Knitting Tutorial: Sid the Sloth (Ice Age) in a Heart Sweater – Free Knitting Pattern

This cheerful knitted sloth doll wears a blue-and-cream striped heart sweater, brown shorts, open sandals, a red crossbody bag, a removable blue pom-pom hat, and tiny woodland accessories. The design includes wide round eyes, a long cream face, buck teeth, a red bow, a yellow flower, acorns, and a knitted leaf to match the image.

 

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Finished Size

• Finished doll height: about 13 inches from feet to top of head, not including the removable hat.
• Body width: about 4.5 inches across the sweater at the arms.
• Hat: about 4.25 inches tall and 4 inches wide when lightly stretched.
• Bag: about 2.25 inches tall and 1.75 inches wide.
• Acorns: about 1 inch long each.

Yarn and Supplies

• DK weight yarn: cream beige for head, neck, hands, toes, and face.
• DK weight yarn: warm medium brown for pants, muzzle, sandal straps, and acorn caps.
• DK weight yarn: sky blue for sweater stripes, cuffs, hat, sandal edging, and flower centers.
• DK weight yarn: ivory cream for sweater base and teeth.
• DK weight yarn: red for hearts, bow, headband, bag, and strap.
• DK weight yarn: yellow for flowers.
• DK weight yarn: leaf green for knitted leaf and tiny bag details.
• DK weight yarn: tan orange for acorn bodies.
• Black embroidery thread: for eye pupils, mouth accent, eyelashes, and small outlines.
• White felt or white yarn: optional for cleaner eye highlights.
• 2.75 mm knitting needles: for firm doll fabric.
• 2.5 mm knitting needles: for small appliques, flowers, and bag details.
• Polyester fiberfill: for firm shaping.
• Tapestry needle, stitch markers, pins, scissors, row counter, and one small button: for finishing.

Gauge

Work tightly so the stuffing does not show. In stockinette stitch with 2.75 mm needles, 28 stitches and 38 rows should measure about 4 inches. If your fabric is loose, go down a needle size. The doll depends on firm knitted pieces and careful shaping.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• K: knit.
• P: purl.
• St or sts: stitch or stitches.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• Kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch.
• K2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• SSK: slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together.
• St st: stockinette stitch, knit RS rows and purl WS rows when working flat.
• G st: garter stitch, knit every row.
• Rep: repeat.
• Sl1: slip 1 stitch purlwise.

Important Construction Notes

This doll is knitted mostly flat and seamed because flat pieces help beginners control the rounded sloth shape. Use mattress stitch for side seams, backstitch for firm joints, and small whipstitches for appliques. Stuff every body part gradually, not all at the end.

The image shows a long-necked sloth with a tall cream head, rounded face, wide eyes on the sides, and a soft brown oval nose. Keep the neck narrow, the head wider at the top, and the sweater slightly boxy. This creates the same playful proportion.

Main Body and Legs

The body begins with two separate legs in brown pants, then joins into a simple torso hidden partly under the striped sweater. Knit firmly and keep both legs equal. The lower legs are short, rounded, and slightly separated at the center.

Left Leg

1. With medium brown yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: K all sts for a small garter hem at the bottom of the pants leg.
3. Row 5: Kfb in each st across. You now have 32 sts.
4. Rows 6-23: Work in st st for 18 rows.
5. Row 24: P across.
6. Row 25: K10, K2tog, K8, SSK, K10. You now have 30 sts.
7. Row 26: P across.
8. Row 27: K9, K2tog, K8, SSK, K9. You now have 28 sts.
9. Rows 28-31: Work in st st for 4 rows.
10. Break yarn and place stitches on a holder.

Right Leg

1. Work the right leg exactly as the left leg, but do not break yarn after Row 31.
2. With RS facing, K across the 28 sts of the right leg.
3. CO 4 sts for the center crotch gap.
4. K across the 28 held sts of the left leg. You now have 60 sts.

