🧶 Beautiful ✨ Detailed 💝 Adorable

Mama & Baby Kangaroo Amigurumi Pattern

Mama & Baby Kangaroo Amigurumi Pattern
4.2★Rating
10-15 HoursTime Needed
1.4KMade This
✂️

Advanced Level

Designed for experienced crocheters, these patterns involve intricate designs and complex techniques to challenge and inspire.

⏱️

Slow & Steady

A 10-12 hour project—great for savoring the process over several sessions.

🐥

Charming Critter

Delightful animal designs with sweet details that capture the essence of your favorite woodland and farmyard friends.

About This Mama & Baby Kangaroo Amigurumi Pattern

Mama & Baby Kangaroo Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view

This duo makes the ultimate handmade gift for new parents or wildlife enthusiasts. The finished mama is substantial and sturdy, while the baby adds a playful, interactive element that everyone loves to discover in the pouch.

Why You'll Love This Mama & Baby Kangaroo Amigurumi Pattern

I honestly fell in love with the needle sculpting on this one — it's the moment the kangaroo really comes to life and starts looking back at you! The velvet yarn is a dream to work with because it hides your stitches so well, giving the finished toy a seamless, plush look. Plus, seeing the baby joey tucked safely into the pouch for the first time is just pure crochet joy.

Mama & Baby Kangaroo Amigurumi Pattern step 1 Mama & Baby Kangaroo Amigurumi Pattern step 2 Mama & Baby Kangaroo Amigurumi Pattern step 3 Mama & Baby Kangaroo Amigurumi Pattern step 4

Switch Things Up

There’s a special kind of excitement that comes with starting a 'big' project like this. When I first saw this kangaroo, I knew it wasn't just another quick weekend craft — it was going to be an adventure. I remember sitting down with those four-plus skeins of velvet yarn and feeling so inspired by how soft they were.

The process of connecting the legs and forming that sturdy base is where you really start to see the scale of what you're making. But my absolute favorite part? It has to be the needle sculpting. There’s a moment when you pull that thread tight to shape the eye sockets and suddenly, your pile of crochet transforms into a character with a real soul.

I spent an entire evening just perfecting the baby's little face so it looked just like its mama. If you're feeling intimidated by the size, just take it one section at a time. The joy of finally tucking that little joey into the pouch makes every single stitch worth it. It’s more than just a toy; it’s a story of motherhood and comfort that you’ve crafted with your own two hands.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ When inserting the wire into the arms, ensure the ends are heavily taped; otherwise, the sharp points can poke through the velvet stitches over time.✗ The needle sculpting requires quite a bit of tension, so if you use regular sewing thread, it might snap — I always recommend using a strong cotton or upholstery thread instead.✗ It's very easy to misalign the pouch on the body; I suggest pinning it in place and checking the symmetry from both the side and front before you start sewing.✗ If your velvet yarn is shedding while you work, try using a lighter to very briefly singe the ends of the yarn to seal the fibers together.

Mama & Baby Kangaroo Amigurumi Pattern

There is something truly magical about the bond between a mother and her baby, and capturing that in crochet is such a rewarding experience. This pattern helps you create a stunning, large-scale kangaroo complete with a functional pouch for her little joey. You'll love working with velvet yarn to achieve that irresistibly soft, huggable texture. It's a significant project that rewards your patience with a professional-quality heirloom piece that looks beautiful in any nursery or collection.

Advanced 10-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Mama & Baby Kangaroo Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Himalaya Dolphin Baby velvet yarn in Brown (Color 80330) - approximately 4.25 skeins total.
  • 02
    Himalaya Dolphin Baby velvet yarn in Light Powder (Color 80353) - about half a skein for the belly and face.
  • 03
    Himalaya Dolphin Baby velvet yarn in Coral (Color 80332) - roughly 0.25 skeins for the inner ears.
  • 04
    Scraps of Dolphin Baby in Black and Red for the nose and mouth details.
  • 05
    YarnArt Jeans in Black, Emerald, and White for the detailed crocheted eyes.
  • 06
    Kamtex mercerized cotton yarn in various colors for assembly and sewing.

