Knitting Tutorial: Pink Koala in Cardigan – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet pink koala is knitted as a soft amigurumi-style doll with a round head, fluffy white ears, gray oval nose, green-and-white striped cardigan, tiny wooden-look buttons, brown sandals with flower accents, a yellow daisy bag, a straw-style hat with a blue bow, and two little acorns. The design uses firm stockinette shaping, careful seaming, light embroidery, and small accessories to match the cozy handmade look in the photo.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Finished Size

• Koala height: about 9 in / 23 cm seated from bottom to top of head.
• Head width: about 4.5 in / 11.5 cm including the fluffy ears.
• Cardigan width: about 4.25 in / 11 cm across the body when buttoned.
• Bag: about 2 in / 5 cm tall, not including strap.
• Hat: about 3.25 in / 8 cm across the brim.
• Acorns: about 1.25 in / 3 cm long each.

Skill Level

Intermediate beginner. The main koala uses basic knit, purl, increases, decreases, and seaming. The cardigan and accessories include color changes, simple embroidery, small shaping, and neat finishing. A confident beginner can complete this project by working slowly and checking the stitch counts after each shaped round or row.

Materials

• Sport weight or light DK yarn in soft pink for the koala body, about 90 yd / 82 m.
• Gray sport weight yarn for the nose, about 8 yd / 7 m.
• White fluffy eyelash or faux-fur yarn for outer ears, about 20 yd / 18 m.
• Pale pink yarn for inner ears and paw pads, about 12 yd / 11 m.
• Green sport weight yarn for cardigan, about 35 yd / 32 m.
• White sport weight yarn for cardigan stripes, cuffs, and motifs, about 25 yd / 23 m.
• Tan yarn for straw hat, about 35 yd / 32 m.
• Yellow yarn for bag and sandal flowers, about 25 yd / 23 m.
• Brown yarn for sandals and acorn caps, about 18 yd / 16 m.
• Light tan yarn for acorn bodies, about 10 yd / 9 m.
• Blue yarn for hat ribbon and bow, about 10 yd / 9 m.
• Black embroidery floss for eyelashes and brows.
• Two 6 mm black safety eyes or black beads.
• Three tiny 6 to 8 mm buttons for the cardigan.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• US size 2 / 2.75 mm double-pointed needles or circular needles for magic loop.
• US size 1 / 2.25 mm needles for small firm accessories.
• Tapestry needle, stitch markers, pins, scissors, and sewing needle for buttons.

Gauge

• Main doll gauge: 28 sts and 38 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch before stuffing.
• Accessory gauge: 30 sts and 42 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch.
• Gauge is not critical for display, but a firm fabric is important so stuffing does not show through.
• If your stitches look loose, go down one needle size. If your fabric is very stiff and hard to shape, go up one needle size.

Abbreviations

• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• st / sts: stitch / stitches.
• rnd / rnds: round / rounds.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch to increase 1 stitch.
• M1L: make 1 left increase.
• M1R: make 1 right increase.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• ssk: slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 knitwise, knit slipped stitches together through back loops.
• p2tog: purl 2 stitches together.
• BO: bind off.
• CO: cast on.

Construction Notes

The koala is worked as separate pieces and assembled for a rounded, plush look. The head is large and nearly spherical. The body is shorter and pear-shaped, hidden partly under the cardigan. Arms are small tapered tubes, legs are longer seated limbs, and feet point forward with white oval paw pads.

The ears are the key feature. Each ear has a pale pink knitted inner circle and a slightly larger fluffy white outer circle. The ears are attached high on the sides of the head, angled slightly outward. This gives the face the same soft koala shape shown in the image.

The cardigan is knitted flat in one piece from the bottom edge to the armholes, then divided into fronts and back. It has green and white horizontal stripes, ribbed edges, short sleeves, three buttons, and simple white and green embroidery on the front.

Body

Use soft pink yarn and US size 2 / 2.75 mm needles. Work in the round. Stuff the body firmly but not hard. The finished body should be shorter than the head and gently rounded at the belly.

