This cute and cuddly crochet sloth is ready to hang out with you everywhere you go! Made with all soft materials, he's a plushie that's fun for all ages.
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Sloths have always been my son's favorite animal, so even though he's now an adult, I surprised him this past Christmas with a homemade amigurumi sloth doll that he can call all his own! And I have to admit, this little sloth is so adorable, I may just make another one for myself.
This friendly fella is made with soft yarn and felt, so there are no small parts to worry about with young children. And he measures about a foot tall, so he's the perfect size to carry along on all your adventures.
Whether he's hanging out in the trees or sitting on your bed, he makes a great friend, and hey, let's be honest, he's not going anywhere anytime fast. Sloths are known to be slow movers, so let's take a page from their book and slow down and enjoy the good things in life...
🧶 Materials
- Approximately 200 yards of #4 worsted weight yarn in dark brown
- A small amount of #4 worsted weight yarn in a beige shade for the face and claws
- Felt in brown and black
- F-5 / 3.75-mm crochet hook
- D-3 / 3.25-mm crochet hook for claws
- FiberFil stuffing
- Embroidery floss for the mouth (black) and white dots in the eyes (white)
- Brown and black thread for sewing on the eyes and nose
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Stitch markers
🧷 Stitch markers
Stitch markers will come in handy for multiple steps throughout making this amigurumi sloth. As most parts are worked in-the-round, you’ll find it handy to place a stitch marker at the beginning of each “row” so you’ll know when you’ve made a complete circle (unless you want to count every single stitch, which I certainly don’t want to do).
Also, stitch markers will come in handy when you’re assembling the finished piece. See “Putting the Sloth Together” at the bottom of this pattern.
📏 Finished size
This crochet sloth measures approximately a foot tall in a seated position.
⭐ Notes
- All instructions, abbreviations, and materials in this free pattern are given in US terminology.
- For this project, we will work “in-the-round,” meaning that you will not slip stitch at the end of each row, but will continue working continuously around. However, in most cases, for each row, I’ve included the number of stitches that should be in each row at the end, in parentheses.
- For a reminder of how to do increase (inc) and decrease (dec) stitches, watch my crochet pumpkin video, for instruction.
- The head and body will be crocheted together as one piece. All other parts will be crocheted separately. At the end of the pattern, you’ll use a yarn needle to sew the arms and legs onto the body (there is no tutorial for this part…it’s just a simple whip stitch). Likewise, as you may want different eyes and nose than I have done, there is no tutorial for that. Simply cut out the felt shapes and stitch them onto the head using regular thread, one layer at a time.
- In the middle of making the arms and legs, I ask you to pause and make the claws and attach them. This is because the base of the arms and legs will get very small and therefore would be very difficult to attach the claws if you complete the arms and legs first. Instead, start making the first few rows of the arms and legs, then make and attach the claws, then finish making the arms and legs. It's just easier access this way.
🪝 Crochet abbreviations for this pattern
- st – stitch
- ch – chain
- ch st – chain stitch
- sc – single crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- (inc) – increase; perform two stitches in the same space/stitch
- (dec) – decrease; see “notes” above
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together; this is a decrease
📝 Pattern
Body and head
Foundation: Magic Circle/Ring: 6 sc
Row 1: 2 sc (inc) in each st (12)
Row 2: 2 sc (inc) in each st (24)
Row 3: *Sc, then 2 sc (inc)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (36)
Row 4: Sc in each st around (36)
Row 5: *Sc in next 2 st, then 2 sc (inc)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (48)
Row 6: Sc in each st around (48)
Row 7: *Sc in next 3 st, then 2 sc (inc)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (60)
Rows 8-9: Sc in each st around x 2 rows (60)
Row 10: *Sc in next 4 st, then 2 sc (inc)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (72)
Rows 11-17: Sc in each st around x 7 rows (72)
Row 18: *Sc in next 9 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (66)
Rows 19-20: Sc in each st around x 2 rows (66)
