Make a Cute Crochet Plush Turtle — Free Amigurumi Pattern & Step-by-Step Guide
Crochet plush turtles are absolutely adorable and a great small amigurumi project for crocheters of many skill levels. This pattern uses soft polyester yarn and basic single-crochet techniques to create a cuddly turtle with a sculpted shell, matching head, belly and four paws. Below you'll find the materials list, abbreviations, and the step-by-step rounds to crochet and assemble your plush turtle.
Crochet a sample to practice increases/decreases and stuffing placement; adjust safety-eye placement and stuffing to control the final expression and firmness.
Finished crochet plush turtle — example of the completed amigurumi using blue and beige yarn.
Materials:
- Yarn: Himalaya Dolphin Baby (100% polyester, 100 g/120 m)
- Hook size: 3.5 mm
- 6-7 mm safety eyes
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stitch marker
- Fiberfill for stuffing
Abbreviations:
R = row
sc = single crochet
inc = increase
dec = decrease
F.o. = finish off
( ) = number of stitches you should have at the end of the round/row
( ) * 6 = repeat whatever is between the brackets the number of times stated
Head
With blue yarn:
R 1: 6 sc in mc (6)
R 2: (inc) * 6 (12)
R 3: (1 sc, inc) * 6 (18)
R 4: (2 sc, inc) * 6 (24)
R 5-8: 24 sc (4 rows)
Insert safety eyes between R 4 and R 5 at the distance of 7-8 stitches (visible) from each other.
R 9: (2 sc, dec) * 6 (18)
R 10: (1 sc, dec) * 6 (12 )
Stuff with fiberfill.
R 11: (dec) * 6 (6)
F.o. and leave a long tail for sewing.
Paws (make 4)
With beige yarn:
R 1: 6 sc in mc (6)
R 2: (inc) * 6 (12)
R 3: (1 sc, inc) * 6 (18)
Do not stuff the paw.
Fold the paw flat and 9 sc through both sides across.
F.o.
Belly
With beige yarn:
R 1: 6 sc in mc (6)
R 2: (inc) * 6 (12)
R 3: (1 sc, inc) *6 (18)
In the next row crochet the paws onto the belly, crocheting 2 sc of the paw together with 2 sc of the body (or you can sew the paws to the belly later).
R 4: (2 sc, inc) * 6 (24)
R 5: (3 sc, inc) * 6 (30)
F.o.
Shell
With blue yarn:
R 1: 6 sc in mc (6)
R 2: (inc) *6 (12)
R 3: (1 sc, inc) *6 (18)
R 4: (2 sc, inc) * 6 (24)
R 5: (3 sc, inc) * 6 (30)
R 6: 30 sc
Do not cut the yarn!
Put out the belly and the shell together with inner part (wrong side to wrong side) and crochet through both parts with blue yarn 30 sc. Add stuffing just before closing.
Sew the head to the body.
Finishing tips: Weave in ends securely and add any embroidered mouth or nostrils as desired. Use light, even stuffing to keep shape without stretching stitches. If needed, adjust eye placement or yarn weight to change the toy's size and expression.