog, K1. 12 sts.
2. Work 18 rows in St st, beginning with a P row.
3. Shape upper thigh row RS: K1, kfb, K10, kfb, K1. 14 sts.
4. Purl 1 row.
5. Work 8 more rows in St st.
6. BO knitwise, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Fold each leg lengthwise with RS facing in. Mattress stitch the side seam, turn right side out, and stuff firmly at the foot, lightly through the shin and thigh. Keep the upper 3/4 inch only lightly stuffed so the leg bends naturally when attached.

Body

The body is quite small compared with the head. It should look compact and slightly pear-shaped, because the cardigan creates most of the visible torso width in the final toy.

1. Using black, CO 20 sts.
2. Work 2 rows in G st.
3. Begin St st and shape lower body as follows.
4. Row 1 RS: K2, kfb, K14, kfb, K2. 22 sts.
5. Row 2: P all sts.
6. Row 3: K all sts.
7. Row 4: P all sts.
8. Row 5 RS: K2, kfb, K16, kfb, K2. 24 sts.
9. Row 6: P all sts.
10. Rows 7-16: Work 10 rows in St st.
11. Row 17 RS: K2, ssk, K16, k2tog, K2. 22 sts.
12. Row 18: P all sts.
13. Row 19 RS: K2, ssk, K14, k2tog, K2. 20 sts.
14. Rows 20-27: Work 8 rows even in St st.
15. BO, leaving a long tail.

Sew side seam and base seam. Stuff firmly but do not overfill. The body should remain slightly flattened front to back so the cardigan sits nicely. Sew the two legs to the lower front edge, angling them slightly outward. The toes should point forward.

Head

The head is the defining feature of this panda. It is a large round white shape with a very smooth face, small ears, oversized black eye patches, and a tiny stitched nose and mouth. Keep stuffing even and full.

Front of Head

1. Using white, CO 18 sts.
2. Purl 1 row.
3. Row 1 RS: K1, kfb, K16, kfb, K1. 20 sts.
4. Row 2: P all sts.
5. Row 3: K1, kfb, K18, kfb, K1. 22 sts.
6. Row 4: P all sts.
7. Row 5: K1, kfb, K20, kfb, K1. 24 sts.
8. Row 6: P all sts.
9. Row 7: K1, kfb, K22, kfb, K1. 26 sts.
10. Row 8: P all sts.
11. Row 9: K1, kfb, K24, kfb, K1. 28 sts.
12. Row 10: P all sts.
13. Row 11: K1, kfb, K26, kfb, K1. 30 sts.
14. Row 12: P all sts.
15. Rows 13-27: Work 15 rows even in St st.
16. Row 28 RS: K1, ssk, K24, k2tog, K1. 28 sts.
17. Row 29: P all sts.
18. Row 30 RS: K1, ssk, K22, k2tog, K1. 26 sts.
19. Row 31: P all sts.
20. Row 32 RS: K1, ssk, K20, k2tog, K1. 24 sts.
21. Row 33: P all sts.
22. Row 34 RS: K1, ssk, K18, k2tog, K1. 22 sts.
23. Row 35: P all sts.
24. BO.

Back of Head

Work exactly as for Front of Head.

Head Assembly

• Join front and back pieces with mattress stitch around the sides and top.
• Leave lower edge open.
• Stuff very firmly, smoothing the cheeks and forehead as you fill.
• Close the lower edge after attaching the head to the body.

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Eye Patches Make 2

The black eye patches in the photo are large, soft oval teardrop shapes placed diagonally, wider at the upper outer edge and tapering slightly inward. Keep them plush but flat.

1. Using black, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: P all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: K1, kfb, K2, kfb, K1. 8 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb, K4, kfb, K1. 10 sts.
6. Row 5: P all sts.
7. Rows 6-8: Work 3 rows even in St st.
8. Row 9 RS: K1, ssk, K4, k2tog, K1. 8 sts.
9. Row 10: P all sts.
10. Row 11 RS: K1, ssk, K2, k2tog, K1. 6 sts.
11. BO.

Steam lightly if needed. Sew one patch on each side of the face, centered about 7 rows down from the top of the head. Angle each patch slightly so the upper outer corners sit higher than the inner corners.