1. CO 8 sts. Divide over needles and join in the round, being careful not to twist.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 3: *k1, kfb; repeat from * around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: knit all sts.
6. Rnd 5: *k2, kfb; repeat from * around. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: knit all sts.
8. Rnd 7: *k3, kfb; repeat from * around. 40 sts.
9. Rnds 8 to 14: knit all sts.
10. Rnd 15: *k9, kfb; repeat from * around. 44 sts.
11. Rnds 16 to 23: knit all sts.
12. Rnd 24: *k9, k2tog; repeat from * around. 40 sts.
13. Rnd 25: knit all sts.
14. Rnd 26: *k8, k2tog; repeat from * around. 36 sts.
15. Rnd 27: knit all sts.
16. Rnd 28: *k7, k2tog; repeat from * around. 32 sts.
17. Rnd 29: knit all sts.
18. Rnd 30: *k6, k2tog; repeat from * around. 28 sts.
19. Rnd 31: knit all sts.
20. Rnd 32: *k5, k2tog; repeat from * around. 24 sts.
21. Begin stuffing. Keep the bottom rounded and the neck slightly narrow.
22. Rnd 33: *k4, k2tog; repeat from * around. 20 sts.
23. Rnd 34: knit all sts.
24. BO all sts, leaving a 12 in tail for sewing the head to the body.

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Head

The head is the largest piece. It should look round and full, with the face centered toward the front. Use soft pink yarn. Work in the round and stuff evenly so there are no flat spots.

1. CO 8 sts. Divide over needles and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 3: *k1, kfb; repeat from * around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: knit all sts.
6. Rnd 5: *k2, kfb; repeat from * around. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: knit all sts.
8. Rnd 7: *k3, kfb; repeat from * around. 40 sts.
9. Rnd 8: knit all sts.
10. Rnd 9: *k4, kfb; repeat from * around. 48 sts.
11. Rnd 10: knit all sts.
12. Rnd 11: *k5, kfb; repeat from * around. 56 sts.
13. Rnd 12: knit all sts.
14. Rnd 13: *k6, kfb; repeat from * around. 64 sts.
15. Rnds 14 to 27: knit all sts.
16. Rnd 28: *k6, k2tog; repeat from * around. 56 sts.
17. Rnd 29: knit all sts.
18. Rnd 30: *k5, k2tog; repeat from * around. 48 sts.
19. Rnd 31: knit all sts.
20. Rnd 32: *k4, k2tog; repeat from * around. 40 sts.
21. Rnd 33: knit all sts.
22. Place safety eyes between Rnds 21 and 22, about 12 sts apart on the front of the face.
23. Rnd 34: *k3, k2tog; repeat from * around. 32 sts.
24. Begin stuffing. Shape the head into a smooth ball. Add extra stuffing around the cheeks.
25. Rnd 35: *k2, k2tog; repeat from * around. 24 sts.
26. Rnd 36: *k1, k2tog; repeat from * around. 16 sts.
27. Rnd 37: k2tog around. 8 sts.
28. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave in securely.

Gray Koala Nose

The nose is a soft vertical oval, placed in the center of the face below the eyes. Work it firmly in gray yarn. A slightly textured look is fine because the nose in the photo appears darker and denser than the pink face.

1. CO 8 sts with gray yarn. Work flat.
2. Row 1: purl all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: purl all sts.
5. Row 4: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 9: work in stockinette, beginning with a purl row.
7. Row 10: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
8. Row 11: purl all sts.
9. Row 12: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
10. Row 13: purl all sts.
11. Row 14: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
12. BO purlwise. Leave a long tail.
13. Lightly stuff the back of the nose with a tiny pinch of fiberfill before sewing.

Sew the nose vertically between the eyes, with the top of the nose starting around Rnd 22 of the head and the bottom reaching around Rnd 28. Use small stitches around the edge. Pull slightly at the center so the nose sits raised but neat.

Outer Fluffy Ears

Make 2. Use white fluffy eyelash or faux-fur yarn. If the yarn is difficult to see, hold it together with a strand of white sport yarn. These outer ears should be larger than the inner pink circles and very soft around the edges.

1. CO 8 sts. Divide over needles and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 3: *k1, kfb; repeat from * around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: knit all sts.
6. Rnd 5: *k2, kfb; repeat from * around. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: knit all sts.
8. Rnd 7: *k3, kfb; repeat from * around. 40 sts.
9. Rnds 8 to 10: knit all sts.
10. Rnd 11: *k3, k2tog; repeat from * around. 32 sts.
11. Rnd 12: knit all sts.
12. BO loosely. Leave a 14 in tail for sewing.

