Small Crochet Turtle Pattern - Zippy

If you like this cute turtle you might also like Wilbur a small crochet bunny, this mini crochet octopus, or this free amigurumi pattern for a sitting crochet angel.

About This

• Quick to make - you can make this in about 1-2 hours depending on your skill level.
• Beginner-friendly - This project is great for beginners who are learning basic crochet stitches. It is manageable in size and helps build skills without being overwhelming.
• This crochet pattern is free for you to use. You can access a printable pattern card at the end of this post. 

Meet Zippy The Small Crochet Turtle

In a quiet pond, there was a turtle named Zippy who loved sports. Unlike other turtles, Zippy was super speedy. 

He challenged everyone to races and always surprised them with his quickness.

Zippy's favorite race partner was an otter named Ollie. Together, they organized races around the pond, and soon everyone wanted to join in.

One day, an old tortoise named Grandpa Turt told Zippy, "Speed is fun, but remember, it's the joy of racing that matters."

Zippy realized Grandpa Turt was right. From then on, Zippy raced not just to win but to enjoy every moment with his friends.

And so, in that little pond, Zippy taught everyone that racing is about friendship and having a good time. 

With each race, Zippy's excitement and spirit shone brighter than ever.

Crochet Stitches In This Pattern

To make this amigurumi turtle pattern you will need to know some basic crochet stitches like how to make a magic ring, how to chain stitch, and how to single crochet.

Invisible Decrease (invdec)

In this pattern, you will need to do something called 'invisible decreases. Do not worry if you are not sure how to do it! Check out our post on making a single crochet invisible decrease to learn all about it. It is easy, I promise!

Front Loops (FLO) And Back Loops (BLO)

In this pattern, you will need to know the difference between the front or back loops of stitches. If you are not sure what this means, check out our blog post understanding front and back loops in crochet. It explains everything in a super easy way.

Amigurumi Tips for Beginners

New to amigurumi? Check out our blog post for beginner-friendly tips! Learn essential techniques and troubleshoot common challenges to make your crochet projects a success.

Type Of Yarn To Use

We made this small crochet turtle using a #6 chenille blanket yarn. But you can use a similar, thicker, or lighter-weight yarn to make these larger or smaller.

Skill Level

Beginner

What You Will Need

We used an acrylic/polyester blend, #6 super bulky blanket yarn with 5 WPI (wraps per inch):

• Color A (shell top) -15.3 yards (14 meters) of yarn
• Color B (under shell, head, legs, and tail) - 15.3 yards (14 meters) of yarn

Crochet Hook

• 6mm (J/10) 

Notions

• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• 2 x 10 mm safety eyes
• Fiberfill toy stuffing.

Finished Size

This small crochet turtle is about 3 inches (7.6 cm) tall and about 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) long using the above yarn weight and hook size.

Gauge

For this project, you don't have to worry about the gauge, but it's crucial to keep the stitches tight.

This stops the stuffing from popping out. If you see the filling showing, try using a smaller hook to make the stitches tighter.

Stitches And Abbreviations Used

• MR - magic ring
• ch - chain stitch
• sc - single crochet
• invdec - invisible decrease - see special stitches below
• sp - space
• st/sts - stitch/stitches
• rpt - repeat
• hk - hook
• YO - yarn over
• FLO - front of loop
• BLO - back of loop
• lp/loops - loop/loops
• [ ] - at the end of a round indicates the number of stitches in that round

Special Stitches

invdec – Insert hk in FLO of next st, then in FLO of next st, YO, pull through 2-lps, YO, pull through 2-lps.

Pattern Notes

• This pattern is worked in a spiral, so do not join the rounds as you go, unless otherwise stated in the pattern.
• Use a stitch maker to mark the first stitch of each round. This will help you keep track of the start and end of a round.
• Ensure the pattern stays accurate by counting the stitches in each round.

Instructions

Head - Round One

Round 1, color B - Make 6 single crochet into a magic ring, and pull the yarn tail tight to close the circle. [6 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version 

Rnd 1, col B - 6sc in MR. [6sc]

Round Two

Round 2 - *1 single crochet in the next stitch, then make 2 single crochet in the next, repeat from * 3 times. [9 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version 

Rnd 2 - *1sc in next st, 2sc in next, rpt from * 3 times. [9sc]

Round Three

Round 3 - Make 1 single crochet in each of the next 9 stitches. [9 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version 

Rnd 3 - 1sc in next 9-sts. [9sc]

Attach safety eyes - Position the eyes between rounds 2 and 3 on opposite sides of the head.

