(Originally posted on May 5, 2010.)
The original (free) pattern was published by Lion Brand and can be found here:
Felted Penny the Panda. I claim absolutely no credit for coming up with the design - all I did was modify it.
I didn't particularly care for the way that the body was closed off, so my version has a flat, circular bottom and somewhat more proportionate limbs (the key word being 'somewhat'). It also doesn't involve felting, in part because I use cotton for my crocheted toys and not wool.
NOTE: This version can't stand on its own or sit down (although I'm not sure the original could, either...)
If you don't want to use the
magic ring technique, you can use the ch 2, work __ sc into first ch technique that the designer used.
MATERIALS
- 2 colors of worsted weight yarn (A=white and B=black in the original pattern)
- Size F (3.75 mm) crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- 9 mm safety eyes (2) or embroidery thread (same color as B) and embroidery needle
- Stuffing
BODY
Rnd 1: Using A, make a magic loop with 6 sc.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sts.
Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * around – 18 sts.
Rnd 4: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts, rep from * around – 24 sts.
Rnd 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * around – 30 sts.
Rnd 6: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 4 sts, rep from * around – 36 sts.
Rnd 7: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 5 sts, rep from * around – 42 sts.
Rnds 8-21: Sc in each st around.
Rnds 22-25: With B, sc in each st around.
Fasten off. Using B, embroider a mouth and nose for the face.
BOTTOM (flat)
Rnd 1: Using B, make a magic loop with 6 sc.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sts.
Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * around – 18 sts.
Rnd 4: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts, rep from * around – 24 sts.
Rnd 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts, rep from * around – 32 sts.
Rnd 6: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * around – 40 sts.
Rnd 7: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * around – 50 sts.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to the body.
EYE PATCHES (make 2)
Rnd 1: Using B, make a magic loop with 6 sc.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around – 12 sts.
Rnd 3: Work 2 sc in each st around – 24 sts.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to the body.
EARS (make 2)
Rnd 1: Using B, make a magic loop with 6 sc.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around – 12 sts.
Rnd 3-5: Sc in each st around.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to the body.
ARMS (make 2)
Rnd 1: Using B, make a magic loop with 7 sc.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around – 14 sts.
Rnd 3-6: Sc in each st around.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to the body.
LEGS (make 2)
Rnd 1: Using B, make a magic loop with 8 sc.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around – 16 sts.
Rnd 3-6: Sc in each st around.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to the bottom.
FINISHING
Attach the eye patches by pushing the stem of a safety eye through a patch and positioning it on the face before pushing the stem through the body and pinning it in place with the back fastener. Sew the eye patches to the body.
Stuff the ears a little over halfway and pinch them flat at the bottom - pinning them if needed - before positioning and sewing them to the body.
Stuff the arms and sew them to the body.
Stuff the legs and sew them to the bottom.
Accessorize as desired (this is when I added the flower and bowtie to mine).
Stuff the body about halfway and sew the bottom to the body; stop sewing when you have approximately an inch left unattached and stuff the rest of the body before closing up the last inch.
Weave in ends.
