In the time of social distancing, getting hugs and comfort can be tricky. However, a pillow, a bit of yarn and a crochet hook might be able to bring you a bit of warmth and happiness.

This cushion pattern, quick to whip up, is a great stash buster and will produce a cute sloth that can keep you comfy as well.

This pattern is suitable for crochet beginners, a list of stitches used is available in the next step.

Happy crocheting!

Supplies

- 6mm crochet hook

- worsted weight/aran yarn in white (1 skein), light brown/camel (2 skeins), dark brown (scraps), black (scraps). The yarn used in this Instructable is Stylecraft Special Aran.

- a round cushion pad, 40 cm (~ 16 inches) in diameter

- scissors, tapestry needle

Step 1: The Base Pattern

The cushion cover is made of 2 panels worked in the round. Both front and back panel follow the base pattern, as described below. Colour changes and adjustments to the base pattern for each panel are detailed in the next steps.

This pattern uses US crochet terms.

Abbreviations

ch: chain

sl st: slip stitch

sc: single crochet

sc inc: single crochet increase (2 sc in the same stitch)

dec: (single crochet) decrease

dc: double crochet

dc inc: double crochet increase (2 dc in the same stitch)

Pattern

Round 1: 10 dc in magic ring (10)

Round 2: *dc inc, 1 dc*, 5 times (15)

Round 3: *dc inc*, 15 times (30)

Round 4: *dc inc, 2 dc*, 10 times (40)

Round 5: *dc inc, 3 dc*, 10 times (50)

Round 6: *dc inc, 4 dc*, 10 times (60)

Round 7: *dc inc, 5 dc*, 10 times (70)

Round 8: *dc inc, 6 dc*, 10 times (80)

Round 9: *dc inc, 7 dc*, 10 times (90)

Round 10: *dc inc, 9 dc*, 10 times (100)

Round 11: dc around (100)

Step 2: Make the Front Panel

Start following the base pattern in white.

Change to light brown in the last stitch of round 9. Fasten off and weave in the white end.

Carry on in light brown and repeat round 11 as needed to cover your cushion pad, front and depth, comfortably (with a little bit of stretch). In this example, 6 more rounds are needed for a total of 17 rounds to make the front panel.

On the last double crochet, ch 1 and slip stitch in the next stitch. Fasten off and weave in all the ends on the panel.

Step 3: Make the Face Details

Eyes (make 2)

In dark brown.

To start, ch15, dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc, 10 sc, 4 sc in last ch.

Do not turn. Continue working on the other side of the chain. 10 sc, dc, 2 dc in last ch.

Sl st in the top of the starting 2 ch, ch 1, 3 dc, 24 sc, 3 dc.

Sl st in the first dc, ch 1. Working in the back loop only, sc 14, dec, sc 14

Sl st in the first sc, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

In black.

Round 1: 6 sc into magic ring (6)

Round 2: sc inc around (12)

To finish, ch 1, sl st in next stitch. Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Nose

In black.

Row 1: Ch 7, dc in 3rd ch from hook, and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 2: dc in, 3dc, dc inc. Ch 1, sl st in the side stitch. Fasten off and leave a long tail to sew.

Position all the pieces onto the face, pin in place if necessary.

The black part of the eyes should be sewn onto the brown part, on top of the dc stitches.

To finish the face, embroider a smile.

You're now done with the front panel, let's do the back one.

Step 4: Make the Back Panel

The back panel also follows the base pattern, with no colour changes; working in light brown only.

Repeat round 11 as needed to cover the back of your cushion insert. You want to leave enough gap here so the cushion cover sits taught around the pad when the panels are stitched together. (In this example, 2 more rounds were needed for a total of 13)

Do not fasten off after the last stitch. Keep your working yarn and follow the assembly instructions.

Step 5: Assembly

With both panels on the cushion, and the back panel facing you, grab the back loop of the next stitch, then insert your hook under a matching back loop of a stitch in the front panel and make a sc, as shown in the pictures.

Sc around in the same manner until the cushion is sealed. Fasten off and weave in the end.

You're all done, ready for sloth cuddles! 🤗