Bring the adorable charm of a Turtle Hatchling to life with this Amigurumi Turtle Hatchling crochet pattern! 🐢✨ With its tiny flippers, rounded shell, and curious expression, this design captures the essence of a newborn sea turtle in yarn form. Whether you’re crafting for an ocean-inspired décor piece, a heartfelt gift, or simply love marine-themed amigurumi, this FREE pattern is a delightful addition to your collection.
Designed for crocheters of all skill levels, this pattern allows for customization in shell textures, flipper shapes, and even tiny accessories like embroidered details or a miniature sandy beach setting to enhance its personality. Choose classic greens and browns for a realistic look or experiment with pastel hues for a whimsical twist! Whether displayed as part of an underwater setup or gifted to a fellow crochet enthusiast, this amigurumi turtle hatchling is sure to bring smiles.
Grab your hook, select your favorite yarn, and let’s bring this tiny ocean traveler to life—one stitch at a time! 🧶✨
🐢 Amigurumi Turtle Hatchling Crochet Pattern
Bring a piece of the shoreline into your home with this sweet little turtle hatchling! With its domed shell, expressive head, and long flippers, this adorable sea-inspired friend is perfect as a gift, nursery decor, or a cute desk companion.
✨ Skill Level
Beginner–Intermediate – Simple amigurumi shapes worked in the round with basic assembly and careful positioning.
📏 Finished Size
Approx. 13–15 cm (5–6 in) long using worsted weight yarn and a 3.5 mm hook.
🧶 Materials & Yarn Amount
Worsted weight yarn
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Olive / moss green (head, neck, body, legs): 45–50 g
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Dark forest green (shell): 25–30 g
Other supplies
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3.5 mm crochet hook
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10–12 mm safety eyes (photo shows medium-large eyes)
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Polyfill stuffing
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Tapestry needle
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Stitch marker
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Scissors
🧵 Abbreviations (US Terms)
MR – magic ring
sc – single crochet
inc – increase (2 sc in same stitch)
dec – invisible decrease
sl st – slip stitch
FO – fasten off
🐢 Head (Olive)
The head is rounded and slightly elongated, not flat.
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MR 6 (6)
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inc ×6 (12)
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(sc, inc) ×6 (18)
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(2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
5–9. sc around (24)
Insert safety eyes between Rounds 5–6, about 7–8 stitches apart.
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(2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
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(sc, dec) ×6 (12)
Stuff firmly but keep the front smooth.
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dec ×6 (6)
FO, close.
🦒 Neck (Olive)
The photo clearly shows a long upright neck, not a short join.
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Attach yarn to underside of head
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sc evenly around the closing stitches (6)
3–10. sc around (6) — 8 straight rounds
Lightly stuff so the neck holds shape but can tilt slightly.
FO, leave tail to sew to body.
🐢 Body (Olive)
The body is rounded and horizontal, acting as a base for the shell.
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MR 6 (6)
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inc ×6 (12)
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(sc, inc) ×6 (18)
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(2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
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(3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
6–11. sc around (30)
Stuff firmly, shaping into a low oval.
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(3 sc, dec) ×6 (24)
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(2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
FO, close.
🐚 Shell (Dark Green – Domed)
The shell is tall, rounded, and placed on top, not wrapped around.
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MR 6 (6)
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inc ×6 (12)
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(sc, inc) ×6 (18)
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(2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
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(3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
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(4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
7–11. sc around (36)
Lightly stuff so it stays domed but soft.
FO, leave long tail.
🐾 Legs (Make 4 – Olive)
These are short, thick, and rounded, not flippers.
Each Leg
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MR 6 (6)
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(sc, inc) ×3 (9)
3–6. sc around (9)
Lightly stuff only the base.
FO, flatten slightly.
🪡 Assembly (Critical for Photo Accuracy)
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Sew neck to the FRONT-TOP of the body, angled upward
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Attach head so it tilts slightly forward
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Sew shell centered on top of body — shell should sit on the body, not wrap around
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Attach legs:
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Front legs slightly forward and outward
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Back legs slightly angled back
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Ensure turtle sits naturally with chest lifted
No tail is added — the photo shows none.
✨ Finishing Touches
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Do not embroider a mouth (photo shows none visible)
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Shape head and neck gently with fingers
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Adjust leg angles so the turtle looks mid-crawl
🌿Final Thoughts
Your amigurumi turtle hatchling is ready to explore the shorelines and bring joy wherever it goes. With its big shiny eyes, long flippers, and curved shell, this little buddy looks just like a baby turtle heading to the sea. 🐢💚
Crochet a single turtle as a special gift, or make a whole clutch for an adorable turtle family display.
