Adorable Crochet Sloth Keychain Pattern: Pocket-Sized Amigurumi
There is something undeniably charming about a tiny crocheted sloth dangling from your keys or backpack zipper. These slow-moving, tree-hanging creatures have captured hearts around the world, and turning one into a miniature amigurumi keychain is one of the most satisfying small crochet projects you can take on. Whether you are a seasoned crocheter looking for a quick and delightful make, or a beginner eager to try your first amigurumi, this pattern walks you through everything you need to create your very own pocket-sized crochet sloth keychain from start to finish.
This pattern produces a sloth that is approximately 3 to 4 inches tall, making it perfectly sized to clip onto a bag, hang from a rearview mirror, or gift to someone who adores these gentle animals. The finished piece is compact, durable when assembled correctly, and endlessly customizable in terms of color and expression. Let’s dive in.
Why Crochet Sloth Keychains Are So Popular Right Now
Amigurumi — the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting small stuffed animals and creatures — has exploded in popularity over the last several years, and sloths have become one of the most requested subjects. Part of their appeal is visual: sloths have large, round eyes, long curving claws, and a permanently sleepy expression that translates beautifully into yarn form. They are also culturally resonant in an era where the phrase “slow living” has become something of a lifestyle philosophy. A little crocheted sloth on your keychain is both adorable and quietly aspirational.
From a crafting perspective, sloth keychains are ideal beginner amigurumi projects because the body shape is simple and forgiving. There are no complex color changes mid-round (though you can add them if you like), the facial details are minimal, and the overall structure is small enough to finish in a single sitting or a couple of evenings. For more experienced crafters, this pattern offers plenty of room for embellishment and customization.
Materials You Will Need
Before you begin, gather everything so your project flows smoothly without interruption.
Yarn: You will need a small amount of worsted weight or DK weight yarn in your main sloth color (a warm taupe, brown, or grey works wonderfully), a contrasting color for the face patch (cream or light beige), and a small amount of dark brown or black for the claws. You do not need full skeins — this project is a great way to use up leftover yarn from other projects.
Hook: A 2.5mm to 3.5mm crochet hook, depending on your yarn weight. For a tighter, firmer amigurumi fabric (which prevents stuffing from showing through), go slightly smaller than the yarn label recommends.
Safety eyes: Two 6mm or 8mm black safety eyes. These give your sloth the most authentic look, but if you are making this for a child under three years old, you should embroider the eyes instead using black yarn or thread.
Polyester fiberfill: A small amount for stuffing. You do not need much — this is a pocket-sized project.
Keychain hardware: One split ring or lobster clasp keychain ring, widely available at craft stores and online.
Tapestry needle: For weaving in ends and sewing pieces together.
Stitch markers: Optional but helpful for keeping track of your rounds.
Scissors: For cutting yarn.
Pins: Optional, for positioning pieces before sewing.
Abbreviations and Stitch Guide
This pattern uses standard US crochet terms.
MR — Magic ring (also called magic circle)
ch — Chain
sl st — Slip stitch
sc — Single crochet
inc — Increase (two single crochets into the same stitch)
dec — Decrease (invisible decrease: insert hook into front loop of next stitch, then front loop of stitch after that, yarn over and pull through both loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops)
BLO — Back loop only
FLO — Front loop only
st(s) — Stitch(es)
rnd — Round
rep — Repeat
( ) — Repeat instructions inside parentheses the number of times indicated
Pattern Notes
This sloth keychain is worked in continuous rounds — do not join rounds with a slip stitch unless the pattern specifically tells you to. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go. This keeps your counting accurate and your piece neat.
When working amigurumi, tension is important. You want a tight, even fabric with no visible gaps. If you can see your stuffing through the stitches, try going down a hook size. The finished pieces should feel firm when lightly squeezed.
The pattern consists of several separate pieces sewn together: the body, the head, two arms, two legs, and a face patch. A small loop or ring at the top connects the finished sloth to the keychain hardware.
