Kara the Koala ⋆ Free Crochet Pattern
Kara the Koala is crocheted in separate pieces and then sewn together. Kara’s ears use loop stitch to make them fluffy like a real Koala. Step by step tutorial included in this free pattern.
Kara the Koala is crocheted in separate pieces and then sewn together. Kara’s ears use loop stitch to make them fluffy like a real Koala. Step by step tutorial included in this free pattern.
The pattern is available for free in this blog post. This blog has ads so I can provide the pattern for free.
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I highly recommend that you read the Essential Information and Additional Instructions sections before you read this pattern.
If you’ve already read them, and are returning to this page to continue crocheting, then simply jump to the patterns using the links below.
I’ve written about the inspiration for this crochet pattern at the very end of the post, if you would like to read it, click the link!
Intermediate
Crochet in the round
Single crochet (US) / Double crochet (UK)
Stylecraft Special DK (8 Py); 295 m (323 yards) per 100g; 100% acrylic
25g / 74 m / 80 yards in Grey
10g / 30 m / 32 yards in White
1g / 3 m / 3 yards in Black for Eyes and Nose
I recommend Addi Swing, as it’s an ergonomic hook and it suits my style of crocheting – which is like holding a knife or buy a standard crochet hook.
11 sc x 11 rows = 5 x 5 cm ( 2 x 2 in) using 3 mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook or size needed to obtain stated gauge
One size: 13 cm (5 in) from top of the head to bottom. From back of the head to the nose 8 cm (3 in).
Loop the yarn over your finger, insert the hook into the st, bring the hook up and in front of the first strand then around behind the strand to hook the second strand. Pull both of the strands through the stitch so that you now have three loops on the hook and one large loop behind. Bring the big loop on your finger to the right side of the work (bring it towards you so the loop is sticking out at you) and take it off your finger, yarn over and pull through the loops on the hook.
Go to the tutorial at the end of this blog post for step by step photos, click the button below.
This pattern is written in UK terms:
Ch: Chain
Dc: Double crochet
Dc2tog: Double crochet two stitches together
Loop St: See special stitches
Rep: Repeat
Rnd: Round
RS: Right Side
SS: Slip stitch
St(s): Stitch(es)
Yo: Yarn over
WS: Wrong side
This pattern is written in US terms:
Ch: Chain
Sc: Single crochet
Sc2tog: Single crochet two stitches together
Loop St: See special stitches
Rep: Repeat
Rnd: Round
RS: Right Side
SS: Slip stitch
St(s): Stitch(es)
Yo: Yarn over
WS: Wrong side
The stitch count is indicated at the end of every round or row. Stitch counts are shown like this: (12 sts)
Sections to be repeated are indicated within squared brackets [ ], with the number of repeats written after.
Work in a continuous spiral without slip stitching into the first st in the round.
When changing colour, join the new yarn on the last yarn over of the previous stitch, unless otherwise stated.
Always sew in the ends on the wrong sides of your work.
Multiple stitches worked in one stitch.
UK Terms
US Terms
If using alternative yarn, for example 10 Ply, you will need to use a smaller hook than advised for that yarn. For example, if the yarn band recommends 5 mm for a 10 Ply, use a 4.5 mm or 4 mm, this is so that the crochet is firm and will not allow any fibrefill stuffing to come through.
Pattern Content & Images © 2017-2023 Ruth Haydock – All Rights Reserved.
All content in this pattern is the copyright and design right of Ruth Haydock. You are not permitted to sell the written instructions or images in any way, amended or as they are. You may only print this pattern out for personal use. You are allowed to sell completed items that you have made using this pattern but you must credit me as the designer of the pattern (Ruth Haydock) and provide a link to my website, ruthhaydock.com.
The head pattern starts at the Koala’s nose.
Rnd 1: With Black, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 8 dc. Ss into the first st. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: 1 ch, *[2 dc in next st] twice, 2 dc**, rep from * to ** once more. Ss into the first st. (12 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Prepare to change to Grey on the last yo of the final st on rnd 3.
Rnd 3: 1 ch, 1 dc, [2 dc in next st] twice, 4 dc, [2 dc in next st] twice, 3 dc. Ss into the first st. (16 sts)
Cut Black, fasten off and sew in the end.
Rnd 4: With Grey, 1 ch, [2 dc in next st] seven times, 8 dc, 2 dc in next st. (24 sts)
Work in a continuous spiral without ss into the first st in the rnd.
