Introduction
A koala’s ears must remain wider than its cheeks even after a thick apple hood is fitted around the head. This koala amigurumi crochet pattern uses layered circular ears, a projecting oval nose and a 36-stitch head to preserve that outline. Bulky chenille yarn and a 4.5 mm hook produce an intermediate-level toy measuring approximately 26 cm. The removable cape permits access to the neck and arm seams for cleaning or repair.
The Design: What Makes This Koala Different
The head holds a 36-stitch plateau through seven rounds, creating enough width for the large ears without enlarging the body to the same diameter. A separate cream muzzle patch softens the lower face, while a stuffed charcoal nose projects forward instead of lying flat against the stitches. That choice is important because a koala’s nose controls the center of the entire expression.
Each ear combines a gray outer circle and a smaller cream insert. Pinching the lower edge creates a shallow cup and keeps the ear visible beyond the red hood. The costume uses separate hood and cape sections, allowing the opening to be adjusted before the two pieces are joined. A common error in an apple koala crochet pattern is making the hood opening too narrow. The red edge then presses the ears inward and hides the cheek width. This plush koala amigurumi keeps the ear bases outside the hood opening.
Project Info at a Glance
| Skill Level | Time | Finished Size | Hook | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | 11–15 hours | Approximately 26 cm seated | 4.5 mm | Chenille shaping, layered ears and removable garments |
Finished dimensions vary with yarn thickness and tension. Use one chenille brand for the head, body and limbs so the proportions remain consistent.
Materials and Tools
Yarn
- Light gray — bulky chenille, weight 5 — 140–160 g — for the head, body, limbs, tail and outer ears
- Bright red — bulky chenille, weight 5 — 160–190 g — for the apple hood, cape and pom-poms
- Cream — bulky chenille, weight 5 — 35–45 g — for the muzzle patch and inner ears
- Charcoal gray — bulky chenille, weight 5 — 15–20 g — for the nose
- Leaf green — bulky chenille or smooth worsted yarn — 15–20 g — for the leaf and neck ties
- Dark brown — bulky chenille — 8–10 g — for the apple stem
- Blush pink — smooth worsted yarn — small quantity — for the cheek patches
- Black embroidery yarn — small quantity — for the mouth
Tools
- 4.5 mm crochet hook
- Two 14 mm safety eyes
- Polyester stuffing
- Yarn needle
- Locking stitch markers
- Long sewing pins
- Scissors
- Optional 3.5 mm hook for smooth green yarn
Use embroidered eyes instead of plastic safety eyes when the finished koala is intended for a child under three.
Abbreviations
- MR — magic ring
- sc — single crochet
- inc — two single crochets in one stitch
- dec — single crochet decrease
- sl st — slip stitch
- ch — chain
- hdc — half double crochet
- dc — double crochet
- BLO — back loop only
- FLO — front loop only
For an invisible decrease, insert the hook through the front loops of the next two stitches, pull one loop through both front loops, then complete a single crochet.
Pattern — Step by Step
Work stuffed pieces in continuous spiral rounds unless a section specifies turning rows. Mark the first stitch of every round.
Head
Yarn: light gray. Original shaping follows standard six-stitch amigurumi expansion.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
R6: (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
R7–R13: 36 sc (36)
R14: (4 sc, dec) ×6 (30)
R15: (3 sc, dec) ×6 (24)
R16: (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
Place the eyes between R10 and R11 with approximately 10 stitches between their inner edges. Pin the muzzle patch before fitting the washers. Stuff the forehead and sides firmly.
R17: (sc, dec) ×6 (12)
R18: dec ×6 (6)
R19: close the remaining opening (6)
Fasten off. Draw the tail through the front loops of the final six stitches and pull closed.
Body
Yarn: light gray.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
R6: (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
R7–R11: 36 sc (36)
R12: (4 sc, dec) ×6 (30)
R13–R15: 30 sc (30)
R16: (3 sc, dec) ×6 (24)
R17: 24 sc (24)
R18: (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
Stuff the lower half firmly. Keep the neck area slightly softer so the head seam can settle into the top of the body.