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hooks in sizes 3.0mm (US D) and 3.5mm (US E) for the body parts.
  • 02
    Small 1.5mm (US 8) crochet hook for the detailed eye work.
  • 03
    1mm thick wire for the armature (about 200cm needed) and adhesive plaster/tape.
  • 04
    High-quality polyester fiberfill (Holofiber) for stuffing.
  • 05
    A variety of needles: thin for eyes, thick for ears, and a long needle for sculpting.
  • 06
    Stitch markers and a lighter for finishing yarn ends.
  • 07
    Black sewing thread for attaching the eyes.

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— 1. Mama Legs (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

Using the 3.5mm hook and brown yarn, ch 21. Starting in the 2nd ch from hook: 2 sc, 9 sc, 9 hdc, 4 hdc in the last ch. Work along the other side of the chain: 9 hdc, 9 sc, 2 sc in the starting ch (44)

Round 2 :

2 inc, 9 sc, 9 hdc, 4 inc using hdc, 9 hdc, 9 sc, 2 inc (52)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, 1 inc)*2, 9 sc, 9 hdc, (1 hdc, 1 inc using hdc)*4, 9 hdc, 9 sc, (1 sc, 1 inc)*2 (60)

Round 4 :

60 sl st around (60)

Round 5 :

Work 60 sc in blo (60)

Round 6-8 :

60 sc (60)

Round 9 :

Switch to 3.0mm hook. 24 sc, (1 sc, 1 dec)*4, 24 sc (56)

Round 10 :

24 sc, 4 dec, 24 sc (52)

Info :

Verify stitch alignment: 18 sts on the back and 34 sts on the front (toes). Switch back to 3.5mm hook.

Round 11-12 :

18 sc (18)

Info :

Begin stuffing the foot firmly.

Round 13 :

(5 sc, 1 inc)*3 (21)

Round 14 :

(6 sc, 1 inc)*3 (24)

Round 15 :

(3 sc, 1 inc)*6 (30)

Round 16 :

(4 sc, 1 inc)*6 (36)

Info :

Ensure your working yarn is centered at the back. Adjust if necessary.

Round 17 :

15 sc, 2 inc, 19 sc (38)

Round 18 :

15 sc, (1 sc, 1 inc)*2, 19 sc (40)

Round 19 :

12 sc, (1 sc, 1 inc)*6, 16 sc (46)

Info :

Fasten off the first leg. Repeat for the second leg.

— 2. Mama Tail :

Round 1 :

In brown yarn with 3.5mm hook, 6 sc in mr (6)

Round 2 :

6 sc (6)

Round 3 :

5 sc, 1 inc (7)

Round 4 :

7 sc (7)

Round 5 :

6 sc, 1 inc (8)

Round 6 :

8 sc (8)

Round 7 :

7 sc, 1 inc (9)

Round 8 :

9 sc (9)

Round 9 :

8 sc, 1 inc (10)

Round 10 :

10 sc (10)

Round 11 :

9 sc, 1 inc (11)

Round 12 :

11 sc (11)

Round 13 :

10 sc, 1 inc (12)

Round 14 :

12 sc (12)

Round 15 :

11 sc, 1 inc (13)

Round 16 :

13 sc (13)

Round 17 :

12 sc, 1 inc (14)

Round 18 :

14 sc (14)

Round 19 :

13 sc, 1 inc (15)

Round 20 :

15 sc (15)

Round 21 :

14 sc, 1 inc (16)

Round 22 :

16 sc (16)

Round 23 :

15 sc, 1 inc (17)

Round 24 :

17 sc (17)

Round 25 :

16 sc, 1 inc (18)

Round 26 :

18 sc (18)

Round 27 :

17 sc, 1 inc (19)

Round 28 :

19 sc (19)

