Welcome to Week 4 of my Pura Vida crochet-along! 💚
This week it’s time for our adorable and iconic sloth to make an appearance… I’m very excited about that!
And it’s not only our sloth, we’re also be crocheting stunning macaws and cheeky monkeys too!
It’s a jungle animal week of crochet! 😃
My son Morgan saw all these animals in the wild when he was in Costa Rica…
This was Morgan helping a sloth under the guidance of a forest ranger in one of the national parks he was volunteering in…
Beautiful Macaws he saw…
And a cheeky monkey!
Last week was all about the Blue Morpho Butterfly and I absolutely loved seeing these come to life through crochet! Look at the beautiful progress photos shared over in my Coastal Crochet Facebook Group and on Instagram…
I do love it when somehow it feels like something is being brought to life with just some yarn and a hook in our hands. These butterflies really make me smile!
So let’s get started!
For those of you who have purchased the pattern on Ravelry it has now been updated to include Week 4:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pura-vida-blanket
The free pattern is below.
Enjoy it! 💚💚💚
To Work
Please see Week 1 for all the abbreviations and introductory information about this blanket.
Firstly we’ll crochet simple rows of treble stitches to create the base for our creatures to go onto…
Look at the branches high up above… is that a sloth we can see? Yes, it’s a sloth! A wonderful sloth moving slowly through the trees…
Row 78 (RS) 3ch, 1tr in next st and each st to end, turn.
Rows 79 – 87 Repeat Row 78 nine times joining with Yarn C at end of Row 87, turn. [145 sts]
Row 88 (RS) 1ch (does not count as st here and throughout), 1dc in each of first 3 sts, miss next st instead working 1FPquadtr around the 7th tr in from the right two rows below in Row 86, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, miss next st working 1FPquadtr around the same st just worked around two rows below, *1dc in each of next 4 sts, miss next st working 1FPquadtr around the 11th st along from previous tr worked around two rows below, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, miss next st working 1FPquadtr around the same st just worked around two rows below, repeat from * 11 times more, 1dc in each of final 3 sts, join with Yarn A at end of final st, turn. [145 sts with 13 groups of raised sts]
Row 89 3ch, 1tr in next st and each st to end, join with Yarn C at end of final st, turn.
Row 90 1ch, 1dc in first st, miss next st instead working 1FPtrtr around the first raised st two rows below in Row 88, *1dc in each of next 10 sts, miss next st working FPtrtr2tog around the next 2 raised sts two rows below (don’t worry about the tops of these stitches as they will be crocheted around later to neaten), repeat from * 11 times more, 1dc in each of next 9 sts, miss next st working 1FPtrtr around the final raised st two rows below, 1dc in final st, join with Yarn A at end of final st, turn. [145 sts]
Row 91 3ch, miss next st instead working 1dtr in the missed tr two rows below it in Row 89 (make sure you go under the top of the raised st to encase it and neaten), 1tr in each of next 9 sts, *1htr in next st as normal (don’t worry about how it looks, the top of the raised st will be neatened in the next row), 1tr in each of next 10 sts, repeat from * 11 times more, miss next st instead working 1dtr in the missed tr two rows below it in Row 89 (make sure you go under the top of the raised st to encase it and neaten), 1tr in final st, join with Yarn B at end of final st turn. [145 sts]
Sloth (make 1)
Body
Using Yarn I make 4ch, ss to first ch to join into a ring (or make a magic ring).
