Slow and steady wins the cuteness race with the Amigurumi Baby Turtle, a tiny crochet treasure that’s ready to crawl into your heart! 🐢🧶 With its round shell, stubby little legs, and sweet stitched smile, this baby turtle is perfect for gifting, decorating, or simply adding a splash of handmade charm to your day. Whether you’re crafting a single hatchling or a whole turtle family, this pattern brings gentle joy to every stitch.
Perfect for crocheters who love animal-themed projects and soothing shapes, this pattern invites you to play with shell colors, add tiny accessories like bows or hats, or even personalize each turtle with embroidered initials. It’s a quick, satisfying make that’s ideal for beginners and seasoned stitchers alike. The Amigurumi Baby Turtle is a delightful way to stitch up smiles, one adorable loop at a time! 💚🧵
🐢 Amigurumi Turtle Crochet Pattern
This sweet little turtle is the perfect pocket-sized friend! With a dome-shaped shell, raised rim, and embroidered details, it looks just like a real turtle in mini form. Great for beginners ready to try shaping, and perfect as a gift or keepsake.
✨ Skill Level
Beginner–Intermediate (basic shaping, embroidery for shell detail).
📏 Finished Size
Approx. 4–5 inches (10–12 cm) long when made with DK weight yarn and a 2.5–3.0 mm hook.
🧶 Materials
- DK or light worsted cotton yarn:
- Light Green (head, flippers, rim)
- Dark Green (top shell + embroidery)
- Beige or Light Tan (underside shell)
- Crochet hook: 2.5–3.0 mm
- 8 mm safety eyes
- Fiberfill stuffing
- Yarn needle for embroidery + sewing
🔤 Abbreviations (US Terms)
- MR = Magic Ring
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in one stitch)
- dec = decrease (sc2tog)
- sl st = slip stitch
- ch = chain
- FLO = front loop only
- FO = fasten off
🐢 Pattern
Head (Light Green)
- MR, 6 sc (6)
- inc × 6 (12)
- (sc, inc) × 6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) × 6 (24)
5–7. sc around (24)
👉 Insert 8 mm safety eyes between Rounds 5–6, spaced 5 stitches apart. - (2 sc, dec) × 6 (18)
- (sc, dec) × 6 (12)
Stuff firmly. - dec × 6 (6)
FO, leave long tail for sewing.
Flippers ×4 (Light Green)
- MR, 6 sc (6)
- (sc, inc) × 3 (9)
3–6. sc around (9)
Lightly stuff (keep flat/oval).
FO, leave tail for sewing.
Tail (Light Green)
- MR, 4 sc (4)
- sc around (4)
- (sc, inc) × 2 (6)
FO, leave tail for sewing.
Shell Top (Dark Green)
- MR, 6 sc (6)
- inc × 6 (12)
- (sc, inc) × 6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) × 6 (24)
- (3 sc, inc) × 6 (30)
- (4 sc, inc) × 6 (36)
- (5 sc, inc) × 6 (42)
8–10. sc around (42) → this gives a dome shape.
FO, leave long tail.
Raised Rim (Light Green)
Join yarn to FLO of Round 7 of shell top.
sc around (42).
FO. This creates the visible shell ridge.
Shell Bottom (Beige/Light Tan)
- MR, 6 sc (6)
- inc × 6 (12)
- (sc, inc) × 6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) × 6 (24)
- (3 sc, inc) × 6 (30)
- (4 sc, inc) × 6 (36)
- (5 sc, inc) × 6 (42)
FO, leave long tail.
🧵 Assembly
- Sew head to the front edge of the shell top.
- Sew 2 flippers on each side, slightly angled outward.
- Attach tail at the back center.
- Place shell top and bottom together, insert stuffing, and sew closed securely.
🎨 Embroidery Details
Using Dark Green yarn:
- Surface-embroider 6 lines radiating from the center of the shell outward to the rim.
- Add a few short curved stitches around to mimic natural shell segments.
✅ Finishing Touches
- Embroider a small smile with black thread.
- Shape flippers gently so they curve outward.
- Press lightly with hands to form a dome-shaped shell.
🌟 Final Look
Your turtle should have:
✔ A domed shell with a raised ridge
✔ Big bright eyes and a little smile
✔ Cute flippers and tail
✔ Shell section lines embroidered for realism
This little turtle is ready to swim into someone’s heart! 🐢💚
