How to crochet a koala lovey- FREE pattern & tutorial

Koala loveys are often loved by children, especially as soft and comforting toys or blankets. Loveys are typically small, cuddly security objects that young children develop an emotional attachment to, providing them with comfort and a sense of security. I have designed my Koala Lovey in 3 different sizes, so that you can crochet the perfect size for your situation. In this blog post, I will teach you how to crochet the XS Koala Lovey pattern, but you can buy the ad-free pdf download of all the Koala patterns in my Pattern Shop:

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When I was designing this Koala Lovey, I really wanted babies and toddlers to be able to use it to help them self-soothe and feel secure, especially during sleep or times of stress. Many children form strong bonds with their loveys, and they often become treasured companions throughout their early years. I wanted my Koala Lovey to be that treasured companion in little ones’ lives.

Do crocheters like faux fur yarn?

So, the first question I asked myself when choosing the yarn I wanted to design my Koala Lovey with is, “Do crocheters like crocheting with faux fur yarns?” Usually when I tell fellow crocheters that I love to work with faux fur yarn they wrinkle their noses and give me this “ishy” look like I’ve lost my mind. In response, I try to convince them of all the wonderful qualities that faux fur yarns have. I wanted to take the time to share with you some factors that could influence a crocheter’s preference in favor of faux fur yarn:

Texture and Feel
Faux fur yarn creates a unique texture and appearance in crochet projects. Some crocheters may enjoy the soft and fluffy feel it provides, especially when making items like plush toys, blankets, or accessories meant to be cozy and comforting.

Aesthetic Appeal
Faux fur yarn can add a fun and whimsical touch to crochet projects, making them look like furry creatures or adding a touch of luxury to certain items.

Is crocheting with faux fur yarn hard?

Some people think that working with faux fur yarn can be more challenging than regular yarn due to its texture, difficulty seeing the stitches, and where to insert the hook. I personally love the final product when crocheted with faux fur yarns and do not find it hard to work with, but rather rewarding!

I would love to convince you to TRY faux fur yarns. Have fun experimenting with different yarn types to create unique and eye-catching pieces. Once you try a new faux fur yarn, don’t just give up if it doesn’t go perfectly, TRY AGAIN! Remember, failure is the first step towards success! Each time you try something, you learn how to do it better the next time. You can always start with a smaller faux fur project. Start with the XS Koala Lovey, and then move onto bigger Koala sizes! Soon your eyes will be drawn towards all the DIFFERENT TYPES of faux fur yarns and their amazing results! The beauty of crochet, as with any craft, lies in the diversity of materials and techniques available, allowing each individual to find what brings them joy and satisfaction in their creative endeavors.

My favorite tips for crocheting with faux fur yarns

Working with faux fur yarn requires some specific tips and tricks to make the process smoother and more enjoyable. Here are some helpful tips for crocheting with faux fur yarn:

Choose the Right Pattern: Opt for patterns that are relatively simple and don’t involve intricate stitch work. Faux fur yarn tends to hide stitches, so working with basic stitches like single crochet or half double crochet can be easier to manage.
Use a Larger Hook Size: Faux fur yarn is often bulkier and thicker than standard yarn, so using a larger crochet hook will help you see your stitches better and prevent your work from becoming too tight.
Work in Good Lighting: Crocheting with faux fur yarn can be challenging on the eyes due to its fluffy texture. Ensure you have sufficient lighting to see your stitches clearly and avoid mistakes.
Crochet in Single Loops: To maintain stitch visibility, crochet in the front or back loops only rather than both loops. This will help you identify and insert your hook into the correct stitches more easily.
Be Gentle with Tension: Avoid pulling the faux fur yarn too tightly, as this can cause the fibers to bunch up and create an uneven texture. Maintain a light and consistent tension throughout your work.
Use Stitch Markers: When working on larger projects or patterns with frequent increases or decreases, use stitch markers to keep track of your stitch count and avoid mistakes.
Limit Frogging (Unraveling): Faux fur yarn can easily become tangled and matted if you unravel your work frequently. Take your time, and if you make a mistake, try to fix it without unraveling too often.
Consider Working in Continuous Rounds: For projects like amigurumi or hats, consider working in continuous rounds without joining to maintain a consistent fur texture.
Avoid Cutting the Yarn: When changing colors or finishing your project, avoid cutting the yarn too close to the work. Leave a longer tail and weave it into the stitches to secure it. Cutting the yarn too close can cause the fur to fray and unravel.
Use a Pet Grooming Brush: After completing your project, use a wide-toothed pet grooming brush to gently comb and fluff the faux fur. This will help give your finished item a neat and even appearance.
Embrace the Fluffiness: Faux fur yarn has a unique and fuzzy texture that adds charm to your projects. Embrace the fluffiness and enjoy the cozy and soft look it provides.