Round 29 :

18 sc, 1 inc (20)

Round 30 :

20 sc (20)

Round 31 :

19 sc, 1 inc (21)

Round 32 :

21 sc (21)

Round 33 :

20 sc, 1 inc (22)

Round 34 :

22 sc (22)

Round 35 :

21 sc, 1 inc (23)

Round 36 :

23 sc (23)

Round 37 :

22 sc, 1 inc (24)

Round 38 :

24 sc (24)

Round 39 :

23 sc, 1 inc (25)

Round 40 :

25 sc (25)

Round 41 :

24 sc, 1 inc (26)

Round 42 :

26 sc (26)

Info :

Fasten off and stuff as you go every few centimeters.

— 3. Mama Crotch :

Round 1 :

Using brown yarn and 3.5mm hook, 8 sc in mr (8)

Round 2 :

8 inc (16)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, 1 inc)*8 (24)

Round 4 :

(2 sc, 1 inc)*8 (32)

Round 5 :

(3 sc, 1 inc)*8 (40)

Round 6 :

(4 sc, 1 inc)*8 (48)

Info :

Do not cut the yarn.

— 4. Connecting Mama Legs & Body :

Info :

Sew the legs to the crotch piece using cotton thread. Align them so 8 stitches from each leg join to 8 stitches on the crotch sides. Ensure the working thread is at the back.

Round 7-9 :

Work 108 sc around the entire joined piece (108)

Round 10 :

32 sc, (1 sc, 1 dec)*6, 16 sc, (1 sc, 1 dec)*6, 24 sc (96)

Info :

Sew the tail onto the back over 10 stitches. Adjust the working thread position by undoing 2 stitches if needed.

Round 11 :

Combine remaining stitches from body and tail: 96 + 26 - 10 - 10 = 102 sc (102)

Round 12 :

6 sc, 1 dec, (11 sc, 1 dec)*3, 55 sc (98)

Round 13 :

5 sc, 1 dec, (10 sc, 1 dec)*3, 55 sc (94)

Round 14 :

4 sc, 1 dec, (9 sc, 1 dec)*3, 55 sc (90)

Round 15 :

(13 sc, 1 dec)*6 (84)

Round 16 :

(12 sc, 1 dec)*6 (78)

Round 17 :

(11 sc, 1 dec)*6 (72)

Round 18 :

(10 sc, 1 dec)*6 (66)

Round 19 :

(9 sc, 1 dec)*6 (60)

Round 20-31 :

60 sc (60)

Round 32 :

35 sc, (1 sc, 1 inc)*10, 5 sc (70)

Round 33-36 :

70 sc (70)

— 5. Mama Hands (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

In brown yarn with 3.5mm hook, ch 6. Starting in 2nd ch: 5 sc. This is the first finger.

Round 2 :

Ch 6, starting in 2nd ch: 5 sc. Second finger.

Round 3 :

Ch 6, starting in 2nd ch: 5 sc. Third finger.

Round 4 :

Work 8 sc along the edge of the fingers to join them.

Round 5 :

Work 8 sc in flo, turn, work 8 sc in flo on the other side (16)

Round 6 :

(2 sc, 1 dec)*4 (12)

Round 7 :

(4 sc, 1 dec)*2 (10)

Round 8 :

10 sc (10)

Info :

Insert the twisted wire armature into the hand. Stuff lightly as you continue.

Round 9-11 :

10 sc (10)

Round 12 :

(4 sc, 1 inc)*2 (12)

Round 13-16 :

12 sc (12)

Round 17 :

(5 sc, 1 inc)*2 (14)

Round 18-21 :

14 sc (14)

Round 22 :

(6 sc, 1 inc)*2 (16)

Round 23-27 :

16 sc (16)

— 6. Joining Mama Hands & Body :

Info :

Switch to 3.0mm hook. Connect hands to body by sewing over 3 stitches using cotton thread.

