Baozi (pronounced BAO-zi), or bao for short, is a popular Chinese bun stuffed with all kinds of deliciousness. They usually have savory meat fillings but you can also find vegetarian options too.
I have many fond childhood memories of my Amah (grandma) in Taiwan bringing us baos for breakfast every morning. That and some sweet milk tea or warm soy milk were the best combo.
These baos work up quickly in blanket yarn and are about ~4 inches in diameter once finished. The perfect stress-ball size! (or... stress-bao?)
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*Note: Please do not copy/redistribute any part of this pattern as your own. Feel free to sell your finished products in small quantities - I only ask that you give credit to help support my work :). I would also love for you to share photos of your cute creations made with my pattern by tagging me on Instagram @curiouspapaya. Thank you!
*We will be working in continuous rounds (a spiral).
*This pattern was updated on May 26, 2026.
MATERIALS:
-Check out my FAVORITE CROCHET TOOLS
-Bernat Blanket yarn in cream
-Size 7 mm hook
-Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, hot glue
-Fiber fill stuffing
-Size 12 mm safety eyes
-Colored felt -or- black cotton yarn
TERMS:
-DEC: decrease
-FLO: front loops only
-INC: increase
-SC: single crochet
-ST(s): stitch(es)
-RND(s): round(s)
-(...) x #: repeat directions in the parentheses # of times
BAO (in cream yarn):
RND 1: Make a magic circle and (SC) x 8 [8]
RND 2: (INC) x 8 [16]
RND 3: (SC, INC) x 8 [24]
RND 4: (3 SC, INC) x 6 [30]
RND 5-11: SC all around [30] (7 RNDs total)
Fasten off and leave an 18 in. [~46 cm] yarn tail.
Facial features will be added after scrunching this bao-by up so that they'll be symmetrical with the folds, or "pleats"!
ASSEMBLY:
STEP 1: Use the yarn needle and weave down 1 RND below the edge.
*Caption: An updated photo of the pleats will come soon! (Original pattern had 8)
STEP 2: Going from the inside to the outside, weave around every 5th ST for a total of 6 loops. (This will create 6 peaks, or folds in the bao).
STEP 3: Gently pull the yarn tail to form the pleats but do not close it up completely yet.
STEP 4: Centering the face with one of the pleats, insert the safety eyes between rnds 6-7, 5 sts apart.
STEP 5: Cut 6 in. [~15 cm] of Black cotton yarn for the mouth.
STEP 6: Insert the needle from the inside to the outside between rnds 6-7, 1 st away from the eye.
STEP 7: Embroider a v-shaped smile 2 sts wide.
STEP 8: Secure the yarn tails into a knot on the inside.
STEP 9: Stuff well.
STEP 10: Locate each peak of the pleat and weave through the FLO. Pull the opening closed.
STEP 11: Sew in an X-shaped pattern to secure the opening of the bao closed. Weave in the remaining yarn tail.
*Caption: Updated photo will be uploaded soon!
And that's it! Easy peasy project, right? These cuddly baos are so easy to whip up, it's hard to stop! If you enjoyed making these, please tag me in your makes on IG @curiouspapaya :)
1 comment
Great pattern