Koalas are made for crochet. Big fluffy ears, a large dark nose and a round gray body are all easy shapes, and the result is one of the cutest toys you can make. A crochet koala is a sweet baby gift, a fun Australia-themed toy, or just a happy little friend for your shelf.
Below are 10 free koala patterns we opened and checked one by one. There are tiny keychain koalas, mini koalas holding eucalyptus, a cuddly koala with sculpted features and a koala appliqué for blankets. Each one lists the yarn, hook and skill level so you can pick fast.
Crochet Koala Free Patterns
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
What You’ll Need
- Gray, white and black cotton yarn
- Crochet hook set (2 mm to 5 mm)
- Safety eyes in mixed sizes
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Locking stitch markers
- Blunt tapestry needles
- Keychain rings with jump rings
1. Kobi the Koala
Photo: Mariska Vos-Bolman / DIY Fluffies
Kobi is a quick koala with a belly patch, inner ears, a big nose and little arms and legs. In sport cotton it is only about 2.5 inches tall, perfect for a keychain. Make it in super bulky chenille with a 5 mm hook and it grows to about 10 inches. The pattern is in US terms and comes with a full video tutorial, so it is great for beginners.
- Designer: Mariska Vos-Bolman / DIY Fluffies
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Sport (#2) cotton or super bulky (#6) chenille
- Hook: 2.5 mm or 5 mm (H/8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Kevin the Koala
Photo: Petra Salisbury / Cuddly Stitches Craft
Kevin is a cuddly sitting koala about 8.5 inches tall, or 11 inches from ears to toes. He uses gray, cream and black yarn and only basic stitches. The page has step-by-step photos and video tutorials, and the designer also lists swaps for worsted and other yarn weights. A good pick for a baby gift since he is soft and a nice size to hold.
- Designer: Petra Salisbury / Cuddly Stitches Craft
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Sport (#2) cotton blend
- Hook: 2.5 mm (B/1)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Little Koala by Little Crochet Farm
Photo: Little Crochet Farm
This little koala is about 3 inches tall and part of the designer’s Little Animals collection. The head, body, paws, nose and ears are made separately and joined. There is a two-part video, plus links to stitch tutorials and a list of US abbreviations. The designer says you can sell your finished koalas if you credit her. Great for craft fairs.
- Designer: Little Crochet Farm
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: DK (#3) or sport (#2) cotton
- Hook: 2 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Mini Noso Koala
Photo: Supergurumi
This mini koala is about 2 inches tall and comes with a tiny green eucalyptus branch. The body is made in one piece, so the arms and legs do not need sewing on. It uses single crochet, half double crochet and slip stitches in spiral rounds and rows. Pair it with the panda from the same Mini Noso series for a cute little shelf set.
- Designer: Supergurumi
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Sport (#2) cotton
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Tiny Koala Keychain
Photo: Amivui Studio
This tiny koala is just a head with big round ears and a nose, made to hang from your keys or a bag. Because it is only a few small pieces, it is a fast project and a good way to try koala shaping before you make a full body. The page has step-by-step photos for each round. Make a few as party favors or little gifts.
- Designer: Amivui Studio
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: see pattern
- Hook: 3 mm to 4 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Kiko the Koala
Photo: @banban_crochets / Amigurumi Space
Kiko is a playful koala in blue with a pink tummy patch, which makes a fun change from the usual gray. The legs and body are one piece, and the head is sewn on. The eyes are embroidered with black and white thread, so there are no safety eyes. It uses a 4 to 4.5 mm hook, which means it works up a bit faster than the tiny cotton koalas.
- Designer: @banban_crochets / Amigurumi Space
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: see pattern
- Hook: 4 mm to 4.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Little Koala by Olga Lukoshkina
Photo: Olga Lukoshkina / Amigurumi Space
This little koala has the head, body and legs worked in one piece, with separate stuffed arms and round ears. The nose is a small black piece made with a tiny 1.25 mm hook, so it looks neat and shiny. Every round has its stitch count listed, which makes it easy to check your work. The page calls it easy.
- Designer: Olga Lukoshkina / Amigurumi Space
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Cotton-acrylic blend (see pattern)
- Hook: 2.25 mm and 1.25 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Plush Koala With Heart Belly
Photo: @olesya_amitoys / Amigurum
This plush koala is about 7 inches tall without the ears and made in soft baby plush yarn. It has a heart-shaped belly patch, embroidered eyebrows and a separate nose. The head, body and legs are one piece, and the arms are crocheted in as you go. Some readers say a few placements are not explained in detail, so check photos as you work.
- Designer: @olesya_amitoys / Amigurum
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Plush baby yarn (see pattern)
- Hook: 4 mm and 3 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Crochet Koala by Craft Passion
Photo: Craft Passion (pattern from Woman’s Day)
This small koala is about 3 to 5 inches tall and made in off-white and gray yarn with bead eyes. It is made from a head, body, nose, two ears and four limbs. The page has fun ideas to use it: a keychain, a magnetic hugging koala, a memo holder, or a giant version in chunky yarn. The free pattern is a PDF linked on the page.
- Designer: Craft Passion (pattern from Woman’s Day)
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: see pattern
- Hook: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Crochet Koala Appliqué
Photo: Sarah / Repeat Crafter Me
This flat koala sits on a little tree branch with green leaves. You crochet the head, ears, nose and body, add safety eyes, and sew it onto a blanket. There are optional extra legs too. It uses Red Heart With Love yarn and an H hook. A great choice for a koala baby blanket or a pillow when you do not want a stuffed toy.
- Designer: Sarah / Repeat Crafter Me
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First koala ever? Start with #1 Kobi the Koala. It is beginner friendly and has a full video.
- Want a keychain? Try #5 Tiny Koala Keychain or #4 Mini Noso Koala.
- Making a baby gift? Pick #2 Kevin the Koala, a soft 8.5-inch cuddle buddy.
- Want a fun color? Go for #6 Kiko in blue and pink.
- Making a blanket? Choose #10, the Koala Appliqué.
FAQ
What color yarn should I use for a crochet koala?
Most koalas use a medium or light gray for the body, white or cream for the inner ears and belly, and black for the nose. A heather or tweed gray looks very natural. You do not have to stick to gray, though. Blue, pink and pastel koalas look great in a nursery.
How do I make fluffy koala ears?
Crochet the ears flat, then sew a smaller white circle on the inside. For extra fluff, brush the white yarn with a pet brush, or add short loops of white yarn around the edge. Sew the ears on the sides of the head, a little high, so they stick out like a real koala’s.
How long does it take to crochet a koala?
A mini koala or keychain can take one to two hours. A medium koala of 3 to 4 inches might take an evening. A large koala like Kevin can take a few evenings, mostly for the extra pieces and sewing. Using thicker yarn and a bigger hook will make any pattern faster.
Grab some gray yarn and start with the koala that makes you smile the most.
Pingback: 12 Crochet Whale Free Patterns - I Love Crochet
Pingback: 11 Crochet Elephant Free Patterns - I Love Crochet
Comments are closed.