Round 37 :

29 sc on back, 13 sc on left arm, 2 sc, (1 sc, 1 dec)*10, 2 sc on chest, 13 sc on right arm, 1 sc on back (80)

Round 38 :

28 sc, (3 sc, 1 dec)*3, 22 sc, (1 dec, 3 sc)*3 (74)

Round 39 :

28 sc, (2 sc, 1 dec)*3, 22 sc, (1 dec, 2 sc)*3 (68)

Round 40 :

28 sc, (1 sc, 1 dec)*3, (6 sc, 1 dec)*2, 6 sc, (1 dec, 1 sc)*3 (60)

Round 41 :

(13 sc, 1 dec)*4 (56)

Round 42 :

(5 sc, 1 dec)*8 (48)

Round 43 :

(4 sc, 1 dec)*8 (40)

Round 44 :

(3 sc, 1 dec)*8 (32)

Round 45 :

(2 sc, 1 dec)*8 (24)

— 7. Mama Head :

Round 46 :

Switch to 3.5mm hook. 24 sc (24)

Round 47 :

(2 sc, 1 inc)*8 (32)

Round 48 :

(3 sc, 1 inc)*8 (40)

Round 49 :

(4 sc, 1 inc)*8 (48)

Round 50 :

(5 sc, 1 inc)*8 (56)

Round 51 :

(6 sc, 1 inc)*8 (64)

Round 52 :

(7 sc, 1 inc)*8 (72)

Round 53 :

(8 sc, 1 inc)*8 (80)

Round 54-57 :

80 sc (80)

Round 58 :

Switch to 3.0mm hook. 38 sc, (1 sc, 1 dec)*14 (66)

Round 59 :

In brown: (1 sc, 1 dec)*2, 26 sc, (1 sc, 1 dec)*3, 9 sc. Switch to light powder: 4 sc. Switch back to brown: 9 sc, 1 sc, 1 dec (60)

Round 60-63 :

In brown: 45 sc. In light powder: 4 sc. In brown: 11 sc (60)

Round 64 :

In brown: 46 sc. In light powder: 2 sc. In brown: 12 sc (60)

Round 65 :

In brown: 47 sc. In light powder: 1 sc. In brown: 12 sc (60)

Round 66 :

Using only brown from here: (8 sc, 1 dec)*6 (54)

Round 67 :

(7 sc, 1 dec)*6 (48)

Round 68 :

(6 sc, 1 dec)*6 (42)

Round 69 :

(5 sc, 1 dec)*6 (36)

Round 70 :

(4 sc, 1 dec)*6 (30)

Round 71 :

(3 sc, 1 dec)*6 (24)

Round 72 :

(2 sc, 1 dec)*6 (18)

Round 73 :

(1 sc, 1 dec)*6 (12)

Round 74 :

6 dec (6)

Info :

Close the opening and weave in the tail.

— 8. Mama Belly :

Row 1 :

With light powder yarn and 3.5mm hook, ch 5. In 2nd ch: 4 sc (5)

Row 2-4 :

Turn, ch 1, 3 sc (4)

Row 5 :

Turn, ch 1, 2 inc, 1 sc (6)

Row 6 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 inc, 2 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc (8)

Row 7-13 :

Turn, ch 1, 7 sc (8)

Row 14 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (6)

Row 15 :

Turn, ch 1, 2 dec, 1 sc (4)

Row 16 :

Turn, ch 1, 2 inc, 1 sc (6)

Row 17 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 inc, 2 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc (8)

Row 18-19 :

Turn, ch 1, 7 sc (8)

Row 20 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 inc, 4 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc (10)

Row 21-22 :

Turn, ch 1, 9 sc (10)

Row 23 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 inc, 6 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc (12)

Row 24-25 :

Turn, ch 1, 11 sc (12)

Row 26 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 inc, 8 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc (14)

Row 27-37 :

Turn, ch 1, 13 sc (14)

Row 38 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 8 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (12)

Row 39-40 :

