Adorable Sloth Crochet Pattern: Easy Amigurumi With Travel Backpack

Looking for the perfect handmade gift for a baby shower, a child’s birthday, or a fellow crochet enthusiast? This adorable Sloth Crochet Pattern with Travel Backpack is the ultimate cuddly companion. Designed to be extra soft and snuggly, this amigurumi project works up quickly using plush yarn, making it an ideal market-table item or a cozy addition to any nursery shelf. Whether you are looking to create a unique keepsake or simply want to enjoy the relaxing process of making a plush toy, this sloth offers a charming blend of cuteness and creativity.

Our Touch: Gift and Use Ideas

This plush sloth is designed to be more than just a decoration; it is a tactile experience. The use of chenille or blanket yarn gives the finished piece a velvety texture that invites touch, making it a fantastic sensory toy for toddlers (when made with embroidered eyes). Because the arms are designed to be movable, this sloth becomes an interactive playmate, perfect for “hanging” from a tree branch or a backpack strap during pretend adventures. Its neutral gray and white color palette allows it to fit seamlessly into any nursery decor, while its “Around the World” theme makes it a wonderful travel companion for little ones.

Project Overview

This pattern creates a traditional-style amigurumi sloth with a defined body, long arms, and legs. The finished plush sits approximately 9 to 10 inches tall, featuring a cute long tail. The design includes movable limbs, allowing the sloth to be posed in various positions, such as hanging from a branch. The project is part of an “Around the World” series, specifically inspired by South America.

Materials

• Body/Head Yarn: 140g Premier Basix Chenille in Fog or Pebble (or similar size 6 blanket yarn like Bernat Blanket or Bernat Baby Blanket).
• Accent Yarn: 15g Premier Basix Chenille in Winter White.
• Nose/Details: Small amount of worsted weight yarn (dark or light brown).
• Stuffing: Poly-fil stuffing.
• Eyes: 18mm safety eyes (or embroidery floss for embroidered eyes).
• Tools: 4.5mm crochet hook (or hook size that keeps stitches tight), 4mm hook for worsted weight details, tapestry needle, stitch marker.

Gauge and Finished Size

Because this pattern uses plush yarn (size 6 weight), specific gauge is not strictly required as long as the stitches remain tight enough to prevent stuffing from showing. The finished sloth is approximately 9 inches tall when sitting (with the tail) or up to 10 inches tall depending on the specific yarn brand used.

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used in this pattern:

• SC: Single Crochet
• INC: Increase (2 SC in the same stitch)
• INV DEC: Invisible Decrease
• DC: Double Crochet
• HDC: Half Double Crochet
• TRC: Treble Crochet
• MC: Magic Circle

Pattern Notes

This pattern utilizes plush yarn, which works up much faster than traditional yarn. When using blanket yarns like Premier Basix Chenille, Bernat Blanket, or Cozy Cub, it is recommended to use a smaller hook than the yarn label suggests to ensure tight stitches. For Premier Basix Chenille, a 4.5mm hook is recommended; for Bernat Blanket, a 5mm hook is suggested. If the stitches feel too tight, size up slightly until you can crochet comfortably while maintaining tightness. The arms are designed to be movable using a specific attachment method, which is essential for the tree-hanging aesthetic.

Pattern Instructions

Eye Piece (Make 2)

Using light or dark brown worsted weight yarn and a 4mm hook:

• Chain 11.
• In the 4th chain from the hook, TRC. TRC in the next.
• DC in the next 3 stitches.
• HDC in the next 2.
• SC in the remaining stitch. (8)
• SC in each stitch around, with a SC in each of the 3 chains at the beginning of the eyepiece. (20)
• Insert the safety eye between the two TRC. Attach the back before you sew it on.

Nose

Using dark brown worsted weight yarn and a 4mm hook:

• In a magic circle, HDC 10.
• Close with a slip stitch and set aside to sew on head later.

