The Bamboo Grove Panda Emoji Square: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Modern Wall Art Piece

Bring Zen to Your Walls: The Bamboo Grove Panda Emoji Square

Are you looking for a modern, playful, and surprisingly meditative crochet project? The Bamboo Grove Panda Emoji Square is the perfect blend of amigurumi charm and geometric home decor. This free pattern guides you through creating a textured wall hanging featuring a beloved panda emoji face, framed by a unique, ridged bamboo-inspired border. It’s a cozy, contemporary piece that adds a touch of whimsy and organic texture to any room. Whether you're a seasoned crocheter or a confident beginner looking for a fun challenge, this square is a delightful way to practice working in the round and creating visual texture with simple stitches.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Using the exact yarn weight and hook size is crucial for achieving the correct gauge and the crisp, modern look of the finished piece.

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton or acrylic yarn in the following colors and approximate yardage:
  • White: 100 yards (for the panda face and eyes)
  • Black: 50 yards (for ears, eye patches, nose, and mouth)
  • Light Bamboo Green: 30 yards (for the border)
  • Dark Bamboo Green: 30 yards (for the border)
• Crochet Hook: Size G/6 (4.0 mm) hook
• Other Notions: Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors

Gauge

4 inches = 16 single crochet stitches and 18 rows in single crochet. Making a gauge swatch is recommended to ensure your panda face and border turn out the correct size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Important Notes: This pattern is worked in continuous rounds (spiral) unless otherwise stated. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round to keep track of your place. Do not join at the end of rounds unless instructed.

Part 1: The Panda Face (White Yarn)

This creates the large, round base of the panda's head.

• Round 1: Make a magic ring. Work 6 single crochet (sc) into the ring. (6 stitches)
• Round 2: Work 2 sc into each stitch around. (12 stitches)
• Round 3: *Sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. (18 stitches)
• Round 4: *Sc in the next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. (24 stitches)
• Round 5: *Sc in the next 3 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. (30 stitches)
• Round 6: *Sc in the next 4 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. (36 stitches)
• Round 7: *Sc in the next 5 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. (42 stitches)
• Rounds 8-12: Sc in each stitch around. (42 stitches for each round)
• Fasten off the white yarn, leaving a long tail (about 8 inches) for weaving in later. Weave in the starting tail from the magic ring.

Part 2: Panda Features (Black & White Yarn)

Create the ears, eye patches, eyes, and nose. All pieces are worked in continuous rounds unless noted.

Panda Ears (Make 2 with Black Yarn)

• Round 1: Magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6 stitches)
• Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
• Round 3: *Sc in next stitch, 2 sc in next stitch.* Repeat around. (18 stitches)
• Fasten off, leaving a long tail (at least 12 inches) for sewing the ears onto the face.

Panda Eye Patches (Make 2 with Black Yarn)

• Round 1: Magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6 stitches)
• Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
• Round 3: *Sc in next stitch, 2 sc in next stitch.* Repeat around. (18 stitches)
• Fasten off, leaving a long tail (at least 12 inches) for sewing.

Panda Eyes (Make 2 with White Yarn)

• Round 1: Magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6 stitches)
• Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
• Fasten off, leaving a long tail (at least 8 inches) for sewing.

Panda Nose (Black Yarn - Worked in Rows)

• Chain 4.
• Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. (3 stitches)
• Chain 1, turn. Single crochet in each stitch across. (3 stitches)
• Fasten off, leaving a long tail (at least 8 inches) for sewing.

Part 3: Assembly of the Panda Face

Now we bring the panda to life. Use the long tails and a yarn needle for all sewing.

1. Sew the Ears: Position the ears on the top of the white face circle. They should be spaced about 6 stitches apart from each other. Sew them securely to the face.
2. Sew the Eye Patches: Place the black eye patches onto the face. They should be centered horizontally and positioned about 4 rows down from the top edge of the white circle. They should be about 4 stitches apart from each other. Sew them down securely.
3. Sew the White Eyes: Sew one white circle onto the center of each black eye patch. Make sure they are positioned symmetrically.
4. Sew the Nose: Sew the small black rectangle (nose) below the eye patches, centered between them.
5. Embroider the Mouth: Using the remaining black yarn, embroider a small, curved smile directly below the nose. A simple backstitch works perfectly.
6. Weave in all remaining ends from the assembly.

Part 4: The Bamboo Border (Green Yarn)

This creates the textured, square frame around the panda face. The border is worked in rounds, turning the circle into a square.

• Round 1 (Light Green): Join the light green yarn to any stitch on the outer edge of the white face. Single crochet evenly around the entire face. To create the square corners, work 3 single crochet stitches into the same stitch at each of the four corners. (You will have approximately 60-70 stitches total, depending on your tension).
• Round 2 (Light Green): Single crochet in each stitch around, remembering to work 3 single crochet in each corner stitch. Fasten off light green yarn.
• Round 3 (Dark Green - Bamboo Ridge): Join dark green yarn. *Chain 3, skip the next stitch, slip stitch in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * all the way around the square. Work the (chain 3, skip 1, slip stitch) sequence in the corner stitches as well. This creates the raised, ridged bamboo effect.
• Round 4 (Light Green): Join light green yarn. Single crochet in each chain-3 space and in each slip stitch from the previous round. Remember to work 3 single crochet in each corner. Fasten off light green.
• Round 5 (Dark Green): Repeat Round 3 (the bamboo ridge round) with dark green yarn.
• Round 6 (Light Green): With light green, single crochet evenly around the entire square, working 3 single crochet in each corner. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Part 5: Hanging Loop

To finish your wall art, create a simple hanging loop.

• With light green yarn, chain 15.
• Slip stitch to the top corner of the square to form a loop.
• Fasten off and weave in the ends securely.

Your Bamboo Grove Panda Emoji Square is complete! Give it a gentle block if desired to even out the stitches, then hang it on your wall and enjoy your unique, handmade piece of modern art.