These Adorable Crochet Turtles Are Taking Over — Here’s How to Make Your Own

It’s official: crochet turtles are the unofficial mascots of cuteness.

They’re small, squishy, and somehow have more personality than some people I know.

Whether you’re a pro with a hook or you’ve just mastered your first chain stitch, these free tutorials will have you stitching up your own turtle army in no time.

Classic Crochet Turtle Patterns

Turtles and crochet hooks — that’s a combo I never knew I needed until I tried my first turtle project. It started with a clumsy little guy who looked more like a potato with legs, but hey, we all improve.

If you’ve never made a crochet turtle before, this is the place to start. These are your basic, all-purpose turtles — round shell, stubby legs, and a face that’s either adorable or mildly concerned, depending on your stitching skills.

Why Classic Crochet Turtles Work

• Easy shapes (shell, legs, head — nothing fancy)
• Perfect for beginners
• Works with almost any yarn you have lying around

Must-Have Materials

Item	Why You Need It
Yarn (Worsted or DK)	Not too thick, not too thin — perfect for turtles
Crochet Hook (4mm-5mm)	Comfortable size for beginner hands
Stuffing	Turtles need squishiness
Safety Eyes	Unless you want to stitch your own face

Basic Stitches You’ll Use

• Single Crochet (SC)
• Increase (INC)
• Decrease (DEC)
• Slip Stitch (SL ST)

If you can handle those, you’re ready to make a turtle.

Step-by-Step Pattern (Keep It Super Simple)

Head

Start with your main yarn color and a 4 mm hook (or whatever size matches your yarn).

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 – inc in each st around (12)

Round 3 – (sc 1, inc in next st) repeat around (18)

Round 4 – (sc 2, inc in next st) repeat around (24)

Round 5-7 – sc around (24) (That’s 72 stitches total across these rounds)

Add safety eyes between rounds 4 & 5

Round 8 – (sc 2, dec) repeat around (18)

Round 9 – (sc 1, dec) repeat around (12)

Stuff the head well

Shell (Top)

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 – inc in each st around (12)

Round 3 – (sc 1, inc in next st) repeat around (18)

Round 4 – (sc 2, inc in next st) repeat around (24)

Round 5 – (sc 3, inc in next st) repeat around (30)

Round 6-8 – sc around (30)

Leave long tail for sewing

Shell (Bottom)

Same as top shell, but you can skip rounds 7-8 if you want a flatter base.

Legs (Make 4)

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 – (sc 1, inc in next st) repeat around (9)

Round 3-5 – sc around (9)

Stuff lightly and leave long tail for sewing

Tail

Round 1 – sc 4 in a magic ring (4)

Round 2-3 – sc around (4)

Leave tail for sewing

Assembly Tips

• Sew the head to the front of the shell
• Attach the legs evenly on the sides, close to the bottom shell
• Pop the tiny tail on the back
• Make sure all parts are secure, especially if gifting to kids

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My First Turtle Fail

My first turtle came out so flat it looked like a coaster with legs. That’s when I learned — always use enough stuffing, and don’t crochet too tight unless you’re making a pancake turtle.

Tips for Success

• Use stitch markers so you don’t lose count (trust me, losing count is a lifestyle at this point)
• Try cotton yarn if you want firm turtles, acrylic if you like them squishier
• Faces make or break the cuteness — safety eyes help, but tiny stitched smiles work too

What Can You Do with Classic Turtles

• Desk buddies
• Baby shower gifts
• Keychains if you shrink the pattern
• Put them everywhere until your family begs you to stop

Crochet Sea Turtle Designs

Sea turtles always felt a bit fancy to me compared to regular turtles. Maybe it’s the flippers. Maybe it’s the fact they actually go places instead of just chilling under a log. Either way, crocheting a sea turtle feels like leveling up after you’ve made a few classic turtles.