Inner Pink Ears

Make 2. Use pale pink yarn or the same soft pink yarn as the body. These inner pieces are sewn onto the fluffy ears before the ears are attached to the head.

1. CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 3: *k1, kfb; repeat from * around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: knit all sts.
6. Rnd 5: *k2, kfb; repeat from * around. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: knit all sts.
8. BO loosely, leaving a long tail.

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Place each pink inner ear on the center of a fluffy white outer ear. Sew around the edge of the pink circle, keeping the stitches loose enough that the ear remains soft and rounded. Brush the fluffy yarn outward with your fingers after sewing.

Arms

Make 2. The arms are pink at the paws and partly covered by cardigan sleeves later. They are short, rounded, and slightly tapered.

1. CO 10 sts with soft pink yarn. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: knit all sts.
3. Rnd 2: *k1, kfb; repeat from * around. 15 sts.
4. Rnds 3 to 7: knit all sts.
5. Rnd 8: *k3, k2tog; repeat from * around. 12 sts.
6. Rnds 9 to 18: knit all sts.
7. Stuff the lower half lightly. Leave the upper half flatter for sewing to the body.
8. Rnd 19: *k2, k2tog; repeat from * around. 9 sts.
9. BO all sts. Leave a long tail.

Flatten the upper edge slightly. Sew arms to the body just below the neck, angled downward and slightly forward. The hands should peek out from under the cardigan sleeves.

Legs

Make 2. The legs are pink, seated, and visible below the cardigan. They should be long enough to extend forward with the sandal straps crossing over the feet.

1. CO 12 sts with soft pink yarn. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: knit all sts.
3. Rnd 2: *k1, kfb; repeat from * around. 18 sts.
4. Rnds 3 to 8: knit all sts.
5. Rnd 9: k6, kfb 6 times, k6. 24 sts.
6. Rnds 10 to 13: knit all sts.
7. Rnd 14: k6, k2tog 6 times, k6. 18 sts.
8. Rnds 15 to 28: knit all sts.
9. Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly.
10. Rnd 29: *k1, k2tog; repeat from * around. 12 sts.
11. Rnd 30: knit all sts.
12. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Sew legs to the lower front of the body in a seated position. The feet should point forward and slightly outward. Keep the knees close together under the cardigan hem, matching the cute sitting pose in the image.

White Foot Pads

Make 2. These small white ovals sit on the front of the feet inside the brown sandal soles.

1. CO 6 sts with white yarn. Work flat.
2. Row 1: purl all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb, k4, kfb. 8 sts.
4. Row 3: purl all sts.
5. Rows 4 to 8: work in stockinette.
6. Row 9: purl all sts.
7. Row 10: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
8. BO purlwise. Leave a sewing tail.

Sew one white pad to the front of each foot. Place it vertically, leaving a narrow pink edge visible around the pad.

Brown Sandal Soles

Make 2. The sandals frame the white foot pads and create the summer outfit look shown in the photo.

1. CO 8 sts with brown yarn. Work flat.
2. Row 1: purl all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: purl all sts.
5. Rows 4 to 12: work in stockinette.
6. Row 13: purl all sts.
7. Row 14: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
8. BO purlwise. Leave a long tail.

Place each brown sole under the foot, wrapping the edge slightly upward around the white pad. Sew around the sole edge with small brown stitches.

Sandal Straps

Make 6 brown straps. Each foot uses one toe strap and two diagonal ankle straps.

1. CO 3 sts with brown yarn.
2. Rows 1 to 14: knit all sts for a narrow garter strap.
3. BO, leaving tails for sewing.

Sew one strap across the lower front of each foot, just above the white pad. Sew two straps diagonally across each foot, crossing over the top and attaching at the sides of the brown sole. Keep the straps snug but do not pull the foot out of shape.

Yellow Sandal Flowers

Make 2. These tiny yellow flowers sit on the outer side of the sandals.

1. CO 5 sts with yellow yarn.
2. Row 1: kfb in each st. 10 sts.
3. Row 2: BO all sts knitwise, curling the strip naturally.
4. Roll the strip into a tiny flower and sew the base closed.
5. Add one small brown stitch in the center if desired.

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Sew one flower to the outside edge of each sandal near the ankle strap. The flowers should be small, bright, and visible from the front.