R19: (sc, dec) ×6 (12)
R20: dec ×6 (6)
Fasten off and leave a 35 cm sewing tail.
Arms — Make 2
Yarn: light gray.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3–R5: 12 sc (12)
R6: (sc, dec) ×4 (8)
R7–R11: 8 sc (8)
Stuff the hand and lower half. Leave the upper three rounds unstuffed so the arm lies beneath the cape sleeve.
Flatten the opening and work 4 sc through both layers. Fasten off with a 25 cm tail.
Back Legs — Make 2
Yarn: light gray.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4–R6: 18 sc (18)
R7: (sc, dec) ×6 (12)
R8–R11: 12 sc (12)
R12: dec ×6 (6)
Stuff firmly through R9. Add only a small amount near the top edge.
Fasten off and leave a 30 cm sewing tail.
Outer Ears — Make 2
Yarn: light gray. Work as flat circles.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
Fasten off with a 35 cm tail. Do not stuff.
Inner Ears — Make 2
Yarn: cream. Work as flat circles.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
Fasten off with a 25 cm tail. Sew each cream circle to the center of a gray outer ear, leaving a three-stitch gray border. Pinch approximately four stitches together at the lower edge to form a shallow cup.
Muzzle Patch
Yarn: cream. Work as a flat circle and stretch into an oval during assembly.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
Fasten off with a 40 cm tail. Shape the piece into a horizontal oval approximately 10 cm wide.
Nose
Yarn: charcoal gray.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4–R6: 18 sc (18)
R7: (sc, dec) ×6 (12)
Stuff firmly enough to create a vertical oval projecting approximately 2.5 cm from the face.
Fasten off with a 30 cm tail.
Cheek Patches — Make 2
Yarn: blush pink. Work as flat circles.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
Fasten off with a 20 cm tail. Stretch each circle sideways before sewing.
Tail
Yarn: light gray.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3–R5: 12 sc (12)
R6: dec ×6 (6)
Add a small quantity of stuffing so the tail remains rounded but compressible.
Fasten off with a 20 cm tail.
Apple Hood
Yarn: bright red. Work in turning rows.
Ch 27.
Row 1: Starting in the second ch from the hook, 26 sc (26)
Rows 2–5: ch 1, turn, 26 sc (26)
Row 6: ch 1, turn, 3 sc, ch 7, skip 7 stitches, 6 sc, ch 7, skip 7 stitches, 3 sc (26 positions)
Row 7: ch 1, turn, 3 sc, 7 sc around the first chain space, 6 sc, 7 sc around the second chain space, 3 sc (26)
Rows 8–14: ch 1, turn, 26 sc (26)
Row 15: ch 1, turn, 2 sc, dec, 18 sc, dec, 2 sc (24)
Row 16: ch 1, turn, (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
Row 17: ch 1, turn, 18 sc (18)
Row 18: ch 1, turn, (sc, dec) ×6 (12)
Fasten off with a 45 cm tail. Fold the top edge in half and sew the back crown seam from Row 18 down through approximately Row 10. Leave the lower section open. Pull one ear through each chain opening.
Hood Face Edging
Yarn: bright red.
Join yarn at the lower right corner of the hood opening. Work one sc into each row end around the face. Place 2 sc in each lower corner, then join with a sl st.
Fasten off and weave in the yarn end.
Cape
Yarn: bright red. Work in turning rows.
Ch 25.
Row 1: Starting in the second ch from the hook, 24 sc (24)
Row 2: ch 1, turn, (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
Row 3: ch 1, turn, 30 sc (30)
Row 4: ch 1, turn, (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
Rows 5–7: ch 1, turn, 36 sc (36)
Row 8: ch 1, turn, 6 sc, ch 5, skip 5 stitches, 14 sc, ch 5, skip 5 stitches, 6 sc (36 positions)
Row 9: ch 1, turn, 6 sc, 5 sc around the first chain space, 14 sc, 5 sc around the second chain space, 6 sc (36)
Rows 10–12: ch 1, turn, 36 sc (36)
Row 13: ch 1, turn, BLO 36 sc (36)
Fasten off. Pass the arms through the openings. Sew the cape’s upper back edge to the lower back edge of the hood across approximately 14 stitches.
