Looking for a last minute handmade holiday gift idea? This adorable panda pouch is another twist on the froggy zippered pouch pattern. You can whip one up in no time! Read on for the free pattern.
This pattern is an add-on to the froggy pouch pattern, which contains the instructions for the main round pouch and adding the zipper. To turn the pouch into a different critter, all you need are a couple of different facial features! You can also find the koala variant on this pouch here. For the panda pouch, along with some round ears and a small nose, we’ll make the distinctive black eye patches.
Supplies
- white worsted weight yarn, about 15-20 grams (~30-35 yards)
- black worsted weight yarn, about 5 grams (~10 yards)
- 3.75 mm hook (US F)
- 7 inch zipper
- thread or embroidery floss (color is not too important)
- 9mm safety eyes (optional, you can sew them instead if you want!)
- yarn needle for sewing in ends and attaching pieces
Using your white yarn, zipper, and thread, make the circular pouch according to the instructions here. Next, to turn it into an adorable panda pouch, make the embellishments as follows with the black yarn:
Ears (make 2)
R1: sc 5 in a magic ring (5)
R2: 2 sc in each st (10)
R3-4: sc in each st around (10)
Fasten off, leaving a tail to sew the ears onto the pouch.
Nose (make 1)
Ch. 3
Starting in 2nd ch from hook and working into the back bumps of each ch, hdc in 1st st, hdc in next st. Fasten off, leaving a tail to sew the nose onto the pouch.
Eye Patches (make 2)
Ch. 4
Starting in 2nd ch from hook and working into the back bumps of each ch, sc in 1st st, hdc in next st, (dc 2, hdc 1) in last st.
Fasten off, leaving a tail to sew the eye patch onto the pouch. The side with the tail goes towards the outside of the face, angled so the inner corner is a little higher than the outer corner.
I find it easiest to place the safety eye through the patch and fasten to the head before sewing down the edges of the eye patches. That way I can make sure the placement looks just right!
Attach the eye patches, safety eyes, nose, and ears, then weave in your ends and that’s all there is to it! You’ve created your very own zippered panda pouch. Now what animal option should I design next?