Green and White Cardigan Body

The cardigan is worked flat from the bottom up. It should fit snugly but not tightly over the koala body. Use green as the main color and white for stripes. The front opening remains in the center, with buttons sewn on the koala’s right front and small yarn loops on the left front.

Use US size 2 / 2.75 mm needles. Work the lower ribbing first, then continue in stockinette with garter edges to prevent curling.

1. With green yarn, CO 52 sts.
2. Row 1: *k1, p1; repeat from * across.
3. Row 2: *p1, k1; repeat from * across.
4. Rows 3 to 5: repeat Rows 1 and 2 as established, ending after Row 5.
5. Row 6, RS: k4 for front band, knit to last 4 sts, k4 for front band.
6. Row 7, WS: k4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
7. Row 8 with white: k4, knit to last 4 sts, k4.
8. Row 9 with white: k4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
9. Rows 10 and 11 with green: work in stockinette with 4 garter sts at each edge.
10. Rows 12 and 13 with white: work in stockinette with 4 garter sts at each edge.
11. Rows 14 to 17 with green: work in stockinette with 4 garter sts at each edge.
12. Rows 18 and 19 with white: work in stockinette with 4 garter sts at each edge.
13. Rows 20 and 21 with green: work in stockinette with 4 garter sts at each edge.

Divide for Fronts and Back

1. Row 22, RS with green: k13 for right front, BO 4 sts for armhole, k18 for back, BO 4 sts for armhole, k13 for left front.
2. Place right front and left front sts on holders. Continue on the 18 back sts first.
3. Back Row 1, WS: purl all sts.
4. Back Row 2, RS with white: knit all sts.
5. Back Row 3 with white: purl all sts.
6. Back Rows 4 to 7 with green: work in stockinette.
7. Back Row 8: BO all 18 sts.

Right Front

1. Return 13 right front sts to needle.
2. Row 1, WS: k4, purl to end.
3. Row 2, RS with white: knit all sts.
4. Row 3 with white: k4, purl to end.
5. Row 4 with green: knit all sts.
6. Row 5: k4, purl to end.
7. Row 6: k2tog, knit to end. 12 sts.
8. Row 7: k4, purl to end.
9. Row 8: k2tog, knit to end. 11 sts.
10. Row 9: k4, purl to end.
11. BO all sts.

Left Front

1. Return 13 left front sts to needle.
2. Row 1, WS: purl to last 4 sts, k4.
3. Row 2, RS with white: knit all sts.
4. Row 3 with white: purl to last 4 sts, k4.
5. Row 4 with green: knit all sts.
6. Row 5: purl to last 4 sts, k4.
7. Row 6: knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 12 sts.
8. Row 7: purl to last 4 sts, k4.
9. Row 8: knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 11 sts.
10. Row 9: purl to last 4 sts, k4.
11. BO all sts.

Cardigan Shoulder Seams

Sew each front shoulder to the back shoulder using green yarn. Keep the neckline open and round. Try the cardigan on the koala before fastening the sleeves. The lower hem should sit around the top of the legs, just like the image.

Cardigan Sleeves

Make 2. The sleeves are short, striped, and slightly flared at the cuff. They cover the top of the arms while leaving the pink paws visible.

1. With green yarn, CO 22 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: work k1, p1 rib.
3. Row 5, RS with white: knit all sts.
4. Row 6 with white: purl all sts.
5. Rows 7 and 8 with green: work stockinette.
6. Rows 9 and 10 with white: work stockinette.
7. Rows 11 and 12 with green: work stockinette.
8. Row 13: k2tog, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 20 sts.
9. Row 14: purl all sts.
10. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.

Sew each sleeve seam. Attach sleeves into the cardigan armholes. Keep the seam underneath the arm. Slide the cardigan over the koala after the arms are attached and check that the sleeve cuffs sit just above the pink paws.

Cardigan Neck Ribbing

1. With green yarn and RS facing, pick up and knit 34 sts around the neckline.
2. Row 1: *k1, p1; repeat from * across.
3. Row 2: *p1, k1; repeat from * across.
4. BO loosely in rib.

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The neck ribbing should sit close to the lower head without hiding the face. Do not make the collar too tall. The image shows a simple rounded cardigan neckline with a soft white-and-green yoke effect.

