Knitting patterns for toys and other projects inspired by animals and birds native to Central and South America. Most patterns are free. Updated 11/13/23
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
All links on this site are for informational purposes, but please note that some links are to affiliate sellers that pay me a small commission on purchases.
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Free Patterns
Sloth
Sloth plushie knitted in one piece - modular, so joining on parts as you go. Size Approx. 15cm/ 6in tall long. Designed by Claire Garland. Sport weight yarn.
Capybara
Huggable capybara native to South America is worked in the round and measures about 7 in/17 cm tall if you are using Aran weight yarn. Knitted in the round. Designed by Luna Adelt.
Flora the Flamingo
Flamingo bird toy measures 8.25” / [21 cm] tall, in a sitting position. Knitted in the round. Designed by Emily Cridge. DK weight yarn.
Save the Drama Llama
Llama toy measures about 18" [45.5 cm] tall, measured from bottom of front feet to top of ears. Toy measures about 13" [33 cm] long. Fur knit with the loop stitch. Instructions for blanket, halter, and ear pompoms included. Designed by Nancy Anderson for Red Heart. Aran weight yarn.
Stevie Sloth Toy Softie
Sloths are tree-dwellers in the rain forests of Central and South America. Designed by Cilla Webb. DK weight yarn. Pictured projects by designer and Acernegundo who added velcro to the paws.
Quetzal Bird
Quetzal, a beautiful Central American bird, is knit with lace wings and tail. Size using mostly DK weight 13" from tip of beak to tip of tail, 5 3/4" tall from belly to top of plume. Great use for scrap yarn! Designed by Elsie Tall. May only be free a limited time.
Armadillo Toy Softie
This adorable armadillo is 10 inches long and can even be rolled into a ball into its shell if you don't add too much stuffing. Don the Dillo designed by Gabrielle Thériault. Armadillos are native to South and Central America and eventually ranged into the United States.
Bella and Brian Sloth
Sloth toys Bella and Brian knit flat. Approx 6" [15 cm] tall. Designed by Yarnspirations Design Studio for Red Heart. Fingering weight yarn. Crochet version is also available
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the free crochet pattern
- Get the recommended Red Heart Amigurumi yarn (uses just one skein of this self-striping yarn)
Flamingo Toy Softie
Flamingo bird softie is a fast and fun knit! Size 3" wide (including the wings) by 5" tall (with the head curved over). Rated easy by Ravelrers. There is a Hi-Bounce Pinky Ball inside the body for an added element of bouncy fun though you can fill with regular polyfill. Designed by Susan B. Anderson. Aran weight yarn. Pictured project by YarnHookAndNeedle.
See more of Susan's knitting patterns
Pax the Alpaca
50cm tall (standing, from toes to tips of ears.) Toy animal softie worked flat and all the skills needed are knit, purl, increase and decrease. Looks like you could easily adapt to be a donkey or a horse. Designed by Amanda Berry. DK weight yarn.
More Free Patterns
Monkey, Flamingo, and Otter Hats
Web patterns are free for one size. Adorable baby hats desiged to look like a Monkey, Flamingo, and Otter. Species of these animals are native to South and Central America. A printable pdf are available on Etsy with sizes from newborn to 2T. Designed by Cassie at Little Red Window.
- Get the free MONKEY HAT knitting pattern for size 12 mos
- Get the free FLAMINGO HAT knitting pattern for size 12 mos
- Get the free OTTER HAT knitting pattern for size 12 mos
- Get printable hat pdfs in more sizes
Rosina the Anteater Toy Softie
Adorable anteater toy with her own wardrobe. Worked flat and seamed. Designed by Cilla Webb. DK weight yarn. Pictured project by veraredondo.
Flamingo, Toucan, Penquin Cloths or Blocks
Flamingo, toucan, and penguin motifs in knit and purl stitches for use in dish and wash cloths, afghan squares, or other knitting projects. These are all native birds of South Central America. DK weight yarn. Designed by Daisy and Storm. Web versions are free
- Get the free FLAMINGO knitting pattern
- Get the free TOUCAN knitting pattern
- Get the free PENGUIN knitting pattern
- Buy the pdfs and see more bird cloths
- See more Animal Cloth Knitting Patterns
Dog Sweater and Human Hat
Dog coat with a matching hat for the dog's best friend with an animal print that looks to me like jaguar spots. Dog sweater in 2 sizes To fit dogs about 10-18 (18-29) lb. Hat size adult. Animal Lover set designed by Lion Brand.
