Meet Kiki the Koala, a soft and cuddly amigurumi friend with big fluffy ears, a round belly, and an adorable oversized nose. This sweet crochet koala makes a wonderful handmade gift and a charming addition to any amigurumi collection.
Made with plush yarn, Kiki has an extra-soft finish that makes the finished koala wonderfully squishy and cozy. In this guide, you’ll find the materials, crochet abbreviations, construction notes, assembly guidance, and helpful tips you need to create your own koala.
Skill Level: Beginner-friendly
Terminology: US crochet terms
Finished Size: Approximately 7 in (18 cm), depending on yarn, hook size, and tension.
About Kiki the Koala
Kiki is designed around the features that make koalas instantly recognizable: oversized rounded ears, a large dark nose, small shiny eyes, and a chunky cuddly body.
The contrasting cream centers of the ears soften the gray color palette and help frame Kiki’s face. The plush yarn gives the finished project a cozy, stuffed-animal look.
Materials You’ll Need
- Gray plush yarn for the head, body, arms, legs, and outer ears
- Cream or white plush yarn for the inner ears and facial details
- Small amount of black yarn for the nose and claws
- 3.0 mm crochet hook
- Safety eyes
- Polyester fiberfill
- Large-eye tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stitch marker
Safety note: Safety eyes may not be appropriate for toys intended for babies or very young children. Embroidered eyes are a safer alternative for those projects.
Crochet Abbreviations
- MR – Magic Ring
- CH – Chain
- SC – Single Crochet
- INC – Increase
- DEC – Decrease
- Rnd – Round
- St / Sts – Stitch / Stitches
Pattern Notes
Most amigurumi pieces are worked in continuous rounds. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it upward as you work.
Add stuffing gradually so it stays evenly distributed. Avoid overstuffing the smaller pieces, especially the arms and ears, as a little flexibility will make assembly easier.
Kiki the Koala Crochet Pattern
Arms
Make two matching arms using the main gray yarn. Shape the lower portion into a rounded paw and keep the upper section slightly softer so it can be attached neatly to the body.
Legs
Make two matching legs. The feet should have a fuller shape than the upper legs to create Kiki’s chunky amigurumi paws. Stuff each leg evenly before completing the upper section.
Body
The body forms Kiki’s rounded belly. Keep your tension consistent and add fiberfill gradually as the opening becomes smaller.
Before permanently attaching the limbs, pin both legs and both arms into position. Check the koala from the front and sides to make sure the placement is balanced.
Head
The head is one of Kiki’s most important pieces because the eye, nose, and ear placement creates the koala’s expression.
Position both safety eyes before securing them permanently. Stuff the head evenly, paying particular attention to the cheeks and the area surrounding the nose.
How to Make the Koala Ears
Outer Ears
Make two matching outer ear pieces using gray yarn. Kiki’s oversized ears are an important part of the finished silhouette, so compare both pieces before assembly to make sure they are similar in size and shape.
Inner Ears
Make two smaller cream or white pieces for the centers of the ears. Position each inner ear centrally over a gray outer ear and pin it before sewing.
Face and Nose
Kiki’s large black nose is the focal point of the face. Center it carefully between and slightly below the eyes. Before sewing permanently, pin the nose in place and check the face straight-on.
Small changes in eye and nose placement can dramatically change an amigurumi’s expression, so take your time during this stage.
Assembly
Once all the crochet pieces are complete, begin by assembling the head. Attach the inner ear pieces to the outer ears and then position both completed ears symmetrically on either side of the head.
Secure the facial details, then attach the head firmly to the body. Position the arms and legs symmetrically and sew them securely in place.
Weave in all remaining yarn ends and gently shape the stuffing with your fingers. Adjust the ears, arms, and legs until Kiki sits naturally.
Tips for a Beautiful Finish
Use a stitch marker. Plush yarn can make individual stitches difficult to see, so marking the beginning of each round makes counting much easier.
Don’t overstuff. Add enough fiberfill to maintain the shape without stretching the stitches and exposing the filling.
Pin before sewing. Always temporarily position paired pieces such as the ears, arms, and legs before permanently attaching them.
Check the face from a distance. Place the project on a table and look at it straight-on before securing the facial features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I crochet Kiki in another color?
Yes. Classic gray works beautifully for a koala, but you can personalize your project with cream, brown, pink, lavender, or another color combination.
Can I make the koala larger?
Yes. Using thicker yarn with an appropriately sized crochet hook will generally produce a larger finished amigurumi. Thinner yarn will create a smaller version.
Why can I see stuffing through my stitches?
Your tension may be too loose for your yarn and hook combination. Try using a slightly smaller hook or working with firmer, more consistent tension.
How do I keep the face symmetrical?
Temporarily position the eyes, nose, and ears before permanently securing them. Look at the head directly from the front and adjust each component until both sides appear balanced.
Your Kiki the Koala Is Complete!
Kiki’s oversized ears, soft round belly, chunky paws, and sweet koala face make this a charming amigurumi project to add to your handmade collection.
Save this project to Pinterest so you can easily find it again, and have fun choosing your own yarn colors for your Kiki!
Pattern & Image Usage
Please respect the copyright and licensing terms of any crochet pattern instructions and photographs used for this project. Only republish pattern instructions or images that you created yourself or have permission to use.
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