Easy Crochet Sloth (Amigurumi Style)

Make your very own adorable sloth stuffie with this simple crochet pattern!

Sloths are fascinating creatures native to the tropical rainforests of South and Central America. Known for being exceptionally slow, they live in tree canopies and move only 40 yards per day on average. Spending 15-20 hours a day sleeping, sloths are the perfect inspiration for a cozy stuffie for you or your child to snuggle up to.

I was lucky enough to see a Bolivian sloth in the wild last year which inspired me to create this pattern. It is straightforward and easily adjustable to make different sizes and variations. The final product can be used as either a stuffed animal or a home decor item. I hope you like it!

Stitches & Abbreviations (US) Used in Pattern:

• MC = Magic circle (amigurumi technique)
• Sc = Single crochet
• Ch = Chain
• Sl st = Slip stitch
• Dc = Double crochet
• Inc = Increase (2 stitches in 1)
• Dec = Decrease (2 stitches together, amigurumi invisible decrease technique)
• (...)* = Repeat until end of row
• [#] = Total # of stitches at end of row

• Grey and white yarn (any yarn weight can be used with the correct crochet hook size)
• Small amounts of brown and green yarn
• Crochet hook (recommended size for yarn weight >> I used a 2mm hook with lightweight 100% cotton yarn)
• Stitch marker (I used scrap yarn)
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Black thread, embroidery floss or yarn
• Stuffing (I used poly fill)

Head:

(Grey yarn)
Make 6 sc in magic circle [6]
R1: Inc every stitch [12]
R2: (1sc, 1inc)* [18]
R3: (2sc, 1inc)* [24]
R4: (3sc, 1inc)* [30]
R5: (4sc, 1inc)* [36]
R6: (5sc, 1inc)* [42]
R7: (6sc, 1inc)* [48]
R8: (7sc, 1inc)* [54]
R9: (8sc, 1inc)* [60]
R10-11: 2 rows of single crochet [60]

(Stop to make facial elements - see “face” and “eyes” below)

(Sew on facepiece and eye patches using tapestry needle, then use black thread to embroider eyes, nose and a smile as seen in the main photos)

R12: (8sc, 1dec)* [54]
R13: (7sc, 1dec)* [48]
R14: (6sc, 1dec)* [42]
R15: (5sc, 1dec)* [36]
R16: (4sc, 1dec)* [30]
R17: (3sc, 1dec)* [24]
R18: (2sc, 1dec)* [18]

(Stuff head)

R19: (1sc, 1dec)* [12]
R20: (dec every stitch)* Then bind off and weave tail through remaining stitches to close hole

Face:

(White yarn)
Chain 9
R1: Sc down chain (3sc in last stitch)
Turn (continue on back side of chain)
R2: Sc down back side (3sc in last stitch)
Turn
(Continue for 4 rounds increasing 3sc at each end)
(Bind off leaving long tail for sewing)

Eyes (x2):

(Brown yarn)
Chain 7
R1: Sl st, 3 sc, 1 dc, 5 dc in last stitch
Turn (continue on back side of chain)
R2: 1 dc, 3 sc, sl st, chain 2
(Bind off leaving long tail for sewing)
(Make 2)

(Return to sloth head and sew on facial elements)

Body:

(Grey yarn)
Make 6 sc in magic circle [6]
R1: Inc every stitch [12]
R2: (1sc, 1inc)* [18]
R3: (2sc, 1inc)* [24]
R4: (3sc, 1inc)* [30]
R5: (4sc, 1inc)* [36]
R6: (5sc, 1inc)* [42]
R7: (6sc, 1inc)* [48]
R8-14: 7 rows of single crochet [48]
R15: (6sc, 1dec)* [42]
R16: 1 row of single crochet [42]
R17: (5sc, 1dec)* [36]
R18: 1 row of single crochet [36]
R19: (4sc, 1dec)* [30]
R20: 1 row of single crochet [30]
R21: (3sc, 1dec)* [24]
R22-23: 2 rows of single crochet [24]
(Bind off with long tail leaving 24 stitch opening)
(Stuff body)

Arms (x2):

(Grey yarn)
Make 4sc in magic circle [4]
R1: Inc every st [8]
R2: (1sc, 1inc)* [12]
R3: (2sc, 1inc)* [16]
R4-7: (4 rows single crochet) [16]
R8: Dec 1, sc 7, dec 1, sc rest of row [14]
R9: Dec 1, sc 6, dec 1, sc rest of row [12]
R10+ (16 rows of single crochet or until desired length) [12]
(Bind off leaving long tail)
(Make 2)
(Stuff)

Legs (x2):

(Grey yarn)
Make 4sc in magic circle [4]
R1: Inc every st [8]
R2: (1sc, 1inc)* [12]
R3: (2sc, 1inc)* [16]
R4: (3sc, 1inc)* [20]
R5-8: (4 rows of single crochet) [20]
R9: Dec 1, sc 9, dec 1, sc rest of row [18]
R10: Dec 1, sc 8, dec 1, sc rest of row [16]
R11: Dec 1, sc 7, dec 1, sc rest of row [14]
R12: Dec 1, sc 6, dec 1, sc rest of row [12]
R13+ (14 rows of single crochet or until desired length) [12]
(Bind off leaving long tail)
(Make 2)
(Stuff)

Fingers/Toes (x4):

(White yarn)
Chain 20

• Fasten off leaving long tail
• Thread tail through tapestry needle
• Arrange chain in accordion fold (see reference photo)
• Sew along one side securing the folded chain
• Tie yarn tails together in a knot

(You can create a 2 toed sloth or a 3 toed sloth depending how many times you fold your chain)
(Make 4)
(Use long tails to sew fingers/toes onto the ends of the finished arms and legs)

(Optional) Leaves:

(Green yarn)
*Same pattern as sloth eyes* (make 2)

• Thread long yarn tail through tapestry needle
• Stitch along center of each leaf and attach the two at the base

(Attach to sloth hand)

• Stuff all finished pieces
• Sew all facial elements onto the head
• Sew body onto the base of the head using long tail from open neck section (see photos to decide if you would like a front facing sloth face or a side facing sloth face)
• Attach fingers/toes (and optional leaves) to arms and legs
• Sew arms to top of body where the neck meets the head (see reference photos to decide if you would like a front facing sloth or a side hanging sloth and position arms accordingly)
• Sew legs to base of body, evenly spaced apart

(Optional: for a hanging sloth, attach long strands of grey yarn to the inside of each arm and leg just below the finger/toe attachments. You can then tie your sloth to plants, furniture, etc for fun household decor)

Enjoy your sloth stuffies!