Welcome to this cozy crocheting adventure! Today, I'm thrilled to share with you how to create this adorable sleepy sloth, a charming little friend that's guaranteed to bring smiles wherever it goes.
With its gentle expression, extra-long arms perfect for hugging, and that wonderfully fuzzy texture, this sloth amigurumi has a special way of melting hearts. The best part? It's designed to be both fun to make and delightful to display or give as a thoughtful handmade gift.
Don't let the detailed appearance intimidate you – I'll be right here to guide you through each step with clear photos and friendly instructions. Ready to create your own cuddly sloth companion? Grab your hook and yarn, and let's begin this delightful journey together!
Pin for Later
Love this sleepy sloth already? Pin this pattern to save it for your next cozy crafting session!
Details About Sloth
Let me share some delightful details about this sleepy companion! When finished, your sloth amigurumi will stand approximately 8.2 inches tall - just the perfect size to perch on your desk or cuddle on your couch. It's small enough to be portable but big enough to showcase all those adorable details in its fuzzy texture and sweet expression.
For the color palette, I recommend using a lovely emerald green for the main body, paired with a softer beige for the face patch and belly area. This refreshing combination gives our sloth a unique, whimsical twist while still maintaining its adorable charm! The contrast between the vibrant green and gentle beige creates a delightful visual appeal that's sure to stand out.
But don't feel limited by these suggestions! This sleepy friend looks absolutely charming in any color combination you fancy. You might try different shades of green for a forest-inspired look, mix in some brown tones for a more natural feel, or even experiment with multiple green hues for added dimension. Some crafters even love adding subtle sparkly yarn for a magical touch!
Remember, the joy of creating amigurumi lies in making it uniquely yours, so feel free to experiment with colors that speak to your heart!
Recommended Yarn and Crochet Hooks
Let's talk about the perfect materials to bring this adorable sleepy sloth to life! For this project, I absolutely love using Loopara 5 ply milk cotton yarn - it's my go-to choice for amigurumi because of its beautiful stitch definition and incredibly soft texture. Your finished sloth will be so huggable!
For this charming design, I used their emerald green for the main body and pure white for the mouth area, creating a delightful combination that brings so much personality to this little fellow. These colors work together perfectly to highlight your sloth's sweet, sleepy expression!
The secret to achieving this sloth's perfect shape and adorable details lies in your hook size. I used a 3.0mm hook throughout this project, which creates tight, firm stitches - exactly what we want for amigurumi! This hook size pairs perfectly with Loopara yarn to give your sloth a neat, professional finish.
When making stuffed animals, it's better to crochet a bit tighter than usual to keep the stuffing from peeking through, and the 3.0mm hook helps achieve just that. Remember to keep your tension consistent throughout the project - this will ensure all your sloth's parts are proportional and fit together beautifully!
Materials needed for Sloth
- Yarn – Loopara 5ply combed cotton (Green 14, Pink 21, Yellow 30, Purple 48 and White 60)
- Hook – 3.0mm
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Yarn Needle
- Positioning pin
- Fiber Fill
- Eyeball
- Button
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- Magic ring
- ch - chain
- sc - single crochet
- sl - slip stitch
- sc inc - single crochet increase
- dc inc - double crochet increase
- sc2tog - single crochet 2 together
- dc - double crochet
- hdc - half double crochet
- BLO - back loops only
How to Crochet Sloth – Step by Step
How to Crochet the Arms (Make 2)
Round 1: Start with a magic ring, chain 1, make 6 single crochets into the ring, slip stitch to join.
Round 2: Chain 1, work (1 single crochet, then 1 single crochet increase) 3 more times. Slip stitch to join.
Rounds 3-23: Chain 1, work 9 single crochets around, then slip stitch to join. Repeat this pattern for 21 rounds to create those signature long sloth arms.
How to Crochet the Legs (Make 2)
Round 1: Start with a magic ring, Chain 1. Make 6 single crochets into the ring, slip stitch to join.
Round 2: Chain 1, make 6 single crochet increases, slip stitch to join.
Rounds 3-5: Chain 1, work 12 single crochets around, slip stitch to join. Repeat for 3 rounds.
Round 6: Chain 1, work (3 single crochets, then 1 single crochet increase) 3 more times, slip stitch to join.
Rounds 7-9: Chain 1, work 15 single crochets around, slip stitch to join. Repeat for 3 rounds.
Round 10: Chain 1, work (4 single crochets, then 1 single crochet increase) 3 more times, slip stitch to join.
Rounds 11-13: Chain 1, work 18 single crochets around, slip stitch to join. Repeat for 3 rounds. Fasten off first leg only; continue for second leg without fastening off.
Round 14: Chain 6, work 18 single crochets along first leg, 6 single crochets, 18 single crochets along second leg, 6 single crochets, slip stitch to join.
Round 15: Chain 1, work 48 single crochets around, slip stitch to join.
Round 16: Chain 1, work (1 single crochet increase, 16 single crochets, 1 single crochet increase, 6 single crochets) twice, slip stitch to join.
Round 17: Chain 1, work 52 single crochets around, slip stitch to join.
Round 18: Chain 1, work 18 single crochets, 1 single crochet increase, 8 single crochets, 1 single crochet increase, 24 single crochets, slip stitch to join.