Lower Body

1. Row 1 WS: P across all 60 sts.
2. Rows 2-9: Work in st st for 8 rows.
3. Row 10 RS: K8, K2tog, K40, SSK, K8. You now have 58 sts.
4. Row 11: P across.
5. Row 12: K7, K2tog, K40, SSK, K7. You now have 56 sts.
6. Rows 13-20: Work in st st for 8 rows.
7. Row 21: K6, K2tog, K40, SSK, K6. You now have 54 sts.
8. Row 22: P across.
9. BO all sts loosely, leaving a 20-inch tail for seaming.

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Fold the body piece with right sides together. Sew the inner leg seams first, leaving the bottoms open for feet. Sew the back seam from lower body to top. Turn right side out and stuff the legs firmly, leaving the waist lightly stuffed for later joining.

Feet, Toes, and Sandals

The feet are cream ovals with separate toe bumps visible through brown sandals. The sandals sit low and open at the front, with a blue edge and brown top strap. Make the toes slightly oversized for the funny sloth look.

Foot Soles

1. Make 2. With cream beige yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: K across.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K6, Kfb. You now have 10 sts.
4. Row 3: K across.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K8, Kfb. You now have 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-12: Work in st st, beginning with a K row.
7. Row 13: K2tog, K8, SSK. You now have 10 sts.
8. Row 14: P across.
9. Row 15: K2tog, K6, SSK. You now have 8 sts.
10. BO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Toe Bumps

1. Make 6. With peach beige or cream yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: Work in st st.
3. Row 5: K2tog across. You now have 3 sts.
4. Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and seam into a tiny oval.
5. Stuff each toe with a pinch of fiberfill.

Sandals

1. Make 2 blue sole trims. With sky blue yarn, CO 26 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: K all sts.
3. BO and sew around the outer edge of each foot sole.
4. Make 2 brown straps. With medium brown yarn, CO 18 sts.
5. Rows 1-3: K all sts.
6. BO and sew one strap across the front of each foot, leaving toes visible.

Sew three toes to the front of each foot. Attach each foot to the bottom of a pant leg with the toes facing forward. Keep the feet slightly turned outward, just like the image, so the doll stands or sits with a cute relaxed stance.

Neck and Head

The neck is long, narrow, and ribbed-looking. The head is tall and rounded, with a cream face and a wider top. Work the neck and head as one piece so the shape stays smooth. Stuff firmly, especially around the cheeks and top.

1. With cream beige yarn, CO 26 sts.
2. Rows 1-18: Work K1, P1 rib across every row. This creates the vertical neck texture.
3. Row 19 RS: Kfb in each st across. You now have 52 sts.
4. Rows 20-23: Work in st st for 4 rows.
5. Row 24 WS: P across.
6. Row 25: K8, Kfb, K8, Kfb, K16, Kfb, K8, Kfb, K8. You now have 56 sts.
7. Rows 26-35: Work in st st for 10 rows.
8. Row 36: P across.
9. Row 37: K10, Kfb, K34, Kfb, K10. You now have 58 sts.
10. Rows 38-47: Work in st st for 10 rows.
11. Row 48: P across.
12. Row 49: K10, K2tog, K34, SSK, K10. You now have 56 sts.
13. Row 50: P across.
14. Row 51: K8, K2tog, K36, SSK, K8. You now have 54 sts.
15. Row 52: P across.
16. Row 53: K6, K2tog, K38, SSK, K6. You now have 52 sts.
17. Row 54: P across.
18. Row 55: K4, K2tog, K40, SSK, K4. You now have 50 sts.
19. Row 56: P across.
20. Row 57: K2tog across. You now have 25 sts.
21. Row 58: P across.
22. Row 59: K2tog across to last st, K1. You now have 13 sts.
23. Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, and pull tight.

Sew the back seam from the top of the head down to the neck. Stuff the head firmly into a long pear shape. The top should be rounded and the lower face should taper toward the neck. Sew the bottom neck edge to the top of the brown body.