By following these tips and taking your time to work with faux fur yarn, you can create beautiful and fluffy crochet projects that are sure to impress. Happy crocheting!

Instructions for crocheting the Koala Lovey

MATERIALS

HOOKS
3.5 mm • US size E
6 mm • US size J
10 mm • US size N/P (or hook to obtain gauge)

YARN
Color A (nose yarn)
#6 Super Bulky • Approx 5 yds used
Color B (faux fur yarn for body and outer ears)
#7 Jumbo • Approx 90 yds used
Color C (faux fur yarn for Inner ear and mouth)
#6 Super Bulky Weight • Approx 10 yds used
Color D (Bow yarn)
#4 Worsted Weight • Approx 5 yds used

NOTIONS
Scissors, stitch marker, darning needle, poly-fil, 12 mm safety eyes, hot glue to secure safety eyes

GAUGE (4″x 4″), 10 mm hook with Faux Fur
8 sts x 8 rows sc in ea st

XS FINAL SIZE
10″W x 16″L

YARN USED:
NOSE: Premier Parfait Chunky in the color Black.
BODY AND OUTER EARS: Premier Bunny Yarn in the color Gray, a #7 Jumbo yarn.
INNER EARS: WeCrochet Fable Fur in the color Eisbar, a #6 Super Bulky Weight yarn.
BOW: Premier Basix Worsted Light Mauve, a #4 worsted weight yarn.

*I use affiliate links that I receive a small commission at no cost to the customer.

STITCHES
ch chain
sc single crochet
dc double crochet
st stitch
ea each
sp space
sk skip stitch
sl st slip stitch
mc magic circle
inc increase
sc-inc 2 single crochet in the same stitch
sp space
blo back loop only

Pattern Notes:

Ch 1 does not count as a stitch throughout pattern.

If using a different weight of yarn, or a yarn that isn’t furry, you will need to change the hook size to accommodate that yarn. However, if you change a hook size please change ALL hook sizes proportionally to those I recommend.

You can find tips and tutorials for crocheting with faux fur yarn on my YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@sweetcreekpatterns

Koala Pattern:

NOSE
Using one strand of color A (black), 6 mm hook:
*Note* The nose and head is worked in the round.
Rnd 1: Ch 7, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 4 chs, hdc 3 into last ch flipping to bottom of ch, hdc in next 4 chs, hdc-inc in last ch. (14)
Rnd 2: Sc in first st, *Ch 1, sk 1, sc in next st, repeat from* to first ch 1 sp. (7 ch-sps)
Tie off.

