Double the charm, double the shell-tastic fun—this Amigurumi Turtle Twins Bookend crochet pattern is a delightful way to keep your favorite reads in line with a splash of whimsy! 🐢📚 These adorable twin turtles, with their cozy shells and gentle smiles, are designed to perch proudly on your shelf while adding a handmade touch of personality to your space. Whether you’re decorating a nursery, organizing your craft books, or just love turtles, this project brings both function and cuteness in perfect harmony.
Crafted to wrap around standard bookends, each turtle can be customized with playful colors, embroidered details, or even tiny accessories like bows or glasses to give them unique personalities. Their sturdy shape makes them ideal for keeping books upright, while their soft features make them irresistible companions for any room. Whether you’re gifting them to a fellow book lover or stitching them for your own cozy corner, these Turtle Twins Bookend Amigurumi are a joyful and satisfying project—perfect for stitching up a little shelved serenity, one loop at a time! 🧶💚✨
🐢 Amigurumi Turtle Twins Bookend Crochet Pattern
Turn your bookshelf into a cozy, handmade wonderland with these adorable crochet turtle bookends! Each turtle features a domed shell with bold beige ridges, plump little legs, and a cheerful smile. Weighted and reinforced, they’re both cute and practical — perfect for keeping your favorite reads upright while adding charm to any room.
✨ Skill Level
Intermediate – involves shaping, joining large hexagons, structural base work, and firm sewing for stability.
📏 Finished Size
🐢 Turtle: ~7.5 in (19 cm) tall
📚 Base: 6 × 8 in (15 × 20 cm) platform, 4 × 6 in (10 × 15 cm) upright panel
🧶 Materials
Yarn (Worsted Weight / Category 4):
- 🟢 Light Green – Head, limbs, tail: 55–60 g (~125 yd)
- 🟢 Dark Green – Shell hexagons: 35–40 g (~90 yd)
- 🤎 Beige/Tan – Shell joins, plastron, base: 150–180 g (~350–400 yd)
- 🖤 Black – Tiny amount for smile
Tools & Extras:
- 3.5 mm (E) crochet hook
- 10–12 mm amber safety eyes
- Fiberfill stuffing
- Poly pellets / small stones / washers (8–12 oz per turtle)
- Plastic canvas, MDF, or thick cardboard (for base reinforcement)
- Hot glue or strong craft glue
- Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers
🔤 Abbreviations (US Terms)
MR – Magic Ring
sc – Single Crochet
inc – Increase (2 sc in same st)
dec – Decrease (sc2tog)
ch – Chain
sl st – Slip Stitch
BLO – Back Loop Only
FLO – Front Loop Only
🧵 Crochet Pattern Instructions
🐢 Head (Light Green)
1️⃣ MR, 6 sc (6)
2️⃣ inc around (12)
3️⃣ (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
4️⃣ (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
5️⃣ (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
6️⃣ (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
7️⃣ (5 sc, inc) ×6 (42)
8–14️⃣ sc around (42)
15️⃣ (5 sc, dec) ×6 (36)
16️⃣ (4 sc, dec) ×6 (30)
17️⃣ (3 sc, dec) ×6 (24)
18️⃣ (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
👀 Insert safety eyes between rounds 10–11, spaced 8–9 stitches apart.
🧸 Stuff the head firmly and fasten off with a long tail for sewing.
😊 Embroider a curved smile using black yarn below the eyes.
🐾 Legs (Make 4 – Light Green)
1️⃣ MR, 8 sc (8)
2️⃣ (sc, inc) ×4 (12)
3️⃣ (2 sc, inc) ×4 (16)
4–16️⃣ sc around (16)
🪡 Stuff each leg very firmly for stability. Flatten the opening slightly before sewing.
FO leaving a long tail.
🌀 Tail (Light Green)
1️⃣ MR, 5 sc (5)
2️⃣ (sc, inc) ×2 + sc (7)
3–5️⃣ sc around (7)
6️⃣ (sc, dec) ×2 + sc (5)
Stuff lightly, pinch flat, and sew it angled downward beneath the shell’s back edge.
🐚 Shell (Dark Green + Beige)
Hexagons (Make 7) – Dark Green
1️⃣ MR, 6 sc (6)
2️⃣ inc around (12)
3️⃣ (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
4️⃣ (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
5️⃣ (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
FO with a long tail.