Cardigan Buttons and Button Loops

• Sew three small wooden-look buttons down the koala’s right front band.
• Place the top button just below the neckline, the middle button at the center chest, and the bottom button near the lower hem.
• For each button loop, use green yarn on the opposite front band. Insert the needle at the band edge, chain or twist a small loop by hand, and secure it firmly.
• The loops should be small enough to hold the buttons without pulling the cardigan out of shape.

Cardigan Leaf and Stitch Embroidery

The cardigan in the photo has sweet white stitch details and green leafy embroidery on the front. Add these after the cardigan is sewn, but before permanently dressing the koala if that is easier for your hands.

• Using white yarn, embroider small V stitches across the green sections on both front panels.
• Make each V stitch about 2 knitted stitches wide and 2 rows tall.
• Using green yarn in a slightly darker or lighter shade, embroider two curved stems on the front panels.
• Add 3 small leaves to each stem with lazy daisy embroidery stitches.
• Keep embroidery flat so the cardigan still buttons neatly.
• Do not overfill the design. The look should be delicate, handmade, and balanced.

Facial Embroidery

The koala has gentle black brows, small lashes, and a sweet calm expression. Use black embroidery floss and work slowly. Facial placement changes the whole personality, so pin the ears and nose first before adding final embroidery.

• Place the eyes between Rnds 21 and 22 of the head, about 12 sts apart.
• Sew the gray nose between the eyes and slightly lower, centered vertically.
• With black floss, embroider one short curved brow above each eye.
• Each brow should be about 3 sts long and angled gently upward toward the outer edge.
• Add two tiny eyelashes to the outside of each eye.
• Use pink yarn or pink embroidery floss to make two very subtle cheek stitches under the nose if desired.

Yellow Daisy Bag

The bag is a small knitted rectangle with a flap, rounded bottom, long shoulder strap, and white daisy on the front. It sits beside the koala in the image, but it can also hang over one shoulder.

Bag Body

1. With yellow yarn and US size 1 / 2.25 mm needles, CO 16 sts.
2. Row 1: purl all sts.
3. Row 2: knit all sts.
4. Rows 3 to 20: continue in stockinette.
5. Row 21: purl all sts.
6. Row 22: knit all sts.
7. Fold the piece with the lower 12 rows forming the pouch and the upper 10 rows forming the flap.
8. Sew the side seams of the pouch only. Leave the flap free.

Bag Flap Edge

1. With yellow yarn, pick up and knit 16 sts along the lower edge of the flap.
2. Row 1: knit all sts.
3. Row 2: BO all sts knitwise.

Bag Strap

1. CO 4 sts with yellow yarn.
2. Knit every row until the strap measures about 8.5 in / 21.5 cm.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one strap end to each upper side of the bag.

White Daisy for Bag

1. With white yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: *k1, BO 1; repeat carefully to form small petal loops, then fasten off.
3. Shape the tiny loops into a flower and stitch them to the bag flap.
4. With yellow yarn, make 3 small stitches in the flower center.

Sew the daisy slightly below the center of the flap. Keep the bag flat and lightly blocked so it looks like a tiny handmade purse.

Straw-Style Hat

The hat is knitted in tan yarn with circular shaping. It has a rounded crown, flat brim, blue band, and bow. To imitate straw texture, use garter ridges and firm tension.

Hat Crown

1. With tan yarn and US size 1 / 2.25 mm needles, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: purl all sts.
4. Rnd 3: *k1, kfb; repeat from * around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: purl all sts.
6. Rnd 5: *k2, kfb; repeat from * around. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: purl all sts.
8. Rnd 7: *k3, kfb; repeat from * around. 40 sts.
9. Rnd 8: purl all sts.
10. Rnds 9 to 16: alternate one knit round and one purl round to create ridges.

Hat Brim

1. Rnd 17: *k4, kfb; repeat from * around. 48 sts.
2. Rnd 18: purl all sts.
3. Rnd 19: *k5, kfb; repeat from * around. 56 sts.
4. Rnd 20: purl all sts.
5. Rnd 21: *k6, kfb; repeat from * around. 64 sts.
6. Rnd 22: purl all sts.
7. Rnd 23: *k7, kfb; repeat from * around. 72 sts.
8. Rnd 24: purl all sts.
9. BO loosely knitwise. Weave in ends.

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Flatten the brim gently with your fingers. The crown should stay slightly raised, while the brim should sit wide and round beside the koala.