HEAD
Using one strand of color B (faux fur), 10 mm hook:
Please Note: I use a Stitch Marker so that I know where the row ends and also to mark where the different stitches begin/end.
Note: if using faux fur yarn, make sure to have the wrong side facing out. If using other types yarn it doesn’t matter. The entire head is worked in the round.
Rnd 1: Insert hook into the last ch-sp created, ch 1, sc in first ch-sp, sc-inc in next 5 ch-sps, sc in last ch sp. (12)
Rnd 2: Sc in ea st around. (12)
Rnd 3: Sc in first 3 sts, sc-inc in next 6 sts, sc in last 3 sts. (18)
Rnds 4-7: Sc in ea st around (4 rnds). (18)
Rnd 8: Sc in first 5 sts, sc2tog in next 8 sts (4 times), sc in last 5 sts. (14)
Tie off and weave in ends, the head should remain open!
ATTACH 12 mm safety eyes on round 2 of Head, 4 stitches apart (the NOSE should be VERTICAL). I also recommend hot gluing the eyes on the inside of the head for extra security.
STUFF head with poly-fil.

BODY
Using color B (faux fur), 10 mm hook:
The Body will connect to the Head and close off the opening in the back of the head, so it is important that you have everything done with the Head, including: safety eyes attached, and stuffing inside of the Head.

Pinching the top and bottom of the back of the head together (with the nose still vertical), continue as follows:
Row 1: Ch 2, insert hook into Head (to crochet the head shut), sc 7 sts across the head, then ch 2. (11)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc-inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 9 sts, sc-inc in last ch. (13)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc-inc in first st, sc in next 11 sts, sc-inc in last st. (15)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc-inc in first st, sc in next 13 sts, sc-inc in last st. (17)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc-inc in first st, sc in next 15 sts, sc-inc in last st. (19)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc-inc in first st, sc in next 17 sts, sc-inc in last st. (21)
*Note: add a stitch marker on both sides of the last increase row, you will NEED them later for adding the arms*
Rows 7-22: Ch 1, turn, sc in ea st across (16 rows). (21)
Do NOT tie off, continue on…..

LEGS
Using color B (faux fur), 10mm hook:
Hind Leg #1
Row 23: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 4 sts. (4)
Rows 24-29: Ch 1, turn, sc 4 (6 rows). (4)
Tie off and weave in ends.

Hind Leg #2
Insert your hook in the corner (opposite of the other leg), then yarn over and pull the yarn through.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first 4 sts. (4)
Rows 2-7: Ch 1, turn, sc 4 (6 rows). (4)
Tie off and weave in ends.

Front Legs #3-4
Insert your hook (where your stitch marker is) in the corner by the head where you stopped increasing, then yarn over and pull the yarn through, working towards the head.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first 4 sts. (4)
Rows 2-7: Ch 1, turn, sc 4 (6 rows). (4)
Tie off weave in all ends.

EDGING
Using one strand of color B (faux fur), 10mm hook:
Start at one side of the Koala neck where the body attaches to the head and work your way around the body to the other side of the neck.
Rnd 1: Starting at the neck, sc around all of the koala’s body going to the top of the paw, in the top of each paw, sc-inc in the corner, hdc in the next st, dc in next st, hdc and sc in the corner, then continue around the body repeating the steps above in each paw.
Tie off and weave in ends.

EARS
Outer Ears
Using one strand of color B (faux fur), 10 mm hook, make 2:
Row 1: Make a magic circle, ch 2, dc 8 into ring. (8)
Cinch the magic ring shut, then tie off leaving long tail to sew onto head.

Inner Ears
Using one strand of color C (faux fur), 6 mm hook, make 2:
Row 1: Make a magic circle, ch 1, hdc 8 into ring. (8)
Cinch the magic ring shut, then tie off leaving long tail to whip stitch ears together.

Attaching inner ear to outer ear:
Place the Inner Ear inside of the Outer Ear, and whip stitch the two ears together around the edge.
Attaching ears to koala head:
Place the ears on round 7 of koala head, 5 stitches apart across the top of head, and whip stitch the flat side of the ears onto the head. The semi circle should be the visible part.

BEARD
Using one strand of color C and 3.5 mm hook:
Row 1: Ch 11, starting in 2nd ch from hook sc2tog, sc2tog in remaining sts. (5)
Tie off weave in ends.