Rnd 5: 24 dc.
Rnd 6: [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] seven times, 9 dc, 2 dc in next st. (32 sts)
Rnd 7: 32 dc.
Rnd 8: [2 dc, 2 dc in next st] seven times, 10 dc, 2 dc in next st. (40 sts)
Rnd 9: 40 dc.
Rnd 10: [3 dc, 2 dc in next st] seven times, 11 dc, 2 dc in next st. (48 sts)
Rnd 11: 48 dc.
Rnd 12: [4 dc, 2 dc in next st] seven times, 12 dc, 2 dc in next st. (56 sts)
Rnd 13: 56 dc.
Rnd 14: [5 dc, 2 dc in next st] seven times, 13 dc, 2 dc in next st. (64 sts)
Rnd 15: 64 dc.
Rnd 16: [5 dc, dc2tog] seven times, 13 dc, dc2tog. (56 sts)
Rnd 17: 56 dc.
Rnd 18: [4 dc, dc2tog] seven times, 12 dc, dc2tog. (48 sts)
Rnd 19: 48 dc.
Rnd 20: [4 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (40 sts)
Rnd 21: 40 dc.
Rnd 22: [3 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 23: 32 dc.
Rnd 24: [2 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 25: 24 dc.
Stuff the head.
Rnd 26: [1 dc, dc2tog] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 27: [Dc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing. Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Attach a sewing needle to the tail and then sew through the front loop of all final stitches, then gently pull to close the top. Sew in the end to secure and cut off any excess.
The pattern for the ears starts on the outer part of the ear and finishes where the ear is then attached to the head.
To make the ear fluffy, loop stitch is used on every even round. The Ears are worked in the round, with the loops on the right side of the work. See additional instructions on how to make the loop stitch at the beginning of this pattern and the step by step photo instructions in the tutorial at the end of this pattern (use the button below).
The loop stitch I use involves bringing the loop to the right side of the work, so that the loops are on the right side.
The inside of the ear has White on it and the outside is Grey.
Rnd 1(RS): With Grey, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 8 dc. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st, with loop stitch on second dc] eight times. (16 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring.
Rnd 3: *[2 dc in next st] twice, 6 dc.** Rep from * to ** once more. (20 sts)
Rnd 4: [1 dc, 1 dc with loop stitch] ten times. (20 sts)
Rnd 5: *[2 dc in next st] twice, 8 dc.** Rep from * to ** once more. (24 sts)
Prepare to join White on rnd 6, changing colour on the last yo of the previous st.
Rnd 6: With Grey, [1 dc, 1 dc with loop st] twice, with White, [1 dc, 1 dc with loop st] twice, with Grey, [1 dc, 1 dc with loop st] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 7: With Grey, 4 dc, with White, 4 dc, with Grey, 16 dc. (24 sts)
Rnd 8: As rnd 6.
Rnd 9: As rnd 7.
Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off.
Flatten the ears, there’s no need to stuff them, attach a sewing needle to the tail. Then sew the ears onto the head on rounds 14 and 15 of the head, curving the ear slightly. The bottom of the ear should be in line with the middle of the nose.
Once ears are sewn onto the head, snip the loops on the ears to make them fluffy. Trim the threads to achieve the length of fluff that you want.
Embroider on two eyes using White and Black for the eyes. Position them on either side of the nose, 3 cm (1 in) from the nose on rnds 9 and 10 on the head. See images at the end of the pattern for guidance.
If you prefer to crochet tiny black eyes then follow this simple pattern:
Rnd 1: With Black, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 4 dc. Ss into the first st. Cut the yarn leaving a short tail of 10 cm (4 in), fasten off and sew onto the head.
The Koala has a Grey back and a White belly. The pattern for the body starts at the neck. Read ahead in the pattern so you know to when the colour changes are coming up so you can change colour on the last yo of the previous st. The tail created on rnd 1 is for joining the body to the head once the body is completed.
Rnd 1: With Grey, working into a magic ring, and leaving a tail of 10 cm (4 in), 1 ch, 8 dc. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Prepare to join White on the next rnd.
Rnd 3: With Grey, 6 dc, with White, 4 dc, with Grey 6 dc. (16 sts)
Rnd 4: With Grey, [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] three times, with White, [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] twice, with Grey, [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] three times. (24 sts)
Sew in the White join end from rnd 3.