Rounds 19-34: Chain 1, work 54 single crochets around, slip stitch to join. Stuff with fiberfill as you go. Repeat for 16 rounds.
Round 35: Chain 1, work (7 single crochets, single crochet 2 together) 6 times around, slip stitch to join.
Rounds 36-37: Chain 1, work 48 single crochets around, slip stitch to join. Repeat for 2 rounds.
Round 38: Chain 1, work (6 single crochets, decrease) 6 times around, slip stitch to join.
Round 39: Chain 1, work 8 single crochets, attach first arm over next 4 single crochets, 17 single crochets, attach second arm over next 4 single crochets, 9 single crochets, slip stitch to join. Stuff with fiberfill.
Round 40: Chain 1, work 42 single crochets around, slip stitch to join.
Round 41: Chain 1, work 42 single crochets in back loops only, slip stitch to join. Stuff with fiberfill.
Rounds 42-47: Chain 1, work 42 single crochets around, slip stitch to join. Repeat for 6 rounds.
Round 48: Chain 1, work (5 single crochets, single crochet 2 together) 6 times around, slip stitch to join.
Rounds 49-50: Chain 1, work 36 single crochets around, slip stitch to join. Repeat for 2 rounds.
Round 51: Chain 1, work (4 single crochets, single crochet 2 together) 6 times around, slip stitch to join.
Round 52: Chain 1, work 30 single crochets around, slip stitch to join. Stuff with fiberfill.
Round 53: Chain 1, work (3 single crochets, single crochet 2 together) 6 times around, slip stitch to join.
Round 54: Chain 1, work (2 single crochets, single crochet 2 together) 6 times around, slip stitch to join. Stuff with fiberfill.
Round 55: Chain 1, work (1 single crochet, single crochet 2 together) 6 times around, slip stitch to join.
Round 56: Chain 1, work 6 single crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to join. Fasten off and sew closed.
Tips: When making the legs, maintain even tension to keep both legs identical. Remember to stuff firmly but not too tightly - this helps your sloth sit stably. Don't forget to mark your first stitch of each round.
How to Crochet the Mouth (Make 1)
Round 1: Chain 1, single crochet in second chain from hook, work 7 single crochets, work 3 single crochets in next stitch, work 6 single crochets, work 2 single crochets in last stitch, slip stitch to join.
Round 2: Chain 1, work 2 single crochets in first stitch, work 6 single crochets, work 3 single crochet increases, work 6 single crochets, work 2 single crochet increases, slip stitch to join.
Round 3: Chain 1, work 1 single crochet, single crochet increase, work 6 half double crochets, work (single crochet, single crochet increase) twice, work 1 half double crochet, double crochet increase, work 1 double crochet, work 1 half double crochet, work 2 single crochets, work 1 half double crochet, work 1 double crochet, double crochet increase, work 1 half double crochet, single crochet increase, work 1 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
How to Crochet the Eyelids (Make 2)
Round 1: Chain 1, work 3 double crochets in third chain from hook, work 2 half double crochets, work 1 single crochet, slip stitch to join. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
How to Crochet the Scarf (Make 1)
Round 1: Chain 3, work 2 incomplete stitches in second chain from hook.
Round 2: Change to new color, remove hook from loop, work 3 more incomplete stitches, slip stitch to join, chain 1. Repeat Round 2 until scarf reaches your desired length. Weave in all ends securely.
Tips: Keep your stitches tight and consistent throughout to prevent stuffing from showing. Use stitch markers to track your rounds. When attaching arms, ensure they're positioned evenly on both sides for that perfect sloth hug.
Crochet Sloth Assemble
Step 1: Position and pin the mouth piece on the head with positioning pins.
Step 2: Sew the mouth securely in place.
Step 3: Attach eyelids on both sides, insert safety eyes, and secure with glue.
Step 4: Embroider eye lines using yellow thread.
Step 5: Sew a few strands of hair on top of the head.
Step 6: Separate a strand of purple thread to embroider the nose.
Step 7: Sew buttons onto the body.
Step 8: Wrap and secure the scarf.
Tips: Take time to position features before sewing - this ensures your sloth's face looks perfectly balanced.
Care and Cleaning Instructions
Daily Care Tips
Keep your adorable sloth friend looking its best with gentle handling. Regular dusting with a soft brush will help maintain its fresh appearance. If your sloth is a display piece, try to keep it away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading. A little TLC goes a long way!
Washing Methods
While spot cleaning is best for small marks, sometimes your sloth needs a proper wash. Hand wash gently in cool water using mild detergent - no machine washing, please! Avoid rubbing too hard, and never wring it out. Instead, press out excess water with a clean towel and reshape while damp.
Storage Suggestions
When your sloth needs a rest, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. A closed container or drawer works perfectly to protect it from dust and moisture. Pro tip: add a small sachet of lavender to keep your sloth fresh and moth-free during long-term storage. Just make sure your sloth is completely dry before storing!
What’s Next?
Did your sleepy sloth turn out absolutely adorable? I'd love to see your creation! Share your finished sloth photos on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter using #SlothAmigurumi. Your beautiful work might just inspire another crocheter to make their own cuddly companion! Don't forget to save this pattern for later.
