How to Crochet the Christmas Critter Koala
Crochet a festive koala ornament with a Santa hat, gumleaf scarf and hanging ring. The head and body are worked as one piece in continuous spirals, with the eyes, ears, limbs, hat, scarf and hanging ring made separately and attached during finishing.
The finished koala measures approximately 14cm high when hanging.
Project: Christmas Critter - Koala
Pattern: A373
Craft type: Crochet
Difficulty: •••
Project by: JANINE TSAKISIRIS
Measurements
| Height (approx, when hanging) | cm | 14 |
Yarn Required
| Lincraft DK 8ply 100g balls | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Main Colour (MC-marle grey) | 1 |
| 1st Colour (C1-white) | 1 |
| 2nd Colour (C2-fire red) | 1 |
| 3rd Colour (C3-apple) | small amount |
| 4th Colour (C4-marle charcoal) | small amount |
Crochet Hook
A 3.00mm crochet hook or size needed so that no holes appear in stitches through which stuffing may show
Requirements
- Wool needle for sewing up.
- Lincraft siliconised stuffing premium soft fill.
- Silver embroidery thread
- A stitch marker (optional).
Tension
Tension is not important for this project.
Special Abbreviation
mr = magic ring (alternatively 3ch, sl st into beg ch and dc into ring).
HEAD/BODY (worked from top of Head to bottom as one piece in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and MC, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: Inc once in each dc … 12dc.
2nd round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 18dc.
3rd round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 24dc.
4th round: [1dc in each of next 3dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 30dc.
5th round: [1dc in each of next 4dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 36dc.
6th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 6th round 4 times.
Beg to stuff. Cont to stuff as you go.
11th round: [1dc in each of next 4dc, 1dc over the next 2dc] 6 times … 30dc.
12th round: [1dc in each of next 3dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 24dc.
13th round: [1dc over next 2dc] 12 times … 12dc.
14th round: Inc once in each dc … 24dc.
15th round: [1dc in each of next 3dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 30dc.
16th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 16th round twice.
19th round: [1dc in each of next 9dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 33dc.
20th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 20th round twice.
23rd round: [1dc in each of next 10dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 36dc.
24th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 24th round twice.
27th round: [1dc over next 2dc] 18 times … 18dc.
28th round: [1dc in next dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 12dc.
29th round: [1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 6dc.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing. Complete stuffing. Using the tail of yarn, thread in and out around the last few decs and gently pull hole closed.
EYES (make 2)
Using 3.00mm hook and C4, work 2ch.
1st round: 4dc in 2nd ch from hook … 4dc.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
EARS (make 2 – worked in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and MC, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: Inc once in each dc … 12dc.
2nd round: Inc once in each dc … 24dc.
Change to C1.
3rd round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 10 times. Leave rem sts unworked … 30dc.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
LIMBS (make 4 – worked in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and MC, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 9dc.
2nd round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 2nd round 5 times.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly.
CHRISTMAS HAT (worked in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and C1, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 9dc.
2nd round: [1dc in next dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 3 times … 6dc.
Change to C2.
3rd round: 1dc in each dc to end.
4th round: Inc once in each dc … 12dc.
Use beg tail to stuff white tip of Hat.
5th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 5th round once.
7th round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 18dc.
8th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
9th round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 24dc.
10th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Change to C1.
11th round: [1dc in next dc, 3tr in next dc, 1ch] 12 times, sl st to beg dc … 48 sts.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
GUMLEAF SCARF(worked along starting ch beg at leaf)
Using 3.00mm hook and C3, make 8ch.
1st row: 1dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1htr in next ch, 1tr in each of next 2ch, 1htr in next ch, 1dc in next ch, 3dc in last ch, turning as you go to work back along starting ch.
2nd row: Working back along starting ch: 1dc in next st, 1htr in next st, 1tr in each of next 2 sts, 1htr in next st, 1dc in next st, sl st to beg dc.
3rd row: 30ch, sl st into 5th ch from hook, 10dc into ring, sl st to beg dc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
HANGING RING
Using 3.00mm hook and all strands of silver embroidery thread, make 8ch, sl st to beg ch to form a ring.
1st round: 16dc into ring, sl st to beg dc … 16dc.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
FINISHING
Embroider Nose detail using a length of C4 centrally to Head. Add Eye detail using a length of C1. Sew Eyes either side of Nose approx 8 sts apart. Sew Ears to sides of Head between rounds 7 and 10. Flatten end of Arms and whip stitch end closed. Sew Arms to sides of Body at round 16. Flatten end of Legs and whip stitch end closed. Sew Legs to bottom of Body, slightly forward, at round 27. Using a small length of C2, fold over top end of Hat and stitch in place. Sew Christmas Hat to top of Head. Add stuffing before sewing closed. Sew Hanging Ring to top of Hat. Position Gumleaf Scarf around Neck and gently pull leaf end through ring. Sew in all ends.
Alternative Yarns
The original pattern uses Lincraft DK 8ply yarn. When choosing a substitute, select an 8ply or equivalent yarn that produces a firm fabric with a 3.00mm crochet hook, or use the hook size needed so that no holes appear through which stuffing may show.
Suitable Yarn Types
- 8ply acrylic yarn – durable, easy-care and available in a wide range of colours.
- 8ply cotton yarn – creates a firmer fabric with clear stitch definition.
- 8ply cotton-acrylic blend – combines structure with softness and easy care.
- 8ply wool blend – creates a softer ornament with a warm, natural finish.
- Leftover 8ply yarn – suitable for the smaller contrast sections where only small amounts are required.
Customisation Ideas
- Change the scarf colour for a different festive accent.
- Use metallic embroidery thread in gold or another colour for the hanging ring.
- Change the Santa hat colours while retaining the original shaping.
- Embroider extra facial details using small amounts of contrasting yarn.
- Make a coordinated set of Christmas critters using different colour combinations.
To retain the original proportions and assembly positions, keep all stitch counts, round counts and placement instructions unchanged when making decorative customisations.
Care Instructions
Follow the washing and care instructions provided on the ball band of the yarn used.
- Ensure all limbs, ears, hat, scarf and hanging ring are securely attached before displaying.
- Check embroidered details regularly to ensure they remain secure.
- Spot clean or use gentle washing appropriate for the selected yarn and stuffing.
- Avoid excessive heat that may damage synthetic yarn, stuffing or embroidery thread.
- Gently reshape the koala after cleaning.
- Allow the ornament to dry completely before storing or hanging again.