Brown Muzzle and Nose Area

The face has a brown oval muzzle placed high on the cream face. The darker nose sits in the center, with a smiling stitched mouth curving outward. Shape this part carefully because it gives the sloth its recognizable expression.

Oval Muzzle Patch

1. With light tan yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: K across.
3. Row 2: P across.
4. Row 3: Kfb, K8, Kfb. You now have 12 sts.
5. Row 4: P across.
6. Row 5: Kfb, K10, Kfb. You now have 14 sts.
7. Rows 6-13: Work in st st.
8. Row 14: P across.
9. Row 15: K2tog, K10, SSK. You now have 12 sts.
10. Row 16: P across.
11. Row 17: K2tog, K8, SSK. You now have 10 sts.
12. BO, leaving a sewing tail.

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Raised Brown Nose

1. With dark brown yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Work in st st.
3. Row 3: Kfb, K6, Kfb. You now have 10 sts.
4. Rows 4-7: Work in st st.
5. Row 8: P across.
6. Row 9: K2tog, K6, SSK. You now have 8 sts.
7. Row 10: P across.
8. Row 11: K2tog across. You now have 4 sts.
9. Break yarn, gather, seam, and stuff lightly.

Sew the oval muzzle patch to the upper front of the head, starting about 1.25 inches below the top curve. Sew the raised brown nose in the center of the patch. Use brown embroidery yarn to stitch a wide smile from one cheek to the other.

Eyes, Eyelids, and Eyelashes

The eyes are large round side eyes with white circles, blue irises, black pupils, and tiny black eyelashes. Place them wide apart, slightly higher than the nose, so they sit near the upper sides of the head.

White Eye Circles

1. Make 2. With white yarn and 2.5 mm needles, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: K across.
3. Row 2: Kfb in each st. You now have 12 sts.
4. Row 3: K across.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K10, Kfb. You now have 14 sts.
6. Rows 5-8: Work in st st.
7. Row 9: K2tog, K10, SSK. You now have 12 sts.
8. Row 10: P across.
9. Row 11: K2tog across. You now have 6 sts.
10. Break yarn, gather, and sew into a flat circle.

Blue Iris Circles

1. Make 2. With sky blue yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Work in st st.
3. Row 3: K2tog, K1, SSK. You now have 3 sts.
4. Break yarn and gather into a tiny round spot.

Sew one blue iris onto each white eye circle, slightly toward the lower inside edge. Embroider a black pupil in the center of each blue iris. Add one small white highlight stitch. Sew eyes to the sides of the head and add two black eyelash stitches above each eye.

Buck Teeth

1. With white yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Rows 1-7: Work in st st.
3. BO.
4. Fold the piece in half lengthwise and sew the side edges.
5. Use one vertical stitch down the middle to divide the piece into two teeth.

Sew the teeth under the smile line, centered below the muzzle. Let the bottom edge hang slightly over the neck. Keep the teeth flat, bright, and visible, matching the playful front view in the image.

Arms and Hands

The arms come out from the sweater sleeves and end in pale three-claw hands. The sleeves are blue cuffs with striped sweater tops. The hands are narrow and rounded, with two visible lines to divide the claw-like fingers.

Hands

1. Make 2. With cream beige yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1-3: Work in st st.
3. Row 4: P across.
4. Row 5: Kfb, K8, Kfb. You now have 12 sts.
5. Rows 6-13: Work in st st.
6. Row 14: P across.
7. Row 15: K2tog, K8, SSK. You now have 10 sts.
8. Row 16: P across.
9. Row 17: K2tog across. You now have 5 sts.
10. Break yarn, gather, seam, and stuff lightly.

Sleeves

1. Make 2. With sky blue yarn, CO 22 sts.
2. Rows 1-5: Work K1, P1 rib.
3. Rows 6-7: Change to cream and work in st st.
4. Rows 8-9: Change to sky blue and work in st st.
5. Rows 10-11: Change to cream and work in st st.
6. Rows 12-13: Change to sky blue and work in st st.
7. Rows 14-15: Change to cream and work in st st.
8. BO, leaving a long tail.