Row 1 (WS) 1ch (does not count as st here and throughout), 4dc into the ring, turn. [4 sts]
Row 2 (RS) 1ch, 2dc in each st, turn. [8 sts]
Row 3 1ch, (1dc in next st, 2dc in next st) 4 times to end, turn. [12 sts]
Row 4 1ch, (1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in next st) 4 times to end, turn. [16 sts]
Row 5 1ch, (1dc in each of next 3 sts, 2dc in next st) 4 times to end, turn. [20 sts]
Row 6 1ch, (1dc in each of next 4 sts, 2dc in next st) 4 times to end, turn. [24 sts]
Row 7 1ch, (1dc in each of next 5 sts, 2dc in next st) 4 times to end, do not fasten off, continue to work legs. [28 sts]
Legs
Make 8 ch, 1tr in 4th ch from hook, 1tr in each of next 3 ch, 2tr in final ch, ss into side of Row 4 on main body to secure leg to body, continue with 9 dc sts evenly across top of body to outer edge, make 7 ch, 1tr in 4th ch from hook, 1tr in each of next 3 ch, ss into 3rd st along on Row 7 of main body to secure, fasten off.
Edging
Turn so RS is facing and join Yarn C into any st on sloth body, 1ch (does not count as st), work dc sts evenly around whole body and both legs, ss to first dc, fasten off.
Head
The head is made in a continual spiral without closing each round with a ss. Put a stitch marker in the first or last stitch of each round to help keep your place.
Using Yarn I make 5 ch.
Round 1 (WS) 1dc in second ch from hook, 1dc in each of next 2 ch, 3dc in final ch, rotate work ready to crochet along the bottom of the chains, 1dc in each of next 2 ch, 2dc in final ch. [10 sts]
Round 2 2dc in first st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in each of next 3 sts, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in each of final 2 sts. [16 sts]
Round 3 2dc in first st, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, 2dc in each of next 3 sts, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, 2dc in each of final 2 sts, ss into next st to finish, fasten off. [22 sts]
Face
Using Yarn H make 5 ch, 1dc in second ch from hook, 1dc in each of next 2 ch, 3dc in final ch, rotate work ready to crochet along the bottom of the chains, 1dc in each of next 2 ch, 2dc in final ch, ss to first dc to join. [10 sts]
Sew face onto centre of head.
Eyes (make 2)
Using Yarn C make 5 ch, 1htr in third ch from hook, 1dc in next ch, 1ss in final ch, fasten off. [4 sts] Sew eyes onto face and head using photos as a guide.
Nose, Mouth and Claws: Using a small amount of Yarn C embroider a nose and mouth onto the sloth face using photo as a guide. Embroider claws to the top of the legs.
Head Edging
Join Yarn C into blo of any st at top of sloth head, 1ch (does not count as st), 1 dc in blo of each st going evenly around head, ss to first dc, fasten off.
The sloth will benefit from blocking before attaching to blanket. Sew head onto body and then using Yarn C sew whole sloth onto blanket using photo as a guide.
Wow… we saw some monkeys and macaws too! Monkeys swinging from the branches and Macaws flying through the trees.
Macaw (make 2)
Body
Using Yarn F make 5 ch.
Round 1 (RS) 1dc in second ch from hook, 1dc in each of next 2 ch, 3dc in final ch, rotate work ready to crochet along the bottom of the chains, 1dc in each of next 2 ch, 2dc in final ch. [10 sts]
Round 2 2dc in first st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in each of next 3 sts, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in each of final 2 sts, do not fasten off, continue to head. [16 sts]
Head
Row 1 (RS) 1dc in next st, now turn so head can be made in short rows.
Row 2 (WS) 1ch, 1dc in first st, dc2tog across next 2 sts, turn. [2 sts]
Row 3 (RS) 1ch, dc2tog, 1ss in side of Row 2, 1ss in side of Row 1, 1ss into same st that the dc st in Row 1 is crocheted into, fasten off.
Wing 1
Row 1 (RS) Join Yarn D into next st along from head on main body, make 12ch, 1dc in second ch from hook and in next ch, 1htr in each of next 2 ch, 1tr in each of next 3 ch, 3tr in next ch (going under 2 strands of the ch), 1tr in each of next 3 ch, join with Yarn E at end of final st, miss 1 st on main body, ss into next st, turn ready to crochet back along top of wing.
