Molasses the Sloth Free Crochet Pattern
I am very excited to introduce you to Molasses the Sloth! This is my first crochet pattern and I hope you will love it as much as I do. This post contains the free pattern for Molasses the Sloth, however, if you would like a downloadable PDF of the pattern you can purchase it here.
Below you will find information regarding sloths including general info, fun facts, and endangerment status. I believe it is important to educate myself and others about the extraordinary animals on our planet, so why not learn about them before you crochet your very own version?
So, let’s start with some basic info:
Type: Mammal
Species: There are 6 different living species of sloths split into 2 categories: three-toed sloths and two-toed sloths, indicating how many claws are on their front limbs
Habitat: Tropical rainforests of Central and South America
Life Span: 50 years in captivity but most likely longer in the wild, no one knows for sure. Vegetables fed in captivity are not ideal food for sloths, so combining poor diet and stress, life spans are shorter for captive animals.
Size: Dependent on species, but up to 22 pounds and 2.6 feet long
Diet: Herbivores mostly eating leaves, along with fruit and seed pods
Predators: Jaguars and eagles
Speed: Typically 0.5 mph in trees, but max 1.5 mph when threatened
Mating: Sexual maturity reached at 1-2 years old. Males will fight each other to breed with females (who may mate with several males), and then leave and are not involved with the baby.
Pregnancy and Birth: Pregnancy times differ between species but is approximately 11.5 months. There is only room for one baby to hold onto the mother in the trees, so if there happens to be twins the weakest one will be rejected. Babies will stay with their mother for up to one year.
And now some fun facts:
Sloths are so slow because they have the slowest metabolic rate out of any non-hibernating mammal, taking as long as 28 days to digest one leaf! Their slow movements also helps them stay camouflaged from predators.
Modern day tree sloths evolved from one of the largest land mammals in history: the giant ground sloth, which was over 18 feet tall and weighing as much as an elephant.
Sloths have 46 ribs, which is almost double the amount humans have. These extra ribs help support their organs while hanging upside down and help break a fall when a sloth falls out of a tree (which they have been known to do, and have survived 30 ft drops.)
Sloths grow algae and fungi in their fur, which is why they often have a green color to them. This benefits the sloth by providing both visual and scent camouflage from predators, but it also creates a very important ecosystem. Multiple kinds of moths and beetles live in this algae that are not found anywhere else in the world. The fungi found on sloth fur has also been used in research to fight parasites and cancers.
The teeth and claws of sloths are constantly growing. Eating and climbing help keep them at a manageable length.
All sloths are color blind, meaning they are totally blind in daylight, and have poor eyesight at night. Because of this they have an excellent sense of smell.
Sloths have a four-chambered stomach similar to cows for digesting leaves.
Sloths cannot regulate their own body temperature, so they are completely reliant on their environment to maintain their temperature. If they get too cold the bacteria in their digestive system die, stopping digestion, and can result in death.
Sloths arm strength is 3 times greater than a human and their hands are permanently in a curved position. This lets them hang for long periods of time without wasting energy. They’ve been known to even remain hanging after death.
Sloths cannot move well on land but are excellent swimmers.
Sloths only come down to the ground once per week—to poop. They can also lose up to 1/3 their body weight in one poop.
Sloths have extra bones in their neck that allow them to turn their head 270 degrees.
Now on a more serious note:
Threats and Endangerment: Habitat loss through deforestation and urbanization is the biggest threat to sloths. It has caused isolated groups, leading to inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity (which is important for survival and evolution), as well as increases in electrocution from power lines, poaching, dog attacks, and vehicle collisions.
Two species of sloths are currently on the endangered list:
Maned sloths are listed as vulnerable. It is unknown how many are left in the wild but they are only found in a very small strip of forest on the coast of Brazil.
Pygmy sloths are listed as one of the most critically endangered mammals in the world. They are only located on Escudo Island, a very small island off the coast of Panama. The last official count made in 2012 found there were only 79 pygmy sloths left in the wild.
All information is from www.slothconservation.org. If you would like to make a donation to The Sloth Conservation Foundation to support the conservation efforts for sloths, click here.
Without further ado, here is the pattern for Molasses!
Molasses the Sloth Crochet Pattern
Skill Level
Easy
Measurement and Gauge
Gauge is not necessary. Using a medium weight (4) yarn with a 4.0 mm hook, project is approximately 8” tall while sitting. Any weight yarn may be used to create a larger or smaller version of Molasses, just be sure to use a crochet hook 1.0 mm smaller than the yarn label states.
