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Make this free crochet lovey pattern for your favorite little marsupial. The koala works up quickly using only one skein and some scrap yarn, which makes it a perfect baby shower gift idea.
UPDATE: download the printable, ad-free pdf of this pattern here >
There are few things we revere in this house with as much sanctity as nap time. I defend nap time as if my life depends on it.
Because, while my life doesn’t actually depend on it, my sanity does.
As a work at home mom, nap time is often the only time of the day where I can get work done AND my brain is still functioning. (The work I do after 9pm, which is often a lot of it, is something similar to having a tea party underwater.)
So I was thrilled when I got a chance to try out the VTech Safe&Sound VM342 Digital Video Monitor with Wide-Angle Lens and Standard Lens. Our video monitor broke a while back and I had just been winging it old-fashioned-style ever since--holding an ear to the door, trying peek in without squeaking the door and generally just working frantically until I heard someone shouting for attention.
With the VM342 monitor, I can check on Quinn while I simultaneously check my email. Hello, #modernparenting. My favorite feature of this monitor is the wide angle lens. With this included lens attachment, I can see literally the whole bedroom on the 4.3” monitor screen.
These days Quinn is still safely corralled in her crib during nap, but I can see how this view will become even more useful as she transitions into a big kid bed and becomes a free range toddler.
Of course, half of the battle at nap time is giving a baby enough comfort and security that they can cozy up and sleep for as long as humanly possible. Every minute counts! That’s where this crochet lovey pattern comes in.
Quinn loves to snuggle. People. Animals. Toys. Like a little marsupial, she’s happiest when her arms are wrapped around anything soft, so I decided to crochet her something that would bring her comfort and security as sleeps. A crochet koala lovey!
This crochet koala is the perfect combo of cute, cuddle and quick. (Quinn was snuggling the koala head before I even sewed on the arms or blanket “body.” How’s that for a testament to this toy’s cozy factor?)
Because you can make this free crochet lovey pattern with only one skein of yarn (+ some scraps), it’s a thoughtful, yet inexpensive DIY charity or baby shower gift idea. Combine it with the VM342 monitor and I guarantee you have a home run gift for any parents who love nap time as much as I do (which, let's be honest, is every parent who has ever lived).
FREE CROCHET LOVEY PATTERN: A CUDDLY KOALA!
Free pattern below or download the printable, ad-free pdf of this pattern here >
Supplies:
• 1 skein Patons Denim-y yarn in “Grey Denim” or 150 yards of an alternative worsted weight yarn
• approximately 5 yards of grey fun fur
• approximately 20 yards of black worsted weight yarn
• approximately 10 yards of accent yarn for bow
• size G hook + size I hook (I love this affordable set!)
• tapestry needle
• a large handful of stuffing/poly-fil
Gauge:
The gauge isn’t necessarily important on this project, but since the head is amigurumi, you do need to find the appropriate size hook so that stuffing isn’t showing through. If there are gaps in your head, switch to a smaller hook.
Abbreviations - US terms:
ch - chain
sc - single crochet
sc dec - single crochet decrease (which is the same as sc2tog)
dc - double crochet
KOALA HEAD
KOALA HEADNotes: Use smaller hook. The head is worked in a spiral, which means you’re not ch 1 at the beginning of each round. I like to move my stitch marker into the last stitch of each round as I go so that I don’t lose track of where the round started.
Magic ring
Round 1: sc 8 in magic ring, sl st to join. Place marker. (8)
Round 2: [work 2 sc in next sc] repeat 8 times. (16)
Round 3: [work 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc] repeat 8 times. (24)
Round 4: [work 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc] repeat 6 times. (30)
Round 5: [work 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next 5 sc] repeat 5 times. (35)
Round 6: [work 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next 6 sc] repeat 5 times. (40)
Round 7: [work 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next 19 sc] repeat 2 times. (42)
Round 8: 1 sc in next 10 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next 20 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next 10 sc. (44)
Round 9-16: sc around (44)
Round 17: [1 sc dec in next 2 sc, 1 sc in next 20 sc] repeat 2 times. (42)
Round 18: 1 sc in next 10 sc, 1 sc dec in next two sc, 1 sc in next 19 sc, 1 sc dec in next two sc, 1 sc in next 9 sc (40)
Round 19: [1 sc dec in next 2 sc, 1 sc in next 6 sc] repeat 5 times. (35)
Round 20: [1 sc dec in next 2 sc, 1 sc in next 5 sc] repeat 5 times. (30)
Round 21: [1 sc dec in next 2 sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc] repeat 6 times. (24)
Round 22: [1 sc dec in next 2 sc, 1 sc in next sc] 8 times. (16)
Stuff the head.
Round 23: [1 sc dec in next 2 sc] repeat 8 times. (8)
Fasten off leaving a long enough tail for sewing onto the blanket.
KOALA ARMS
Notes: Use smaller hook. Work in spiral.
Magic ring.
Round 1: sc 6 in magic ring, sl st to join. Place marker. (6)
Round 2: [Work 2 sc in next sc] repeat 6 times. (12)
Rounds 3-11: sc around.