Attaching beard to head:
place the beard at the center bottom of the black part of the nose, and whip stitch around the edge of the beard.

Access the LEFT Handed bow tutorial here

BOW
Using one strand of color D and 6 mm hook:
*Note* you will work the bow in the round.
Rnd 1: Ch 25, sl st to first ch to form ring, ch 1, sc in ea st around. (25)
Rnds 2-7: sc blo in ea st around. (25)
Tie off weave in ends.

Creating and sewing on bow to head:
Take a long piece of yarn and wrap around center of bow, and tie a knot. Sew onto head using piece of yarn you cut.

Available Koala Loveys sizes in my Pattern Shop:

XS Koala Lovey Pattern (10″W x 16″L)
Small Koala Lovey Pattern (12″W x 24″L)
Medium Koala Lovey Pattern (18″W x 36″L)
Koala Lovey BUNDLE of 3 Patterns

Fun facts about Koalas

Koalas are fascinating creatures with many interesting facts, so I wanted to take a few moments and share some intriguing tidbits about these unique marsupials:

Not Bears, but Marsupials: Despite being commonly referred to as “koala bears,” koalas are not bears. They are marsupials, belonging to the same family as kangaroos and wombats. Marsupials carry their young in a pouch, where the baby, called a joey, completes its development.
Eucalyptus Diet: Koalas are herbivores and primarily feed on eucalyptus leaves, which make up almost their entire diet. There are over 600 species of eucalyptus trees, but koalas have specific preferences for certain types based on their nutritional content.
Sleepy Creatures: Koalas are known for their sleepiness, spending up to 20 hours a day resting or sleeping. The low energy content of their eucalyptus diet, coupled with their slow metabolism, contributes to their lethargic behavior.
Thumbs and Fingerprints: Koalas have two opposable thumbs on their front paws to help them grip tree branches when climbing. Additionally, similar to humans, koalas have unique fingerprints, making them one of the few animals with this feature.
Scent Marking: Koalas have scent glands on their chests that they use to mark their territory. Males also have a scent gland on their foreheads, which they rub against trees to leave their scent and signal their presence.
Habitat and Distribution: Koalas are native to Australia and are found in the eastern and southeastern regions of the country. They inhabit eucalyptus forests and woodlands, as these trees provide their main source of food and shelter.
Conservation Concerns: Koalas are considered a vulnerable species due to habitat loss, disease, and other factors. Their populations have been declining, making conservation efforts crucial for their survival.
Specialized Digestive System: Eucalyptus leaves are tough and fibrous, making them difficult to digest. Koalas have a specialized digestive system with a long digestive tract and a unique gut microbiome that allows them to break down and extract nutrients from these leaves.
Vocalizations: Koalas communicate through a range of vocalizations, including bellows, growls, and snarls. During mating season, males can emit loud, booming calls to attract females and assert their dominance.
Unique Noises for Joey: Mother koalas produce special vocalizations, known as “bellowing,” to communicate with their joeys while in the pouch. These sounds help the young koalas recognize their mothers and maintain communication before they fully emerge from the pouch.
Pouch Life: After giving birth, the mother koala carries her tiny, undeveloped joey in her pouch for about six months until it becomes more mature. Afterward, the joey will ride on its mother’s back and continue nursing for several more months.

These are just a few of the many intriguing facts about koalas. Their unique characteristics and behaviors make them beloved symbols of Australia’s wildlife and a subject of interest for animal enthusiasts worldwide.

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Thank you!

In conclusion, I want to Thank Your for taking the time to crochet this adorable Faux Fur Koala Lovey with me. Young children love koalas because of their cuteness, softness, unique appearance, association with nature, exposure in media, and sometimes parental influence. Their fascination with these charming creatures often leads to a deep affection for them as toys, companions, or symbols of the natural world. I know whatever children you gift your new Koala Lovey to, it will be treasured for their entire life!