Today, I would like to introduce you to Timmy the Turtle, who is so much fun to make! If you love sea animals and would like to make a cute loving companion for your family or friends, then you must try this free crochet turtle pattern. This super sweet and cuddly Amigurumi turtle is guaranteed to put a smile on your loved ones’ face.
Free Crochet Turtle Pattern – Notes
Skill level: basic/intermediate crochet skills and knowledge
Finished size – height: 10cm / 4 inches
Finished size – lenght: 20cm / 8 inches
Free Crochet Turtle Pattern – Materials and Equipment
Yarn I used:
– Fine Sport #2 = 4 ply
– 55% cotton and 45% acrylic
– 1x ball of dark green yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 52 – (50g/160m)
– 1x ball of light green yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 60 – (50g/160m)
– 1x ball of cream yarn – YarnArt Jeans – colour 03 – (50g/160m)
I like to purchase my YarnArt Jeans from Amazon HERE
or from Etsy HERE. If you would like to check some great substitutes for YarnArt Jeans then have a read of my Best Yarn for Making Amigurumi tutorial. You can find the substitutes towards the end of the article.
Or just simply use any 100% cotton that will work just as well. You can also use 100% acrylic if you prefer to work with this type of yarn.
Other materials used: polyester fibre fill
Crochet hook: I used 3mm = C/2, if using different weight of yarn then refer to hook size recommendations on the yarn. I highly recommend this ergonomic crochet hook set from Amazon as it comes in a stylish case and with other accessories such as stitch markers etc.
Other equipment used: scissors, yarn needle, pins with large heads, stitch marker or thin yarn to use instead, 12mm safety eyes
Choking hazard warning: the use of safety eyes or buttons poses a choking risk for children under the age of 3 therefore I recommend using embroidery instead.
Free Crochet Turtle Pattern – Abbreviations Used
This pattern is written using US crochet terminology
– MR: magic ring
– ST: stitch
– SC: single crochet stitch
– HDC: half double crochet stitch
– DC: double crochet stitch
– CH: chain stitch
– CHs: chain stitches
– SL: slip stitch
– INC: increase = two single crochet stitches in the same stitch
– L INC: large increase = three single crochet stitches in the same stitch
– DEC: standard decrease
– INV DEC: invisible decrease = insert the hook into the front loop of the first stitch (two loops on hook) and immediately insert it again into the front loop of the next stitch (three loops on the hook). Yarn over and draw through the first two loops on the hook (two loops on the hook). Yarn over and draw through the two loops on the hook to finish your invisible decrease
– BLO: back loops only
– FO: fasten off
– (…..) x 6: repeat the pattern inside the brackets by the given number (in this example, repeat the pattern in the brackets 6 times)
– {…}: number shown inside these brackets equals the number of total stitches at the end of each round
Free Crochet Turtle Pattern – Let’s Get Started!
You may find these Amigurumi tutorials handy before you get started with this free crochet turtle pattern.
Download the ad-free and printable version of this pattern here.
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How to Crochet the Head
Starting from the front to the back of the head.
R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6}
R2: INC in each ST around {12}
R3: (SC in next ST, INC) x 6 {18}
R4: SC in next ST, INC, (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next ST {24}
R5: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 6 {30}
R6: SC in next 2 ST, INC, (SC in next 4 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {36}
R7: (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 6 {42}
R8: SC in next 3 ST, INC, (SC in next 6 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 3 ST {48}
R9-R14 (6 rounds): SC in each ST around {48} – leave your stitch marker in at the start of R12 as you will need to refer to it when placing eyes
R15: (SC in next 14 ST, INV DEC) x 3 {45}
R16: SC in each ST around {45}
R17: (SC in next 13 ST, INV DEC) x 3 {42}
R18: SC in each ST around {42}
R19: (SC in next 5 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {36}
R20: SC in each ST around {36}
You can now place the eyes:
– stuff the head well first
– it helps to use pins with large heads to first mark the spots where the eyes will be placed – you can make a decision whether you are happy with the placement and if it looks symmetrical before you insert the safety eyes; the safety eyes usually make a large hole in between the stitches so it is not recommended to change the placement of the eyes once they are in (Pic H1)
– place the eyes between rounds R12 and R13
– first eye – count 14 stitches from your marker at the start of R12 and place the eye between ST14 and ST15
– second eye – count 32 stitches from your marker at the start of R12 and place the eye between ST32 and ST33
– you can now insert the safety eyes but do not put the safety backs on yet (Pic H2)
Sculpting the eyes (indented eye look):
– take a long piece of yarn and thread your needle
– remove the left eye; place the needle in a hole next to the left eye hole (Pic H3)
– remove the right eye; come across the side with the needle and place it into a hole next to the right eye hole; pull all the way through till the yarn tail is not showing
– place your needle in a second hole next to the right eye and come across the side with the needle again (Pic H5)
– repeat the process back and forth between the two eye holes while pulling on the yarn tightly each time you come across the side
– you will need to repeat this about three times until you achieve the indented eye look you want and then you can weave the yarn in (Pic H7)
– place the eyes back in the holes; remove some or most of the stuffing and place the safety backs on making sure they snap in place tightly
– you can now re-stuff the head (Pic H8) and continue crocheting R21
R21: SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {30}
R22: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {24}
R23-R24 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {24}, FO and leave a long piece of yarn for sewing
How to Crochet the Legs
We will start by crocheting a circle using double crochet stitches; each circle will be connected with a slip stitch so we will not crochet in a spiral.
