Welcome to my crochet turtle pattern. This pattern was another request. This is what the finished turtle applique will look like.

There’s also a video tutorial for this pattern available on my YouTube channel at crochet turtle tutorial.

To view this pattern for free, continue to scroll down this page. If you want to download the ad-free version, it’s available on my Ravelry store for $1 at crochet turtle pattern and on LoveCrafts at crochet turtle pattern.

This pattern will be using US terminology. If you want 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

Any thickness crochet cotton or yarn, I used Scheepjes Maxi Sweet Treat 2 ply crochet cotton colors (212) Sage Green, (244) Spruce, (404) English Tea and (110) Black.

A crochet hook, I used a 1mm hook.
A darning needle to weave in ends.
Scissors.

Cream and black thread and needle to embroider on the markings.
Thread to stitch the turtle together.

Size

Large turtle (Using 8 ply yarn & a 3mm hook)

9cm wide x 15cm high or 3.5” wide x 6” high

Medium turtle (Using 4 ply crochet cotton & a 1.5mm hook)

5cm wide x 10cm high or 2” wide x 4” high

Small turtle (Using 2 ply crochet cotton & a 1mm hook)

4cm wide x 7.5cm high or 1.5” wide x 3” high

Shell

Using (212) Sage Green work 16 ch.

Row 1: Miss 1^st ch, work 1 sc in each of next 3 ch, 1 hdc in each of following 3 ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, 1 hdc in each of following 3 ch, 1 sc in each of last 3 ch. Turn. (15 sts)

Row 2: 1 ch, work a joined sc over 1^st 2 sts, 1 sc in each st to last 2 sts, a joined sc over last 2 sts. Turn. (13 sts)

Row 3: 1 ch, work a joined sc over 1^st 2 sts, 1 sc in next st, 1 hdc in each of following 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, 1 hdc in each of following 2 sts, 1 sc in next st, a joined sc over last 2 sts. Don’t turn or fasten off.

Neatening Row

1 ch, work 1 or 2 sc in each st around. Join with a sl st in top of 1^st st. Fasten off.

Shell Edge

Join (244) Spruce to corner st on end of neatening row of row 1, where shown.

1 ch, work 1 or 2 sc in each st around the bottom and side part of shell but not along the top. Fasten off.

Join (404) English Tea to 1^st st of Spruce.

1 ch, work 1 or 2 sc in each st around the Spruce part. Fasten off.

Join (110) Black to outside loop only of 1^st st of English Tea.

Work 1 sl st in outside loop only of each st around the English Tea. Fasten off.

Tummy

Join (404) English Tea 11 sts along from back of the shell in back loop only of English Tea.

1 ch, work 1 sc in same stitch as join, working in back loop only of English Tea work 1 sc in each of next 3 sts, 1 hdc in each of following 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 7 sts, 1 tr in each remaining st. Fasten off.

Front Flipper

Using (244) Spruce make a magic loop.

Row 1: 3 ch, work 1 dc in circle. Pull circle tight. Turn. (1 st)

Row 2: 3 ch, work 1 dc and 1 hdc in st. Turn. (2 sts)

Row 3: 1 ch, work 2 sc in each st. Turn. (4 sts)

Row 4: 1 ch, work 2 sc in 1^st st, 1 sc in each st to end. Turn. (5 sts)

Rows 5-7: 1 ch, work 1 sc in each st. Turn. (5 sts)

Row 8: 1 ch, work 1 sc in 1^st st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in following st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in last st. Don’t turn or fasten off.

Neatening Row

1 ch, work 1 sl st in each st around. Fasten off.

Neck & Head

Join (212) Sage Green to outside loop of the black row on shell 7 sts back from front of shell.

Row 1: 1 ch, working into outside loop only work 1 sc in same stitch as join, 1 sc in next 6 sts. 6 ch. (7 sts + 6 ch)

Row 2: Miss 1^st ch, work 1 sc in each remaining ch and each st to end. Turn. (12 sts)

Row 3: Work 1 sl st in each of 1^st 3 sts, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 1 dc in each st to last st, 2 dc in last st. 3 ch, sl st in last st. Fasten off.

Head

Using (244) Spruce make a magic loop.

Row 1: 2 ch, work 2 hdc in circle. Pull circle tight. Turn. (2 sts)

Row 2: 1 ch, work 1 sc in each st. Turn. (2 sts)

Rows 3-5: 1 ch, work 1 sc in each st. Turn. (2 sts)

Row 6: Work 1 sl st and 1 dc in 1^st st, 1 sl st in last st. Don’t turn or fasten off.

Neatening Row

Work 1 sl st in each st around. Fasten off.

Back Flipper

Join (244) Spruce in back loop 6 sts along shell on English Tea. I left a long tail to use for the neatening row.

Row 1: 1 ch, working into back loop only work 1 sc in same stitch as join, 2 hdc in next st, 1 dc in following st. Turn. (4 sts)

Rows 2-3: 1 ch, work 1 sc in each st. Turn. (4 sts)

Row 4: 1 ch, work a joined sc over 1^st 2 sts, 1 sc in each of last 2 sts. Turn. (3 sts)

Row 5: 1 ch, work a joined sc over 1^st 2 sts, 1 sc in last st. Turn. (2 sts)

Row 6: 2 ch, work a joined hdc and dc over the 2 sts. Fasten off.

Neatening Row

Using the tail left at the beginning work 1 sl st in each st around. Fasten off.

Far Front Flipper

Using (244) Spruce make a magic loop.

Row 1: 3 ch, work 3 dc in circle. Pull circle tight. Don’t turn.

Row 2: 1 ch, working along the side of the last dc worked work 3 sc. Turn. (3 sts)

Row 3: 1 ch, work 1 sc in each st. Turn. (3 sts)

Row 4: 1 ch, work 1 sc in 1^st st, 1 dc in next st, 1 sc in last st. Don’t turn or fasten off.

Neatening Row

Work 1 sl st in each st around. Fasten off.

To Make Up

Weave in ends. Stitch the neck and head piece down.

Embroider markings on the shell edge if desired.

Embroider an eye on the head and embroider markings on the head and legs if desired.

Attach the head to the end of the neck and head piece.

Stitch the legs to the turtle.

And there’s the finished turtle appliqué. I’ve also made it in different sizes and added flowers to the shell.

I hope that you’ve enjoyed the pattern. Have a look at some of my other patterns, including the crochet turtle, the lizard, the seahorse pattern, the starfish and the dolphin.

Crochet Turtle Pattern