💡 You’ll have 1 center hexagon and 6 around it—the exact large pattern seen in the photo.
Joining Hexagons – Beige
🧵 Use beige yarn to single crochet two hexagons together through both loops, forming raised seams.
Join all seven in a flower shape (1 in center + 6 around).
These beige ridges are the visible honeycomb pattern on the turtle’s shell.
Shell Rim – Beige
Attach beige yarn to any outer edge.
1️⃣ sc evenly around the perimeter (~84–96 sts)
2️⃣ sc around again for a thick border
This two-round beige trim creates the smooth, pale rim visible at the base of the shell.
Plastron (Bottom Oval – Beige)
This tan underside connects to the shell and is visible between the turtle’s legs.
- Ch 10
- R1: sc in 2nd ch, sc 7, 3 sc in last ch, continue on other side of chain sc 7, 2 sc in first ch (20)
- R2–7: Continue increasing evenly at the ends until the oval matches the shell’s edge (~6–7 rounds total).
- Smooth shape: 63–65 sts final round
Pin plastron to the shell edge (beige side out).
sc through both layers, stuff as you close to form a domed top.
Leave 1 inch gap at the back to insert the tail, then close.
🧍 Assembly
1️⃣ Sew the head to the shell’s front edge, tilted slightly upward.
2️⃣ Attach front legs near the head, slightly forward.
3️⃣ Attach back legs near the rear lower edge.
4️⃣ Tail should peek beneath the shell rim, angled downward.
5️⃣ Adjust the limbs so all 4 rest flat when placed on a surface.
Your turtle should look like it’s hugging the bookend’s upright panel—just like in the photo!
📚 Bookend Base (Beige)
🔲 Horizontal Platform (6 × 8 in / 15 × 20 cm)
1️⃣ Ch 31
2️⃣ Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 29 (30)
3️⃣ Ch 1, turn, sc across (30)
4–26️⃣ Repeat until it measures 6 × 8 in
🌀 Round all corners slightly by decreasing 1 st at each end in the last two rows.
FO and make a second identical piece.
⬜ Vertical Back (4 × 6 in / 10 × 15 cm)
1️⃣ Ch 25
2️⃣ Row 1: sc in 2nd ch, sc 23 (24)
3️⃣ Ch 1, turn, sc across (24)
4–18️⃣ Repeat until it measures 4 × 6 in
Round corners slightly.
FO and make a second identical piece.
🧱 Reinforcement & Weight
1️⃣ Cut MDF, plastic canvas, or cardboard to fit both base panels.
2️⃣ Add 8–12 oz of pellets or stones to the horizontal base and glue pouch in the center.
3️⃣ Glue the vertical panel upright on one long edge, forming a firm L-shape.
4️⃣ Sandwich each insert between two crochet panels and single crochet around edges to close.
5️⃣ Join the two parts along the inside edge using sc to create one seamless L-shaped base.
✅ The result should stand freely and feel heavy and solid.
🪡 Attaching the Turtle
1️⃣ Position turtle so all 4 legs rest on the base and the shell leans on the upright panel.
2️⃣ Sew shell securely to the vertical part.
3️⃣ Sew each leg firmly to the platform.
4️⃣ Reinforce seams with multiple passes of yarn for durability.
💡 For the pair:
- Left turtle faces right.
- Right turtle faces left.
Together, they face inward toward the books — just like the photo!
🌟 Finishing Touches
✨ Use amber or brown safety eyes for warmth.
✨ Keep beige joins thick and even — this is the key design feature.
✨ Test balance with books before finishing.
✨ Optionally, add small bows or name tags for personalization.
🧮 Yarn Summary (Per Turtle + Base)
| Color | Usage | Approx. Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Light Green | Head, limbs, tail | 55–60 g (~125 yd) |
| Dark Green | Shell hexagons | 35–40 g (~90 yd) |
| Beige/Tan | Joins, plastron, base | 150–180 g (~350–400 yd) |
| Black | Smile embroidery | Scrap |
🎉 Your Amigurumi Turtle Twins Bookends are complete!
Strong, stable, and irresistibly cute — these little turtles will guard your favorite books with style and personality. Perfect for gifts, nurseries, or cozy home libraries.
Happy Crocheting! 🧶💚