Rnd 5: With Grey, 9 dc, with White, 6 dc, with Grey, 9 dc. (24 sts)
Rnd 6: With Grey, [2 dc, 2 dc in next st] three times, with White, [2 dc, 2 dc in next st] twice, with Grey, [2 dc, 2 dc in next st] three times. (32 sts)
Rnd 7: With Grey, 12 dc, with White, 8 dc, with Grey, 12 dc. (32 sts)
Rnd 8: With Grey, [3 dc, 2 dc in next st] three times, with White, [3 dc, 2 dc in next st] twice, with Grey, [3 dc, 2 dc in next st] three times. (40 sts)
Rnd 9: With Grey, 15 dc, with White, 10 dc, with Grey, 15 dc. (40 sts)
Rnds 10 and 11: Rep rnd 9.
Rnd 12: With Grey, [3 dc, dc2tog] three times, with White, [3 dc, dc2tog] twice, with Grey, [3 dc, dc2tog] three times. (32 sts)
Rnd 13: As rnd 7.
Rnd 14: With Grey, [2 dc, dc2tog] three times, with White, [2 dc, dc2tog] twice, with Grey, [2 dc, dc2tog] three times. (24 sts)
Rnd 15: As rnd 5.
Rnd 16: With Grey, [1 dc, dc2tog] three times, with White, [1 dc, dc2tog] twice, with Grey, [1 dc, dc2tog] three times. (16 sts)
Stuff the body, leaving a little space at the top.
Rnd 17: As rnd 3.
Cut the White yarn, fasten off and sew in the end.
Rnd 18: With Grey, [dc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing. Cut the yarn leaving a 5 cm (2 in) tail, fasten off. Attach a sewing needle to the tail and then sew through the front loop of all final stitches, then gently pull to close the top.
Sew in the end to secure and cut off any excess.
Using the tail from the magic ring, sew the body onto the head.
The pattern for the arm starts at the paw.
Rnd 1: With Grey, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 4 dc. (4 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] four times. (8 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Rnd 3: 8 dc.
Rnds 4 to 7: Rep rnd 3, four times. 8 sts on each rnd.
Rnd 8: [Dc2tog] four times. (4 sts)
Cut the yarn, 10 cm (4in) tail, fasten off. Stuff the arm. Then sew the arm onto rnd 4 of the body just below the neck and beside the white belly.
The leg pattern starts at the foot end.
Rnd 1: With Grey, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 4 dc. (4 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 dc in next st] four times. (8 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Rnd 3: [2 dc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 4: 16 dc.
Rnd 5 and 6: Rep rnd 4, twice. (16 sts)
Rnd 7: [Dc2tog, 6 dc] twice. (14 sts)
Rnd 8: [Dc2tog, 5 dc] twice. (12 sts)
Rnd 9: 12 dc.
Rnd 10: [Dc2tog] six times. (6 sts)
Cut the yarn, 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Stuff the leg. Then sew the leg onto the body onto rnds 14 and 15 at either side of the White belly.
The head pattern starts at the Koala’s nose.
Rnd 1: With Black, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 8 sc. Ss into the first st. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: 1 ch, *[2 sc in next st] twice, 2 sc**, rep from * to ** once more. Ss into the first st. (12 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Prepare to change to Grey on the last yo of the final st on rnd 3.
Rnd 3: 1 ch, 1 sc, [2 sc in next st] twice, 4 sc, [2 sc in next st] twice, 3 sc. Ss into the first st. (16 sts)
Cut Black, fasten off and sew in the end.
Rnd 4: With Grey, 1 ch, [2 sc in next st] seven times, 8 sc, 2 sc in next st. (24 sts)
Work in a continuous spiral without ss’ing into the first st in the rnd.
Rnd 5: 24 sc.
Rnd 6: [1 sc, 2 sc in next st] seven times, 9 sc, 2 sc in next st. (32 sts)
Rnd 7: 32 sc.
Rnd 8: [2 sc, 2 sc in next st] seven times, 10 sc, 2 sc in next st. (40 sts)
Rnd 9: 40 sc.
Rnd 10: [3 sc, 2 sc in next st] seven times, 11 sc, 2 sc in next st. (48 sts)
Rnd 11: 48 sc.
Rnd 12: [4 sc, 2 sc in next st] seven times, 12 sc, 2 sc in next st. (56 sts)
Rnd 13: 56 sc.
Rnd 14: [5 sc, 2 sc in next st] seven times, 13 sc, 2 sc in next st. (64 sts)
Rnd 15: 64 sc.