Fasten off leaving a long enough tail for sewing onto the blanket.
KOALA EARS:
Notes: Use smaller hook. Make 2.
Magic ring.
Row 1: sc 5 in magic ring; turn. (5)
Row 2: ch 1, work 2 sc in each sc; turn (10)
Row 3: ch 1, [work 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc] repeat 5 times; turn. (15)
Row 4: ch 1, [work 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next 2 sc] repeat 5 times; turn. (20)
Fasten off leaving a long enough tail for sewing onto the head.
Attach fun fur yarn at one edge of ear in the second row from the center. sc in second row around to the other edge of the ear. Fasten off. This doesn’t have to be exact as fun fur is so fuzzy that it hides most details of your work.
KOALA EYES
Notes: Use smaller hook.
Magic ring.
Round 1: sc 8 in magic ring, join with a slip stitch.
Fasten off leaving a long enough tail to for sewing onto the head.
KOALA NOSE:
Notes: Use smaller hook. This is worked in the round at first, then back and forth in rows and then in the round again at the end.
Magic ring.
Round 1: sc 8 in magic ring, join with a sl st.
Row 2: ch 1, [2 sc in next 1 sc] repeat 2 times; turn. (4)
Row 3: ch 1, 1 sc in next 6 sc; turn. (4)
Round 4: ch 1, 1 sc in next 4 sc. Do not turn. sl st around the bottom of the nose and back to where the round started. sl st into first sc of the round.
BOW:
Notes: Use smaller hook.
Row 1: ch 11; turn.
Row 2: 1 sc in second ch from hook, 1 sc in each remaining sc; turn.
Row 3-7: ch 1, sc in each sc; turn.
Fasten off and weave in ends. Using a couple feet of yarn, wrap the crocheted rectangle in the center to form the middle section of the bow. Tie a knot in the back of the bow and leave the remaining tail to sew bow onto koala.
BLANKET:
Pattern adapted from the Rainbow Ripple Afghan pattern by Celeste Young.
Notes: Use larger hook. The blanket is worked in rounds (not a spiral) so we will ch 2 at the beginning of each round. We are only ch 2 at the beginning of each round (instead of 3) because it better hides the seam.
Small shell - [dc, ch 2, dc] in same space
Large shell - [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in same space
Magic ring.
Round 1: ch 2 (counts as first dc throughout pattern), dc 11 in magic ring, join with a sl st. (12)
Round 2: ch 2, 1 dc in first dc, 2 dc in remaining dc around, join. (24)
Round 3: ch 2, *skip next dc, work small shell (dc, ch 2, dc) in next dc. Repeat from * around, ending with dc in base of beginning stitch, ch 2, join with sl st in top of ch2 from beginning of round.
Round 4: sl st into ch 2 space, work (ch 2 , dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 space. *work large shell (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 space, repeat from * around, join.
Round 5: sl into next stitch, ch 2, *work large shell in ch 2 space, 1 dc in next dc, skip next 2 dc, dc in next dc. Repeat from * around, join.
Round 6: sl into next stitch, ch 2, 1 dc in next dc, *work large shell in ch 2 space, 1 dc in next 2 dc, skip next 2 dc, 1 dc in next 2 dc. Repeat from * around, ending with skip 2 stitches, join.
Round 7: sl into next stitch, ch 2, 1 dc in next 2 dc, *work large shell in ch 2 space, 1 dc in next 3 dc, skip next 2 dc, 1 dc in next 3 dc. Repeat from * around, ending with skip 2 stitches, join.
Round 8: sl into next stitch, ch 2, 1 dc in next 3 dc, *work large shell in ch 2 space, 1 dc in next 4 dc, skip next 2 dc, 1 dc in next 4 dc. Repeat from * around, ending with skip 2 stitches, join.
Round 9: sl into next stitch, ch 2, 1 dc in next 4 dc, *work large shell in ch 2 space, 1 dc in next 5 dc, skip next 2 dc, 1 dc in next 5 dc. Repeat from * around, ending with skip 2 stitches, join.
Round 10: sl into next stitch, ch 2, 1 dc in next 5 dc, *work large shell in ch 2 space, 1 dc in next 6 dc, skip next 2 dc, 1 dc in next 6 dc. Repeat from * around, ending with skip 2 stitches, join.
Round 11: sl into next stitch, ch 2, 1 dc in next 6 dc, *work large shell in ch 2 space, 1 dc in next 7 dc, skip next 2 dc, 1 dc in next 7 dc. Repeat from * around, ending with skip 2 stitches, join.
Finishing:
Using the leftover yarn tails wherever possible, sew the eyes, nose and ears onto the head. Sew the arms onto the blanket and then sew the head onto the arms and blanket.
Now that you have a cuddle koala, here are a few other projects that can keep your hands busy:
"Aspen Socialite" Free Headband Pattern (baby-adult sizes)
Free Bunny Hat + Carrot Rattle Crochet Pattern - Baby Gift Set!
Sandra says
Love your pattern. Does it come in a print friendly format?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Sandra,
It sure does! You can download the printable, ad-free pdf here.