The best part? You get to play around with colors — greens, blues, sandy browns — anything that gives you ocean vibes. And don’t worry if your flippers come out a little uneven. Mine always do, and they still look adorable.

step by step pattern

Sea Turtle Head

Use your main color (soft green, light brown, or whatever your turtle heart desires) with a 4 mm hook.

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 – inc in each st around (12)

Round 3 – (sc 1, inc in next st) repeat around (18)

Round 4 – (sc 2, inc in next st) repeat around (24)

Round 5-7 – sc around (24) (72 stitches total across these rounds)

Add safety eyes between rounds 4 & 5

Round 8 – (sc 2, dec) repeat around (18)

Round 9 – (sc 1, dec) repeat around (12)

Stuff the head until it’s slightly squishy

Shell (Top)

This is where you can get creative — sandy browns, coral pinks, or classic green all work.

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 – inc in each st around (12)

Round 3 – (sc 1, inc in next st) repeat around (18)

Round 4 – (sc 2, inc in next st) repeat around (24)

Round 5 – (sc 3, inc in next st) repeat around (30)

Round 6-8 – sc around (30)

Leave a long tail for sewing

Shell (Bottom)

Same pattern as the top shell, but you can stop after round 6 if you want a flatter base.

Front Flippers (Make 2)

Sea turtles need those wide flippers to cruise through imaginary oceans.

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 – (sc 1, inc in next st) repeat around (9)

Round 3-4 – sc around (9)

Round 5 – (sc 1, dec) repeat around (6)

Flatten slightly before sewing

Back Flippers (Make 2)

These are smaller, but still cute.

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2-3 – sc around (6)

Flatten slightly and leave a tail for sewing

Tail

Round 1 – sc 4 in a magic ring (4)

Round 2 – sc around (4)

Leave a tail for sewing

Assembly Tips

• Sew the head at the front of the top shell.
• Place the front flippers slightly angled forward — sea turtles need that aerodynamic style.
• Attach the smaller back flippers near the back edge.
• Pop the tiny tail in the middle, right between the back flippers.

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My First Sea Turtle Confession

My first sea turtle had one front flipper twice the size of the other. Looked like it was permanently waving. I kept it. Sometimes mistakes make the best turtles.

Fun & Unique Turtle Themes

Crochet turtles are already cute, but when you add a fun twist? They go from adorable to irresistible. Whether it’s a strawberry turtle, a sunflower turtle, or something totally wacky, themed turtles make perfect gifts and collectibles.

I’ve tried making a few unique turtle designs, and let me tell you—nothing humbles you faster than realizing your “sunflower” turtle looks more like a fried egg. But hey, that’s part of the fun!

Here are some cool themed turtles you can crochet, complete with free pattern ideas.

Strawberry Turtle

A turtle with a strawberry for a shell? It doesn’t get cuter than that. This one’s perfect for people who love fruit-themed crochet projects (or just really like strawberries).

Pattern

Head & Legs – Use green yarn for that fresh leafy look.

Shell (Top, Red or Pink)

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 – inc in each st around (12)

Round 3 – (sc 1, inc in next st) repeat around (18)

Round 4 – (sc 2, inc in next st) repeat around (24)

Round 5 – (sc 3, inc in next st) repeat around (30)

Round 6-8 – sc around (30)

Leave a long tail for sewing

Add Yellow or White Seed Stitches – Randomly stitch little “seeds” across the shell using embroidery thread or scrap yarn.

Shell (Bottom, Green or Light Pink) – Follow the same pattern as the top but stop after round 6 for a flatter base.

Leafy Turtle Hat (Optional)

If you want to go all in, make a few crochet leaves and attach them to the top of the shell. Now your turtle looks like a fresh-picked strawberry!

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Sunflower Turtle

If you love sunflowers, this turtle is for you. The shell is designed to look like the center of a sunflower, with bright petals around the edges.

Pattern

Head & Legs – Use green yarn for a plant-like look.

