Moss Stitch Sloth Beanbag Knit Free Pattern
Moss Stitch Sloth Beanbag Knit Free Pattern
Introduction
This little sloth is the perfect first knitted toy: the body is just one flat moss-stitch rectangle, folded and seamed into a plump, squishy beanbag. Worked in soft grey worsted acrylic with tiny rainbow-striped ears, it has a cheerful Parisian-chic look that makes it equally at home on a nursery shelf or a desk. The bumpy moss stitch gives it a cozy, nubbly texture that feels lovely in the hand, and the beanbag weight lets it sit happily wherever you plop it down. If you can knit and purl, you can make this sloth.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC 4) acrylic, approx 120 yd total:
- MC soft grey: 60 yd
- Rainbow brights (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet): 8 yd each
- Small amount of black for the face embroidery
- Needles: 4.0 mm (US 6) single-point needles; 4.0 mm (US 6) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for the face and ears
- Notions: Tapestry needle, toy filling or plastic pellets in a fabric bag, stitch marker (optional)
- Finished size: Approx 22 cm wide x 18 cm tall x 10 cm deep; face circle 8 cm diameter; ears 3 cm diameter
Abbreviations
- CO – cast on
- BO – bind off
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- k – knit
- p – purl
- kfb – knit into the front and back of the same stitch (makes one extra stitch)
- k2tog – knit two stitches together (turns two stitches into one)
- MR – magic ring (a loop of yarn you knit into, then pull closed)
- RS – right side (the outside of the work)
- moss stitch – knit 1, purl 1 on every row, keeping the pattern (knit the purls and purl the knits as they face you)
Gauge
18 sts x 36 rows = 10 cm / 4 in in moss stitch (k1, p1 every row). Knit a small swatch in moss stitch, lay it flat without stretching, and count stitches and rows over 10 cm to check before you begin.
Tips Before You Start
- Moss stitch is reversible and forgiving, so don't worry if your tension wobbles — the texture hides small differences.
- When you change rainbow colors on the ears, give the yarn a gentle tug so the stripes stay neat and even.
- Stuff the body lightly and evenly; overstuffing makes it lumpy and stops it sitting like a beanbag.
- If you use plastic pellets, seal them inside a small fabric bag first so they can't work their way out through the knitting.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Body (MC)
Row 1: CO 40 sts.
Rows 2-37: Work moss stitch (k1, p1 every row, keeping pattern) (40 sts). Piece measures approx 20 cm x 10 cm.
Next: BO loosely.
Fold the rectangle in half widthwise to 20 cm x 10 cm. Seam the two short sides and one long side with mattress stitch, leaving one long side open (opening 20 cm). Turn RS out. Stuff lightly with toy filling, or with plastic pellets in a fabric bag for beanbag weight. Seam the opening closed. The body measures approx 20 cm wide x 10 cm tall x 10 cm deep; gently squash it into a beanbag shape.
Face (MC)
With DPNs, MR 6 sts.
R1: [kfb] x6 (12 sts).
R2: [k1, kfb] x6 (18 sts).
R3: [k2, kfb] x6 (24 sts).
R4: [k3, kfb] x6 (30 sts).
R5-8: moss stitch (30 sts).
R9: [k3, k2tog] x6 (24 sts).
R10: [k2, k2tog] x6 (18 sts).
R11: [k1, k2tog] x6 (12 sts).
Stuff lightly.
R12: [k2tog] x6 (6 sts).
Break yarn, thread through the remaining 6 sts, and pull tight. The face measures approx 8 cm diameter.
Ears (make 2, rainbow stripes)
With DPNs and red, MR 4 sts.
R1: [kfb] x4 (8 sts).
R2: moss stitch (8 sts).
Change to orange.
R3: [k1, kfb] x4 (12 sts).
R4: moss stitch (12 sts).
Change to yellow.
R5: [k2, kfb] x4 (16 sts).
R6: moss stitch (16 sts).
Change to green.
R7: [k2, k2tog] x4 (12 sts).
R8: moss stitch (12 sts).
Change to blue.
R9: [k1, k2tog] x4 (8 sts).
R10: moss stitch (8 sts).
Change to violet.
R11: [k2tog] x4 (4 sts).
Break yarn, thread through the remaining 4 sts, and pull tight. The ear measures approx 3 cm diameter. Make the second ear identical.
Assembly and Finishing
Pin the face circle centered on the front of the body, approx 2 cm below the top edge, and sew it in place with mattress stitch. Sew one ear to each top corner of the body, approx 3 cm apart, using the violet tail. Embroider the eyes with black yarn: two 6 mm satin stitches 3 cm apart, 1.5 cm above the face center. Embroider the nose: one 1 cm horizontal satin stitch 1 cm below the eyes. Weave in all ends. Lightly steam block the seams only.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the grey for any solid worsted color, or work the body in stripes for a bolder look.
- Make the ears in a single color for a quicker finish, or repeat the rainbow on the face border for extra cheer.
- Add a small loop of yarn at the top so the sloth can hang from a bag or shelf.
