Welcome to my crochet turtle pattern. I’ll be showing you how to make this cute little turtle.
There’s also a video tutorial for this pattern available at Crochet Turtle Tutorial.
The complete pattern is free to view on this page by scrolling down. Or if you would like to download it, it’s available on my Ravelry store for $1 at Crochet Turtle Pattern.
This pattern will be using US terminology. If you would like to view the UK version go to Crochet Turtle Pattern (UK Version).
Crochet Turtle Pattern
Abbreviations
- st – stitch
- sts – stitches
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
Materials Used
- I used 2 different greens and a very small amount of white 4 ply crochet cotton.
- A crochet hook, I used a 1.25mm hook.
- Scissors.
- A darning needle to weave in ends.
- Sewing thread and a needle to stitch together.
- Black and red cotton to embroider on the mouth nose and markings on the eyes.
Body
Make a magic loop.
Row 1: Work 1 ch, 3 hdc, 3 tr, 6 hdc, 3 tr, 3 hdc into circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 2: 1 ch, 1 hdc in same st as ch, 1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in following st, 2 tr in each of next 3 sts, 2 hdc in following st, 1 hdc in each of next 4 sts, 2 hdc in following st, 2 tr in each of next 3 sts, 2 hdc in following st, 1 hdc in each remaining st. Sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 3: 2 ch, 1 dc in same st as ch,1 dc in each of next 4 sts, 2 dc in each of following 5 sts, 1 dc in each of next 8 sts, 2 dc in each of following 5 sts, 1 dc in each st to end. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 4: 2 ch, 1 dc in same place as ch, 1 dc in each of following 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next st, 2 dc in following st) 6 times, (1 dc in each of next 2 sts, 2 dc in following st) 2 times, (1 dc in next st, 2 dc in following st) 6 times, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, 2 dc in following st, 1 dc into any remaining sts. Sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 5: 1 ch, 1 sc in same st as ch, 1 sc in each st to end. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Fasten off.
1st Back Leg
Join cotton 7 sts back from centre st longways as shown.
Row 1: 3 ch, 1 dc in each of next 5 sts. Turn.
Row 2: 3 ch, a joined dc over 1st 2 sts, 1 dc in next st, a joined dc over last 2 sts. Turn.
Row 3: 3 ch, work a dc cluster over all sts. Fasten off.
2nd Back Leg
Miss 3 sts and join cotton.
Work 2nd back leg the same as 1st back leg.
Neatening Row and Tail
Join cotton the st before 1st back leg.
Work 1 sc in each st around 1st back leg, sl st into next st on body, 4 ch, work 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc and 1 tr in last ch, sl st into st before 2nd back leg. Work 1 sc in each st around 2nd back leg. Sl st into next st on body. Fasten off.
1st Front Leg
Join cotton 9 sts back from centre st longways as shown.
Row 1: 3 ch, 1 dc in each of next 5 sts. Turn.
Row 2: 3 ch, a joined dc over 1st 2 sts, 1 dc in next st, a joined dc over last 2 sts. Turn.
Row 3: 3 ch, work a dc cluster over all sts. Fasten off.
2nd Front Leg
Miss 7 sts and join cotton.
Work 2nd front leg the same as 1st front leg.
Neatening Row
Join cotton the st before 1st front leg.
Work 1 sc in each st around 1st front leg, sl st into next st on body, work 1 sc in each st across to 2nd front leg and 1 sc in each st around 2nd front leg. Sl st into next st on body. Fasten off.
Head
Make a magic loop.
Row 1: 2 ch, work 12 dc in circle, pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 2: 2 ch, 1 dc in same st as ch, 2 dc in each of next 5 sts, 2 tr in each of next 2 sts, 2 dc in each st to end. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 3: 2 ch, 1 dc in same place as ch, (1 dc in next st, 2 dc in following st) 3 times, 1 dc in next st, 2 hdc in following st, 1 sc in each of next 8 sts, 2 hdc in following st, (1 dc in next st and 2 dc in following st) repeat to end of row. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Fasten off.
Eyes (Make 2)
Using white make a magic loop.
Into circle work 1 ch and 4 sc, pull circle tight and join with a sl st in 1st st. Fasten off.
Shell Marking
13 ch, join with a sl st in 1st ch to make a circle.
Row 1: 1 ch, work 18 sc into circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in 1st st.
Row 2: (6 ch, miss 1st ch and work 1 sc in each remaining ch, work 1 sc in next 2 sts from row 1) repeat around row, sl st in bottom of 1st spoke. Fasten off.
Join cotton to top of a spoke.
1 ch, 1 sc in same st, 7 ch, (1 sc in top of next spoke, 7 ch) repeat to end of row, sl st in 1st sc. Fasten off.
To Make Up
Weave in ends. Stitch shell marking to body stretching it longways so it will fit evenly.
Sew the eyes to the head.
Embroider the black markings to the eyes.
Embroider on a nose and mouth.
Stitch the head to the body.
And there’s the finished turtle, I hope that you’ve enjoyed the crochet turtle pattern. If you have there are some other patterns that you might like including a tropical fish, a goldfish, a clownfish and a humpback whale.
