Get ready for a slow and steady adventure with this Amigurumi Turtle Riding a Snail crochet pattern! This whimsical duo brings double the charm with a tiny turtle perched proudly atop its snail companion, creating a delightful scene straight out of a storybook. Whether you’re crafting for animal lovers, adding a playful touch to your decor, or simply enjoy making imaginative amigurumi, this pattern lets you stitch up a dynamic pair full of personality! Perfect for sparking smiles and conversation, this crochet creation adds a touch of handmade magic to any space. 🐢🐌✨
Designed for customization, this pattern invites you to play with earthy tones, embroidered details, or even tiny accessories like a miniature leaf umbrella or a trail of flowers for extra flair. Craft a classic turtle and snail with natural hues, go bold with bright, cheerful colors, or even stitch up a full set of forest critters for a whimsical display! Whether gifted as a thoughtful keepsake, displayed as a charming accent, or made simply for the joy of crafting, this Amigurumi Turtle Riding a Snail is a fun and creative project—perfect for bringing a touch of handmade storytelling to every stitch! 🧶💖✨
🐢🐌 Amigurumi Turtle Riding a Snail Crochet Pattern
Meet the slowest — and cutest — travel duo in the crochet world! This Turtle Riding a Snail pattern captures a moment of gentle whimsy: a mint-green turtle perched happily atop a bright yellow snail with a coral spiral shell and teal ruffles. The finished piece makes a joyful handmade gift or a centerpiece that brings instant smiles.
✨ Skill Level
Intermediate – You’ll practice shaping, color changes, spiral construction, and layered assembly.
📏 Finished Size
Approximately 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) tall when made with DK or light worsted yarn and a 2.5–3 mm hook.
🧶 Materials
- Yarn (DK or Worsted weight)
- Yellow – snail body (about 30 g)
- Coral red – snail shell (about 25 g)
- Teal – ruffle trim + ladybug dots (about 15 g)
- Pale mint green – turtle body, limbs, antennae (about 20 g)
- White – turtle belly (about 10 g)
- Red – turtle shell + antenna tips + reins (about 15 g)
- Black – embroidery and facial details (a few grams)
- Crochet hook: 2.5–3 mm
- 6 mm safety eyes
- Tapestry needle & stitch markers
- Polyester fiberfill
- Optional: floral wire or pipe cleaners (for reins and antennae)
🧵 Abbreviations (US Terms)
MR – Magic Ring
sc – Single Crochet
inc – Increase (2 sc in 1 st)
dec – Decrease (sc 2 together)
sl st – Slip Stitch
ch – Chain
BLO – Back Loop Only
FO – Fasten Off
🐌 SNAIL
Body – Curved Shape
With yellow yarn:
R1 MR 6 sc (6)
R2 inc ×6 (12)
R3 (1 sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4 (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
R5 (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
R6–12 sc around (30)
R13 (3 sc, dec) ×6 (24)
R14–16 sc around (24)
R17 (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
R18–22 sc around (18)
R23 (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
R24–26 sc around (24)
Stuffing Guidance:
Firmly stuff R1–12 to form a rounded back. From R13 onward, reduce stuffing density so the neck and head area bend naturally upward. This difference in firmness produces the distinctive arched posture seen in the photo.
FO and leave a long tail for sewing.
Antennae ×2 – Yellow with Rounded Tips
R1 MR 4 sc (4)
R2–5 sc around (4)
Switch to yellow-orange:
R6 inc ×4 (8)
R7–8 sc around (8)
R9 dec ×4 (4)
FO, stuff lightly, and sew evenly atop the head.
Shell – Coral Red Spiral
Ch 70, turn.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (69)
Row 2: BLO sc across (69)
Coil the strip tightly into a spiral, stitching each layer to the previous one as you go. The BLO rows form the subtle ridged texture visible in the photo.
Ruffle Trim – Teal
Attach teal yarn to the underside edge of the shell.
(sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st in next st) repeat all the way around for a scalloped frill. FO and weave in ends.
🐢 TURTLE
Body – Pale Mint Green
R1 MR 6 sc (6)
R2 inc ×6 (12)
R3 (1 sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4 (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
R5–10 sc around (24)
R11 (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
R12 (1 sc, dec) ×6 (12)
Stuff firmly. dec ×6 (6). FO and close.
Belly – White Oval
Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, 3 sc in last ch.
Work on other side: sc 2, inc in last (10).
Continue for 3 rounds, increasing at both ends to widen. FO and sew to front of body.
Head – Pale Mint Green
R1 MR 6 sc (6)
R2 inc ×6 (12)
R3 (1 sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4 (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
R5–9 sc around (24)
Insert eyes between R6–7 (6 st apart). Embroider a soft smile.
R10 (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
R11 (1 sc, dec) ×6 (12)
Stuff firmly, dec ×6 (6). FO.
Antennae – Green with Red Tips
R1 MR 4 sc (4)
R2–5 sc around (4)
Switch to red: inc ×4 (8)
R6–7 sc around (8)
R8 dec ×4 (4)
Stuff lightly and sew to top of head.
Legs ×4 – Light Green
R1 MR 6 sc (6)
R2–6 sc around (6)
Stuff lightly and FO leaving long tail for sewing.
Arms ×2 – Light Green with Red Reins
Same as legs but shorter (R2–5 only).
To make reins: with red yarn, ch 45 for each strap (or adjust length). FO. Later, attach one end to each hand and the other to the snail’s head below the antennae.
Shell – Red Ladybug Style
R1 MR 6 sc (6)
R2 inc ×6 (12)
R3 (1 sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4 (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
R5 (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
R6–8 sc around (30)
R9 (3 sc, dec) ×6 (24)
R10 (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
R11 (1 sc, dec) ×6 (12)
Stuff and FO. Sew onto back of turtle.
Dots – Teal
Make 5–6 small circles: MR 6 sc, sl st to join. FO and sew onto shell.
🧵 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
1️⃣ Sew the turtle’s head to its body so it leans slightly forward.
2️⃣ Attach arms and legs securely to the sides of the body.
3️⃣ Position the turtle on the top center of the snail shell and stitch through multiple layers of the shell for stability. This creates the balanced “riding” pose shown in the photo.
4️⃣ Anchor each red rein from the turtle’s hands to the snail’s head, just below the antennae.
5️⃣ Add any extra embroidery details or a touch of blush on both faces.
6️⃣ Shape the snail’s curve gently with your hands — steam lightly if needed to lock the pose.
💡 Customization Ideas
- Use pastel or neon tones to create a fantasy creature pair.
- Add tiny crochet flowers or mushrooms along the snail’s ruffle.
- Insert wire in antennae for gentle bending.
- Create multiple snails with differently colored turtles for a “slow parade.”
💛 Final Thoughts
This pattern celebrates patience, playfulness, and imagination — a turtle and snail who prove that friendship moves at its own pace. The carefully shaped snail curve, the ruffled shell edge, and the bright coral-and-teal details bring this piece vividly to life. Whether you display it on a shelf or gift it to someone special, it’s a project full of charm, color, and heart. 🐢🐌💕