Happy crocheting!
Jess
marry says
:)) she so cute. I love it
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Thanks so much, Marry! My daughters love her too 🙂
Angie says
This koala is SO adorable! Thank you for sharing your pattern!!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Thanks, Angie! I really had fun designing it (and consulting my daughter as I went :)) Your dragon cup cozy is so creative. I love his little dragon head nubs. (I realized I have no idea what those are called...Horns? Antennas? Lol...)
Angie says
Thank you! I call them horns... lol 😉
theresa says
Sweet. I'm making him now and I think there is a typo in the stitch total for the ears. Row 4 should have 20 st,not 10.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yes! You're certainly right. Thanks so much for being my proofreader, Theresa. I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know. It's been updated in the pattern now.
Marcia says
Love your patterns. Keep up the great work. Your koala pattern has inspired me to add it to my baskets of baby stuff I give to new baby mothers. Plus my grand daughter will love having a koala of her own. Again thanks for inspiring me. Marcia Fulmer
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Oh, Marcia, I love that you'll be adding some koalas to your baby goodie baskets! They sound like such a fun project to put together. I hope your granddaughter does enjoy a koala of her own. I know my two daughters have loved toting this koala around since I made it. 🙂
Happy basket making!
Jess
Jeni m cousins says
Looks great would love to try it.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I hope you do, Jeni! Please let me know if you have any questions with the pattern.
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Molly Shifrin says
Lovely pattern! For the ears in round 4, do you mean to work 1 sc in the next, then 1 in the next 2 sc? With working 2 sc in between the decreases, you don't get 10 as your final stitch count. Just wondering!
Molly Shifrin says
woops! just saw you made the change already. nevermind 🙂
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yes! Someone else noticed that too. Thanks for your helpful proofreading, Molly!
susi handayani says
tanks for your pattern..i love it
Celeste says
This is just the cutest little koala! It's no wonder your daughter likes it so much. It looks like the perfect cuddly companion!
Rosie says
Hi! I had a problem following the nose pattern! Is the direction right?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Rosie,
I do believe it's written correctly, but I can see how it could be a bit tricky to understand. A tip: pay close attention to which are rows and which are rounds in the nose construction. It begins in the round, then switches to rows, then goes back to a round.
If you let me know where you're getting hung up, I'm happy to try to help further. 🙂
Jess
Ann says
I am a little confused with the koala nose. Do you do row 2 four times.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Ann!
Let's see if I can clear it up. You don't work it four times. Instead you ch 1, then work 2 sc in the next stitch (so 2 sc in one hole) and then you do that exact thing again (2 sc in the next st), creating a total of four stitches in the row, which is what the (4) at the end of the row stands for.
Does that help? Let me know if not!
Jess
Ann says
Thanks for you help Jess. Nose is looking good - one last question- should the little arms be stuffed. If it says in the pattern I apologise - just not seeing it. Love the pattern and am booting away at it
Rachel says
What a sweet pattern! I've never seen a Koala Lovely before. I will be adding this to my "must make" list.
The Yarn Fanatic Party is back after a long summer vacation. I'd love to "see" you there! http://www.thephilosopherswife.net/2016/09/yarn-fanatic-party-59.html
Laura says
I'm confused by the nose pattern. Where exactly do I do the slip stitch for bottom of the nose? Thanks!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yeah, this is a little tricky to explain. Essentially, you're just continuing in the same direction you've been working for the beginning of that fourth row. After you sc 4 stitches like a regular row of crocheting, you continue in the same direction, working in slip stitches down the side of the piece, around the bottom and back up the other side. (So you're working counter clockwise if you're right handed.)
Does that make any sense at all? 🙂
Jess
Janice Taft says
I unexpectedly found your website and I'm so thrilled that I did! I have a brand new granddaughter coming December 5, 2016 (approx) and the Koala project couldn't be a more perfect idea. You are my inspiration Jess! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. God Bless...
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Congratulations, Janice! That is SO exciting for your family! I hope the sweet little girl enjoys her handmade koala!
Jalyn Barber says
I'm stuck on the ears. After row 3 it doesn't say turn. Do I stitch a long the bottom or was it just left out? Then on row 4 it says to repeat 5 times but it doesn't take me to the end of the row. Help please???
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Great catch! Row 3 and 4 should both say to turn. I just updated the pattern. Thanks so much for catching that! You should be ending row 3 with 15 stitches, so in row 4, you'll do 2 sc in the first stitch and then 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches. You'll repeat this 5 times, taking you to the end of the row for a total of 20 total stitches.
Julie says
Can you confirm what a double crochet is? I'm in Australia and I'm thinking it might be our treble? Also, when you crochet do you go into one of the "v's" or under two?
Thanks
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hello from Colorado, USA! I'm using US terms, so a double crochet in this pattern is with two loops on your hook. (Here's a video of what I mean.)
I go under both Vs when I'm crocheting in this pattern.
Happy koala making!
Jess
Saloni says
Hey can you help me with blanket pattern? In row 4 do we make large shell in every alternative ch2 space or in every ch2 space? Thank you very much.