A Little Koala Kicks Up the Cuteness Factor for This Baby Blanket

We are nearing the end of the year, and I am going to release the last few free patterns to crochet a Cuddle Buddies Blanket. If you wanted to give one of these super adorable blankets as a Christmas gift, the final patterns will be out by the middle of November so there will be some time to finish it up. If you have missed any of the patterns, they can all be found here.

Today I'm adding the seventh animal applique to the collection, and it might be cuter than the first six! This friendly little koala joey is very easy to crochet, and he brings a smile to my face each time I look at him. His fun fuzzy ears are just the thing to kick up the cuteness factor.

Let's jump right in!

Watch the video tutorial:

Supplies:

This may contain affiliate links which means at no extra cost to you I may receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links.

• G 4 mm hook

• Yarn – size 4 worsted weight yarn. I used Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn in Grey Beard, White, and Black.

• Bernat Pipsqueak yarn in Elephant Gray

• Darning/yarn needle

• Scissors

• You can purchase a print-friendly, ad-free pdf of this pattern here

Gauge:

Not important for this project. If your koala's face is a little larger or a little smaller it will still fit wonderfully.

Yardage:

• Grey Beard - 70 yards

• Black, White and Pipsqueak Elephant Gray – small amounts

Stitch Abbreviations:

mc – magic circle - Watch a tutorial here

ch - chain

sl st – slip stitch

sc – single crochet

sc2tog – single crochet 2 together (also known as a decrease). Insert hook into the indicated stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on the hook). Insert hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on the hook). Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on the hook.

Notes:

• The ch at the start of each row does not count as a stitch.

• Sl st to the first stitch of the row, not the chain.

• The first stitch of the row SHOULD be in the same stitch you slip stitched into.

Cuddle Buddies Koala Pattern

Koala Head Crochet Pattern

G 4 mm hook

With Grey Beard yarn

row 1 - mc and place 8 sc in the mc, sl st to the first sc, ch 1 (8)

row 2 – 2 sc in each stitch around, sl st to the first sc, ch 1 (16)

row 3 – (2 sc in the first stitch, 1 sc in the next) repeated around, sl st to the first sc, ch 1 (24)

row 4 – (1 sc in the first stitch, 2 sc in the next, 1 sc in the next) repeated around, sl st to the first sc, ch 1 (32)

row 5 – (2 sc in the first stitch, 1 sc in the next 3 stitches) repeated around, sl st to the first sc, ch 1 (40)

row 6 – (1 sc in the each of the next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next, 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches) repeated around, sl st to the first sc (48)

Finish off and leave a long tail for sewing the head onto the blanket.

Koala Ear Crochet Pattern

Make 2

With White yarn

Row 1 - Mc and place 6 sc in the mc, use the starting end to pull the mc MOSTLY closed, ch 1, turn your work (6)

Row 2 – 2 sc in each stitch around (12) DO NOT TURN YOUR WORK. Work 2 sc along the bottom edge (the unclosed portion of the mc), sl st to the first sc of the row changing yarn color to Grey Beard, ch 1. DO NOT TURN YOUR WORK.

Row 3 – 1 sc into each of the next 12 stitches (starting in the stitch you just slip stitched to), changing yarn to Pipsqueak Elephant Gray at the end of the 12th sc, ch 1, TURN YOUR WORK (12)

Row 4 – 1 sc into each of the next 12 stitches (12)

Finish off, leaving a long tail of Grey Beard to sew the ear onto the blanket later. Weave in all other ends except the long tail.

Koala Paw Crochet Pattern

Make 2

With Grey Beard yarn

Row 1 - Mc and place 6 sc in the mc, sl st to the first sc, ch 1 (6)

Row 2 – 2 sc in each stitch around, sl st to the first sc (12)

Finish off leaving a long tail to use later to sew the paws onto the blanket.

Weave in the starting ends.

Koala Nose Crochet Pattern

With Black yarn

Ch 3

Row 1 – Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc in the next two ch, ch 1, turn (2)

Row 2 – 1 sc in each stitch, ch 1, turn (2)

Row 3 – sc2tog (1)

Row 4 – This row will be worked around the outside of the entire nose as a border.

Sc in the same stitch as the last sc from Row 3 and turn the work so you are working down the left side of the nose.

3 sc down the side.

Work a second sc in the same stitch as the last, turn the work so you are working along the next side.

1 sc on that side

Work a second sc in the same stitch as the last, turn the work so you are working along the last side.

2 sc on that side

sl st to the first sc of the border

There should be a total of 9 stitches in Row 4/border.

Finish off leaving a long tail to attach the nose to the face. Weave in the remaining end.

Assembling the Crocheted Koala Applique

Use a yarn needle and the tails left from each of the body parts to sew the pieces onto one another and the blanket.

1.     Attach the nose to the center of the face.

2.     With Black yarn embroider eyes just to the sides of the top of the nose, a mouth under the nose, and five claws onto the paws.

3.     With White yarn add a “white” to the eyes and a line just under the nose.

4.     Sew the head onto the blanket block. I like to place this near one of the joins on the block.

5.     Sew the ears onto the sides of the head with about eight empty stitches between the two. Place stitches into the row of Grey Beard yarn just below the fuzzy Pipsqueak yarn row.

6.     Sew the paws onto the blanket with the back edge overlapping the koala’s head just a bit and so it looks like the paws are holding the “frame” created from the block joins.

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