- Get the free DOG SWEATER knitting pattern - download link below kit info
- Get the free HAT knitting pattern - download link below kit info
Teeny Flamingo
Small flamingo perfect for decorating cupcakes, dollhouses, wreaths, or any other project. Size 7 cm tall (not including the cocktail stick legs). Designed by Amanda Berry. Great use for scrap yarn.
Milo Armadillo
Armadillo toy softie designed by Jan Fearnley who wrote about colorful cuddly Milo in her children’s picture book. Knit flat with a colorful striped shell. Fingering weight yarn. Pictured projects by designer and stitchknitwitch
Llama Jacket and Hat
Matching jacket and earflap hat featuring Andean style with llamas for 8 inch Heather Maciak dolls and 8.5 inch Kruseling dolls. Designed by DollMum (Anna Page).
Armadillo Andy Stitchadillo
Toy armadillo softie. A crochet version is also available. FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: 2” [5 cm] wide by 8” [20.5 cm] long (nose to tail). Designed by Megan Kreiner of MK Crochet and Knits for MarlyBird.com. Bulky weight yarn. Web version is free. PDF available for purchase on Ravelry.
- Get the free knitting pattern - Web version
- See the Ravelry page and buy pdf version
- Get the free crochet pattern - Web version
Sloth Toy
Cuddly sloth softie approx 15" [38 cm] long. Sloths are live in the tropical rain forests of South America and Central America. Designed by Yarnspirations.
Patterns for Purchase
Sloth Toy
Cuddly adorable sloth stuffie. The toy is knit flat and assembled. Height: 15 inches Part of the Knit a Teddy collection so all the collection oufits will fit this sloth. Designed by Knit a Teddy Knitables.
Sitting Pretty Flamingo Toy
Bird softie approx. 7” sitting (from the bottom of its body to the top of its head, the legs are approx. 4” in length). Aran weight but can be adapted to other weights of yarn. Designed by Heather Kumpf.
Eli the Alpaca Amigurumi Toy
Alpaca is knitted flat, then seamed and stuffed. Approximate size 25 cm x 15 cm (10" x 6").Designed by Nix Knittingsticks.
Graham the Toucan
Adorable toucan toy softie measures approximately 30cm/12in from the tip of his beak to the end of his body and is around 20cm/8in tall when seated. All the pieces are knitted flat on straight needles. Toucans are native to South America and live in rain forests and savannahs. Designed by Trish Roberts. DK weight yarn.
- See more images and get the knitting patterns at Etsy
- See more of Trish's bird toy knitting patterns
Sloth Amigurumi Toy
This sloth reminds us there's "No Rush". Snaps on the paws lets your sloth hang out in any position. Size: 13.8 in (35 cm) tall. Knit flat. Designed by UknitMe2. Designer allows you to sell finished toys. Available in English and Spanish.
Panther
No longer free. Panther toy softie. Panther jaguars are native to South America. 7 Inches tall in DK weight yarn. Knitted flat on two needles. Designed by L.T.Marshall.
Lowri the Llama Toy
Adorable sloth softie with shawl worked FLAT and seamed. The finished toy is 36 cm (14") tall. Designed by PrettyLittleSheep. Bulky weight yarn.
No Drama Llama
Llama toy softie knit flat in garter stitch. Suitable for knitters with basic knitting ability. DK weight yarn. Designed by Addy Whitfield.
Three-Toed Sloth Toy
Adorable sloth softie with poncho. The toy and poncho pieces are knit flat and assembled. The finished toy is 23 cm (9") tall. Designed by fuzzymitten. Worsted and sport weight yarn.
Topsy-Turvy Chrysalis to Butterfly
Monarch butterflies are found through Central and South America. This toy flips inside-out turning from a chrysalis into a Monarch butterfly on a leaf. One of the 12 patterns in Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys by Susan B. Anderson. Pictured project by Scitchr
