Knit a cuddly koala with this free knitting pattern
Looking for a toy knitting pattern? Welcome to what could be cutest of all – a cuddly knitted koala. This free pattern shows you how to make a cuddly toy that's perfect as a keepsake or gift.
This is a gorgeous knitting pattern to make for the children or grandchildren in your life.
You only need one pair of knitting needles for this pattern, and the majority of the koala is stitched in garter stitch, making it ideal for knitters who have mastered the basic knitting techniques and are looking to use their skills to create beautiful projects.
Made with grey and white wool with detailing in black yarn and felt, it's a simply adorable knitting project. Once made he has an approximate sitting height of 18cm.
You will need:
Two 50g balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in Grey 09 (A) and one 50g ball in White 25 (B)
Oddments of black yarn
Oddment of black felt
Tension
24 sts and 48 rows to 10cm square over garter st using 3.5mm needles, exact tension is not essential.
Abbreviations
alt alternate; beg beginning; ch chain; cm centimetres; cont continue; dc double crochet; dec decrease; foll following; inc increase; k knit; kfb k into front and back of next st; m1 make one st by picking up and working into back of loop lying between st just worked and next st; rem remaining; rep repeat; RS right side; sk2togpo slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped st over; s2togkpo slip next 2 sts tog, k1 then pass slipped sts over so centre st lies on top; ssk [slip 1 knitwise] twice, insert tip of left hand needle from left to right through fronts of slipped sts and k2tog; st(s) stitch(es); tbl through back loop; tog together; WS wrong side.
Note: All pieces for the koala are made using 3.5mm needles.
Body back
(worked from the neck edge)With A, cast on 12 sts and k 1 row.
Shape shoulders Next row Cast on 2 sts, k to end. Rep this row 3 times more. 20 sts. K 4 rows. Next row K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. 22 sts. K 5 rows **. Rep the last 6 rows 5 times more. 32 sts.
Shape base Next row K1, [ssk, k11, k2tog] twice, k1. 28 sts. K 1 row. Next row K1, [ssk, k9, k2tog] twice, k1. 24 sts. K 1 row. *** Next row K1, [ssk, k7, k2tog] twice, k1. 20 sts. K 1 row. Cont to dec 4 sts in this way on every foll alt row until 8 sts rem. Next row K1, sk2togpo, p3tog, k1. 4 sts. Next row [K2tog] twice. 2 sts. Next row K2tog and fasten off.
Body front
With B, work as Body Back to **. Next row K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. 24 sts. K 5 rows. Next row K1, m1, k10, m1, k2, m1, k10, m1, k1. 28 sts. K 5 rows. Next row K1, m1, k10, m1, k6, m1, k10, m1, k1. 32 sts. K 5 rows. Next row K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. K 5 rows. Rep the last 6 rows once more. 36 sts. Change to work in A. Next row K1, ssk, k6, ssk, k5, k2tog, ssk, k5, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k1. 30 sts. K 1 row. Next row K1, ssk, k5, ssk, k3, k2tog, ssk, k3, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k1. 24 sts. K 1 row. Now work as Body Back from *** to end.
Head
With A, cast on 12 sts and k 1 row. Nextrow (RS) [Kfb, k1, kfb] 4 times. 20 sts. K 1 row. Nextrow [Kfb, k3, kfb] 4 times. 28 sts. K 1 row. Nextrow [Kfb, k5, kfb] 4 times. 36 sts. K 1 row. Next row [Kfb, k7, kfb] 4 times. 44 sts. K 25 rows.
Shape top
Next row (RS) [Ssk, k7, k2tog] 4 times. 36 sts. K 1 row. Next row [Ssk, k5, k2tog] 4 times. 28 sts. K 1 row. Next row [Ssk, k3, k2tog] 4 times. 20 sts. K 1 row. Next row [Ssk, k1, k2tog] 4 times. 12 sts. K 1 row. Next row [Ssk, k2tog] 3 times. 6 sts. Break yarn, thread through rem sts, pull up and secure. Join seam, leaving cast on edge open.
