Free Koala Knitting Pattern – Cute Amigurumi Toy (Perfect Mother’s Day Gift)

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This free koala knitting pattern features a sweet mum and baby duo. The little koala is designed to cling securely to her mama’s back—just like in nature—creating a heartwarming and lifelike detail.

To make the design more interactive, I added a flexible wire inside the mother koala’s body. This allows her to gently wrap around your fingers or hold onto small branches, adding a playful, realistic touch to your finished knit toy.

The pattern is made using wool, giving the koalas a warm, natural texture that feels soft yet structured. It’s a lovely project for anyone who enjoys knitting cute animal toys, and it also makes a meaningful handmade gift—especially for Mother’s Day.

Whether you’re adding it to your collection of knitted animals or creating something special for someone you love, this koala mum and baby set is a cozy and memorable project to make.

A printable, ad-free PDF version is available for $1

Limited-time offer until Friday, April 24 only.

Skill Level

Intermediate

Techniques

Circular cast-on
Increase and decrease stitches
German short row
Simple embroidery skill

Finished Size

9 cm / 3 ½ in (Mum)

5 cm / 2 in (Baby)

Needles

US 3 (3.25 mm)

Gauge

33 sts x 42 rows = 4 x 4 in / 10 x 10 cm

Notions

A tapestry needle

Yarn

Waxwing Cèdre – 100% wool (Fingering weight) - 91 m / 100 yd per 25 g skein

Yarn Amount

Grey: 5-7 g

White: 2-3 g

Dark grey: for the nose embroidery only

Other Materials

Toy stuffing
2mm aluminum wire
Extra yarn or embroidery floss for the eyes

Abbreviations

CO	cast on	k2tog	knit 2 stitches together
rnd(s)	round(s)	ssk	slip, slip, and knit
st(s)	stitch(es)	RLI	right-lifted increase
k	knit	LLI	left-lifted increase
p	purl	DS	double stitch
RS	right side	kDS	knit double stitch
WS	wrong side	pDS	purl double stitch
rep	repeat

A printable, ad-free PDF version is available for $1

Limited-time offer until Friday, April 24 only.

Note - Free Koala Knitting Pattern

Each koala in this pattern is made in two main parts: the head and the body.

The head is worked seamlessly in the round, beginning with a circular cast-on and finished with a gathered bind-off, creating a smooth and rounded shape.

The body is knit flat, then stuffed and sewn into a three-dimensional form. If you’d like to turn your koala into a clip or make it more interactive, you can insert a flexible wire inside the body before closing it.

Once the pieces are complete, the facial features are embroidered, and the ears are finished with soft fringe details. Finally, the head is sewn onto the body to bring your koala to life.

Mom Koala - Head

Use grey yarn, circular CO 12 sts, knit in the round.

Rnd 1: Knit.

Rnd 2: (k2, LLI) rep to end. (18 sts)

Rnd 3: Knit.

Rnd 4: (k3, LLI) rep to end. (24 sts)

Rnd 5: Knit.

Rnd 6: (k2, LLI, k1, LLI, k6, RLI, k1, RLI, k2) rep once more. (32 sts)

Rnd 7-8: Knit 2 rnds.

Rnd 9: (k2, LLI, k2, LLI, k8, RLI, k2, RLI, k2) rep once more. (40 sts)

Rnd 10-17: Knit 8 rnds.

Rnd 18: (k2, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k4, ssk, k2, ssk, k2) rep once more. (32 sts)

Rnd 19-20: Knit 2 rnds.

Rnd 21: (k2, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1, ssk, k2) rep once more. (24 sts)

Rnd 22-23: Knit 2 rnds.

Rnd 24: (k2tog, k2) rep to end. (18 sts)

Rnd 25: Knit, stuff head.

Rnd 26: (k2tog, k1) rep to end. (12 sts)

Rnd 27: Knit.

Add a bit more stuffing, then gather bind-off.