Ears Make 2

1. Using black, CO 8 sts.
2. Work 1 row P.
3. Row 1 RS: K1, kfb, K4, kfb, K1. 10 sts.
4. Row 2: P all sts.
5. Rows 3-6: Work 4 rows even in St st.
6. Row 7 RS: K1, ssk, K4, k2tog, K1. 8 sts.
7. Row 8: P all sts.
8. BO.

Fold each ear slightly at the straight edge and sew to the top sides of the head. They should be small, neat, and rounded, not sticking straight upward. Angle them slightly outward as in the image.

Arms Make 2

The visible arm shape is mostly the cardigan sleeve, with a small black paw at the end. To match the photo closely, work the sleeve directly with the paw color change.

1. Using black, CO 8 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in St st, beginning with a P row.
3. Change to sky blue.
4. Next row RS: K1, kfb, K6, kfb, K1. 10 sts.
5. Next row: P all sts.
6. Work 12 rows in St st.
7. Decrease row RS: K1, ssk, K4, k2tog, K1. 8 sts.
8. Purl 1 row.
9. Work 4 rows in 1×1 rib.
10. BO loosely in rib.

Sew side seams, stuff lightly, and keep the wrists slightly flattened. The blue sleeve should be fuller than the black paw. Sew arms to the upper sides of the body, just below the head seam, so they angle down and slightly forward.

Cardigan Back

The cardigan is short, boxy, and slightly oversized. It ends at the high thigh and opens at the front. The neckline is broad, and a pink ruffled trim is added later.

1. Using sky blue, CO 30 sts.
2. Work 6 rows in 1×1 rib.
3. Begin St st.
4. Rows 1-20: Work 20 rows even.
5. Armhole row RS: BO 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 24 sts.
6. Rows 23-30: Work 8 rows even.
7. Shoulder shaping row RS: K7, BO 10, K7.
8. Work each shoulder separately for 2 more rows.
9. BO shoulders.

Cardigan Left Front

1. Using sky blue, CO 16 sts.
2. Work 6 rows in 1×1 rib.
3. Begin St st, keeping outer front edge in 3 sts G st for a stable band.
4. Rows 1-20: Work even.
5. Armhole shaping: On armhole edge BO 3 sts once. 13 sts.
6. Work 5 rows even.
7. Neck shaping row RS: K3, K2tog, K to end.
8. Purl back.
9. Repeat neck shaping every RS row 3 more times. 9 sts.
10. Work until front matches back shoulder height.
11. BO shoulder.

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Cardigan Right Front

Work as for Left Front, reversing shaping.

Cardigan Sleeves Make 2

1. Using sky blue, CO 14 sts.
2. Work 6 rows in 1×1 rib.
3. Begin St st.
4. Increase row RS: K1, kfb, K12, kfb, K1. 16 sts.
5. Purl 1 row.
6. Work 8 rows even.
7. Increase row RS: K1, kfb, K14, kfb, K1. 18 sts.
8. Purl 1 row.
9. Work 8 rows even.
10. BO.

Sew cardigan shoulders first. Set sleeves into armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams. Try the cardigan on the panda before final trimming so you can confirm the hem falls just above the shoe tops when the body is seated.

Cardigan Trim and Surface Details

This is the section that makes the garment match the image. Take your time here. The sweater is pale blue, but the decorations give it the exact springtime boutique look shown in the photograph.

Pink Neck Ruffle

1. Using pale pink, pick up 32 sts evenly around the full neckline.
2. Row 1 WS: P all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: K all sts.
4. Row 3 WS: P all sts.
5. BO loosely knitwise.

Roll the trim slightly outward with your fingers so it resembles the gentle soft ruffle around the neck in the image.

Pink Lower Edge Accent

• Using pale pink, work a simple backstitch or whipstitched outline along the very lower cardigan edge.
• Do not make this deep. It should look like a fine contrast edging, not a thick border.

Leaf Texture Near Hem

The lower front of the cardigan has subtle vertical textured motifs. You can mimic them with duplicate stitch branches or with simple embroidered V-shaped leaves.

• On each front panel, add 2 narrow leaf sprigs in pale blue or slightly darker blue thread.
• Each sprig should be about 1 inch tall and sit below the roses.