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Wrap each sleeve around the top of one hand and sew the sleeve seam. Embroider two short lines on each hand to show three simple fingers. Sew arms to the sides of the sweater area, angled downward and slightly away from the body.

Heart Sweater

The sweater is the main clothing piece. It has a blue ribbed hem, blue ribbed collar, cream body, sky blue horizontal stripes, and a row of red hearts across the chest and sleeves. Knit it separately and fit it around the doll’s torso.

Sweater Back

1. With sky blue yarn, CO 50 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: Work K1, P1 rib.
3. Rows 7-8: Change to cream and work in st st.
4. Rows 9-10: Change to sky blue and work in st st.
5. Rows 11-12: Change to cream and work in st st.
6. Rows 13-14: Change to sky blue and work in st st.
7. Rows 15-16: Change to cream and work in st st.
8. Rows 17-18: Change to sky blue and work in st st.
9. Rows 19-20: Change to cream and work in st st.
10. Rows 21-22: Change to sky blue and work in st st.
11. Rows 23-24: Change to cream and work in st st.
12. Rows 25-26: Change to sky blue and work in st st.
13. Rows 27-30: Change to cream and work in st st.
14. Row 31: K10, BO 30 sts, K10 for shoulders.
15. Work each 10-st shoulder for 4 rows in cream, then BO.

Sweater Front With Heart Row

1. With sky blue yarn, CO 50 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: Work K1, P1 rib.
3. Rows 7-8: Change to cream and work in st st.
4. Rows 9-10: Change to sky blue and work in st st.
5. Rows 11-12: Change to cream and work in st st.
6. Row 13: Change to cream. K4, then begin red heart chart across the center.
7. Row 14: P using colors as set, carrying yarn loosely behind the work.
8. Rows 15-20: Complete four red hearts, each over 7 sts wide, with 3 cream sts between hearts.
9. For each heart, use this 7-st shape: Row A red on sts 2 and 6, Row B red on sts 1,2,3,5,6,7, Row C red across all 7 sts, Row D red on sts 2-6, Row E red on sts 3-5, Row F red on st 4.
10. Rows 21-22: Change to sky blue and work in st st.
11. Rows 23-24: Change to cream and work in st st.
12. Rows 25-26: Change to sky blue and work in st st.
13. Rows 27-30: Change to cream and work in st st.
14. Row 31: K10, BO 30 sts, K10 for shoulders.
15. Work each 10-st shoulder for 4 rows in cream, then BO.

Sweater Collar

1. Sew front and back shoulder seams together first.
2. With sky blue yarn, pick up and knit 44 sts evenly around the neck opening.
3. Rows 1-6: Work K1, P1 rib.
4. BO loosely in rib.

Sew the side seams of the sweater from hem to underarm, leaving armholes open. Slide the sweater over the doll body before attaching the arms permanently. The hem should sit just above the top of the brown pants.

Red Hearts on Sleeves

The image shows red hearts on the sleeves as well as the sweater front. Add them after knitting if colorwork feels difficult. Embroidered duplicate stitch keeps the sleeve fabric neat and gives clear heart shapes.

1. Use red yarn and a tapestry needle.
2. On each sleeve, choose the cream band just above the middle stripe.
3. Work one 5-st heart on the outside center of each sleeve.
4. Stitch the top as two small red bumps, then narrow to one point.
5. Secure all ends inside the sleeve before final arm attachment.

Yellow Flower on Sweater

1. With yellow yarn and 2.5 mm needles, CO 15 sts.
2. Row 1: K across.
3. Row 2: BO 3 sts, slip remaining st back to left needle, repeat until all petals are formed.
4. Roll the strip into a five-petal flower and sew at the base.
5. With blue yarn, add 2 small center stitches.
6. Sew the flower to the upper right chest of the sweater.

