Learn How to make Crochet Turtle Pattern

This is a great pattern for a baby sea turtle. This little guy can be made in any color or with any type of yarn that you want, he is perfect for turtle lovers, and can easily be made by following this FREE crochet turtle pattern.

Our free crochet amigurumi turtle pattern will walk you through the process of creating your very own crochet baby sea turtle, all the way down to his tiny little flippers!

I am so very excited to share this free pattern along with my love of crochet with YOU! I hope that you will enjoy making this quick pattern and enjoy your cute little turtles.

Below you will find a pattern to make these cute little creatures in the perfect huggable size.

Let’s begin by looking at a few tips regarding supplies, then we will jump into the details of this free crochet pattern.

Yarn for a Crochet Turtle

I recommend using three different colors of yarn for this crochet turtle. I usually use a shade of green for his head, front legs, back legs, and tail. Then choose a different shell color, one color for the top of the shell, and another for the bottom of the shell. I like to use a shade of yellow or white yarn for the bottom of the shell, but both the top and bottom can be whatever color you prefer.

One thing I will point out, in addition to choosing whichever colors you prefer for your turtle, you can also use different types of yarn to make this little guy. If you want him to be a little larger, and super soft, then I would suggest using velvet yarn or soft blanket yarn. My personal favorite is to use velvet yarn.

You can also use a basic medium-weight yarn as well. This might not make as soft of a turtle compared to velvet, but you can still find nice soft regular yarn, for a reasonable price.

My suggestion is if you use thicker or heavier yarn, you will want to increase the size of your hook. Also, if you use a lighter-weight yarn, make sure you decrease the size of your hook.

How Do You Crochet a Larger Turtle?

This pattern will walk you through the step-by-step instructions to make a medium-sized crochet turtle. But, if you want to make him in different sizes, even a bit larger, then you can simply add a few rows to each part of his body. As a bonus, I will include a few instructions for you after the pattern to make a larger turtle.

How to Make a Mini Turtle

To make a mini turtle, you can simply decrease the number of stitches and rounds added to create the turtle. I will cover a few instructions on how to make a mini turtle in the bonus instructions below.

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Crochet Turtle Pattern: Free Crochet Pattern

Skill Level: Easy

Materials You Will Need:

– 3 colors of yarn (medium weight)

– 4.25 mm crochet hook (Size G – 4.25 mm hook recommended, but adjust as desired)

– 2 – 10 mm safety eyes

– stuffing material

– stitch marker (optional)

Note: Please note that this pattern is written in US terms.

Abbreviations:

ch – chain

sl st – slip stitch

sc – single crochet

FLO – front loops only

BLO – back loops only

dc – double crochet

inc – increase (2 single crochet in one stitch)

dec – decrease (one single crochet stitch to pull two stitches together)

Basic Crochet Stitches Instruction Break Down:

Magic Ring: A magic ring is an adjustable ring stitch you create. This ring is adjustable and can be tightened after all the stitches are placed in the ring. See how to make it with this video.

Single Crochet: A single crochet or sc is the main stitch that will be used in this pattern. To make a single crochet stitch, insert the hook in the stitch indicated. Yarn over and pull a loop through the stitch. Yarn over and pull the yarn through the two loops on the hook. This makes a single crochet stitch. Watch this quick video to see how.

Increase (inc): an increase stitch is when two stitches are placed in one stitch. In this pattern, an increase is made by placing 2 single crochet stitches in 1 stitch. Watch the short video to see how to increase.

Decrease (dec): a decrease stitch is when one stitch is made in over two stitches. In this pattern, you should insert your hook in the first stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Insert the hook in the next stitch, yarn over again, to pull up a second loop (3 on the hook now). Yarn over once more and pull through all three loops on the hook. This is a decrease stitch for a single crochet. See how with the quick video.

Learn How to Crochet With this Easy Guide!

NOTE: In this pattern, your stitches should go through both the front loop and back loop of a single crochet unless otherwise specified.

Free Pattern: Crochet Turtle Pattern

Turtle Head (Make 1)

RD 1: ch 2, in the first ch, add 6 sc, join with sl st to the first ch. (6st)

RD 2: ch 1, inc in each st around, join with sl st to the first ch. (12st)

RD 3: ch 1, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next st*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (18st)

RD 4: ch 1, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (24st)

RD 5: ch 1, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (30st)

RD 6: ch 1, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 4 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (36st)

RD 7 – 9: ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to the first ch. (36sc)

RD 10: ch 1, *dec, then 4 sc in each of the next sc spaces* repeat from * to *, join with sl st to the first ch. (30st)

RD 11: ch 1, *dec, then 3 sc in each of the next sc spaces* repeat from * to *, join with sl st to the first ch. (24st)

*Stuff the head with fiber-fill stuffing.

RD 12: ch 1, *dec, then 2 sc in each of the next sc spaces* repeat from * to *, join with sl st to the first ch. (18st)

RD 13: ch 1, *dec, then 1 sc in each of the next sc spaces* repeat from * to *, join with sl st to the first ch. (12st)

RD 14: ch 1, dec in each space around, join with sl st to the first ch. (6st)

RD 15: Weave the end through each space to pull the hole closed. Leave a long tail for sewing.