Rnd 16: [5 sc, sc2tog] seven times, 13 sc, sc2tog. (56 sts)
Rnd 17: 56 sc.
Rnd 18: [4 sc, sc2tog] seven times, 12 sc, sc2tog. (48 sts)
Rnd 19: 48 sc.
Rnd 20: [4 sc, sc2tog] eight times. (40 sts)
Rnd 21: 40 sc.
Rnd 22: [3 sc, sc2tog] eight times. (32 sts)
Rnd 23: 32 sc.
Rnd 24: [2 sc, sc2tog] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 25: 24 sc.
Stuff the head.
Rnd 26: [1 sc, sc2tog] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 27: [Sc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing. Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Attach a sewing needle to the tail and then sew through the front loop of all final stitches, then gently pull to close the top. Sew in the end to secure and cut off any excess.
The pattern for the ears starts on the outer part of the ear and finishes where the ear is then attached to the head.
To make the ear fluffy, loop stitch is used on every even round. The Ears are worked in the round, with the loops on the right side of the work. See additional instructions on how to make the loop stitch at the beginning of this pattern and the step by step photo instructions in the tutorial at the end of this pattern (use the button below).
The loop stitch I use involves bringing the loop to the right side of the work, so that the loops are on the right side.
The inside of the ear has White on it and the outside is Grey.
Rnd 1(RS): With Grey, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 8 sc. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 sc in next st, with loop stitch on second sc] eight times. (16 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring.
Rnd 3: *[2 sc in next st] twice, 6 sc.** Rep from * to ** once more. (20 sts)
Rnd 4: [1 sc, 1 sc with loop stitch] ten times. (20 sts)
Rnd 5: *[2 sc in next st] twice, 8 sc.** Rep from * to ** once more. (24 sts)
Prepare to join White on rnd 6, changing color on the last yo of the previous st.
Rnd 6: With Grey, [1 sc, 1 sc with loop st] twice, with White, [1 sc, 1 sc with loop st] twice, with Grey, [1 sc, 1 sc with loop st] eight times. (24 sts)
Rnd 7: With Grey, 4 sc, with White, 4 sc, with Grey, 16 sc. (24 sts)
Rnd 8: As rnd 6.
Rnd 9: As rnd 7.
Cut the yarn leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off.
Flatten the ears, there’s no need to stuff them, attach a sewing needle to the tail. Then sew the ears onto the head on rounds 14 and 15 of the head, curving the ear slightly. The bottom of the ear should be in line with the middle of the nose.
Once ears are sewn onto the head, snip the loops on the ears to make them fluffy. Trim the threads to achieve the length of fluff that you want.
Embroider on two eyes using White and Black for the eyes. Position them on either side of the nose, 3 cm (1 in) from the nose on rnds 9 and 10 on the head. See images at the end of the pattern for guidance.
If you prefer to crochet tiny black eyes then follow this simple pattern:
Rnd 1: With Black, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 4 sc. Ss into the first st. Cut the yarn leaving a short tail of 10 cm (4 in), fasten off and sew onto the head.
The Koala has a Grey back and a White belly. The pattern for the body starts at the neck. Read ahead in the pattern so you know to when the color changes are coming up so you can change color on the last yo of the previous st. The tail created on rnd 1 is for joining the body to the head once the body is completed.
Rnd 1: With Grey, working into a magic ring, and leaving a tail of 10 cm (4 in), 1 ch, 8 sc. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 sc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Prepare to join White on the next rnd.
Rnd 3: With Grey, 6 sc, with White, 4 sc, with Grey 6 sc. (16 sts)
Rnd 4: With Grey, [1 sc, 2 sc in next st] three times, with White, [1 sc, 2 sc in next st] twice, with Grey, [1 sc, 2 sc in next st] three times. (24 sts)
Sew in the White join end from rnd 3.
Rnd 5: With Grey, 9 sc, with White, 6 sc, with Grey, 9 sc. (24 sts)
Rnd 6: With Grey, [2 sc, 2 sc in next st] three times, with White, [2 sc, 2 sc in next st] twice, with Grey, [2 sc, 2 sc in next st] three times. (32 sts)
Rnd 7: With Grey, 12 sc, with White, 8 sc, with Grey, 12 sc. (32 sts)
Rnd 8: With Grey, [3 sc, 2 sc in next st] three times, with White, [3 sc, 2 sc in next st] twice, with Grey, [3 sc, 2 sc in next st] three times. (40 sts)
Rnd 9: With Grey, 15 sc, with White, 10 sc, with Grey, 15 sc. (40 sts)
Rnds 10 and 11: Rep rnd 9.
