Crochet Handmade Turtle

• Yarn – Loopara 5ply combed cotton (Green 03, Blue 11, Blue 13 and Yellow 28)
• Hook – 3.0mm
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Fiber Fill
• Eyeball
• Molding strips
• Saliva pliers
• Yarn Needle
• Stitch marker
• Positioning pin

How to Crochet the Hexagonal Shell (Make 1)

1. R1: Magic ring, ch 1,6 sc in ring, sl.
2. R2: Ch 1, 6 sc inc, sl.
3. R3: Ch 1, (sc, sc inc) 6 times, sl.
4. R4: Ch 1, (2 sc, 3 sc in next st) 6 times, sl.
5. R5: Ch 1, 3 sc, sc inc, (4 sc, sc inc) 5 times, sc, sl.
6. R6: Ch 1, 4 sc, 3 sc in next st, (5 sc, 3 sc in next st) 5 times, sc, sl.

How to Crochet the Square Shell (Make 6)

1. R1: Magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in ring, sl.
2. R2: Ch 1, 6 sc inc, sl.
3. R3: Ch 1, (sc, sc inc) 6 times, sl.
4. R4: Ch 1, 2 sc, 3 sc in next st, 3 sc, sc inc, 3 sc in next st, 4 sc inc, 3 sc in next st, sc inc, 3 sc, 3 sc in next st, sl.
5. R5: Ch 1, 3 sc, sc inc, 6 sc, 3 sc inc, 8 sc, 3 sc inc, 6 sc, sc inc, sc, sl.
6. R6: Ch 1, 4 sc, 3 sc in next st, 9 sc, 3 sc in next st, 13 sc, 3 sc in next st, 9 sc, 3 sc in next st, sc, sl.

How to Crochet the Shell Border (Make 1)

1. R1: Ch 96, sl st to first ch to form ring, sl.
2. R2: Ch 1, 96 sc, sl.
3. R3: Ch 1, 96 sc, sl.
4. R4: Ch 1, 96 sc, sl.

How to Crochet the Legs (Make 4)

1. R1: Magic ring, ch 1, 8 sc, sl.
2. R2: Ch 1, 8 sc inc, sl.
3. R3: Ch 1, (sc, sc inc) 8 times, sl.
4. R4: Ch 1, 24 sc in BLO, sl.
5. R5: Ch 1, 24 sc, sl.
6. R6: Ch 1, 24 sc, sl.
7. R7: Ch 1, (2 sc, sc2tog) 6 times, sl.
8. R8: Ch 1, 18 sc, sl.
9. R9: Ch 1, 18 sc, sl.
10. R10: Ch 1, 18 sc, sl.
11. R11: Ch 1, (sc, sc2tog) 6 times, sl.
12. R12: Ch 1, 6 sc, 6 hdc, sl.

How to Crochet the Head (Upper part)

1. R1: Magic ring, Ch 1, 8 sc in magic ring, sl.
2. R2: Ch 1, 8 sc inc, sl.
3. R3: Ch 1, (sc, sc inc) 8 times, sl.
4. R4: Ch 1, 24 sc, sl.
5. R5: Ch 1, (2 sc, sc inc) 8 times, sl.
6. R6: Ch 1, 32 sc, sl.
7. R7: Ch 1, 32 sc, sl.
8. R8: Ch 1, 32 sc, sl.
9. R9: Ch 1, 32 sc, sl.

How to Crochet the Head (Lower part)

1. R1: Magic ring, Ch 1, 8 sc in magic ring, sl.
2. R2: Ch 1, 3 (3 sc in next st), sc, 3 sc in next st, sc, 3 sc in next st, sc, sl.
3. R3: Ch 1, sc, sc inc, (2 sc, sc inc) 2 times, (3 sc, sc inc) 2 times, 2 sc, sl.
4. R4: Ch 1, 2 sc, 3 sc in next st, (3 sc, 3 sc in next st) 2 times, (4 sc, 3 sc in next st) 2 times, 2 sc, sl.

