This Crochet Koala Pattern makes a soft, chubby amigurumi koala with a round gray head, big fluffy ears with cream inner ears, a large black oval nose, a cream tummy, and short arms that hug a little eucalyptus sprig. It is worked in simple continuous rounds with basic increases and decreases, so it is a lovely project for confident beginners. Give it as a baby gift, set it on a nursery shelf, or make a mama and joey pair.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate, with shaping, embroidery, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The head, body, ears, nose, arms, and legs are worked separately in continuous rounds, then sewn together. The eucalyptus sprig is worked from chains. The face is embroidered.
Estimated size: About 17 cm (6.75 in) tall when sitting, using DK-weight cotton or a soft baby yarn. Actual dimensions depend on yarn, tension, and stuffing.
Pattern note: This is an original design based on the title concept. Stitch counts have been checked, but the pattern has not been physically crocheted or independently tested. Adjust the shaping and feature placement to suit your yarn.
Materials
- Soft DK-weight cotton or baby-safe acrylic yarn in light gray, approximately 55 g, for the head, body, limbs, and ears.
- Cream or white yarn, approximately 8 g, for the inner ears, belly patch, and paw pads.
- Black yarn, approximately 3 g, for the nose.
- Green yarn, approximately 3 g, for the eucalyptus leaves.
- Black thread for the mouth and optional embroidered eyes, and pink thread for the cheeks.
- A 2.75 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Two 8 mm black safety eyes, or black thread for embroidered eyes.
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
Use embroidered eyes and skip the eucalyptus sprig if the koala is for a baby or young child.
Stitches and Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | 2 sc in one stitch |
| dec | invisible single crochet decrease over the next 2 stitches |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Work in a spiral without joining or turning unless directed otherwise. Numbers in brackets give the completed stitch count. Repeat parentheses the stated number of times. Move the marker at the start of every round.
Before You Begin
Crochet tightly so the stuffing does not show through the stitches. Stuff firmly but evenly, adding small pieces rather than large clumps. The ears are large and floppy, so they need no stuffing.
Pin the eyes, nose, and ears before you commit. A wide head with the eyes set low and close to the nose gives the koala its sleepy, sweet look.
Head (gray)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) × 6. [42]
Rounds 8–14: Sc in every stitch. [42 per round; 7 rounds]
Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 10 and 11, with about 9 stitches between them. Fit the backs securely. Pin the nose at the center front on Rounds 11–13, between and just below the eyes.
Round 15: (5 sc, dec) × 6. [36]
Round 16: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 17: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Stuff the head firmly now, and keep adding small amounts as the opening narrows.
Round 18: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Round 19: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 20: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining front loops, draw closed, and hide the end.
Body (gray)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Rounds 7–13: Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 7 rounds]
Round 14: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 15: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly, flatten the bottom slightly so the koala sits upright, and leave the opening for sewing to the head.
Nose (black)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Round 3: (2 sc, inc) × 3. [12]
Round 4: Sc around. [12]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly, press into a tall oval, and sew to the pinned position. The nose is the koala’s signature feature, so make it big.
Ears (make 2, gray)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: Sc around. [18]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten the ear.
Inner ears (make 2, cream): 6 sc in MR. [6] Inc in each stitch. [12] Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail. Flatten and sew to the center of each ear, leaving a gray border. Sew the ears to the top-sides of the head at about Rounds 3–6, about 12 stitches apart, tilted slightly outward.
Belly Patch (cream)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail. Flatten and sew to the front of the body.
Arms (make 2, gray)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Rounds 3–9: Sc around. [9 per round; 7 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly, leaving the top unfilled for sewing. Sew to the sides of the body just below the head, angled forward so the arms can hold the sprig.
Legs (make 2, gray)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Rounds 4–5: Sc around. [18 per round; 2 rounds]
Round 6: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Rounds 7–8: Sc around. [12 per round; 2 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly in the foot and lightly in the leg. Sew to the lower front of the body with the feet pointing forward.
Paw pads (make 2, cream): 6 sc in MR. [6] Inc in each stitch. [12] Sl st and fasten off with a long tail. Sew one to the sole of each foot.
Eucalyptus Sprig (green)
Ch 16 for the stem. Sl st in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Along the stem, add 5 leaves, spaced about 2 stitches apart and alternating sides: for each leaf, ch 4, sl st in the 2nd ch from hook, sc in the next ch, sl st in the last ch, then sl st into the stem. Fasten off with a long tail. Tuck the sprig between the arms and tack it in place with a few stitches.
Assembly and Face
- Head to body: Pin the head over the body opening, with the closure underneath, and sew all around with small, strong stitches. Check that the head sits straight before finishing.
- Nose and ears: Sew the nose firmly, then the ears.
- Belly and limbs: Sew on the belly patch, arms, and legs.
- Mouth: With black thread, embroider a tiny curved smile under the nose, about 2 stitches below it.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, add a small patch of 2 or 3 horizontal stitches below and outside each eye.
- Sprig: Tack the eucalyptus between the arms.
Hide every tail and give each ear, limb, and the nose a gentle tug to check it holds.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The head looks lopsided. Check that the stuffing is even, and roll the head between your palms. Use small wisps of filling as the opening narrows.
The ears flop forward. Pinch the bases together and sew them on with several passes, angled slightly outward.
The nose looks small. Add one extra plain round (12 stitches) before fastening off, and stuff it a little more.
The koala will not sit up. Flatten the bottom of the body, and sew both legs on at the same height.
The eyes look uneven. Pin the eyes before inserting them, and check the face from the front and from above before fastening the backs.
FAQ
Can I make it bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook. The koala will be about one and a half times larger.
Can I embroider the eyes? Yes. Make two small black satin-stitch ovals between Rounds 10 and 11, with 9 stitches between them, and add a tiny white highlight stitch.
Can I make a baby koala? Yes. Make a mini version with fingering-weight yarn and a 2 mm hook, and sew it to the mama’s back or tummy.
Can I use other colors? Absolutely. Try soft brown, warm gray, or pale blue for a nursery set.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Teddy Bear Amigurumi Pattern
- Crochet Polar Bear Pattern
- Crochet Fox Pattern
Save This Pattern
Pin this Crochet Koala Pattern to your Pinterest board for your next handmade gift. Happy crocheting!