Row 2 (WS) Miss the ss, 1dc in first st, 1htr in each of next 3 sts, (1htr, 1dc, 1ss) all in next st, fasten off.
Wing 2
Miss next 2 sts on main body along from top of Wing 1, re-join Yarn D into next st, turn so WS is facing, now repeat Rows 1 and 2 of Wing 1 (note that RS and WS will now be opposite), at end of Row 1 work 1ss into the st that is next to where Wing 1 ends in.
Top of Wings
With RS facing join Yarn F to first st on outer edge of Wing 1, make 1 ch (counts as first ss), 1ss in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, 1dc in next st (which is the final ss made in Yarn E), 3dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, dc2tog across the same 2 sts that the wings end in on main body, 1dc in each of next 5 sts across second wing, 3dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 6 sts, 1ss in each of next 3 sts, fasten off.
Tail: With RS facing join Yarn D into next st along on main body from bottom of Wing 2, make 7ch pulling through Yarn Fon 7th ch, 1quintr in same st, changing back to Yarn D at end of st, 1quintr in next st changing back to Yarn F at end of st, 1quintr in same st changing back to Yarn D at end of st, 1quintr in same st, fasten off.
Beak: Join Yarn H into stitch at tip of head, 1ch, 1dc in same st, 1ch, 1ss in same st again, fasten off.
Eye: Using Yarn C embroider eye using photo as a guide. With Yarn H embroider edging around eye.
The macaws will benefit from blocking before attaching to blanket. Sew the 2 macaws onto the blanket using Yarn F along top of wings and around body and Yarn D along bottom of wings. Use photo as a guide for positioning.
Monkey (make 2)
Body
Using Yarn I, make 4ch, ss to first ch to join into a ring (or make a magic ring).
Round 1 (RS) 3ch (counts as first tr), 11tr into the ring, ss to top of first 3 ch. [12 sts]
Round 2 (RS) 3ch, 1tr in same st at base of 3 ch, 2tr in each of next 2 sts, 2htr in next st, 1dc in next st, 2htr in next st, 2tr in each of next 3 sts, 2htr in next st, 1dc in next st, 2htr in next st, ss to top of first 3 ch, fasten off. [22 sts]
Edging, Arms, Legs and Tail
Join Yarn C in blo of first single dc st made in Round 2, 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in blo of same st, 1dc in blo of each of next 4 sts, 8ch, 1htr in third ch from hook, 1htr in next ch, 1ss in each of next 4 ch, 1dc in blo of next st on body, 8ch, 1htr in third ch from hook, 1htr in next ch, 1ss in each of next 4 ch, 1dc in blo of each of next 2 sts on body, 12ch, 1dc in second ch from hook, 1dc in each of next 2 ch, dc2tog over next 2 ch, 1dc in next ch, dc2tog over next 2 ch, 1dc in each of next 3 ch, 1dc in blo of each of next 5 sts on body, 12ch, 1htr in third ch from hook, 1htr in next ch, 1ss in each of next 8 ch, 1dc in blo of each of next 8 sts on body, 12ch, 1htr in third ch from hook, 1htr in next ch, 1ss in each of next 8 ch, 1dc in blo of final st on body, ss to first dc, fasten off.
Head, Face and Ears
Using Yarn I, make 4ch, ss to first ch to join into a ring (or make a magic ring).
Round 1 (RS) 1ch (does not count as st), 8htr into the ring, ss to first htr to join. [8 sts]
Round 2 (RS) 2ch (does not count as st), miss first st at base of 2 ch, 1tr in next st, 2tr in next st, 1tr in next st, 2ch, ss in next st, leave remaining sts unworked, fasten off.