Row 21: *Sc in next 8 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (60)
Rows 22-23: Sc in each st around x 2 rows (60)
Row 24: *Sc in next 7 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (54)
Row 25: Sc in each st around (54)
Row 26: *Sc in next 6 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (48)
Row 27: Sc in each st around (48)
Row 28: *Sc in next 5 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (42)
Rows 29-32: Sc in each st around x 4 rows (42)
Row 33: *Sc in next 4 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (35)
STUFF BODY AT THIS POINT
Rows 34-38: Sc in each st around x 5 rows (35)
Row 39: *Sc in next 4 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (30)
Row 40: Sc in each st around (30)
Row 41: *Sc in next 3 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (24)
Row 42: *Sc in next 2 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (18)
STUFF TOP OF BODY (FINISH STUFFING BODY)
Row 43: 2 sc (inc) in each st around (36)
Row 44: *Sc, then 2 sc (inc)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (54)
Rows 45-46: Sc in each st around x2 rows (54)
Row 47: Sc in next 22 st, 2 sc in next 9 st (inc), sc in next 19 st, 2 sc in next 4 st (inc) (67)
Row 48: 2 sc in next 5 st (inc), sc in next 62 st (72)
Rows 49-51: Sc in each st around x 3 rows (72)
Row 52: Sc in next 10 st, sc2tog (dec), sc in next 6 st, sc2tog (dec), sc in next 6 st, sc2tog (dec), sc in next 12 st, sc2tog (dec), sc in next 10 st, sc2tog (dec), sc in next 6 st, sc2tog (dec), sc in next 10 st (66) - (aka: sc x 10, dec, sc x 6, dec, sc x 6, dec, sc x 12, dec, sc x 10, dec, sc x 6, dec, sc x 10)
Row 53: Sc in each st around (66)
Row 54: Sc in next 8 st, sc2tog (dec), sc in next 6 st, sc2tog (dec), sc in next 6 st, sc2tog (dec), sc in next 12 st, sc2tog (dec), sc in next 8 st, sc2tog (dec), sc in next 8 st, sc2tog (dec), sc in next 6 st (60) - (aka: sc x 8, dec, sc x6, dec, sc x 6, dec, sc x 12, dec, sc x 8, dec, sc x 8, dec, sc x 6)
Rows 55-58: Sc in each st around x 4 rows (60)
Row 59: *Sc in next 5 st, sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (52)
Row 60: Sc in each st around (52)
Row 61: *Sc in next 4 st, sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (44)
Row 62: Sc in each st around (44)
Row 63: *Sc in next 3 st, sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (36)
STUFF HEAD AT THIS POINT
Row 64: *Sc in next 2 st, sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (27)
Row 65: *Sc in next 2 st, sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (21)
FINISH STUFFING HEAD
Row 66: *Sc in next st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat until nearly closed, then knot closed
Arms (make 2)
Foundation: Magic Circle/Ring: 6 sc
Row 1: 2 sc (inc) in each st (12)
Row 2: *Sc in next 2 st, then 2 sc (inc)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (16)
Row 3: *Sc in next 3 st, then 2 sc (inc)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (20)
Rows 4-8: Sc in each st around x 5 rows (20)
AT THIS POINT, PAUSE IN MAKING ARMS. MAKE CLAWS NOW (SEE BELOW) AND ATTACH THEM, THEN CONTINUE WITH ARMS
Row 9: *Sc in next 4 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * 3 times (17)
Rows 10-14: Sc in each st x 5 rows (17)
Row 15: *Sc in next 3 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * 3 times (14)
Rows 16-20: Sc in each st around x 5 rows (14)
Row 21: *Sc in next 2 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * 3 times (11)
Rows 22-31: Sc in each st around x 10 rows (11)
SLIP STITCH AT END AND LEAVE A LONG TAIL OF YARN TO ATTACH TO BODY
Legs (make 2)
Foundation: Magic Circle/Ring: 6 sc
Row 1: 2 sc in each st around (12)
Row 2: *Sc in next 2 st, then 2 sc (inc)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (16)
Row 3: *Sc in next 3 st, then 2 sc (inc)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (20)
Row 4: *Sc in next 4 st, then 2 sc (inc)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (24)
Rows 5-7: Sc in each st around x 3 rows (24)
AT THIS POINT, PAUSE IN MAKING LEGS. MAKE CLAWS NOW (SEE BELOW) AND ATTACH THEM, THEN CONTINUE WITH LEGS
Row 8: *Sc in next 3 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * 4 times; then sc in last 4 st (20)
Rows 9-10: Sc in each st around x 2 rows (20)
Row 11: *Sc in next 3 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (16)
Rows 12-14: Sc in each st around x 3 rows (16)
Row 15: *Sc in next 2 st, then sc2tog (dec)*; repeat from * to * all the way around (12)
Rows 16-27: Sc in each st around x 12 rows (12)
SLIP STITCH AT END AND LEAVE A LONG TAIL OF YARN TO ATTACH TO BODY