Round Four

Round 4 - Make 1 single crochet in the next stitch, then make an invisible decrease, and repeat from * 3 times. [ 6 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version 

Rnd 4 - 1sc in next st, invdec, rpt from * 3 times. [6sc]

Round Five

Round 5 - Make 1 single crochet in the next 6 stitches, cut yarn, leave a long yarn tail for sewing, and fasten off. [6 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version 

Rnd 5 - 1sc in next 6-sts, cut yarn, leave a long yarn tail for sewing, and fasten off. [6sc]

Stuff - Fill the head with stuffing. Then thread the yarn tail onto a tapestry needle and sew the head opening closed, leaving the yarn tail uncut for sewing to the body later.

Shell Top - Round One

Round 1, color A - Make 12 single crochet in a magic ring, and pull the yarn tail tight to close the ring. [12 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 1, col A - 12sc in magic ring. [12sc]

Round Two

Round - *1 single crochet in the next stitch, then make 2 single crochet in the next, repeat from * 6 times. [18 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 2 - *1sc in next st, 2sc in next, rpt from * 6 times. [18sc]

Rounds Three to Four

Rounds 3-4 - Make 1 single crochet in the next 18 stitches. [18 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version

Rnds 3-4 - 1sc in next 18-sts. [18sc in each rnd]

Round Five

Round 5 - Make 1 single crochet in the front loops of the 18 stitches in round 4, cut yarn, leave a tail, and fasten off. [18 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 5 - 1sc in FLO of 18-sts of rnd 4, cut yarn, leave a tail, and fasten off. [18sc]

Under Shell - Round Six

Round 6, Color B - Make 1 single crochet in the back loops of the 18 stitches of round 4. [18 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 6, col B - 1sc in BLO of the 18-st of rnd 4. [18sc]

Round Seven

Round 7 - *1 single crochet in the next stitch, then make an invisible decrease, and repeat from * 6 times. [12 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 7 - *1sc in next st, invdec, rpt from * 6 times. [12sc]

Round Eight

Round 8 - Make * an invisible decrease, repeat from * 6 times, cut yarn, leave a tail for sewing, and fasten off. [6 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 8 - *invdec, rpt from * 6 times, cut yarn, leave a tail for sewing, fasten off. [6sc]

Stuff - Fill the shell with fiberfill stuffing. 

Close opening - Thread the yarn tail onto a tapestry needle and sew the opening closed. To close the opening, slip the needle under each of the front loops of the stitches in the last round, pull tight to close, and weave the yarn tail inside the shell.

Attach head - Thread the yarn tail from the head onto a tapestry needle. Position the head near the yarn tail of color A (top of shell). 

Sew the base of the head to the underside of the shell along a round 6 (the first round of the undershell) and fasten off.

Sew the head to the shell - Thread the yarn tail of color A onto the needle, insert it into the shell, and draw the yarn up between rounds 3 and four of the shell directly behind the head. 

Next, push the head back towards the shell insert the needle into the head catching a few stitches, and pull it tight so the head is drawn back to the shell, make a few more stitches to secure the head, and fasten it off.

Tail

Leave a long starting yarn tail. On the opposite side to the head, slip stitch yarn color B into a stitch in round 6 (the 1st round of the undershell), chain 4, cut yarn leave a long tail for sewing, and fasten off.

Thread the end yarn tail onto a needle and insert the needle into the same stitch as the starting slip stitch, this will form a loop for the tail.

Weave in the end of the yarn tail, and tie the two ends on the inside of the shell to fasten it off.

Legs (Make 4) - Round One

Round 1, Color B - Chain 2, make 5 single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook. [5 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 1, col B - ch2, 5sc in 2nd ch from hk. [5sc]

Round Two

Round 2 - Make 1 single crochet in each of the next 5 stitches. [5 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 2 - 1sc in next 5-sts. [5sc]

Round Three

Round 3 - Make 1 single crochet in the next 5 stitches, slip stitch into the next stitch, cut yarn leave a long tail for sewing. [5 single crochet in this round.]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 3 - 1sc in next 5-sts, sl st into next st, cut yarn leave a long tail for sewing. [5sc]

Stuff - lightly stuff the leg with a small amount of filling.

This completes one leg. Repeat rounds 1 - 3 to make 3 more.

Attach legs - Thread the yarn tail onto a needle, and sew the opening closed.

Sew the legs to the underside of the shell (color B side). Position two legs near the neck on opposite sides and two legs at the rear near the tail on opposite sides.

Thank you for crocheting along with me to make this cute small crochet turtle! I hope you had fun making it.

I'd love to hear about your experience. Did you face any challenges? Learn something new? Please share in the comments below. Your thoughts can help me write better patterns and others who are also trying this pattern.

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