Crochet Sloth Granny Square

Bring a touch of slow-paced charm to your next blanket project with this adorable Sloth Granny Square.

Perfect as a standalone feature or as part of a wildlife-themed afghan, this design blends a circular animal face seamlessly into a classic square border.

Using accessible, budget-friendly worsted-weight yarn, you’ll create a beautifully textured 14-inch square complete with expressive eyes, custom eye patches, and a stitched smile.

Materials & Tools

Yarn: Medium Worsted Weight (Category 4, Acrylic)
- Main Face: Cream (approx. 104 yds / 2.0 oz)
- Face Accent & Patches: Medium Brown (approx. 21 yds / 0.4 oz)
- Square Background: Sage Green (approx. 80 yds / 1.5 oz)
- Details: Small scraps of Black, Light Blue, and White
Hook: Size I / 5.5 mm crochet hook
Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, and an optional stitch marker.

Project Specifications

Finished Size: Approximately 14” × 14”
Gauge: First 4 rounds = 4 inches wide.
Key Note: The initial chain-3 at the start of double crochet rounds always counts as your first stitch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. The Main Face Panel

Starts as a circle in cream, adds a quick brown accent, and transitions into a square background.

Round 1 (Cream): Begin with a magic circle. Chain 3, then place 11 double crochets inside the ring. Pull the loop tight and slip stitch to the top of the initial chain-3 to close. (12 sts)
Round 2: Chain 3, work 1 double crochet into the very first stitch. Work 2 double crochets into every remaining stitch around. Join with a slip stitch. (24 sts)
Round 3: Chain 3, work a double crochet into the same stitch. Double crochet once in the next stitch, then work 2 double crochets in the following stitch. Repeat from * to * all the way around, ending with a slip stitch. (36 sts)
Round 4: Chain 3, work 2 double crochets in the next stitch. Double crochet in each of the next 2 stitches, then work 2 double crochets in the following stitch. Repeat from * to * until 1 stitch remains. Double crochet in the last stitch and slip stitch to join. (48 sts)
Round 5: Chain 3, work a double crochet into the same stitch. Double crochet in each of the next 3 stitches, then work 2 double crochets in the next stitch. Repeat from * to * around. Slip stitch to join. (60 sts)
Round 6: Chain 3, double crochet in the next stitch, then work 2 double crochets in the following stitch. Double crochet in each of the next 4 stitches, then work 2 double crochets in the next stitch. Repeat from * to * until 2 stitches remain. Double crochet in the final 2 stitches, then slip stitch to join. (72 sts)
Round 7 (Color Change Accent): Chain 3, double crochet in the same stitch. Double crochet in the next 5 stitches. Repeat this pattern (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 5 sts) one more time. Swap to your brown yarn, work 2 double crochets in the next stitch, then immediately switch back to cream (cut the brown yarn). Double crochet in the next 5 stitches. Continue the normal repeat pattern to the end of the round. When joining with a slip stitch at the end, pull through with the brown yarn and fasten off the cream completely. (84 sts)
Round 8 (Brown): Chain 3, double crochet in the next 2 stitches, work 2 double crochets in the next stitch. Double crochet in the next 6 stitches, then work 2 double crochets in the following stitch. Repeat from * to * until 3 stitches remain. Double crochet in the last 3 stitches and slip stitch to join. (96 sts)
Round 9: Chain 3, double crochet in the same stitch. Double crochet in the next 7 stitches, then work 2 double crochets in the next stitch. Repeat from * to * around. Slip stitch to close and fasten off the brown yarn. (108 sts)

2. Squaring Off the Circle

We now introduce the green yarn to transform the round face into a standard four-sided granny square.