Claws (make 6 for arms and 6 for legs)
Foundation: Ch 2
Row 1: 2 sc in first st, turn (2)
Rows 2-7: *Ch 1, sc in next 2 st*; repeat from * to * x 6 rows (2)
SLIP STITCH AND LEAVE A LONG TAIL OF YARN. ATTACH 3 EACH TO ENDS OF ARMS AND LEGS
Face
Foundation: Magic Circle/Ring: 3 sc
Row 1: 2 sc (inc) in each st around (6)
Row 2: 2 sc (inc) in each st around (12)
Row 3: Sc, 2 sc (inc), sc, 2 sc (inc) (18)
Row 4: Sc in next 3 st, then 2 sc (inc) in next 3 st, sc in next 6 st, 2 sc (inc) in next 3 st, sc in next 3 st (24) - (aka: sc x3, inc x 3, sc x 6, inc x 3, sc x 3)
Row 5: Sc in next 6 st, 2 sc (inc), sc in next 11 st, 2 sc (inc), sc in next 5 st (26) - (aka: sc x 6, inc, sc x 11, inc, sc x 5)
Row 6: Sc in next 6 st, 2 sc (inc) in next 3 st, sc in next 9 st, 2 sc (inc) in next 3 st, sc in next 5 st (32) - (aka: sc x 6, inc x 3, sc x 9, inc x 3, sc x 5)
Row 7: Sc in next 5 st, 2 sc (inc), sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next 9 st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next 4 st (40) - (aka: sc x 5, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc x 9, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc x 4)
Row 8: Sc in next 7 st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next 13 st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next 6 st (48) - (aka: sc x 7, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc x 13, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc x 6)
Row 9: Sc in next 8 st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next 16 st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc (inc) in next st, sc in next 6 st (58) - (aka: sc x 8, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc x 16, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc x 6)
LEAVE LONG TAIL OF YARN AND USE THIS TO ATTACH TO FACE WITH A YARN NEEDLE, ALL THE WAY AROUND
🦥 Putting the sloth together
At the end of the pattern, you’ll use a yarn needle to sew the arms and legs onto the body (there is no tutorial for this part…it’s just a simple whip stitch).
Likewise, as you may want different eyes and nose than I have done, there is no tutorial for that. Simply cut out the felt shapes and stitch them onto the face using regular thread, one layer at a time. The mouth was made by stitching embroidery floss onto the face. The white dots in the eyes were made by creating a French knot with embroidery floss.
⭐ Tip: Place each body part (arms, legs, ears, etc) onto the body and attach with stitch markers. This way, you can see that they’re exactly where you want them before beginning to sew them on.
Love crochet? Check out my other fun crochet projects:
- Learn To Crochet
- Mazie the Amigurumi Cat
- Bunny Amigurumi Doll
- Polar Bear Baby
- Little Bear
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
- Crochet Pillow
- Waffle Stitch Blanket
- Crochet Pocket Shawl
- Easy 2-Hour Slouch Hat
- Chunky Scarf
- Crochet Drawstring Bag
Did you make this Crochet Sloth amigurumi? Let us know in the comments below!
Please be respectful and do not sell this pattern or finished product in any way, especially as your own. Instead, share the original article link or contact me for any commercial purposes (Contact Us found in the footer area of this page)!
Janet Woolmore
Hi, I am making this sloth and have a question about row 9-10 of the legs. It says sc around x10 rows. should this read x2 rows?
thankyou
maplewoodroad
Hi Janet! Yes, you're absolutely right! So sorry about that and thanks for letting me know. I've fixed it now. 🙂
BARB
great pattern thanks. he is adorable.
maplewoodroad
Hi Barb! Thanks so much, I'm so glad you like it! 🙂
Kales
Thanks so very much! Such an easy pattern to follow. I was so impressed by how the body and head curved and flowed and looked so good as one while piece! Highly recommend!
maplewoodroad
Thank you! I'm so happy you like it! 🙂
Kristin
Hello.....could you explain Rd 18 of the body and head section to me please.
maplewoodroad
Hi Kristin! Sure! In round 18 of the head and body, you're going to make a single crochet in the next 9 stitches (so that means, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc), then after that, you're going to decrease, or single crochet two stitches together. Then you're going to repeat this pattern all the way around, meaning 9 single crochets, then a decrease...then 9 single crochets and a decrease...and so on, until you're all the way around. If it helps, you can review how to make decrease stitches in my crochet pumpkin video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg9EskybOdE Hope this helps! 🙂