Mom Koala - Body

Using white yarn, long-tail CO 20 sts. Work flat.

Arm Section - white

Row 1 (WS): Purl.

Row 2 (RS): k2, LLI, k to last 2 sts, RLI, k2. (22 sts)

Row 3–5: Work 3 rows of stockinette st, ending with a WS row.

Row 6: k2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. (20 sts)

Row 7: Purl.

Row 8: k2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. (18 sts)

Body Section - white

Row 9: BO 5 sts, purl to end. (13 sts)

Row 10: BO 5 sts, knit to end. (8 sts)

Row 11: Purl.

Row 12: k2, LLI, k to last 2 sts, RLI, k2 (10 sts)

Row 13: Purl.

Row 14: k2, LLI, k to last 2 sts, RLI, k2 (12 sts)

Row 15: Purl.

Leg Section - white

Row 16: k to end, CO 7 sts. (19 sts)

Row 17: p to end, CO 7 sts. (26 sts)

Row 18: Knit.

Row 19: Purl.

Row 20: k2, LLI, k to last 2 sts, RLI, k2 (28 sts)

Row 21-23: Work 3 rows of stockinette st, ending with a WS row.

Row 24: k2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2 (26 sts)

Row 25: Purl.

Row 26: k2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2 (24 sts)

Leg Section - grey

Row 27: change to grey yarn, purl.

Row 28: k2, LLI, k4, LLI, k4, LLI, k4, RLI, k4, RLI, k4, RLI, k2 (30 sts)

Row 29: Purl.

Row 30: k2, LLI, k5, LLI, k5, LLI, k6, RLI, k5, RLI, k5, RLI, k2 (36 sts)

Row 31: Purl.

Row 32: k2, LLI, k6, LLI, k6, LLI, k8, RLI, k6, RLI, k6, RLI, k2 (42 sts)

Row 33: Purl.

Row 34: k2, LLI, k7, LLI, k7, LLI, k10, RLI, k7, RLI, k7, RLI, k2 (48 sts)

Row 35: Purl.

Row 36: Knit.

Body Section - grey

Row 37: BO 7 sts, purl to the end (41 sts)

Row 38: BO 7 sts, knit to the end (34 sts)

Row 39-43: Work 5 rows of stockinette st, ending with a WS row.

German Short Row shaping

Short row 1: k5, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k10, ssk, k3, ssk, k4, turn (total 30 sts)

Short row 2: DS, purl to the last st, turn

Short row 3: DS, knit to 1 st before DS, turn

Short row 4: DS, purl to 1 st before DS, turn

Short row 5: DS, k1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k8, ssk, k2, ssk, turn (total 26 sts)

Short row 6: DS, purl to 1 st before DS, turn

Short row 7: DS, knit to 1 st before DS, turn

Short row 8: DS, purl to 1 st before DS, turn

Short row 9: DS, knit to DS, kDS, k1, turn

Short row 10: DS, purl to DS, pDS, p1, turn

Short row 11: DS, knit to DS, kDS, kDS, k1, turn

Short row 12: DS, purl to DS, pDS, pDS, p1, turn

Short row 13-16: Rep Short Rows 11–12 twice.

Short row 17: DS, knit to DS, kDS, kDS, k1, CO 5 sts, turn. (total 31 sts)

Short row 18: DS, purl to DS, pDS, pDS, p1, CO 5 sts, turn. (total 36 sts)

Arm Section - grey

Work flat

Row 1(RS): k7, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k6, ssk, k4, ssk, k7 (32 sts)

Row 2: purl

Row 3: k7, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k4, ssk, k3, ssk, k7 (28 sts)

Row 4: purl

Row 5: k7, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k2, ssk, k2, ssk, k7 (24 sts)

Row 6: purl

Row 7: k7, k2tog, k1, k2tog, ssk, k1, ssk, k7 (20 sts)

Row 8: purl

BO knitwise.

Baby Koala - Head

Use grey yarn, circular CO 12 sts, knit in the round.