Blue Hat Band

1. CO 4 sts with blue yarn.
2. Knit every row until the band fits around the hat crown, about 5.5 in / 14 cm.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew the band around the base of the crown, overlapping ends at one side.

Blue Bow

1. CO 10 sts with blue yarn.
2. Rows 1 to 6: knit all sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Wrap blue yarn around the center 5 times to pinch into a bow.
5. Sew the bow over the overlapped band ends.

Acorns

Make 2 acorns. Each acorn has a light tan body and darker brown cap. They are small accessories placed near the koala, just like in the photo.

Acorn Body

1. With light tan yarn, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 3: *k1, kfb; repeat from * around. 24 sts.
5. Rnds 4 to 8: knit all sts.
6. Rnd 9: *k2, k2tog; repeat from * around. 18 sts.
7. Rnd 10: knit all sts.
8. Rnd 11: *k1, k2tog; repeat from * around. 12 sts.
9. Stuff lightly.
10. Rnd 12: k2tog around. 6 sts.
11. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and pull closed.

Acorn Cap

1. With brown yarn, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: purl all sts.
4. Rnd 3: *k1, kfb; repeat from * around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: purl all sts.
6. Rnd 5: knit all sts.
7. BO loosely.
8. Sew the cap over the top of the tan acorn body.

Acorn Stem

1. With brown yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Knit 3 rows.
3. BO all sts.
4. Fold into a tiny stem and sew to the top of the cap.

Assembling the Koala

Pin every piece before sewing. A tiny change in angle can make the koala look very different. The goal is a soft seated doll with a large round head, ears placed high, arms relaxed, legs forward, cardigan centered, and accessories arranged around the figure.

1. Sew the head to the body using the long body tail. Place the head directly on the narrow neck opening. Sew around twice for strength.
2. Attach ears to the head between Rnds 13 and 23. Place one ear on each side, slightly behind the eye line. Angle them outward and upward.
3. Sew arms to the upper body, then dress the koala in the cardigan. Adjust sleeve openings so the pink paws show.
4. Sew legs to the lower body. Position the feet forward and add sandals after the legs are secure.
5. Sew the white foot pads, brown soles, straps, and yellow flowers onto the feet.
6. Add the cardigan buttons and button loops. Button the cardigan so it sits naturally over the belly.
7. Place the yellow bag beside the koala or over one shoulder. If you want it removable, do not sew it to the doll.
8. Place the straw hat beside the koala or tack it lightly to one hand with a hidden stitch.
9. Arrange the two acorns near the side of the koala for a cozy woodland display.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

After the full doll is assembled, check the face from the front and from above. The nose should be centered. The eyes should sit evenly. The ears should frame the head and show the pale pink inner circles inside the fluffy white border.

Add final black embroidery only after the nose and ears are secure. Make the brows soft and slightly curved. Add tiny lashes at the outer corners of the eyes. Keep all knots hidden inside the head or under nearby stitches.

Care Notes

• Spot clean gently with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if you used buttons, safety eyes, fluffy yarn, or delicate embroidery.
• Do not tumble dry. Press excess moisture with a towel and air dry flat.
• Keep the hat brim flat while drying so it does not curl.
• Brush fluffy ears gently with your fingers, not a comb, to avoid pulling fibers loose.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is round, full, and larger than the body.
• The gray nose is vertical, centered, and lightly raised.
• The fluffy ears are placed high and angled outward.
• The cardigan has green and white stripes, three buttons, and small embroidered leaf details.
• The pink paws show below the cardigan sleeves.
• The sandals include white foot pads, brown soles, crossed straps, and yellow flowers.
• The yellow bag has a white daisy and a long strap.
• The tan hat has a wide brim, blue band, and blue bow.
• The two acorns have tan bodies, brown caps, and tiny stems.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the koala in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Long sunlight exposure can fade the soft pink yarn, yellow bag, and green cardigan. If the doll is displayed on a shelf, rotate it occasionally so one side does not collect dust or fade faster than the other.

For dust removal, use a soft dry cloth and pat gently. Avoid rubbing the embroidered cardigan or the fluffy ears. If the doll needs deeper cleaning, dampen a cloth with cool water, touch only the stained area, and let it dry fully before storing.

To preserve the shape, do not compress the doll under heavy items. If the ears flatten, reshape them with your fingers and let the fibers relax. If the cardigan edges curl over time, lightly dampen the edge, smooth it flat, and allow it to dry in position.