Turn, ch 1, 11 sc (12)

Row 41 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 6 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (10)

Row 42-43 :

Turn, ch 1, 9 sc (10)

Row 44 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 4 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (8)

Row 45-70 :

Turn, ch 1, 7 sc (8)

Row 71 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (6)

Row 72-74 :

Turn, ch 1, 5 sc (6)

Row 75 :

Turn, ch 1, 2 dec, 1 sc (4)

Row 76-78 :

Turn, ch 1, 3 sc (4)

Row 79 :

Turn, ch 1, 2 dec (2)

Row 80-82 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 sc (2)

Info :

Fasten off. Sew to the chest and belly area, adding a small amount of stuffing underneath.

— 9. Mama Bag (Pouch) :

Row 1 :

In brown yarn with 3.5mm hook, ch 51. In 2nd ch: 50 sc (50)

Row 2-9 :

Turn, ch 1, 49 sc (50)

Row 10 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 44 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (48)

Row 11 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 42 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (46)

Row 12 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 40 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (44)

Row 13 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 38 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (42)

Row 14 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 36 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (40)

Row 15 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 34 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (38)

Row 16 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 32 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (36)

Row 17 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 30 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (34)

Row 18 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 28 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (32)

Row 19 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 26 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (30)

Row 20 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 24 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (28)

Row 21 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 22 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (26)

Row 22 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 20 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (24)

Row 23 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 18 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (22)

Row 24 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 16 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (20)

Row 25 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 14 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (18)

Row 26 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 12 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (16)

Row 27 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 10 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (14)

Row 28 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 8 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (12)

Row 29 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 6 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (10)

Row 30 :

Turn, ch 1, 1 dec, 4 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (8)

Info :

Fasten off and sew to the body over the belly piece.

— 10. Mama Ears (Make 2) :

Outer Ear Round 1 :

In brown yarn, ch 10. In 2nd ch: 2 sc, 7 sc, 4 sc in last ch. Other side: 7 sc, 2 sc in starting ch (22)

Outer Ear Round 2 :

2 inc, 7 sc, 4 inc, 7 sc, 2 inc (30)

Outer Ear Round 3 :

(1 sc, 1 inc)*2, 7 sc, (1 sc, 1 inc)*4, 7 sc, (1 sc, 1 inc)*2 (38)

Outer Ear Round 4 :

(2 sc, 1 inc)*2, 7 sc, (2 sc, 1 inc)*4, 7 sc, (2 sc, 1 inc)*2 (46)

Outer Ear Round 5 :

(3 sc, 1 inc)*2, 7 sc, (3 sc, 1 inc)*4, 7 sc, (3 sc, 1 inc)*2 (54)

Outer Ear Round 6 :

54 sc (54)

Inner Ear Round 1-3 :

Repeat Rounds 1-3 of the Outer Ear using Coral yarn. Fasten off.

Info :

Sew the inner ear onto the outer ear. Pinch the bottom and sew over 3 stitches. Attach to head between Rounds 65 and 68.

— 11. Mama Eyes (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

Using black YarnArt Jeans and 1.5mm hook, 8 sc in mr (8)

Round 2 :

8 inc (16)

Round 3 :

Switch to Emerald yarn: (1 sc, 1 inc)*6, 1 sc, 1 inc (where the 1st st is sc and 2nd is sl st). Place marker.

Round 4 :

Using black cotton thread in blo: ch 1, 22 sl st.

Round 5 :

Starting in the 7th st from marker, using white yarn in blo: ch 1, 9 sc, 1 sl st.

Round 6 (Left Eye) :

Starting in the 6th st from marker, using black cotton in blo: ch 1, 4 sl st, 1 inc (sc), 1 inc (hdc), 1 inc (dc), 1 inc (hdc), 1 inc (sc), 5 sl st.

Round 6 (Right Eye) :

Starting in the 2nd st from marker, using black cotton in blo: ch 1, 2 sl st, 1 inc (sc), 1 inc (hdc), 1 inc (dc), 1 inc (hdc), 1 inc (sc), 7 sl st.

