Koala in a Pocket Lovey Crochet Free Pattern

Introduction

This Koala in a Pocket Lovey is a sweet little project for anyone who loves making baby gifts with a handmade, farmhouse feel. A small grey koala amigurumi tucks neatly into a crocheted pocket sewn onto a flat butter yellow blanket, so the toy always has a secure home and is less likely to get lost. The blanket is soft and simple in single crochet, and the koala is small enough to work up in an evening or two. It looks cozy and calm in butter yellow, white, and grey, and it feels gentle and squishy in the hands of a little one.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK weight cotton — butter yellow (A) 200 yd, white (B) 100 yd, grey (C) 50 yd, black (D) 5 yd
• Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook
• Notions: tapestry needle, stitch marker, polyester fiberfill stuffing, scissors
• Finished size: Blanket 12 inches square; Koala 4 inches tall

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through everything on the hook
• inc — increase: work 2 single crochet into the same stitch
• dec — decrease: work 2 single crochet together into one stitch
• MR — magic ring: an adjustable loop you crochet into to start a round
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• Rnd — round: one full circle of stitches worked in continuous rounds

Gauge

20 sts and 22 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. Work a small swatch in single crochet and measure it; if you have more stitches than 20 in 4 inches, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Work the koala in continuous rounds without joining, and use a stitch marker to keep track of the start of each round.
• Stuff the head and body firmly but in small pieces so the shape stays round and even.
• Keep your blanket rows relaxed so the finished square stays flat and measures 12 inches.
• Sew the pocket on last, after the koala is finished, so you can check that the koala fits nicely inside.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Blanket (A)

Row 1: Ch 61, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (60 sts).

Rows 2-66: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (60 sts).

Fasten off.

Blanket Edging (B)

Rnd 1: With B, sc evenly around the entire blanket, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Pocket (A)

Row 1: Ch 21, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (20 sts).

Rows 2-20: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (20 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Pocket Lining (B)

Row 1: Ch 21, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (20 sts).

Rows 2-20: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (20 sts).

Fasten off. Sew the lining to the pocket with B, leaving the top open.

Koala Head (C)

Rnd 1: MR 6 sc (6 sts).

Rnd 2: Inc x6 (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnds 5-8: Sc in each st around (24 sts).

Rnd 9: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 10: [Sc, dec] x6 (12 sts). Stuff firmly.

Rnd 11: Dec x6 (6 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Koala Body (C)

Rnd 1: MR 6 sc (6 sts).

Rnd 2: Inc x6 (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnds 4-7: Sc in each st around (18 sts).

Rnd 8: [Sc, dec] x6 (12 sts). Stuff.

Rnd 9: Dec x6 (6 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Ears (C) x2

Rnd 1: MR 6 sc (6 sts).

Rnd 2: Inc x6 (12 sts).

Rnd 3: Sc in each st around (12 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Inner Ears (B) x2

Rnd 1: MR 6 sc (6 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Sew the inner ears to the ears.

Arms (C) x2

Rnd 1: MR 6 sc (6 sts).

Rnds 2-5: Sc in each st around (6 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Legs (C) x2

Rnd 1: MR 6 sc (6 sts).

Rnds 2-5: Sc in each st around (6 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Nose (D)

Rnd 1: MR 4 sc (4 sts).

Rnd 2: Inc x4 (8 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the head to the body. Sew the ears to the head, then sew the arms and legs to the body. Sew the nose to the face and embroider the eyes with D. Sew the pocket to the center of the blanket, leaving the top open. Weave in all ends, then lightly block the blanket so it lies flat and square. Insert the koala into the pocket.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Use a different blanket color for a seasonal look, such as sage green or soft pink.
• Add a small embroidered heart on the pocket for a personal touch.
• Make a second koala in a contrasting grey so the lovey can be swapped and washed.