For those of you living in the North hemisphere, Summer is literally around the corner, even though at least here in Michigan the rain and the chilly temperatures of the past few weeks scream Fall already!
In fact, the spring here has been so unpredictable that all I can think of is white sandy beaches and green palms.
Since my vacation is still pretty far away I thought to bring a bit of summer vibes to my craft room by crocheting a cute baby sea turtle.
When I was a kid, I happened to witness that magic moment when these little creatures come out of the egg and start running toward the ocean...what an experience! I will never forget it!
So, have you grabbed your hook and yarn yet?...It's crochet time!
***You can purchase an AD-FREE PDF of this pattern on Etsy HERE. The formatted PDF includes the step-by-step pictures!
Here's the FREE pattern! Enjoy!
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner/ Intermediate
YARN: Medium Weight Cotton Yarn (Lace 4) in Salmon, Light Gray, Dark Gray, White and Black
OTHER MATERIALS: Polyester Fiber Filler
HOOK SIZES: E/3,50 mm
STITCHES USED and ABBREVIATIONS: magic ring (mr), chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), reverse single crochet (reverse sc), back loop only (BLO), front loop only (FLO), decrease (dec), increase (inc), fasten off (F/O).
INSTRUCTIONS: work in rows (join with a sl st and ch1 at the end of each row) otherwise instructed.
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BODY (salmon and white yarn)
1) 8 sc in a mr (8)
2) inc around (16)
3) *1 sc, inc*, repeat ** around (24)
4) *2 sc, inc*, repeat ** around (32)
5) *3 sc, inc*, repeat ** around (40)
6) sc even (40)
7) *4 sc, inc*, repeat ** around (48)
8-9) sc even (48)
10) *5 sc, inc*, repeat ** around (56)
11-12) sc even (56)
13) *6 sc, inc*, repeat ** around (64)
14) working in FLO, 64 reverse sc (64)
Check this helpful tutorial to learn how to work the reverse single crochet:
15) switch to white yarn, work in BLO of round #13, *6 sc, dec*, repeat ** around (56)
16) *5 sc, dec*, repeat ** around (48)
17) *4 sc, dec*, repeat ** around (40); start stuffing the body
18) *3 sc, dec*, repeat ** around (32)
19) *2 sc, dec*, repeat ** around (24)
20) *1 sc, dec*, repeat ** around (16); finish stuffing the body firmly
21) dec around (8); F/O, close the hole and hide the yarn.
Embroider few horizontal short lines with some scrap dark gray yarn on the shell.
HEAD (light gray yarn)
1) 6 sc in a mr (6)
2) inc around (12)
3) *1 sc, 1 inc*, repeat ** around (18)
4) *2 sc, 1 inc*, repeat ** around (24)
5) *3 sc, 1 inc*, repeat ** around (30)
6) *4 sc, 1 inc*, repeat ** around (36)
7-11) sc even (36)
12) *4 sc, 1 dec*, repeat ** around (30)
13) *3 sc, 1 dec*, repeat ** around (24)
14) *2 sc, 1 dec*, repeat ** around (18); F/O and leave a long tail of yarn to sew the head to the body.
Stuff the head firmly.
Embroider the v-shaped EYES with some scrap black yarn.
FRONT LEGS (light gray yarn; make two)
1) 6 sc in a mr (6)
2) 4 sc, 2 inc (8)
3) sc even (8)
4) 6 sc, 2 inc (10)
5) sc even (10)
6) 8 sc, 2 inc (12)
7) 10 sc, 2 inc (14)
8) 4 sc, 2 inc, 4 sc, 2 dec (14)
9) 1 dec, 3 sc, 2 inc, 3 sc, 2 dec (13)
10) 1 sc, dec around (7); F/O and leave a long tail of yarn to sew the leg to the front side of the body (below the reverse sc round).
Do not stuff the leg, flatten it instead before attaching it.
BACK LEGS (light gray yarn; make two)
1) 6 sc in a mr (6)
2) 4 sc, 2 inc (8)
3) sc even (8)
4) 6 sc, 2 inc (10)
5) sc even (10)
6) 8 sc, 2 inc (12)
7) 3 sc, 2 inc, 3 sc, 2 dec (12)
8) 1 dec, 2 sc, 2 inc, 2 sc, 2 dec (11)
9) 1 sc, dec around (6); F/O and leave a long tail of yarn to sew the leg to the front side of the body (below the reverse sc round).
Do not stuff the leg, flatten it instead before attaching it.
TAIL (light gray yarn)
1) 4 sc in a mr (4)
2) *1 sc, 1 inc*, repeat ** twice (6)
2) *2 sc, 1 inc*, repeat ** twice (8); F/O and leave a long tail of yarn to sew the tail to the back of the body (below the reverse sc round).
Do not stuff the tail, flatten it instead before attaching it.
I can't wait to see your version of my BABY SEA TURTLE! Feel free to tag me (@elisascrochet) in your photos on Instagram or Facebook if you'd like!
Elisa
This pattern is an original pattern by Elisa Sartori of Elisa's Crochet. Â Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for your own personal use but please DO NOT sell the pattern or distribute it.
You may sell products made from this pattern but please clearly credit the design to me, Elisa Sartori of Elisa's Crochet. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you!
Hi...love the pattern but you are missing row 9 for the back legs. 😉