— 12. Baby Kangaroo :

Round 1-3 :

Body: 8 sc in mr, 8 inc, (1 sc, 1 inc)*8 (24)

Round 4-5 :

24 sc (24)

Round 6-9 :

Decrease rounds: (6 sc, 1 dec)*3, (5 sc, 1 dec)*3, (4 sc, 1 dec)*3, (3 sc, 1 dec)*3 (12)

Round 10 :

(1 sc, 1 dec)*4 (8)

Round 11-13 :

Head: 8 inc, (1 sc, 1 inc)*8, (2 sc, 1 inc)*8 (32)

Round 14 :

32 sc (32)

Round 15 :

(1 sc, 1 dec)*8, 8 sc (24)

Round 16-17 :

24 sc (24)

Round 18-19 :

(1 sc, 1 dec)*8, 8 dec (8). Close opening.

Assembly Instructions

  • Secure the belly piece to the front of the mama's body using brown cotton thread, adding a tiny bit of stuffing to give it a soft, rounded shape.
  • Position the large pouch over the belly piece and sew the bottom and sides firmly to the body, leaving the top edge open for the baby joey.
  • Attach the muzzle and nose pieces to the head, then use the long needle and strong thread to perform the face sculpting as shown in the diagrams.
  • Sew the crocheted eyes onto the face, ensuring they are symmetrical and slightly recessed into the sculpted eye sockets.
  • Attach the ears between rounds 65 and 68 of the head, tilting them slightly forward for a curious expression.
  • Embroider the eyebrows and the vertical line on the muzzle using black cotton yarn to finish the mama's face.
  • Assemble the baby kangaroo by attaching its ears, tail, and limbs, then place it inside the mama's pouch.

Important Notes

  • 💡When working with velvet yarn, avoid pulling too hard on the magic ring tail as it can snap; instead, use a cotton yarn scrap to start the ring if necessary.
  • 💡Stuffing is key for this project — the legs and tail need to be very firm to support the weight of the large 55cm body.
  • 💡The wire armature in the arms should be twisted for strength and the ends must be looped and taped to prevent them from slipping through stitches.
  • 💡Needle sculpting is what gives this amigurumi its character; take your time with this step and pull the thread steadily but firmly.
  • 💡If you find the velvet yarn difficult to see, keep a count of your stitches in every round to ensure you don't miss any increases or decreases.
  • 💡Use a lighter to carefully melt the ends of the velvet yarn to prevent shedding during the assembly process.

I hope you enjoy every moment of bringing this mama and baby kangaroo to life! There's something so satisfying about finishing a project of this scale and seeing the two characters interact. Whether you're making this as a special nursery piece or just because you love kangaroos, it's sure to be a cherished creation. Don't forget to share your progress with the community — I'd love to see your finished joey tucked into that cozy pouch! Happy crocheting, and enjoy your new velvet friends. 🧶 ✨ 🦘

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

Can I make this kangaroo without the wire frame?

You definitely can! The wire just allows the arms to be posed. Without it, the arms will simply hang naturally at the sides. If you're making this for a very small child, omitting the wire is actually a safer choice.

The velvet yarn is making it hard to see my stitches, what should I do?

Velvet yarn is notoriously 'floofy'! Try working under a bright light and use your fingers to feel for the stitch tops. Using plenty of stitch markers is also a lifesaver for keeping track of where your rounds begin and end.

Is the baby kangaroo's pouch functional?

The pouch on the mama kangaroo is fully functional and designed specifically to hold the joey. Make sure when you sew it on that you only stitch the sides and bottom, leaving the top wide open for the baby to slide in and out.

What kind of thread is best for the needle sculpting?

I highly recommend a strong mercerized cotton or even a heavy-duty upholstery thread. Regular sewing thread is often too thin and can snap when you apply the pressure needed to shape the face.