Round 3 Join Yarn C into blo of next st along on face, 1ch (does not count as st), 2dc in blo of same st, 2dc in blo of each of next 2 sts, 1ss in next st, (2htr, 2tr, 2htr) all going into sp next to the 2 ch made at start of Round 2 going around the 2 ch, 1ss into first tr st on top of head, (1dc, 1htr) in next st, (1htr, 1dc) in next st, 1ss in next st, (2htr, 2tr, 2htr) all going around the 2 ch made at end of Round 2, 1ss into same st as final ss in Round 2, ss to first dc, fasten off.
Eyes and Nose
Using a small amount of Yarn C embroider a nose and two eyes onto the monkey face using photo as a guide.
The monkeys will benefit from blocking before attaching to blanket. Sew head onto body and then sew both monkeys onto blanket using Yarn C and photo as a guide.
Now it’s back to the rows on the main blanket…
We will never tire of these beautiful views!
Row 92 (RS) 1ch (does not count as st here and throughout), 1dc in each of first 11 sts, miss next 3 sts instead working 3FPdtr around the FPtrtr2tog directly below in Row 90 (insert hook under the two posts at the top of the st to bring them together and neaten), *1dc in each of next 8 sts, miss next 3 sts instead working 3FPdtr around the top of the FPtrtr2tog directly below in Row 90, repeat from * 10 times, 1dc in each of final 10 sts, join with Yarn G at end of final st, turn. [145 sts with 12 groups of raised sts]
Row 93 (WS) 2ch (counts as first htr), 1htr in each of next 9 sts, *1BPtr around each of next 3 sts, 1htr in each of next 8 sts,repeat from * to final 3 sts, 1htr in each of final 3 sts, turn. [145 sts]
Row 94 3ch, 1tr in next st and each st to end, join with Yarn E at end of final st (do not cut Yarn G, leave it attached ready to be re-joined later), turn. [145 sts]
Row 95 No turning chain, 1ss in first st, (1tr in next st, 1ss in next st) to end, fasten off Yarn E, do not turn.
Row 96 (WS) Go back to beginning of Row 95, insert hook into first ss and pick up Yarn G, 3ch, 1tr in next st and each st to end, join with Yarn D at end of final st, turn. [145 sts]
Row 97 (RS) 4ch (counts as first dtr), 1dtr in next st, *1tr in each of next 2 sts, 1htr in next st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, 1htr in next st, 1tr in each of next 2 sts, 1dtr in each of next 3 sts, repeat from * to end (the final repeat will end with 1dtr in each of the final 2 sts), turn. [145 sts]
Row 98 1ch, 1dc in each st to end, join with Yarn H at end of final st, turn.
Row 99 1ch, 1dc in each of first 2 sts, *1htr in each of next 2 sts, 1tr in next st, 1dtr in each of next 3 sts, 1tr in next st, 1htr in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, repeat from * to end (the final repeat will end with 1dc in each of the final 2 sts), turn.
Row 100 1ch, 1dc in each st to end, join with Yarn A at end of final st, turn.
Row 101 3ch, 1tr in next st and each st to end, join with Yarn F at end of final st, turn.
Row 102 1ch, 1dc in first st, (1dtr in next st, 1dc in next st) to end, join with Yarn E at end of final st, turn.
Row 103 3ch, (1htr in next st, 1tr in next st) to end, join with Yarn D at end of final st, turn.
Row 104 1ch, 1dc in first st, (1dtr in next st, 1dc in next st) to end, join with Yarn B at end of final st, turn.
Row 105 3ch, 1tr in next st and each st to end, turn.
Row 106 1ch, 1dc in first st, *miss 2 sts, 5tr in next st, miss 2 sts, 1dc in next st, repeat from * to end, join with Yarn I at end of final st, turn. [24 shells]
Row 107 3ch, 1tr in next st, *1htr in next st, 1dc in next st, 1htr in next st, 1tr in each of next 3 sts, repeat from * to end (there will be 2 tr sts to work at end of row), turn. [145 sts]
Row 108 3ch, 1tr in next st and each st to end, join with Yarn G at end of final st, turn.
Pura Vida and Happy Crocheting… 💚
