At Jones Luck, I believe in sharing the joy of crochet—especially the kind that makes you squeal a little when it’s done. Today’s project is exactly that: a ridiculously cute small turtle plush, perfect for gifting, desk buddies, or simply hoarding in a growing pile of handmade friends.
Whether you’re new to amigurumi or a seasoned yarn whisperer, this pattern is a low-stress, high-cuteness win.
Materials Needed
- 2 Yarn colors of your choice – https://amzn.to/4j6EhlS
- 4.5 mm crochet hook (or size appropriate for your yarn).https://amzn.to/3XR35Ge
- Stitch markers.
- Scissors.
- Blunt sewing needle.
- 4 mm safety eyes.https://amzn.to/4kHDOrY
- Polyester fiberfill.
Abbreviations
- MR – Magic Ring
- Ch – Chain
- St – Stitch
- Sc – Single crochet
- Inc – Increase
- Dec – Decrease
- FLO – Front loops only
- Slst – Slip stitch
- CC – Change color
- FO – Fasten off
Small Turtle Pattern
Head (White yarn)
- R1: MR 6 st [6]
- R2: Inc in each st around [12]
- R3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x6 [18]
- R4: (2 sc, 1 inc) x6 [24]
- R5: (3 sc, 1 inc) x6 [30]
- R6–R9: 30 sc [30]
- R10: (3 sc, 1 dec) x6 [24]
→ Insert safety eyes between R5 and R6, 10 stitches apart. - R11: (2 sc, 1 dec) x6 [18]
→ Stuff head. - R12: (1 sc, 1 dec) x6 [12]
- Slst, FO leaving long tail for sewing.
Front Fins (Make 2, white)
- R1: MR 8 st [8]
- R2: Inc in each st [16]
- R3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x8 [24]
- R4: (2 sc, 1 inc) x8 [32]
→ Fold fin in half and sc back across. Leave tail for sewing.
Back Fins (Make 2, white)
- R1: MR 8 st [8]
- R2: Inc in each st [16]
- R3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x8 [24]
→ Fold and sc back across. Leave tail.
→ Adjust tail direction with a needle for symmetry.
Tail
- R1: MR 6 st [6]
- R2–R4: 6 sc [6]
→ Slst, FO with a sewing tail.
Shell (Purple)
- R1: MR 6 st [6]
- R2: Inc in each st [12]
- R3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x6 [18]
- R4: (2 sc, 1 inc) x6 [24]
- R5: (3 sc, 1 inc) x6 [30]
- R6: (4 sc, 1 inc) x6 [36]
- R7–R8: 36 sc [36]
- R9: 36 sc in FLO [36] – Mark the back loop of first stitch for next round.
Switch to white yarn in previous st. Continue:
- R10: 36 sc in leftover back loops [36]
- R11: 4 sc, ch 3, skip 3, 4 sc, ch 2, skip 2, 3 sc, ch 3, skip 3,
3 sc, ch 2, skip 2, 4 sc, ch 3, skip 3, 5 sc [36] - R12: (4 sc, 1 dec) x6 [30]
- R13: (3 sc, 1 dec) x6 [24]
→ Sew on tail and fins now using images in pattern for correct placement.
- R14: (2 sc, 1 dec) x6 [18]
→ Stuff shell. - R15: (1 sc, 1 dec) x6 [12]
- R16: 6 dec [6]
→ Sew the FLO closed, pull and hide yarn inside.
Finishing Touches
- Sew head to the shell using invisible stitches—needle goes up through the head, down through shell.
- Optional: add blush with pink yarn under each eye.
