Little Miss Turtle (Free Crochet Pattern)

I made a promise a long time ago to someone that I will write up the pattern of this turtle and post it for free on my blog. That was years ago. Recently I discovered that I had lost the pattern for the original turtle that I made at least 4 years ago. So, I decided to not waste any more time and create a new one and this time write the pattern, take the pictures, and post it. And here we are! I hope you enjoy it.

COPYRIGHT: This pattern is intended for PERSONAL USE only. You may not sell or share the pattern in any form, or distribute it (full or partially), or post it on the Internet, or translate it into other languages.

You may sell the finished products created from this pattern. Any items for sale must state in the item description that they are based on ‘PinkMouseBoutique’ pattern and also include a link to my website (www.pinkmouseboutique.com).

The items you sell based on this pattern must feature only your own photographs. You do not have permission to use my photographs to help sell your work.

To download the PDF follow the link here: LITTLE MISS TURTLE

MATERIALS:

1. Aunt Lydia’s size 10:
   1. Ecru
   2. Variegated thread
   3. Black (for eyes)
2. Crochet hook, 1.5 mm (Clover Amour)
3. Stuffing
4. Plastic eyes (2 mm) – optional
5. Clear tacky glue (if using 2 mm eye)
6. Sewing needle

NOTE: For the step by step photos, I used Loops&Threads CAPRI yarn with a 3.75 mm crochet hook.

ABBREVIATIONS:

MR – magic ring

Sc – single crochet

Ch – chain

BLO – back loop only

FLO – front loop only

Trbl – treble crochet

Inc – increase

Dec – decrease

Sl st – slip stitch

RS – right side

PART 1: Shell – Top and Bottom

TOP SHELL

Use variegated thread of your choice.

Crochet in continuous rounds.

Round 1: (RS) mr, ch 1, 8 sc in the ring – 8 sts

Round 2: 8 inc – 16 sts

Round 3: (sc, inc) x 8 – 24 sts

Round 4: (5 sc, inc) x 4 – 28 sts

Rounds 5 – 7: 28 sc (3 rounds)

Round 8: in FLO (sk 1, 3 trbl in next, sk 1, sl st in next) repeat until the end of this round

You should have 7 shells at the end of Round 8.

Leave a long tail for sewing and fasten off.

BOTTOM SHELL

Use ecru thread.

Follow instructions of top shell until Round 4.

Round 5: 1 sl st in next 2 sts; end the round here

Leave a long tail for sewing and fasten off.

PART 2: Head and Legs

HEAD

Use ecru thread.

Crochet in continuous rounds.

Round 1: (RS) mr, ch 1, 8 sc in the ring – 8 sts

Round 2: 8 inc – 16 sts

Rounds 3 – 5: 16 sc (3 rounds)

Round 6: 3 sc, 5 dec, 3 sc – 11 sts

Start stuffing the head. Stuff firmly. You will need

to stuff a little more after Round 7.

Round 7: 4 sc, sc3tog (dec), 4 sc – 9 sts

Rounds 8 – 10: 9 sc (3 rounds)

Fasten off.

EYES: For the little turtle I used 2 mm plastic eyes. After I finished the head, I glued them on Round 4, 7 to 8 stitches apart using tacky glue.

For the yarn turtle, I used black yarn to sew the eyes. The positioning of the eyes is the same.

Pull the two tails through the same stitch at the back of the head (neck area). We will use those later to sew the neck to the shell so the turtle will stay up straight.

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LEGS x 4

Use ecru thread.

Crochet in continuous rounds.

Round 1: (RS) mr, ch 1, 6 sc in the ring – 6 sts

Rounds 2 – 3: 6 sc

Fold the leg and crochet through the front and back stitch closing the leg (see picture). You should have 3 stitches left.

Fasten off.

Pull the yarn tails through the same stitch. Make a knot and cut the excess ends. Stuff the rest inside the legs.

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PART 3: Assembly

We will start by sewing the legs and head to the bottom shell of the turtle.

Use the tail from the bottom shell you left earlier.

Refer to the diagram below when sewing the legs and head to the bottom shell.

When sewing the pieces together, the RS of the bottom shell should be turned towards you.

Refer to the pictures below.

………………RIGHT SIDE (RS)…………………………………….WRONG SIDE (WS)…………..

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Sew in the FLO. The BLO will be used to sew the bottom and top shells together.

To sew the legs and head to the bottom shell, we will use the long tail we left after finishing the bottom shell. When you are not sewing body parts, sew through the stitches of the bottom shell to carry the thread. See pictures below.

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Start by sewing one of the legs. You will need to sew the three stitches of the leg to only two BLO stitches of the bottom shell.

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BLO stitches are left empty (see picture below). We will use them later to sew the bottom and top shells together.

Sew around for 2 stitches to carry the thread and then attach the head. You will be attaching 4 or 5 stitches of the front of the head (neck area) to only 3 stitches of the shell. Make sure the head is centered. Refer to the diagram on Page 6 and to the pictures below.

NOTE: The back four stitches of the head (neck area) will be attached to the top shell later.

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Sew around for 2 stitches to carry the thread and then attach the second leg the same way you did the first.

Sew around for 4 stitches to carry the thread and attach the third leg.

Sew around for five stitches to carry the thread and sew the last leg.

Weave in the ends.

Sew the top and bottom shells together using the empty loops you left earlier.

Stuff the shell well before finishing.

NOTE: If you are making your turtle with yarn, make sure you are not over stuffing. If you over stuff the body, the turtle’s belly (bottom shell) will not stay flat and the turtle will not be able to stand straight on its own.

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Sew the neck to the shell.

Use water to straighten the details you made earlier for the top shell.

And voila! You have made a tiny turtle!

I hope you enjoyed this pattern. Let me know in the comments below.

HAPPY CROCHET!