Materials
Medium weight (4) yarn: Pictured in this pattern is Loops & Threads Impeccable Yarn
Color A: 165 yds in Forest
Color B: 13 yds in Heather
Color C: 13 yds in Soft Taupe
Color D: small amount of Black for face
Color E: small amount of White for eyes
Hook Size: 4.0 mm (USG6)
10mm safety eyes
Poly-Fil stuffing
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers
Scissors
+/- Lighter
Stitch Guide
Ch = chain
St/Sts = stitch/stitches
Mr = magic ring
Sl st = slip stitch
Sc = single crochet
Hdc = half double crochet
Dc = double crochet
Inc = increase (2 single crochets in one stitch)
Dec = decrease (Making invisible decreases will leave less gaps: Insert hook into front loop of next stitch, insert hook into front loop of second stitch. Yarn over and pull through both front loops. Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.)
BLO = back loop only
Notes
This pattern is worked in the round, so make sure to place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round to keep track of stitches.
Work in both loops of stitches unless otherwise indicated.
The number in parentheses at the end of each round indicates how many stitches each round should contain after it has been worked.
Pattern Instructions
Head (Color A)
R1: Start with 6 sc in mr (6)
R2: Inc in each st around (12)
R3: *1 sc in next st, inc in next 2 sts, 1 sc in next st,* inc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st. Repeat from * to * one time (18)
R4: 1 sc in next 2 sts, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next st, inc in next st, 1 sc in next st, inc in next st,* 1 sc in next 4 sts. Repeat from * to * one time. 1 sc in next 2 sts (24)
R5: 1 sc in next 2 sts, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st,* 1 sc in next 5 sts. Repeat from * to * one time. 1 sc in next 3 sts (30)
R6: 1 sc in next 4 sts, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st,* 1 sc in next 8 sts. Repeat from * to * one time. 1 sc in next 4 sts (36)
R7: 1 sc in next 5 sts, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st,* 1 sc in next 9 sts. Repeat from * to * one time. 1 sc in next 4 sts (42)
R8: 1 sc in next 5 sts, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st, 1 sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st,* 1 sc in next 10 sts. Repeat from * to * one time. 1 sc in next 5 sts (48)
R9: 1 sc in next 5 sts, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st, 1 sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st,* 1 sc in next 11sts. Repeat from * to * one time. 1 sc in next 6 sts (54)
R10-18 (all 9 rounds): 1 sc in each st around (54)
R19: 1 sc in next 5 sts, *1 dec, 1 sc in next 5 sts, 1 dec, 1 sc in next 5 sts, 1 dec,* 1 sc in next 11 sts. Repeat from * to * one time. 1 sc in next 6 sts (48)
R20: 1 sc in next 5 sts, *1 dec, 1 sc in next 4 sts, 1 dec, 1 sc in next 4 sts, 1 dec,* 1 sc in next 10 sts. Repeat from * to * one time. 1 sc in next 5 sts (42)
R21: 1 sc in next 5 sts, *1 dec, 1 sc in next 3 sts, 1 dec, 1 sc in next 3 sts, 1 dec,* 1sc in next 9 sts. Repeat from * to * one time. 1 sc in next 4 sts (36)
R22: 1 sc in next 4 sts, *1 dec, 1 sc in next 2 sts, 1 dec, 1 sc in next 2 sts, 1 dec,* 1 sc in next 8 sts. Repeat from * to * one time. 1 sc in next 4 sts (30)
R23: 1 sc in next 2 sts, *1 dec, 1 sc in next 2 sts, 1 dec, 1 sc in next 2 sts, 1 dec,* 1 sc in next 5 sts. Repeat from * to * one time. 1 sc in next 3 sts (24)
R24: 1 sc in next 2 sts, *1 dec, 1 sc in next st, 1 dec, 1 sc in next st, 1 dec,* 1 sc in next 4 st. Repeat from * to * one time. 1 sc in next 2 sts (18)
Fill head firmly with stuffing.
R25: *1 sc in next st, 2 dec, 1 sc in next st,* 1 dec, 1 sc in next 2 sts, 1 dec. Repeat from * to * one time (12)
R26: Dec in each st around (6)
Cut yarn, weave tail through front loops of remaining 6 sts and pull tightly to close. Fasten off and weave in end.
Face (Colors B and D)
R1: (with Color D) Start with 7 sc in mr (7)
R2: (switching to Color B) Inc in each st around (14)
R3: *1 sc in next st, inc in next st. Repeat from * to end of round (21)
R4: *Inc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sts. Repeat from * to end of round (28)
R5: *1 sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st. Repeat from * to end of round (35)
R6: *Inc in next st, 1 sc in next 4 st. Repeat from * to end of round (42)
Sl st into first sc of last round. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing, and fasten off.
Sew onto wide side of head, between rounds 7 and 21. Make the first stitch at round 12 of the head in order to hide this section under the eye.
Eye (Color C): Make 2
R1: Start with 7 sc in mr (7)
R2: Inc in each st around (14)
R3: Ch 7 (picture 1). Starting in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next 2 sts, 1 hdc in next 2 sts, 1 dc in next 2 sts. Sl st into 2nd sc of last round (indicated by marker in picture 2).