Cloud and Sun Motifs

• Left front: Embroider one small white cloud using padded satin stitch near the upper left side.
• Right front: Embroider a yellow half-sun with short straight stitched rays, then place a small white cloud slightly below it.
• The sun should be cheerful but tiny. Keep it no wider than 3/4 inch.

Rosebuds

The cardigan has several tiny pink rosettes scattered across the front. They are raised and delicate rather than flat circles.

• Make 6 small roses using rose pink yarn or embroidery floss.
• Wrap the yarn around a needle tip 4 to 5 times, stitch down, and secure as a bullion-style rosette.
• Add two small green leaf stitches under each rose.
• Place 3 roses on one front and 3 on the other, keeping them asymmetrical but balanced.

Striped Hat

The hat is a separate soft beanie in pale blue and white stripes with a rounded crown and a blue pom-pom. It sits beside the panda in the image, so it is included as an accessory rather than attached to the head.

1. Using sky blue, CO 44 sts.
2. Work 6 rows in 1×1 rib.
3. Begin stripes in St st: 2 rows blue, 2 rows white. Repeat stripe sequence 7 times total. Work 28 rows of striped St st.
4. Crown decrease row RS: K2, k2tog across. 33 sts.
5. Purl 1 row.
6. Next row: K1, k2tog across. 22 sts.
7. Purl 1 row.
8. Next row: K2tog across. 11 sts.
9. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and pull tight.
10. Sew side seam.

• Make a small pale blue pom-pom about 1 inch wide.
• Attach securely to the crown.
• The hat should look soft and slightly slouchy, not tall or pointed.

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Crossbody Bag

The cream bag is narrow and softly rounded with a long strap. It hangs from the panda’s left shoulder across the body and rests near the right hip.

Bag Body

1. Using cream, CO 14 sts.
2. Work 20 rows in St st.
3. Next row RS: K1, ssk, K8, k2tog, K1. 12 sts.
4. Purl 1 row.
5. Next row RS: K1, ssk, K6, k2tog, K1. 10 sts.
6. Purl 1 row.
7. Work 2 rows even.
8. BO.

Make 2 identical pieces. Sew sides and bottom. Lightly stuff or leave flat. A tiny bit of stuffing helps the bag look plush like the photo.

Bag Strap

1. Using cream, CO 3 sts.
2. Knit every row for 32 rows.
3. BO.

Sew the strap to upper corners of the bag. Position it diagonally across the panda after the cardigan is on.

Daisy Decoration

• Embroider 2 white daisies on the front of the bag using detached straight stitches for petals.
• Add yellow French-knot or satin-stitch centers.
• Place one daisy larger and one smaller, just like the image.

Red Shoes Make 2

The shoes are bright red Mary Jane style slippers with cream soles and tiny heart buttons near the outer side. They are one of the cutest details in the image, so keep them rounded and compact.

Sole Make 2

1. Using cream, CO 10 sts.
2. Work 2 rows G st.
3. Row 3: K1, kfb, K6, kfb, K1. 12 sts.
4. Work 4 rows G st.
5. Row 8: K1, ssk, K6, k2tog, K1. 10 sts.
6. Work 1 row.
7. BO.

Upper Make 2

1. Using red, CO 10 sts.
2. Work 6 rows in St st.
3. Row 7 RS: K1, ssk, K4, k2tog, K1. 8 sts.
4. Purl 1 row.
5. Row 9 RS: K all sts.
6. BO.

Sew the red upper to the cream sole, leaving the top center open for the foot opening. Add a narrow red knitted strap or a red embroidered band across the instep.

• Instep strap: CO 2 sts in red, knit 8 rows, BO. Sew across the shoe opening.
• Button: Sew one tiny heart button near the outer side of each shoe.

Slip the shoes onto the panda’s feet and tack them in place with a few hidden stitches so they stay aligned.

Flower Crown and Headband

The floral trim around the panda’s head is delicate and important. It sits across the top front of the head between the ears and has mostly yellow flowers with one tiny pink flower and green leaves.