The Pattern
Body
Using your main color, make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc rep around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc rep around. (24 sts)
Rnd 5–10: Sc in each st around. (24 sts) — 6 rounds even
Rnd 11: Sc 2, dec rep around. (18 sts)
Rnd 12: Sc 1, dec rep around. (12 sts)
Begin stuffing firmly with polyester fiberfill. Add stuffing gradually as you close the piece, making sure to fill the bottom and middle sections well.
Rnd 13: Dec around. (6 sts)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing or closing. Use the tapestry needle to weave through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in the end securely.
Head
Using your main color, make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc rep around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc rep around. (24 sts)
Rnd 5–9: Sc in each st around. (24 sts) — 5 rounds even
Rnd 10: Sc 2, dec rep around. (18 sts)
Before continuing, position and attach your safety eyes between rounds 6 and 7, approximately 6 stitches apart. This is also the time to add your face patch (instructions below) if you are sewing it on before closing the head.
Rnd 11: Sc 1, dec rep around. (12 sts)
Stuff the head firmly.
Rnd 12: Dec around. (6 sts)
Fasten off and close as with the body.
Face Patch
Using your cream or beige contrasting color, make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc rep around. (18 sts)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. This small oval or circle sits on the front of the head, surrounding the eyes, to give your sloth that distinctive facial marking. Using your tapestry needle and the tail, sew the face patch onto the front of the head, centering it over where the safety eyes are positioned. The top of the patch should sit just above the eyes, and the bottom should taper below them. Stitch neatly around the entire edge.
Using dark brown or black yarn, embroider a small upside-down triangle or curved line for the nose just below and between the eyes, and a small curved stitch beneath it for a subtle smile if you like. A sleeping or content expression — two tiny curved lines for closed eyes — is also an adorable variation if you prefer not to use safety eyes at all.
Arms (Make 2)
Using your main color, make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3–8: Sc in each st around. (12 sts) — 6 rounds even
Rnd 9: Sc 1, dec rep around. (8 sts)
Do not stuff the arms. Flatten the opening and sc through both layers to close, or leave the tail and sew shut later. Leave a long tail for attaching to the body.
Using your dark brown or black yarn, embroider three long, slightly curved lines at the closed end of each arm to suggest the sloth’s long claws. These are one of the most recognizable features of sloths, so make them visible and expressive. Use long straight stitches, angling them slightly outward from a central point.
Legs (Make 2)
Using your main color, make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3–6: Sc in each st around. (12 sts) — 4 rounds even
Rnd 7: Sc 1, dec rep around. (8 sts)
Do not stuff. Flatten and close as with the arms. Leave a long tail. Add the claw embroidery in the same way as the arms.
Ears (Make 2)
Using your main color, make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing. These small round discs sit on either side of the top of the head. You can leave them flat or stuff them very lightly before attaching.
Keychain Loop
You can create the hanging loop in two ways. The simplest method is to chain 10 to 12 stitches in your main color, slip stitch to join into a ring, then fasten off leaving a long tail. Sew this loop securely to the very top of the head — at the center point — using several passes of thread or yarn to ensure it holds the weight of the finished keychain and the keys themselves.
Alternatively, you can use a small piece of jump ring hardware sewn through the top of the head, or thread your keychain ring directly through several stitches at the top of the head before closing it. The yarn loop method is the softest option; the hardware method is the most secure for everyday use.
Assembly
Assembly is where your little sloth comes to life, and taking your time here makes a real difference in the finished look.
Start by sewing the head to the body. Position the head so it sits naturally atop the body with a slight forward tilt — sloths have a slightly hunched, forward-leaning posture that is very characteristic of the animal. Use your tapestry needle and a length of main color yarn to stitch around the base of the head and into the top of the body, going around at least twice for security. Pull the yarn through several times from different angles to make the join solid and invisible from the outside.