R4: 1 sc in each st around (25)
Sl st into 1st sc of last round (indicated by marker in picture 3).
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing, and fasten off.
Place 10 mm safety eyes through center of mr and pull tail to tighten. Make the first stitch at round 12 of the head (indicated by white arrow in pictures below), in order to hide this section under the eye.
Sew eyes onto head between rounds 9 and 18, with inside edges overlapping the face with 2 rounds showing between eyes. The outside edge of the eyes should be slightly curved down.
Using Color D, embroider a mouth on face between rounds 3 and 4.
Using Color E, embroider a short line around each safety eye, on the outside third.
Body (Color A)
R1: Start with 6 sc in mr (6)
R2: Inc in each st around (12)
R3: *1 sc in next st, inc in next st. Repeat from * to end of round (18)
R4: *1 sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st. Repeat from * to end of round (24)
R5: *1 sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st. Repeat from * to end of round (30)
R6: *1 sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st. Repeat from * to end of round (36)
R7: *1 sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st. Repeat from * to end of round (42)
R8: *1 sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st. Repeat from * to end of round (48)
R9: *1 sc in next 7 sts, inc in next st. Repeat from * to end of round (54)
R10-16 (all 7 rounds): 1 sc in each st around (54)
R17: *1 sc in next 7 sts, 1 dec. Repeat from * to end of round (48)
R18: 1 sc in each st around (48)
R19: *1 sc in next 6 sts, 1 dec. Repeat from * to end of round (42)
R20: 1 sc in each st around (42)
R21: *1 sc in next 5 sts, 1 dec. Repeat from * to end of round (36)
R22: 1 sc in each st around (36)
R23: *1 sc in next 4 sts, 1 dec. Repeat from * to end of round (30)
R24: 1 sc in each st around (30)
R25: *1 sc in next 3 sts, 1 dec. Repeat from * to end of round (24)
R26: 1 sc in each st around (24)
R27: *1 sc in next 2 sts, 1 dec. Repeat from * to end of round (18)
R28: 1 sc in each st around (18)
Cut yarn, leaving long tail for sewing, and fasten off.
Fill firmly with stuffing.
Sew onto bottom of head between rounds 24 and 25. Just before sewing last few sts closed, stuff again.
Arms (Color A): Make 2
R1: Start with 6 sc in mr (6)
R2: Inc in each st around (12)
R3: 1 sc in next 4 sts, *1 sc in BLO of next st, 1 sc in next st.* Repeat from * to * two more times. 1 sc in next 2 sts (12)
Place markers in the three exposed front loops of sts to find easier later. These loops are where the claws will be attached.
R4-12 (all 9 rounds): 1 sc in each st around (12)
Fill lightly with stuffing and continue to stuff as you go. Be careful not to overstuff, there should be no stuffing showing through sts.
R13-14 (all 2 rounds): 1 sl st in next 6 sts, 1 sc in next 6 sts (12)
R15-24 (all 10 rounds): 1 sc in each st around (12)
R25: 1 sc in next 4 sts. At this point, close the top of the arm by making 1 sc in next st and 3rd sc of this round together. Repeat with next 4 sets of sts to close arm. There should be 5 sc across top of arm, with one unworked st at each end (5)
Cut yarn, leaving long tail for sewing, and fasten off.
Sew arms onto body between rounds 19 and 26. Start and end sewing in the unworked st on either end of arms, making a total of 7 sts. There should be 14 sts between top of arms, and 26 sts between the bottoms.
Legs (Color A): Make 2
Repeat pattern for arms, except on R25, do not work 4 sc in beginning. The first sc will be through the first st and eleventh st of previous round. Continue down as before so there are 5 sc across top of leg.
Sew legs onto body between rounds 6 and 7. There should be 7 sts between inside edge of legs.
Claws (Color B)
The claws will be worked into the front loops that were left exposed on each limb. When working, make sure the end of the limb with the mr is facing up. The pattern is the same for arms and legs.
R1: Make a slip knot. Sl st join into front loop, ch 5. Starting in second ch from hook, 1 sl st in next 4 sts. Sl st back into front loop of arm.
Cut yarn and fasten off, weaving in ends.
Repeat on every front loop on each limb, so there are three claws on every arm and leg.
Molasses is finished!
Thank you for supporting Happy Pyr Crafting and making Molasses! Get connected on Instagram @HappyPyrCrafting and tag your finished project with #HappyPyrCrafting and #MolassesTheSloth to share your work!
If you have any questions or comments, please comment below or contact me here.
This pattern and all photos within are copyrighted ©Happy Pyr Crafting 2022. You may not copy, redistribute, alter, or resell this pattern. You may sell finished items made from this pattern on a small scale as long as you credit www.HappyPyrCrafting.com or @HappyPyrCrafting as designer.