Front legs:
R1: MR – chain 2 ST, 11 x DC into MR, SL into 1st DC ST of R1 (Pic L1) – usually you would slip stitch into the top ST of the chain but I think the joint looks neater this way {12 incl. the chain}
R2: chain 2 ST, 1x DC into the same ST you slip stitched through at the end of R1 (Pic L2), 2x DC in each of the remaining STs, SL into 1st DC ST of R2 (Pic L3) {24 incl. the chain}
Change colour to light green after R2
R3: chain 2 ST, 1x DC into the same ST you slip stitched through at the end of R2, 1x DC in next ST, (2x DC in next ST, 1x DC in next ST) x 11, SL into 1st DC ST of R3 {36 incl. the chain}
Change colour to dark green after R3
R4: chain 2 ST, 1x DC into the same ST you slip stitched through at the end of R3, 1x DC in next 2 ST, (2x DC in next ST, 1x DC in next 2 ST) x 11, SL into 1st DC ST of R4 {48 incl. the chain} – do not FO and leave your hook in
R5: Fold the circle in half and SC the sides together to close the opening (Pic L4) – do not stuff the legs, FO and leave a long tail for sewing
Back legs: Follow the same pattern as for the front legs but skip R4; use the colours below for each round:
R1: cream colour
R2: light green colour
R3: dark green colour
How to Crochet the Tail
Starting from the end of the tail.
R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6}
R2: (SC in next ST, INC) x 3 {9}
R3: SC in each ST around {9}
R4: (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 3 {12}
R5: SC in each ST around {12}
R6: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 3 {15}
R7-R10 (4 rounds): SC in each ST around {15}
SC the opening together to close the tail (do not stuff), FO and leave a long tail for sewing
How to Crochet the Shell
Starting from the centre of the shell.
R1: MR – 6 x SC into the ring {6}
R2: INC in each ST around {12}
R3: (SC in next ST, INC) x 6 {18}
R4: SC in next ST, INC, (SC in next 2 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next ST {24}
R5: (SC in next 3 ST, INC) x 6 {30}
R6: SC in next 2 ST, INC, (SC in next 4 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {36}
R7: (SC in next 5 ST, INC) x 6 {42}
R8: SC in next 3 ST, INC, (SC in next 6 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 3 ST {48}
R9: (SC in next 7 ST, INC) x 6 {54}
R10: SC in next 4 ST, INC, (SC in next 8 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 4 ST {60}
R11: (SC in next 9 ST, INC) x 6 {66}
R12: SC in each ST around {66}
R13: SC in next 5 ST, INC, (SC in next 10 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 5 ST {72}
R14: SC in each ST around {72}
R15: (SC in next 11 ST, INC) x 6 {78}
R16: SC in each ST around {78}
R17: SC in next 6 ST, INC, (SC in next 12 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 6 ST {84}
R18: SC in each ST around {84}
R19: (SC in next 13 ST, INC) x 6 {90}
R20: SC in each ST around {90}
R21: SC in next 7 ST, INC, (SC in next 14 ST, INC) x 5, SC in next 7 ST {96}
R22-R23 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {96}
R24: SC in next 7 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 14 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 7 ST {90}
R25: SC in each ST around {90}
R26: SC in each ST around – Front loop only {90}, FO and weave the yarn end in
How to Crochet the Belly
We will crochet R1 of the belly into the back loops of R26 of the shell and will continue from there.
R1: Crochet into back loops of R26 of the shell – SC in next 90 ST {90} – Pic B1
R2: SC in next 8 ST, chain 8 ST, skip 8 ST, SC in next 14 ST, chain 6 ST, skip 6 ST, SC in next 5 ST, chain 8 ST, skip 8 ST, SC in next 5 ST, chain 6 ST, skip 6 ST, SC in next 14 ST, chain 8 ST, skip 8 ST, SC in next 8 ST {90} – this is to create gaps into which you will sew the legs and tail – Pic B2, B3, B4
R3: SC in each ST around {90}
R4: (SC in next 13 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {84}
R5: SC in next 6 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 12 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 6 ST {78}
R6: (SC in next 11 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {72}
R7: SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC) x 11, SC in next 2 ST {60}
R8: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 12 {48}
You can now sew the legs and tail to the body as shown in Pic B5 & B6 – insert the legs and tail into the gaps and sew them in from the inside of the belly
You can now start stuffing the shell and the belly
R9: SC in each ST around {48}
R10: SC in next 1 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC) x 11, SC in next 1 ST {36}
R11-R12 (2 rounds): SC in each ST around {36}
R13: SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 4 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 2 ST {30}
R14: (SC in next 3 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {24}
R15: SC in next 1 ST, INV DEC, (SC in next 2 ST, INV DEC) x 5, SC in next 1 ST {18}
R16: (SC in next 1 ST, INV DEC) x 6 {12}
R17: SC in each ST around {12} and close the hole with a needle; weave yarn end in
Free Crochet Turtle Pattern – Assembly:
Head and body:
Pin the head to the body first making sure that the head is in the centre between the front legs. I attached the head between R20 of the shell and R2 of the belly, however you can attach the head as per your preference. Sew the head to the body adding more stuffing if needed.
Free Crochet Turtle Pattern – Your Finished Crochet Toy:
You have now finished your toy. I hope you found my free crochet turtle pattern easy to follow and enjoyed making the turtle!
I would very much welcome your feedback so please do leave a comment in the comment box at the bottom of this page. And don’t forget that I love to see your finished toys so please share your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #cuddlystitchescraft
Visit my free Amigurumi patterns for more crochet toys you will love!
More Free Amigurumi patterns for you to enjoy:
Free Crochet Sheep Pattern
Free Crochet Dog Pattern
Free Whale and Narwhal Crochet Pattern
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