Ears (make 2)
With A, cast on 20 sts, k 3 rows. Next row (RS) K1, [k2tog, k2] 4 times, k2tog, k1. 15 sts. K 1 row. Change to work in B. Next row K2, [k2tog, k1] 4 times, k1. 11 sts. K 1 row. Next row [K2tog, k1] 3 times, k2tog. 7 sts. K 1 row. Next row K1, [k2tog, k1] twice. 5 sts. Cast off knitwise. With RS facing, 3mm crochet hook and B, work around the cast on edge of ear as follows: Dc in 1st st, [ch2, 1dc in next st] to end and fasten off.
Arms (make 2)
With A, cast on 7 sts and k 1 row. Next row (RS) K1, m1, k2, m1, k1, m1, k2, m1, k1. 11 sts. K 1 row. Next row K1, m1, [k3, m1] 3 times, k1. 15 sts. K 1 row. Next row K1, m1, k4, m1, k5, m1, k4, m1, k1. 19 sts. K 1 row. Next row K1, m1, k17, m1, k1. 21 sts. K 1 row. Next row K1, m1, k7, ssk, k1, k2tog, k7, m1, k1. 21 sts. K 1 row. Rep the last 2 rows once more. Next row K8, ssk, k1, k2tog, k8. 19 sts. K 1 row. Next row K7, ssk, k1, k2tog, k7. 17 sts. K 15 rows.
Shape top
Next row K2, ssk, k2tog, k5, ssk, k2tog, k2. 13 sts. K 1 row. Next row K1, ssk, k2tog, s2togkpo, ssk, k2tog, k1. 7 sts. K 1 row. Next row K1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1. 5 sts. Break yarn, thread through rem sts, pull up and secure. Join seam, leaving a gap. Stuff firmly, apart from the shaped paws, which should be lightly stuffed and flattened.
Legs (make 2)
With A, cast on 9 sts and k 1 row. Next row (RS) [K2, m1] twice, k1, [m1, k2] twice. 13 sts. K 1 row. Next row K2, m1, [k3, m1] 3 times, k2. 17 sts. K 1 row. Next row K2, m1, k4, m1, k5, m1, k4, m1, k2. 21 sts. K 1 row. Next row K2, m1, k17, m1, k2. 23 sts. K 1 row. Next row K2, m1, k19, m1, k2. 25 sts. K 1 row. Next row K2, m1, k8, ssk, k1, k2tog, k8, m1, k2. 25 sts. K 1 row. Rep the last 2 rows once more. Next row K10, ssk, k1, k2tog, k10. 23 sts. K 1 row. Next row K9, ssk, k1, k2tog, k9. 21 sts. K 1 row. Next row [K1, ssk] twice, k9, [k2tog, k1] twice. 17 sts. K 3 rows. Next row [K1, ssk] twice, k5, [k2tog, k1] twice. 13 sts. K 3 rows. Next row K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. 15 sts. K 3 rows. Rep the last 4 rows 3 times more. 21 sts.
Shape top Next row K2, ssk, k2tog, k9, ssk, k2tog, k2. 17 sts. K 1 row. Next row K1, ssk, k2tog, k7, ssk, k2tog, k1. 13 sts. K 1 row. Next row K1, ssk, k2tog, s2togkpo, ssk, k2tog, k1. 7 sts. K 1 row. Next row K1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1. 5 sts. Break yarn, thread through rem sts, pull up and secure. Join seam, leaving a gap. Stuff firmly, apart from the shaped paws, which should be lightly stuffed and flattened.
To make up
Stuff head firmly, run a thread around cast on edge, pull up and secure. Using the template (above), cut out the nose from felt, position on the front of the head (see image) and stitch in place with black thread, pushing a small amount of stuffing under the felt as you stitch.
For the eyes, cut 2 small circles from felt, position the eyes either side of the nose and sew in place. Position the ears on each side of the head and stitch in place. Join the front and back body pieces together, leaving the cast on edge open. Stuff firmly and close the opening.
Position the head on the body and sew in place securely. With black yarn, sew three ‘claws’ to each paw. Cut two 3.5 x 4cm and two 2.5 x 3cm ovals from black felt and sew the smaller ovals to the arm paws and the larger ovals to the leg paws. Position the arms and legs on the body and stitch securely in place.
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