Tiny Turtle Plushy

After creating the Marshmallow Cat pattern, I decided to make it a friend. Meet the Tiny Turtle! Like the Marshmallow Cat, this little turtle is made all in one piece with no sewing and is perfect for using up small amounts of yarn. I'd say that this design is a little bit more complicated than the Marshmallow Cat, but it's still minimalist and oh so cute! If you've got an extra hour and some yarn on hand, I hope you'll give this sweet tiny turtle a try. 

The construction for the turtle is pretty simple: First you'll make the shell with one color, then you'll switch colors to make the underside of the turtle, leaving holes for the legs, head, and tail. You'll crochet the appendages directly into the holes and then you'll be done! I used safety eyes for mine since I felt too lazy to embroider anything, but you're welcome to stitch on eyes or add a mouth if you prefer. I'm betting it will be adorable either way. Let's get started!

If you're interested in an ad-free printable PDF version of this pattern, you can find one on Ravelry. A special thank you to everyone who supports my blog and keeps it running!

This pattern is written using US crochet terminology
Stitch Glossary:
st(s) = stitch(es)
ch = chain
ss = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
inc = sc increase (work 2 sc into the same st)
dec = sc decrease (I prefer to use an invisible decrease st)
rsc = reverse single crochet (aka crab stitch)
BLO = back loop only

Materials:

• 13 yds (7 g) of I Love This Yarn! in Blue Green Multi
• 24 yds (13 g) of I Love This Cotton! Yarn in Sage
• Size E (3.5 mm) crochet hook
• 2 (6.0 mm) safety eyes
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch marker

Note: This pattern is worked in continuous rounds without joining. I recommend using a stitch marker and moving it after each round to help you keep your place.

​Shell:
​Start with the Blue Green Multi yarn
Round 1: make a magic circle and work 6 sc into the circle (6)
Round 2: inc 6 times (12)
Round 3: [sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Round 4: sc around (18)
Round 5: [sc, inc, sc] 6 times (24)
Round 6: [sc in the next 3 sts, inc] 6 times (30)
Rounds 7-8: ​sc around (30)

Round 9: ss to next st, rsc around (30)
Fasten off. If you'd like, you can use the tapestry needle and the yarn tail to even off the end of the rsc round. 

Body:
Switch to the Sage yarn. Turn the shell so that the wrong side is facing you 
Round 1: working around the posts of Round 8 of the shell, sc around (30)

Round 2: sc around (30)
Round 3: ch 2, skip the next 2 sts, sc in the next 2 sts, [ch 3, skip the next 3 sts, sc in the next 2 sts] 4 times, ch 3, skip the next 3 sts, sc in the next st, dec (5 holes + 12 sc)
Round 4: sc in the BLO of the next 2 ch, dec, [sc in the BLO of the next 3 ch, dec] 5 times (22)
Begin stuffing. Continue to stuff as you go.
Round 5: [sc, dec] 7 times, dec (15)
Round 6: [dec, sc] 5 times (10)
Round 7: dec 5 times (5)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail. Finish stuffing. Using the tapestry needle, pull the yarn tail through the front loops of the last round and pull taut to close the hole. You should now have a finished body with 6 empty spaces for adding the head, legs, and tail. 

Head:
Use the Sage yarn and work into the central ch-3 space
Round 1: sc 6 times evenly around the hole (6)
Round 2: sc around (6)
Round 3: inc 6 times (12)
Round 4: [inc, sc] 6 times (18)
Rounds 5-7: sc around (18)
Round 8: [dec, sc] 6 times (12)
Pause and add the safety eyes between rounds 7 and 8
Round 9: dec 6 times (6)
​Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail. Stuff the head. Using the tapestry needle, pull the yarn tail through the front loops of the last round and pull taut to close the hole.

Tail:
Use the Sage yarn and work into the smallest ch-2 space (opposite the head)
Round 1: sc 4 times evenly around the hole (4)
Round 2: sc around (4)
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail. (No need to stuff the tail.) Using the tapestry needle, pull the yarn tail through the front loops of the last round and pull taut to close the hole.

Leg (make 4):
Use the Sage yarn and work into one of the remaining ch-3 spaces
Round 1: sc 6 times evenly around the hole (6)
Round 2: [inc, sc in the next 2 sts] 2 times (8)
Round 3: [sc, inc] 4 times (12)
Round 4: sc around (12)
Round 5: working in BLO, dec 6 times (6)
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail. Stuff the leg. Using the tapestry needle, pull the yarn tail through the front loops of the last round and pull taut to close the hole.

Weave in any remaining ends. 

You did it! You've now made your own Tiny Turtle friend. 

I hope that you enjoyed this free crochet pattern! If you have any comments or questions about this pattern, you can reach me in the comments section below, by email, or on social media and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. And, of course, I always love seeing what you make, so feel free to share a picture if you end up making one. Happy hooking!

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​***You're welcome to do whatever you'd like to with finished products made from this pattern but if you do sell them, I ask that you link back to my page. You may not copy this pattern, repost it anywhere (either altered or in its original form), or claim it as your own. You may not use any photos on this site for your own use. ***