Rnd 12: With Grey, [3 sc, sc2tog] three times, with White, [3 sc, sc2tog] twice, with Grey, [3 sc, sc2tog] three times. (32 sts)
Rnd 13: As rnd 7.
Rnd 14: With Grey, [2 sc, sc2tog] three times, with White, [2 sc, sc2tog] twice, with Grey, [2 sc, sc2tog] three times. (24 sts)
Rnd 15: As rnd 5.
Rnd 16: With Grey, [1 sc, sc2tog] three times, with White, [1 sc, sc2tog] twice, with Grey, [1 sc, sc2tog] three times. (16 sts)
Stuff the body, leaving a little space at the top.
Rnd 17: As rnd 3.
Cut the White yarn, fasten off and sew in the end.
Rnd 18: With Grey, [sc2tog] eight times. (8 sts)
Add in a bit more stuffing. Cut the yarn leaving a 5 cm (2 in) tail, fasten off. Attach a sewing needle to the tail and then sew through the front loop of all final stitches, then gently pull to close the top.
Sew in the end to secure and cut off any excess.
Using the tail from the magic ring, sew the body onto the head.
The pattern for the arm starts at the paw.
Rnd 1: With Grey, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 4 sc. (4 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 sc in next st] four times. (8 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Rnd 3: 8 sc.
Rnds 4 to 7: Rep rnd 3, four times. 8 sts on each rnd.
Rnd 8: [Sc2tog] four times. (4 sts)
Cut the yarn, 10 cm (4in) tail, fasten off. Stuff the arm. Then sew the arm onto rnd 4 of the body just below the neck and beside the white belly.
The leg pattern starts at the foot end.
Rnd 1: With Grey, working into a magic ring, 1 ch, 4 sc. (4 sts)
Rnd 2: [2 sc in next st] four times. (8 sts)
Sew in the end from the magic ring. Cut off any excess.
Rnd 3: [2 sc in next st] eight times. (16 sts)
Rnd 4: 16 sc.
Rnd 5 and 6: Rep rnd 4, twice. (16 sts)
Rnd 7: [Sc2tog, 6 sc] twice. (14 sts)
Rnd 8: [Sc2tog, 5 sc] twice. (12 sts)
Rnd 9: 12 sc.
Rnd 10: [Sc2tog] six times. (6 sts)
Cut the yarn, 10 cm (4 in) tail, fasten off. Stuff the leg. Then sew the leg onto the body onto rnds 14 and 15 at either side of the White belly.
Loop the yarn over your finger, insert the hook into the st, bring the hook up and in front of the first strand then around behind the strand to hook the second strand. Pull both of the strands through the stitch so that you now have three loops on the hook and one large loop behind. Bring the big loop on your finger to the right side of the work (bring it towards you so the loop is sticking out at you) and take it off your finger, yarn over and pull through the loops on the hook.
Let’s go through the loop stitch step by step.
Loop the yarn over your finger, insert the hook into the st, then bring the hook up and in front of the first strand.
Bring the hook around behind the strand to hook the second strand.
Pull both of the strands through the stitch so that you now have three loops on the hook and one large loop behind.
Bring the big loop on your finger to the right side of the work and remove it from your finger.
Yarn over and then pull through the three loops on the hook.
Your final loop stitch will look like this!
I recommend cutting the loops at the very end.
I lived in Australia in 2018 – 2020 and we lived in Townsville, Queensland for most of it. Near Townsville there’s an island called Magnetic Island.
This island is one of the best places in Australia to see wild Koalas!
We went to Magnetic Island so many times and saw them many times too! My partner and I made a game of it the last time – who could spot the most Koalas… he won.
My favourite memory of seeing a Koala was one evening when we were heading to dinner. It was pretty dark and the street lights are terrible on the Island, so as we were walking along the street, I noticed this blob in the middle of it. I did a double take – I thought it was just a shadow – nope – a koala! Poor sweetie got freaked out and tried to climb an electricity pole that they thought was a tree. We left him alone and went for dinner.
After seeing so many wild Koalas, I wanted to make my own little crocheted Koala, so Kara was born!
I would love to see your pictures of this design on Instagram, please tag me @ruthhaydock and use the hashtag #ruthhaydockdesigns
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