Green Neck Ties — Make 2
Yarn: leaf green.
Ch 31. Starting in the second chain from the hook, sl st in each chain across (30).
Fasten off with a 20 cm tail. Sew one tie to each lower front corner of the hood.
Red Pom-Poms — Make 2
Yarn: bright red.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: 12 sc (12)
R4: dec ×6 (6)
Add a pea-sized amount of stuffing.
Fasten off with a 20 cm tail. Close the opening and sew one pom-pom to each green tie.
Apple Stem
Yarn: dark brown.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2–R8: 6 sc (6)
Insert a narrow roll of stuffing only when the stem collapses under its own weight.
Fasten off with a 25 cm tail.
Apple Leaf
Yarn: leaf green.
Ch 9. Starting in the second chain from the hook, work sl st, sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc and 3 sc in the final chain. Continue along the opposite side with sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc and sl st.
Fasten off with a 25 cm tail. Fold the leaf slightly along the foundation chain before attaching it beside the stem.
Assembly
- Sew the head to the body through the upper body rounds and lower head rounds. Add stuffing beneath the neck seam before closing the last 3 cm.
- Pin the cream muzzle patch across the lower half of the face. Its top edge should pass behind the lower edge of both eyes.
- Center the charcoal nose vertically on the muzzle patch. Sew around the nose, then embroider one short black line downward and two shallow mouth curves.
- Attach the pink cheek patches below and outside the eyes. Keep at least one cream stitch visible between each cheek and the nose.
- Sew one layered ear to each side of the head across approximately Head R5–R11. Angle the cupped openings slightly forward.
- Attach the back legs to the lower front of the body. Keep both feet parallel and level before tightening the seams.
- Sew the arms between Body R13 and R17, then pass them through the cape openings. Position the hands slightly forward.
- Attach the tail to the lower back between Body R7 and R10. Flatten its base against the body so it does not push the cape outward.
- Fit the hood and cape, then tie the green cords loosely below the muzzle. Sew the stem to the crown and attach the leaf beside it.
- Check that both ears extend equally beyond the hood and that the cape hem remains level. Secure the hood with two hidden crown stitches only when a removable costume is not required.
The completed koala should stand on both back legs while the lower body and tail provide additional rear support.
7 Technical Tips
- Hidden round start: Chenille can cover the first stitch and shift the face center. Clip the marker through both loops of the first stitch and add a second marker at the intended front after Head R6.
- Flat ear failure: Unshaped circles resemble mouse ears rather than koala ears. Pinch approximately four stitches at the lower edge of each layered ear before attaching it to the head.
- Weak nose projection: A lightly filled nose collapses into the cream patch. Pack the center until the nose extends about 2.5 cm, while keeping the final round flexible enough to sew flat.
- Visible decrease gaps: Standard two-loop decreases expose stuffing between chenille stitches. Work every head and body decrease through the two front loops and keep the working loop close to the hook shaft.
- Narrow hood opening: An opening under 30 cm in circumference can compress the photographed head proportions. Test the hood after Row 14 and add one plain row when the edge pulls across the cheek patches.
- Rotated cape: A cape attached without marking its center can place one arm opening higher than the other. Mark the back center of the hood and cape, then pin outward at intervals of three stitches.
- Loose accessory tails: Slick chenille ends can withdraw from short woven paths. Weave each stem, leaf and pom-pom tail in three directions through at least 4 cm of fabric before trimming.
Conclusion
Test the ear openings before closing the hood’s crown seam, then fit the cape after both arms have been attached at their final height. Those checks keep the red fabric from narrowing the face or rotating around the body. Record the finished head circumference, hood opening and ear spacing before making a second version because chenille thickness varies between yarn lines. Save this koala amigurumi crochet pattern to Pinterest and share front and side photographs on Instagram using #AppleHoodKoala. The next concrete step is to crochet one ear and place it beneath the unfinished hood. Would you angle this koala’s apple leaf toward the left ear or the right ear?