Red Crossbody Bag

The small red bag hangs diagonally across the sweater from one shoulder to the opposite hip. It has a flap, a little button, and small flower decorations near the lower corner. Keep it flat but lightly padded.

Bag Body

1. With red yarn and 2.5 mm needles, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1-22: Work in st st.
3. Row 23: K2tog, K14, SSK. You now have 16 sts.
4. Row 24: P across.
5. Rows 25-28: Work in st st for the flap.
6. Row 29: K2tog, K12, SSK. You now have 14 sts.
7. Row 30: P across.
8. BO.

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Bag Strap

1. With red yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Work in garter stitch until the strap measures 13 inches.
3. BO and sew each end to the back top corners of the bag.

Fold the lower 22 rows of the bag upward and sew the side seams. Fold the flap down. Sew a small button to the front center. Add three tiny flower stitches near the lower right corner using yellow, blue, and green yarn.

Blue Pom-Pom Hat

The hat sits to the side in the image and is removable. It has a ribbed brim, smooth blue body, and a round pom-pom on top. Knit it slightly wider than the head so it can be placed beside or on the doll.

1. With sky blue yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 58 sts.
2. Rows 1-12: Work K1, P1 rib for the folded brim.
3. Rows 13-30: Work in st st.
4. Row 31: K6, K2tog across to last 2 sts, K2. You now have 51 sts.
5. Row 32: P across.
6. Row 33: K5, K2tog across to last 2 sts, K2. You now have 44 sts.
7. Row 34: P across.
8. Row 35: K4, K2tog across to last 2 sts, K2. You now have 37 sts.
9. Row 36: P across.
10. Row 37: K3, K2tog across to last 2 sts, K2. You now have 30 sts.
11. Row 38: P across.
12. Row 39: K2tog across. You now have 15 sts.
13. Break yarn, thread through sts, pull tight, and sew back seam.

Make a dense pom-pom about 1.5 inches wide using sky blue yarn. Trim it round and sew it firmly to the top of the hat. Fold the brim upward so the ribbed band looks thick and soft.

Headband, Red Bow, and Yellow Hair Flower

The head decorations frame the eyes and top of the head. A thin red band curves around the head. One side has a red bow, and the other side has a yellow flower. These details make the face lively and match the image closely.

Red Headband

1. With red yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Work in garter stitch until the strip measures 7 inches.
3. BO and sew it around the head from one eye side to the other, crossing over the top.

Red Bow

1. With red yarn, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1-8: Work in st st.
3. BO and weave in ends.
4. Wrap red yarn tightly around the center 8 times to pinch the rectangle into a bow.
5. Sew the bow to the top left of the headband.

Yellow Flower

1. With yellow yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: K across.
3. Row 2: BO 2 sts, slip remaining st back, repeat to make small petals.
4. Gather into a flower and add a small cream or blue center stitch.
5. Sew it to the top right of the headband.

Acorns

The image includes small knitted acorns around the doll. Make three acorns in slightly different sizes for a natural look. Each acorn has a tan-orange body and a textured brown cap.

Acorn Body

1. Make 3. With tan-orange yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: K across.
3. Row 2: P across.
4. Row 3: Kfb in each st. You now have 16 sts.
5. Rows 4-10: Work in st st.
6. Row 11: K2tog across. You now have 8 sts.
7. Break yarn, gather, seam, and stuff firmly.

Acorn Cap

1. With medium brown yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: K all sts for bumpy garter texture.
3. Row 5: K2tog across. You now have 9 sts.
4. Break yarn, gather, and sew over the top of the acorn body.
5. Add a 3-stitch brown stem at the top with embroidery stitches.

Knitted Leaf

The green leaf sits near the acorn and has visible veins. Knit it flat, then embroider a center vein and angled side veins. Light blocking helps the leaf curl gently like the one in the image.