Shell (Top, Brown for the Seed Center)

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 – inc in each st around (12)

Round 3 – (sc 1, inc in next st) repeat around (18)

Round 4 – (sc 2, inc in next st) repeat around (24)

Round 5 – (sc 3, inc in next st) repeat around (30)

Round 6-8 – sc around (30)

Sunflower Petals (Make 10-12, Yellow Yarn)

• Chain 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc, dc, hdc, slip stitch back into base.
• Repeat this petal pattern 10-12 times around the shell.
• Sew petals evenly around the edges of the shell.

Shell (Bottom, Green or Brown) – Follow the same shell pattern but stop at round 6.

Other Fun Turtle Ideas

If strawberries and sunflowers aren’t your thing, try these!

• Pumpkin Turtle – A turtle with a pumpkin-shaped shell, perfect for fall.
• Galaxy Turtle – Dark blue and purple yarn with star-shaped embroidery.
• Rainbow Turtle – A multicolored shell with each round in a different shade.
• Turtle in a Hat – Give your turtle a tiny hat (witch hat, Santa hat, cowboy hat… why not?).

The best thing about themed turtles? No two are exactly alike. Try different colors, experiment with patterns, and don’t be afraid to mess up. Some of my “failures” turned out to be my favorite turtles.

Pop Culture Twist – Crochet Ninja Turtle

Let’s be honest, bro — when you hear “turtle,” it’s hard not to think about those pizza-loving ninjas. Crochet ninja turtles bring all that nostalgia into your yarn stash. The best part? You only need one basic turtle pattern, and with a little color magic, you’ve got all four heroes ready to fight crime (or sit on your shelf, judging your life choices).

I made my first ninja turtle after a late-night cartoon binge. He had one eye bigger than the other and a shell that looked more like a soggy biscuit, but I still showed him off like I won an award.

Here’s how you can make your own squad, mistakes and all.

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Pattern

Head, Legs, Tail – Use green yarn for all the body parts.

Shell (Top)

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 – inc in each st around (12)

Round 3 – (sc 1, inc in next st) repeat around (18)

Round 4 – (sc 2, inc in next st) repeat around (24)

Round 5 – (sc 3, inc in next st) repeat around (30)

Round 6-8 – sc around (30)

Leave a long tail for sewing

Shell (Bottom) – Same as the top shell, but stop after round 6 if you want a flatter base.

Mask (Choose Color Based on Turtle)

Turtle Name	Mask Color
Leonardo	Blue
Michelangelo	Orange
Donatello	Purple
Raphael	Red

Basic Mask Pattern (Make 1)

• Chain 15 (adjust based on head size).
• sc into each chain (14).
• Leave long tails on both sides to tie around the head.
• Position the mask so it fits right above the safety eyes.

You can leave it simple or stitch on tiny eye holes if you want that extra detail.

Weapons (Optional Add-Ons)

If you’re feeling fancy, you can crochet tiny weapons to go with each turtle:

• Leonardo – tiny crochet swords
• Michelangelo – nunchucks (two mini tubes connected with yarn)
• Donatello – tiny staff
• Raphael – crochet sai (or just tiny sticks if you’re tired)

Not gonna lie, bro, I gave up on making the weapons after my nunchucks looked like sad spaghetti.

Assembly Tips

• Sew the head, legs, and tail to the shell like any classic turtle.
• Tie the mask around the head and stitch it lightly in place so it doesn’t slide off mid-battle.
• Pose your turtles however you want — standing, sitting, or mid-pizza slice.

My First Ninja Turtle Fail

I made Raphael first. His mask covered half his face, and one of his legs was shorter than the others. Looked like he lost a fight with the crochet hook. Still my favorite.

Mini & Keychain Turtle Crochet Patterns

Big turtles are cute, but mini turtles? Those are next-level adorable. Something about seeing a tiny turtle dangling from a keychain just makes my day better.

I made my first mini turtle by accident. I used the wrong hook, my tension was tighter than my jeans after Eid, and boom — tiny turtle. Turned out so cute, I made a whole army of them for my keys, bag, and even my wife’s purse (she wasn’t thrilled).

Here’s how you can make your own pocket-sized buddies.