Top Shell Body (Make 1)

RD 1: ch 2, in the first ch, add 6 sc, join with sl st to the first ch. (6st)

RD 2: ch 1, inc in each st around, join with sl st to the first ch. (12st)

RD 3: ch 1, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next st*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (18st)

RD 4: ch 1, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (24st)

RD 5: ch 1, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (30st)

RD 6: ch 1, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 4 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (36st)

RD 7: ch 1, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 5 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (42st)

RD 8: ch 1, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 6 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (48st)

RD 9: ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to the first ch. (48st)

RD 10: ch 1, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next 7 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (54st)

RD 11-12: ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to the first ch. (54sc)

RD 13: ch 1, FLO sc in each st around, join with sl st to the first ch. (54sc)

Do not finish off.

working in the back loops to make the bottom of the shell

Bottom Shell

RD 14: To make the bottom of the shell, change color, then work in the back loops BLO of round 12. Sl st in the first st of round 12, ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to the first ch. (54sc)

RD 15: ch 1, *dec in next st, 1 sc in next 7 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (48st)

RD 16: ch 1, *dec in next st, 1 sc in next 6 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (42st)

RD 17: ch 1, *dec in next st, 1 sc in next 5 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (36st)

*Stuff the body with fiber fill stuffing.

RD 18: ch 1, *dec in next st, 1 sc in next 4 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (30st)

RD 19: ch 1, *dec in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (24st)

RD 20: ch 1, *dec in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (18st)

RD 20: ch 1, *dec in next st, 1 sc in next 1 sc sts*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (12st)

RD 21: ch 1, *dec in next st, and in each st around, join with sl st to the first ch. (6st)

RD 22: weave the yarn through each stitch to pull the hole closed. Finish off.

Front Legs – Front Flippers (Make 2)

RD 1: ch 2, in the first ch, add 8 sc, join with sl st to the first ch. (8st)

RD 2: ch 1, inc in each st around, join with sl st to the first ch. (16st)

RD 3: ch 1, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next st*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (24st)

RD 4: ch 1, *inc in next st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (32st)

RD 5: ch 1, *inc in next st, 3 sc in next st*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (40st)

*stuff if desired

RD 6: ch 1, fold in half, to form a semi-circle with wrong sides facing each other and do 1 sc in each st around (20 sc stitches). Finish off but be sure to leave a long tail for sewing the front legs to the body.

Back Legs (Make 2)

RD 1: ch 2, in the first ch, add 6 sc, join with sl st to the first ch. (6st)

RD 2: ch 1, inc in each st around, join with sl st to the first ch. (12st)

RD 3: ch 1, *inc in next st, 1 sc in next st*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (18st)

RD 4: ch 1, *inc in next st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat from * to * around. Join with sl st to the first ch. (18st)

RD 5: ch 1, fold in half, to form a semi-circle with wrong sides facing each other and do 1 sc in each st around (12 sc stitches). Finish off but be sure to leave a long tail for sewing the legs to the body.

Tail (Make 1)

RD 1: ch 2, 5 sc in the first st, join with sl st to the first ch. (5st)

RD 2: ch 1, inc in each st around, join with sl st to the first ch. (10st)

RD 3-5: ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to the first ch. (10 st)

RD 6: ch 1, dec in each st around, join with sl st to the first ch. (5st)

Finish off and leave a long tail for sewing. Stuff the tail with fiber fill if desired.

Assembly

Assemble the crochet sea turtle by taking the pieces you have created and threading a large needle with each of the long tails you left on each section of the turtle. Use the long tails to sew the turtle together. Once sewn together, weave in any remaining pieces of yarn.

Notes on Attaching the Fins

The beauty of sewing each piece of the crochet turtle on after it has been created is that you get to better determine where you want each body part to be located. Once you determine where you would like the back and front flipper fins to be attached, sew them securely in place where the color changes for the turtle shell.

Notes on Attaching the Head

When sewing the turtle head in place, you can adjust it so that it is located as desired. Then sew it securely in place. Make sure it is snugly attached before you finish off and weave in the ends of the yarn.

BONUS

How to Crochet a Larger Turtle

To make a larger turtle you are simply going to add additional increase rounds for each part of the turtle, especially the body and the head. For example, in the head instructions above, the last increase is in round 6. For a larger turtle, you can continue increasing the size for another 2 rounds, so that you end up with a total of 48 stitches around.

You would then repeat this process, adding two more increase rounds for the shell as well. This will mean that there will also be two additional decrease rounds for each body part as well.

When you make the sea turtle flippers, I would suggest that both the back and front legs are increased by only 1 round, so that they don’t become too large. There is no need to increase the size of the tail unless you want it to be a little longer.

How to make a Mini Turtle

To make a mini turtle, you are going to do the opposite. Instead of adding increase rows, you will skip a few of the rows. Depending on how small you want it to be, you can decrease the rows by two or three for each section of the turtle. This will allow you to use the same pattern to make a much smaller turtle.

Tips for Crocheting Amigurumi Turtle

Creating the Shell

The most challenging part of this crochet pattern is the last few rounds when creating the top part of the turtle’s shell. It is very important that you are working only in the front loops in this round, so that there is a place to start the stitches on the under side of the turtle shell.

Safety Considerations When Crocheting Amigurumi for Kids

It is also important to point out that I like to use safety eyes when making crochet stuffed toys. However, if you are making this project for very young children, it might be a wise idea to use another type of material for the eyes. This way the safety eyes don’t cause safety concerns for young kids.

Crochet Sea Turtle Pattern: Free PDF Pattern Download

If you would like to enjoy this pattern in a printable version, without ads I have included a free PDF pattern download for you. This digital pattern can be downloaded using the button below and includes some step-by-step pictures. Please note that this download is for your own personal use and not for public distribution of any kind.

Little Crochet Sea Turtle

These little guys are so adorable, and a lot of fun to make this finished product. If you have any questions about this pattern, feel free to send me an email, or comment below. I hope you enjoy using this pattern to make your own sweet turtles.

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Crochet Turtle Pattern

Materials

3 colors of yarn medium weight
4.25 mm crochet hook Size G – 4.25 mm hook recommended, but adjust as desired
2 safety eyes
stuffing material
stitch marker optional