Headband Base

1. Using cream, CO 2 sts.
2. Knit every row for 30 rows.
3. BO.

Test around the top of the head from ear to ear. Adjust length if needed before sewing the ends down.

Small Flowers

• Yellow flower make 3: CO 5 sts in yellow, BO all. Roll into a tiny spiral rose and sew secure.
• Pink flower make 1: Work the same method in pale pink, slightly smaller.
• Leaves: Embroider tiny green leaf stitches beside the flowers.

Sew the flowers to the headband with the pink flower on one side and the three yellow flowers grouped across the front curve. Stitch the headband to the head so it sits low and gentle, not like a tall crown.

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Facial Features

The face should remain simple and sweet. The eyes are not separate plastic eyes. Instead, the expression comes from the black patches and a tiny stitched nose and mouth.

• Embroider a small black vertical nose centered low between the eye patches.
• From the base of the nose, stitch a short line downward.
• Add two tiny angled mouth stitches to form a subtle soft expression.
• If desired, add the faintest blush with pale pink thread or fabric-safe blush under the lower outer edges of the eye patches.

Main Assembly

1. Sew the stuffed legs to the lower body.
2. Sew the body seam closed and shape the belly lightly with your fingers.
3. Attach the head firmly to the top of the body, using ladder stitches all around the neck opening.
4. Add extra stuffing into the neck area before fully closing so the head stays upright.
5. Sew arms at the shoulder line, angled slightly downward.
6. Place the cardigan on the panda and close lightly with a few hidden tacking stitches if desired.
7. Attach the bag diagonally from left shoulder to right side.
8. Slide on the shoes and secure.
9. Sew the ears and then the flower headband.

Before you secure everything permanently, lay the panda flat and compare the silhouette to the reference image. The head should be prominent, the cardigan should be slightly roomy, and the legs should extend straight with a relaxed soft bend.

Placement Guide for an Accurate Match

• Head to body ratio: The head should be visually larger than the body.
• Ears: Small and set wide apart at the upper side edges.
• Eye patches: Large, slightly slanted, placed fairly high on the face.
• Nose and mouth: Tiny and centered low.
• Cardigan hem: Ends near the upper thighs.
• Bag position: Strap crosses from left shoulder to right hip area.
• Shoes: Rounded, bright, and slightly oversized compared with the slim legs.
• Hat accessory: Separate from the panda and placed beside it if styling for photos.

Helpful Tips for Newer Knitters

This project has many small parts, but none of them are difficult if you work slowly and keep your stitch counts exact. The clearest path is to finish the panda base first, then make the clothing and accessories one at a time.

• Count stitches after every shaping row.
• Use locking markers to label the tops of pieces and the front center of the face.
• Stuff in very small amounts so lumps do not form.
• Sew decorations after the cardigan is assembled, not before.
• Always pin pieces in place before permanent sewing.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Pin the ears, eye patches, arms, and headband before sewing. Check the face from straight on and from a slight angle. Keep the nose tiny and the mouth delicate. A face that is too large will change the entire expression and no longer match the image.

When the cardigan is on, make sure the pink neck ruffle sits softly around the base of the head. Adjust the bag strap so it lies naturally across the chest without pulling the cardigan out of shape.

Care Notes

• Spot clean whenever possible.
• Do not machine wash if you used sculpted flowers, buttons, or surface embroidery.
• Store flat or seated so the neck and shoes keep their shape.
• Avoid prolonged direct sunlight to protect the blue cardigan and red shoes from fading.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is round, full, and larger than the body.
• Eye patches are even and slightly angled.
• Cardigan has roses, clouds, and a yellow sun detail.
• Pink neck ruffle is added.
• Cream daisy bag is attached crossbody.
• Red shoes have cream soles and heart buttons.
• Striped blue hat with pom-pom is complete.
• Floral headband has one pink flower, three yellow flowers, and small leaves.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Use a soft dry brush first to remove dust from the knit texture, flower details, and pom-pom. For a small mark, dab gently with a cloth that is only slightly damp and a tiny amount of mild soap. Do not rub hard.

If the toy becomes misshapen in storage, reshape by hand and allow it to rest flat. Place acid-free tissue inside the hat and bag when storing long term. Keep the panda in a breathable cotton bag rather than sealed plastic.