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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st st.  Fasten off.

1^st 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 1^st 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.

2^nd Back Leg

Miss 3 sts and join cotton.

Work 2^nd back leg the same as 1^st back leg.

Neatening Row and Tail

Join cotton the st before 1^st back leg.

Work 1 sc in each st around 1^st back leg, sl st into next st on body, 4 ch, work 1 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc and 1 tr in last ch, sl st into st before 2^nd back leg.  Work 1 sc in each st around 2^nd back leg.  Sl st into next st on body.  Fasten off.

1^st 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 1^st 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.

2^nd Front Leg

Miss 7 sts and join cotton.

Work 2^nd front leg the same as 1^st front leg.

Neatening Row

Join cotton the st before 1^st front leg.

Work 1 sc in each st around 1^st front leg, sl st into next st on body, work 1 sc in each st across to 2^nd front leg and 1 sc in each st around 2^nd 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st st.  Fasten off.

Shell Marking

13 ch, join with a sl st in 1^st ch to make a circle.

Row 1:  1 ch, work 18 sc into circle.  Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in 1^st st.

Row 2:  (6 ch, miss 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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.