1. With leaf green yarn and 2.5 mm needles, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: K across.
3. Row 2: K1, Kfb, K1. You now have 4 sts.
4. Row 3: K across.
5. Row 4: K1, Kfb, K to last 2 sts, Kfb, K1. You now have 6 sts.
6. Rows 5-10: Repeat Rows 3-4 until you have 12 sts.
7. Rows 11-16: K all sts.
8. Row 17: K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, SSK, K1. You now have 10 sts.
9. Row 18: K across.
10. Repeat Rows 17-18 until 4 sts remain.
11. Row 25: K2tog twice. You now have 2 sts.
12. Row 26: K2tog, break yarn, and pull through.

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Use darker green yarn to embroider one long center vein from base to tip. Add four short diagonal veins on each side. Shape the leaf with your fingers while slightly damp, then let it dry flat.

Optional Blue Side Flowers for Sandals

• With sky blue yarn, make two tiny flowers using the same 12-st petal strip method.
• Sew one flower to the outer side of each sandal strap.
• Add a yellow center stitch if desired.
• Keep these flowers small so they do not hide the toes.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

1. Sew the brown body closed at the top if needed, then attach the cream neck firmly to the body opening.
2. Slide the sweater onto the doll and position the ribbed collar around the base of the neck.
3. Sew the arms into the side openings, angled down naturally.
4. Attach the feet to the lower pant legs and check that the toes face forward.
5. Place the eyes wide apart and level with each other before sewing permanently.
6. Sew the muzzle patch and raised nose in the center of the face.
7. Embroider the smile with brown yarn, curving it upward at both sides.
8. Sew the teeth just below the smile line.
9. Add eyelashes with black thread, using two straight stitches above each eye.
10. Attach the red headband, red bow, and yellow flower securely.
11. Place the red bag strap diagonally from shoulder to opposite hip.
12. Set the blue hat beside the doll or place it gently on the head.
13. Arrange the acorns and leaf around the finished toy for display.

Shaping Tips for Matching the Image

Keep the head longer than it is wide, and do not overstuff the neck so much that it becomes thick. The character in the image has a slim vertical neck and a rounded upper face. Pin the head decorations before sewing so they frame the eyes evenly.

The sweater should look slightly oversized, with relaxed sleeves and a boxy body. The red hearts should sit across the chest in a clear row. If the hearts look uneven, use duplicate stitch over the knitted fabric after finishing instead of working them during the knitting.

The red bag should sit on the doll’s right hip, with the strap crossing the chest diagonally. The small button on the flap is important because it makes the bag match the photo. Add the tiny flowers only after the flap is sewn down.

Care Notes

• Spot clean with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if the doll has a button, embroidered details, or glued decorations.
• Press gently with a towel to remove moisture.
• Dry flat in a shaded place.
• Reshape the head, feet, bag, and hat while damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Long cream neck: narrow, vertical, and firmly attached.
• Wide eyes: placed high and toward the sides.
• Brown muzzle: centered with a raised nose.
• Two teeth: visible under the smile.
• Heart sweater: blue ribbing, blue stripes, cream base, red hearts.
• Brown pants: short, straight, and rounded at the legs.
• Sandals: brown straps, blue trim, visible toes.
• Accessories: red bag, blue hat, red bow, yellow flower, acorns, and leaf.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For long-term display, keep the knitted doll away from direct sunlight because bright blue, red, and yellow yarns may fade. Store the loose acorns, leaf, and hat in a small fabric pouch so they do not get lost or flattened.

If dust collects on the doll, use a soft makeup brush or clean paintbrush to lift dust from the stitches. Brush gently around the eyes, nose, flowers, and heart sweater. Do not pull at embroidery threads or small sewn appliques.

When storing the doll, wrap it in acid-free tissue or clean cotton fabric. Avoid plastic bags for long storage because trapped moisture can affect the yarn. Lay the doll flat, with the bag strap relaxed and the hat stored separately.

Refresh the shape by gently squeezing the stuffing back into place with your hands. Smooth the sweater hem, straighten the red strap, and fluff the pom-pom. A little careful shaping will keep the finished knitted sloth looking close to the original image.