Rnd 1: Knit.

Rnd 2: (k2, LLI) rep to end. (18 sts)

Rnd 3: Knit.

Rnd 4: (k3, LLI) rep to end. (24 sts)

Rnd 5-10: Knit 6 rnds.

Rnd 11: (k2tog, k2) rep to end. (18 sts)

Rnd 12: Knit, stuff head.

Rnd 13: (k2tog, k1) rep to end. (12 sts)

Rnd 14: Knit.

Add a bit more stuffing, then gather bind-off.

Baby Koala - Body

Using white yarn, long-tail CO 14 sts. Work flat.

Arm Section - white

Row 1-4: Work 4 rows of stockinette, ending with a WS row.

Body Section - white

Row 5: BO 4 sts, purl to the end. (10 sts)

Row 6: BO 4 sts, knit to the end. (6 sts)

Row 7-10: work 3 rows of stockinette, ending with a WS row.

Leg Section - white

Row 11: k to end, CO 4 sts. (10 sts)

Row 12: p to end, CO 4 sts. (14 sts)

Row 13-17: work 5 rows of stockinette, ending with a WS row.

Leg Section - grey

Row 18: change to grey color, purl

Row 19: k4, LLI, k2, LLI, k2, RLI, k2, RLI, k4 (18 sts)

Row 20: purl

Row 21: k4, LLI, k3, LLI, k4, RLI, k3, RLI, k4 (22 sts)

Row 22: purl

Row 23: k4, LLI, k4, LLI, k6, RLI, k4, RLI, k4 (26 sts)

Body Section - grey

Row 24: BO 4 sts, purl to the end (22 sts)

Row 25: BO 4 sts, knit to the end (18 sts)

Row 26-28: work 3 rows of stockinette, ending with a WS row.

German Short Row shaping

Short row 1: k3, k2tog, k to last 5 sts, ssk, k2, turn (total 16 sts)

Short row 2: DS, purl to the last st, turn

Short row 3: DS, k1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before DS, ssk, turn (total 14 sts)

Short row 4: DS, purl to 1 st before DS, turn

Short row 5: DS, knit to DS, kDS, k1, turn

Short row 6: DS, purl to DS, pDS, p1, turn

Short row 7: DS, knit to DS, kDS, kDS, k1, CO 4 sts, turn. (total 18 sts)

Short row 8: DS, purl to DS, pDS, pDS, p1, CO 4 sts, turn. (total 22 sts)

Arm Section - grey

Row 1(RS): k5, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1, ssk, k5. (18 sts)

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: k5, k2tog,k2tog, ssk, ssk, k5 (14 sts)

Row 4: Purl.

BO knitwise.

Finishing

Before sewing the body, measure the length of the arm and leg, then add 2 cm. Cut the wire to this length, and bend 1 cm at each end, as shown in the photo.

Tip: Stitching the wire to the inside of the arms and legs before assembling the body helps keep it securely in place.

Next, fold the body along the color change line, aligning the edges. Sew along the edge to close the body, and stuff it firmly before finishing the seam.

Cut strands of grey and white yarn, approximately 5–6 cm long. Using a crochet hook, attach the fringe to the head. Attach grey yarn along the upper section and white yarn along the lower section, working row by row for a total of 3 rows. Once all fringes are attached, trim them into a rounded shape.

Using dark grey yarn, embroider the nose at the center of the face. Begin by making a few vertical stitches to establish the shape. Then, work horizontal stitches across them to fill and define the nose. Leave all yarn tails at the bottom of the head. Adjust the number of stitches to achieve your desired size and shape.

Using black yarn, make a French knot for each eye. Using white yarn, embroider a small outline around each eye and add a small smile beneath the nose. Leave all yarn tails at the bottom.

Attach the head to the body, tucking all yarn tails inside as you close the seam. Make the baby koala following the same steps, then sew it onto the mother koala. Your koala mum and baby are now ready to cuddle.