Next, pin the arms in place before sewing. The arms should angle slightly downward and forward from the upper sides of the body, suggesting that the sloth is reaching out or hanging from something. Once you are happy with the placement, sew each arm firmly to the body.
Pin the legs to the bottom of the body. They should splay outward slightly from the base, giving the sloth a stable, seated look when viewed from the front. Sew them securely.
Finally, pin and sew the ears to the sides of the head. They should sit roughly at the level of the eyes or just above, curving naturally with the shape of the head. Use a few stitches around the base of each ear to hold it flat against the skull rather than standing upright.
Attach the keychain ring to the yarn loop at the top of the head. If you used a yarn loop, you can thread the split ring directly through it. If you used hardware, attach the keychain clasp as directed by the hardware instructions.
Customization Ideas
One of the most enjoyable parts of making amigurumi is putting your own spin on the design. Here are some ideas to make your sloth keychain uniquely yours.
Color variations: Real sloths come in grey, brown, and tan shades, but there is no rule that says your crochet sloth has to be realistic. Pastel sloths in lavender, mint, or blush pink are enormously popular and photograph beautifully. You could also do an ombre effect by switching colors mid-body or using gradient yarn.
Tiny accessories: A miniature crochet flower tucked behind one ear, a tiny scarf made from a few chains, or a little crocheted leaf clutched in the arms can add enormous personality to your finished piece without much additional effort.
Expressions: Experiment with different eye placements and embroidered expressions. Wide eyes set far apart give a surprised look; eyes closer together and lower on the face create a sleepier, more relaxed expression. Adding tiny eyebrows with a couple of embroidery stitches changes the entire personality of the sloth.
Size: If you want a larger version — perhaps a bag charm rather than a keychain — simply go up in yarn weight and hook size. The same pattern will scale up predictably, and a chunky sloth in bulky yarn makes a delightful plushie or stuffed toy.
Hanging sloths: With a small modification, you can pose your sloth with its arms outstretched and its claws hooked around a keyring or a small wooden dowel, mimicking the way real sloths hang from branches. Simply leave the arm openings unsealed and thread the ring through them before closing.
Tips for a Polished Finish
The difference between an amigurumi that looks homemade and one that looks professionally finished usually comes down to a few small details. Weave in all your ends very thoroughly — at least an inch in two different directions — before trimming. When stuffing, use small pieces of fiberfill rather than large clumps, working them into the shape with the blunt end of a pencil or a stuffing tool to avoid lumps. When sewing pieces together, use the same yarn as the piece you are attaching, and try to catch both the yarn stitches of the piece you are sewing on and the yarn stitches of the body or head below for a seamless join.
Take your time with the facial embroidery. It can be helpful to practice the nose and mouth stitches on a scrap piece of yarn or fabric before committing to the head. The face is what people look at first, and a well-placed, expressive face makes the whole piece sing.
If you plan to give your sloth keychain as a gift, blocking it lightly with a damp cloth and letting it dry in shape before assembling gives the pieces a polished, professional look.
Making It a Gift or Selling Your Makes
Crocheted sloth keychains make wonderful gifts for virtually any occasion — birthdays, holidays, end-of-year teacher gifts, or just a thoughtful something for a friend who is going through a hard time. Their small size makes them easy to package: a small kraft paper bag with a tissue paper filling, or a simple card stock tag tied with twine, elevates a little keychain into something that feels special and intentional.
If you are thinking about selling your finished pieces, these keychains are popular at craft fairs and on handmade marketplaces. Because they are small and quick to make, you can build up stock relatively efficiently. Price them to reflect your time, materials, and skill — a handmade amigurumi keychain typically sells for anywhere between eight and twenty dollars depending on the market and the complexity of the design.
If you use this pattern as a basis for items you sell, always feel free to adapt and make it your own. The more you make, the faster and more intuitive the process becomes, and you will likely develop your own small tweaks that make your sloths recognizable as