Round 10 (Green): Attach green yarn to any stitch. Chain 1, single crochet in the same space. Single crochet in the next stitch. Work 4 half-double crochets, 4 double crochets, and 4 treble crochets across the next sequence of stitches.
- The Corner Sequence: In the next stitch, work the corner: (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr). Then build down and back up the side: 4 tr, 4 dc, 4 hdc, 2 sc, 4 hdc, 4 dc, 4 tr.
- Repeat this corner-and-side sequence two more times.
- To finish the round, work your final corner (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr), then 4 tr, 4 dc, and 4 hdc. Slip stitch to the very first single crochet. (120 sts + 4 corner spaces)
Round 11: Chain 1, single crochet in the same space. Single crochet in the next stitch. Work 4 half-double crochets, 6 double crochets, and 4 treble crochets.
- Inside the corner chain-space, work (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr). Along the side, work: 4 tr, 6 dc, 4 hdc, 2 sc, 4 hdc, 6 dc, 4 tr.
- Repeat this sequence around, finishing the final side with 4 tr, 6 dc, and 4 hdc. Slip stitch to the start. (136 sts + 4 corner spaces)
Rounds 12 & 13: Chain 3 (this serves as your first stitch). Double crochet in every single stitch across the sides. Whenever you reach a corner chain-2 space, work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) directly into the opening. Slip stitch to the top of the chain-3 at the end of each round. Fasten off at the end of Round 13 and weave in your green tails.

3. Face Appliques

Distinctive Eye Patches (Make 2)

Using the brown yarn, chain 13.

Row 1: Double crochet into the 4th chain from your hook. Double crochet in each of the next 8 chains. In the very last chain link, place 6 double crochets to round the edge. Turn your work upside down to crochet along the bottom side of your starting chain. Place 1 double crochet in each of the next 8 loops, and finish with 2 double crochets in the final loop. Turn your work. (26 sts)
Row 2 (Right Side): Chain 3, double crochet in the next 10 stitches. Work 2 double crochets into each of the next 4 curving stitches. Double crochet in the remaining 11 stitches to finish. Fasten off, leaving a generous yarn tail for assembly.

Multicolored Eyes (Make 2)

Using black yarn, create a magic circle.

Round 1: Chain 1, work 8 half-double crochets into the loop. Slip stitch to the first stitch to close the circle. Pull tight. Fasten off the black yarn, leaving a long sewing tail. (8 sts)
Row 2: Join the blue yarn to the first stitch of the circle. Slip stitch across the next 4 stitches only. Fasten off.
Row 3: Join white yarn into the same starting stitch from Round 1 (positioning it just behind the blue slip stitches). Slip stitch across 4 stitches. Fasten off, leaving a long white tail. Use this white tail to add a tiny embroidered catchlight dot to the center of the dark pupil.

Tiny Sloth Nose

Using black yarn, chain 3.

Row 1: Single crochet into the second chain from the hook, and single crochet into the last chain. Turn. (2 sts)
Row 2: Chain 1, work 2 single crochets into the first stitch, and 2 single crochets into the last stitch. Turn. (4 sts)
Border Edge: Single crochet evenly around the entire perimeter of the triangle shape, placing 2 single crochets in each corner to keep them crisp. Slip stitch to the first stitch to finish, leaving a long tail for sewing and detailing.

4. Final Assembly

Tip: Secure your pieces with locking stitch markers or sewing pins before stitching them down to ensure everything stays perfectly symmetrical!

Assemble the Eyes: Using the long black and white yarn tails, stitch the circular eyeballs securely onto the center-right of the elongated brown eye patches.
Attach Patches to Face: Position the eye patches onto the cream face center, angling them slightly downward to give the sloth its signature sleepy look. Sew them down using the long brown yarn tails.
Add Nose and Smile: Center the triangular nose between and slightly below the eyes. Sew it down securely. Using the remaining length of black yarn from the nose, embroider a gentle, curving smile directly underneath.
Finish Up: Pull all loose yarn tails to the back of the square, tie off securely, and weave in all remaining ends. Give your completed square a light steam blocking to straighten out the edges.