Warragul Koala

Free Vintage Knitting Pattern

Fondly remembered from many childhood play-days is this simple pattern for a “teddy” koala. (Knitted by mothers who could not buy the expensive store variety.) We all romped with these and got them for Christmas presents. Some were sky blue. Warragul is the Aboriginal word for dingo.

MATERIALS

Bellmans Double Knitting

Main shade (Flame) 2 x 1 oz balls or 1 x 50 grm ball

Contrast (Cream)1 x 1 oz ball or l x 50 grm ball

Pair knitting needles UK10/US 3/Metric 3.25mm

Black embroidery wool for nose and claws

Two glass koala pea-eyes (not for child) or secure crystal acrylic or embroider

Ribbon, a length of satin for bow

Stuffing

Teasel or fine wire brush

SUGGESTED YARN

King Cole Pricewise DK. 100% Acrylic, 3.5oz DK | Light Worsted. Shown in Flame

ABBREVIATIONS

clb=cross 1 back by slipping next stitch on to cable needle and leaving at back of work, k 1, then purl the stitch from cable needle.

clf=cross 1 front by slipping next stitch on to cable needle and leaving at front of work, pi, then knit the stitch from cable needle.

MEASUREMENTS

Height: 8 ½ inches

TENSION

13 stitches and 17 rows to two inches, measured over stocking stitch using No. 10 needles.

PATTERN

BACK AND SIDES

 Starting at lower edge and using main shade cast on 46 sts.

*Commencing with a k row and working in stocking stitch increase 1 st at both ends of the first 4 rows.

Work 7 rows without shaping.

Dec 1 st at each end of next 3 rows.

Cast off 4 sts at beg of next 2 rows.

Work 6 rows without shaping.

Cast on 7 sts at beg of next 2 rows.

Inc 1 st at each end of next 4 rows.

Work 6 rows without shaping.

Dec 1 st at both ends of next 4 rows.

Cast off 7 sts at beg of next 2 rows.

Work 6 rows dec 1 st at both ends of the first, 3rd and 5th of these rows.*

Work 2 rows without shaping.

Shape Ears:

Inc 1 st at both ends of next and every alt row until there are 44 sts.

Work 11 rows without shaping.

Next row: k2tog, k11, cast off 18 sts, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.

Continue on each group of stitches, dec 1 st at both ends of next 3 rows. Cast off remaining 6 sts.

FRONT

Commencing at lower edge and using contrast cast on 27 sts.

Work as Back from * to *. Cast off remaining 15 sts.

HEAD

Commencing at top edge and using main shade cast on 18 sts.

Work in stocking stitch, increasing 1 st at both ends of next and every alt row until there are 40 sts.

Next row: Purl

Next row: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog

Next row: P2tog, P to last 2 sts, P2tog

Divide Work:

Next row: K2tog, K15, cast off 2 sts, K to last 2 sts, K2tog

Continue on first group of stitches dec 1 st at both ends of every row until 2 sts remain. Fasten off.

Rejoin yarn to sts on needle and complete to match first half.

BASE

Commencing at back edge and using main shade cast on 14 sts.

Working in stocking stitch, increase 1 st at both ends of first 4 rows, then work 10 rows without shaping.

Dec 1 st at both ends of next and every alt row until 16 sts remain.

Next row: Purl.

Cast off.

RIGHT EAR LINING

Using contrast cast on 2 sts.

1st row: Increase once in each stitch

2nd row: Purl

3rd row: Increase in first st, K to last st, inc in last st

4th row: Purl

Rep 3rd and 4th rows 3 times more (12 sts)**

Work 10 rows inc 1 st at beg of 3rd and 7th of these rows.

***Shape top of ear lining by dec 1 st at each end of next 4 rows. Cast off remaining 6 sts.

LEFT EAR LINING

Work as right ear lining until ** is reached.

Work 10 rows inc 1 st at end of the 3rd and 7th of these rows.

Complete as right ear lining working from *** to end.

TO MAKE UP

Holding fabric firmly and using a teasel or fine wire brush, brush all pieces of fabric on right side taking care not to pull stitches.

Leaving cast-on edge of back and cast-on and cast­-off edges of front free, join remaining edges of back to front.

Stitch ear linings into position round edges of ears leaving inside seams free. Stuff ears, then stitch down inside seams.

To form nose-seam start at 2 cast-off sts, fold in half and join seam.

Stitch 18 cast-on sts of head to 18 cast-off sts at top of back, then join side seams of head to ear linings.

Stitch base into position. Stuff well.

Stitch on eyes.

Join cast-off edge of front to lower edge of head.

Using Black, embroider nose and claws.

Tie ribbon bow round neck.