Wow how time flies… it’s time for Doodle Zoo character no. 8 already! Let me introduce to you Kimberlie the Koala!  Tah-dah!

If you haven’t heard about Doodle Zoo it’s my mini challenge to myself this year to design 12 free little animals built on one simple base design so they all look related. For details about the other Doodle Zoo characters; see my posts about Doodle Duck, Rowan Rabbit, Finlay Frog, Ezra Elephant, Peggy Panda, Petunia Pig and Ruby the Dragon. Don’t forget to look out for the next addition to the Doodle Zoo next month! You know what I just realised! I’ve missed out January so look out for an extra Doodle animal in the next few months so we have 12 little characters to form the eclectic menagerie that is our Doodle zoo.

Making good on an old promise and named after a good friend of mine; Kimberlie the Koala is a great little stash buster using roughly 30g / 90 yards of yarn. All the Doodle Zoo animals are designed to work up in less than an hour and because they are just the right hand size they become very steal-able so be prepared to make a few!  Kimberlie would make a cute additional gift for family and friends or an quick addition to a craft stall.

This is an easy pattern suitable for beginners looking to learn some new crochet techniques. Click here to add this pattern to your favourites / queue on Ravelry or click here to access on Craftsy or scroll down for the pattern.

Kimberlie the Koala

Yarn: 8ply / yarn weight #3 or #4

• 30g / 90 yards of any grey double knit yarn
• Scraps if black and white yarn

Hook: 4mm (US size G)

You will also need:

• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
• 2 x 9mm black safety eyes
• Polyester toy stuffing
• A pet brush or some velcro

Gauge: 4 dc/sc = 1 inch / 2.5 cm

Size: Finished koala measures = 3.25 inches / 8.3 cm

These measurements are approximated, and actual subjects may vary. Pattern will work in other yarns though gauge/size will be different.

Stitch Guidance:

Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and pull through all loops.

Double Crochet/Single Crochet (dc/sc): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.

Treble / Double Crochet (tr/dc): Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.

Popcorn Stitch (PC): Work 5 tr/dc in st  indicated, remove hook completely, insert hook in 1st tr/dc (1st tr/dc of the 5), insert hook in loop that you just removed your hook from (5th tr/dc of the 5), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.

Double Crochet/Single Crochet 2 sts together (dc/sc2tog): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through three loops on hook.

Pattern Guidance:

Working without joining:

All the parts of the koala are worked without   joining using a stitch marker to keep track of the rounds.  Place the stitch marker in the top of the first st to mark start of round.

Pattern:

Nose:

Rnd 1: With black yarn ch 4, 3 dc/sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc/sc in the next st, 3 dc/sc in the next st then working down the other side of your beginning ch 1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts (9 sts).

Rnd 2: * 1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts, 2 dc/sc in the next st * repeat from * to * around, finish off but leave a yarn tail for sewing nose onto the body (12 sts).

Body:

Rnd 1: With grey yarn either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary (6 sts).

Rnd 2: 2 dc/sc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: *1 dc/sc in next, 2 dc/sc in next st *    repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (18 sts).

Rnd 4: * 1 dc/sc in next 2 sts,  2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to *  until the end of the rnd(24 sts).

Rnd 5: * 1 dc/sc in next 3 sts, 2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (30 sts).

Rnd 6 – 10: 1 dc/sc in each st around (30 sts).

Rnd 11- Arms: PC in the next st, 1 dc/sc in the next 14 sts, PC in the next st, 1 dc/sc in the in each of the remaining sts (30 sts).

Rnd 12: 1 dc/sc in each st around (30 sts).

• Add your safety eyes in between rows 7 and 8 about 1.25 inches/ 3.3cm apart and in-between the PC arms.

• Sew the nose into place centrally just below the eyes.

Rnd 13: * 1 dc/sc in the next 3 sts, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of rnd, begin to stuff your koala (24 sts).

Rnd 14: *1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (18 sts).

Rnd 15: *1 dc/sc in the next st, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (12 sts).

• Finish off stuffing the body

Rnd 16: *1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd, cut thread         leaving a long tail (6 sts).

• Using your tail end and using your yarn needle sew the last 6 stitches closed, finish off and weave in ends.

Ears (Make 2):

Rnd 1: With white yarn; either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary body (6 sts).

Rnd 2: 2 dc/sc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnds 3-4: 1 dc/sc in each st around; on the last rnd sl st to the next st to join but leave a long tail for sewing (12 sts).

• Using either a pet brush or the rough part of a strip of Velcro either brush or rub the Velcro on the ears to make them fluffy.

• Fold ear in half (so it forms a semi circle)then sew the sides together with tail end of yarn. Then sew ears into place on top of your koala’s head.

Feet (Make 2):

Rnd 1: With grey yarn; ch 6, 1 dc/sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st along until end (5 sts), then working down the other side of your sts work 1 dc/sc in each st until end (10sts).

Rnd 2 – 3: 1 dc/sc in each st around, on the last row sl st to the next st to join but leave a long tail for sewing (10 sts).

And that’s it!  Simple, cute and addictive!