How to Crochet the Tail (Make 1)

1. R1: Ch 1, 3 sc in magic ring, sl.
2. R2: Ch 1, 3 sc inc, sl.
3. R3: Ch 1, 3 (sc, sc inc), sl.
4. R4: Ch 1, 9 sc, sl.
5. R5: Ch 1, 9 sc, sl.
6. R6: Ch 1, 9 sc, sl.
7. R7: Ch 1, 9 sc, sl.

How to Crochet the Belly (Make 1)

1. R1: Magic ring, ch 1, 8 sc in ring, sl.
2. R2: Ch 1, 8 sc inc, sl.
3. R3: Ch 1, (sc, sc inc) 8 times, sl.
4. R4: Ch 1, (2 sc, sc inc) 8 times, sl.
5. R5: Ch 1, (3 sc, sc inc) 8 times, sl.
6. R6: Ch 1, (4 sc, sc inc) 8 times, sl.
7. R7: Ch 1, 48 sc, sl.
8. R8: Ch 1, (5 sc, sc inc) 8 times, sl.
9. R9: Ch 1, (6 sc, sc inc) 8 times, sl.
10. R10: Ch 1, (7 sc, sc inc) 8 times, sl.
11. R11: Ch 1, 72 sc, sl.
12. R12: Ch 1, (8 sc, sc inc) 8 times, sl.
13. R13: Ch 1, (9 sc, sc inc) 8 times, sl.
14. R14: Ch 1, (10 sc, sc inc) 8 times, sl.

Shell Assembly

1. Prepare all parts. The main body should weigh approximately 62.2 grams.
2. Use stitch markers to secure the shell shape before starting to sew.
3. Use the whip stitch method and follow the reference photos. Hide yarn tails as you sew.
4. After completing the final round, start sewing the edges, matching 12 stitches one by one.
5. Start with new yarn for the next section, paying attention to stitch placement.
6. Repeat the sewing process for the remaining sections.
7. Begin sewing the shell border, working through the outer half of each stitch, matching stitches one by one. Hide yarn tails after completing the seam.

Belly Assembly

1. Begin sewing the belly, matching stitches one by one for secure attachment.
2. Leave a small opening after sewing most of it.
3. Stuff firmly with fiberfill, keeping the opening unsewn.
4. Sew around the shell's outer edge using a blanket stitch, working two stitches at once, then repeat.
5. Hide yarn tail through nearby stitches when finished.

Head Assembly

1. Continue using the whip stitch method, matching stitches one by one.
2. Leave a small opening and stuff with fiberfill.
3. Align with body position and continue sewing any remaining body parts.
4. Position head against body and start securing, add Molding strips for shaping, then complete sewing.

Legs and Tail Assembly

1. Stuff legs and tail with fiberfill before final assembly.
2. Use safety eyes to mark tail position, then secure with stitches.
3. Use safety eyes to mark leg positions, then secure with stitches.
4. Repeat the process for remaining legs.
5. Once assembly is complete, add eyes and embroider rosy cheeks.
6. Finally, add detail stitches to the legs to complete your turtle.

Crochet Tips:

1. When joining the legs, complete the slip stitch on one leg first before starting the single crochet for connecting to the second leg - this ensures secure and neat leg attachment.
2. Keep your tension consistent throughout to ensure all stitches are the same size.
3. Use invisible decrease stitches instead of regular single crochet decreases - this creates smaller holes and a neater finish.
4. When changing colors, make the change in the last step of the stitch from the previous round for smoother color transitions and cleaner details.

Assembly Tips:

1. When attaching and sewing the legs, maintain symmetry for a balanced look on both sides. You can gently press the turtle shell with an iron to flatten it slightly before assembly.
2. Insert a wire armature when assembling the head for better shape and support.
3. When attaching the head to the body, align carefully with the center line to avoid a crooked position.