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Pattern

Head, Legs, Tail – Use any yarn you have, but lighter weight yarn works best for minis. I usually go for cotton or acrylic.

Head

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 – inc in each st around (12)

Round 3 – (sc 1, inc in next st) repeat around (18)

Round 4-5 – sc around (18)

Add safety eyes between rounds 3 & 4

Round 6 – (sc 1, dec) repeat around (12)

Round 7 – dec around (6)

Stuff the head firmly before closing

Shell (Top)

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 – inc in each st around (12)

Round 3 – (sc 1, inc in next st) repeat around (18)

Round 4 – (sc 2, inc in next st) repeat around (24)

Round 5 – sc around (24)

Shell (Bottom) – Same pattern, but stop after Round 4 for a slightly flatter base.

Legs (Make 4)

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2-3 – sc around (6)

Leave a tail for sewing

Tail

Round 1 – sc 4 in a magic ring (4)

Round 2 – sc around (4)

Assembly Tips

• Sew the head to the front of the shell.
• Attach legs evenly on the sides — they don’t have to be perfect. Wonky legs = extra charm.
• Pop the tiny tail on the back.

For Keychain Version

• Before sewing the shell halves together, attach a keychain ring or lobster clasp to the top of the shell with a strong loop of yarn.
• Make sure it’s secure so your turtle doesn’t escape.

My First Mini Turtle Mistake

I skipped stuffing one of the legs, and it ended up looking like a deflated balloon. Still attached it though — turtles deserve love even with floppy limbs.

Fun Ideas

• Make a rainbow of mini turtles and clip them to your bag.
• Gift them as party favors or random “thinking of you” surprises.
• Turn them into zipper pulls for backpacks or wallets.

Practical & Decorative Turtle Projects: Coasters

Crochet turtles don’t always have to sit on a shelf looking cute. Sometimes, they can actually do stuff — like keeping your table safe from coffee spills. That’s where turtle coasters come in, bro.

I made my first crochet turtle coaster because my wife said my turtles were cute, but useless. Challenge accepted. Now we’ve got turtles under every mug in the house. Some are round, some are wonky ovals, but they all do their job.

Here’s how you can whip up your own functional little turtle squad.

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Pattern

Shell (Coaster Body)

This is the main part that holds your cup, so it should be flat and sturdy. Cotton yarn works best since it handles heat and moisture better than acrylic.

Round 1 – sc 6 in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 – inc in each st around (12)

Round 3 – (sc 1, inc in next st) repeat around (18)

Round 4 – (sc 2, inc in next st) repeat around (24)

Round 5 – (sc 3, inc in next st) repeat around (30)

Round 6 – (sc 4, inc in next st) repeat around (36)

Keep adding rounds if you want a bigger coaster. Just follow the same pattern — increase every round by spacing out the increases.

Head (Flat)

Row 1 – Chain 4, turn, sc in each stitch (3)
Row 2 – inc in first st, sc in middle, inc in last st (5)
Row 3-4 – sc across (5)
Row 5 – dec, sc, dec (3)
Row 6 – sc across (3)
Leave a tail for sewing

Legs (Make 4)

Row 1 – Chain 3, turn, sc in each stitch (2)
Row 2-3 – sc across (2)
Leave a tail for sewing

Tail

Row 1 – Chain 2, turn, sc across (1)
Leave a tail for sewing

Assembly Tips

• Sew the head, legs, and tail to the edges of the coaster.
• Make sure the stitches are secure, especially if it’ll get regular use.
• You can add a little face to the head if you want, or leave it plain.

My First Turtle Coaster Fail

I made my first coaster with chunky acrylic yarn. It was so fluffy, cups slid right off like they were on an ice rink. Lesson learned — cotton yarn is the way to go.

Why Turtle Coasters Are Awesome

• They protect your table and look cute doing it.
• They make easy gifts for housewarmings, especially for people who love turtles (or just hate water rings).
• They’re beginner-friendly — no tricky shaping, just flat circles and a few small parts.