Head

Using Winter White yarn and a 4.5mm hook:

• R1: SC 8 in a magic ring. (8)
• R2: INC in each around. (16)
• R3: INC in the first 4. SC in the next 4. INC in the next 4. SC in the final 4. (24)
• R4: SC in each around. (24)
• R5: SC in the first 6. SC INC in the next 8. SC in the last 10. (32)
• R6: SC in the first 6. *SC in the first, INC* 8x. SC in the last 10. (40)
• Change to gray color.
• R7: SC in the first 4, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (48)
• R8: SC in each around. (48)
• R9: SC in the first 4, INV DEC in the next. Repeat around. (40)
• R10: SC in each around. (40)
• R11: SC in the first 3, INV DEC. (32)
• R12: SC in each around. (32)
• R13: SC in the first 2, INV DEC. (24)
• R14: Stuff here. SC in the first, INV DEC. (16)
• R15: INV DEC. (8)
• Fasten off and weave in the end.

Hair Tuft

Using Winter White yarn:

• Chain 4, sc 3 back. Then chain 3 sc 2 back.
• Attach on the top of the head, towards the back, in round 12.

Body

Using Winter White/Gray yarn and a 4.5mm hook:

• R1: In a magic circle, SC 8.
• R2: SC INC in each around. (16)
• R3: SC in the first, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (24)
• R4: SC in the first 2, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (32)
• R5: SC in the first 3, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (40)
• R6: SC in the first 4, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (48)
• R7-9: SC in each around. (48) *3 rounds*
• R10: SC in the first 4, INV DEC. Repeat around. (40)
• R11: SC in each around. (40)
• R12: SC in the first 3, INV DEC. Repeat around. (32)
• R13: SC in each around. (32)
• R14: SC in the first 2, INV DEC. Repeat around. (24)
• R15: SC in each around. (24)
• R16: SC in the first, INV DEC. Repeat around. (16)
• Fasten off and leave a long end to use in sewing on the head, around rounds 6-10.

Arms & Legs (Make 4)

Do not stuff. Start with Winter White yarn and a 4.5mm hook:

• R1: In a magic circle, SC 8. (8)
• R2: SC in each around. (8)
• R3: SC in the first, inc in the next. Repeat around. (12)
• Change to gray.
• R4-13: SC in each around. (12)
• R14: INV DEC in each around.
• Fasten off.

Assembly

1. Nose: Embroider the nose with worsted weight brown yarn around round 3 of the head, between the eyes. Cover about 4-5 stitches for length.
2. Eyes: Using the black safety eye post, pin the eye piece so that the eyes are between round 4 and 5 of the head. Use the 8 INC of row 5 to help center them. There should be about 6 stitches between the eyes. Sew them on using the long tail used to fasten off.
3. Head to Body: Attach the head to the body using the long tail left from the body. Sew around rounds 6-10 of the body.
4. Limbs: Arms are attached around rounds 14-15 of the body. Legs are attached around rounds 6-7. Use the movable attachment method to allow the limbs to swing freely.

Tips

• Yarn Choice: While Premier Basix Chenille is recommended, other size 6 blanket yarns like Bernat Blanket or Cozy Cub work well. Keep in mind that brands vary in how they work up.
• Tight Stitches: Plush yarn can be tricky. Ensure your stitches are tight enough to hide the stuffing. If your hook feels too small, size up slightly, but prioritize tightness.
• Safety vs. Embroidery: You can use safety eyes or embroider them. Embroidered eyes are recommended for babies and toddlers for safety.
• Movable Limbs: The movable limb technique is crucial for the authentic sloth look. Ensure you leave long tails and use the specific attachment method described in the pattern notes.

FAQs

What is the best yarn for this pattern?

The pattern recommends Premier Basix Chenille in Fog or Pebble for the body and Winter White for accents. However, other size 6 blanket yarns like Bernat Blanket or Bernat Baby Blanket are suitable substitutes.

How big is the finished sloth?

When sitting, the sloth is approximately 9 inches tall with its tail. Depending on the specific plush yarn used, it may sit up to 10 inches tall.

Can I make this safe for a baby?

Yes. To make the sloth safe for babies and toddlers, use embroidered eyes instead of safety eyes and ensure all yarn ends are securely woven in.

Why are the arms movable?

The arms are designed to be movable to mimic a real sloth hanging from a tree. This is achieved by using a specific attachment method that allows the limbs to swing.

Do I need a specific hook size?

For the plush yarn, a 4.5mm hook is recommended for Premier Basix Chenille and a 5mm hook for Bernat Blanket. For the worsted weight details (eyes/nose), a 4mm hook is used. The goal is to keep stitches tight.