Adorable Sea Turtle

Adorable Sea Turtle Using Lion Brand® Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick®

ByEmila Lorein

Looking for a fun, fast, and adorable crochet project? Dive into this free Sea Turtle pattern using Lion Brand® Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick®—a chunky yarn that works up quickly and creates a huggable, textured finish! 🐢✨

Why You’ll Love This Pattern:

✅ Beginner-Friendly: Simple stitches (mostly single crochet!) and clear instructions.
✅ Quick Project: Chunky yarn means your turtle will be ready in no time.
✅ Customizable: Play with colors to make a vibrant reef turtle or a classic olive-green friend.
✅ Great for Gifts: A charming handmade keepsake for ocean lovers of all ages.

Perfect for:

  • Crocheters wanting to practice shaping and assembly.
  • Using up scrap yarn (try ombré shells or contrasting flippers!).
  • Adding a touch of whimsy to nurseries, shelves, or beachy decor.

Safety Note: While irresistibly cute, this turtle is not a toy for young children due to safety eyes and stuffing.

Skill Level: Easy
Finished Size: Approximately 13 inches (33 cm) long

Adorable Sea Turtle

Materials Needed

Yarn: Lion Brand® Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick® (Art. #640)

  • #099 Fisherman (1 ball, Color A)
  • #563 Hydro (1 ball, Color B)
  • #554 Driftwood (1 ball, Color C)

Tools:

  • 7mm crochet hook
  • Large-eyed blunt needle
  • Fiberfill stuffing
  • 10mm black safety eyes
  • Black embroidery floss

Gauge & Stitch Guide

Gauge: 10 sc + 10 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)

Key Stitches:

  • sc2tog (Single Crochet 2 Together): Insert hook into next stitch, draw up a loop. Repeat in the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook (1 stitch decreased).
  • Magic Ring: Wrap yarn around finger, insert hook, and work stitches into the ring for a tight center.
  • Invisible Join: After the last stitch, drop the loop, insert hook into the first stitch, pull up a loop, chain 1, and continue.

Pattern Notes

  1. The turtle is worked in 7 pieces: Head, Body (Top Shell, Under Shell, Shell Border), 2 Front Legs, 2 Back Legs, and Tail.
  2. All pieces use joined rounds with invisible joins.
  3. Safety Note: This is not a toy—never leave it with a baby or child unattended.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Head (Color A)

  • Rnd 1: Magic ring, 6 sc.
  • Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sc).
  • Rnd 3: 1 sc, 2 sc in next st around (18 sc).
  • Rnd 4: 2 sc, 2 sc in next st around (24 sc).
  • Rnds 5-12: Follow decreases and shaping as written.
  • Eyes: Insert safety eyes between Rnds 4-5, 10 stitches apart. Stuff firmly before closing.

2. Body

Top Shell (Color B)

  • Work increases from 8 sc to 64 sc over 12 rounds.

Under Shell (Color A)

  • Work in back loops only, then decrease to close the shell.

Shell Border (Color B)

  • Add texture by working in front loops of Rnd 12.

3. Legs & Tail (Color A)

  • Front Legs (x2): Start with 5 sc, increase to 14 sc, then shape.
  • Back Legs (x2): Similar to front legs but with slight shaping differences.
  • Tail: Simple tapered shape.

Finishing Touches

  1. Assemble: Sew head to the neck opening.
  2. Embroider Details:
  • Use black floss for the mouth and nostrils.
  • Add Color C stitches for shell texture.
  1. Attach Limbs: Position legs and tail symmetrically.
  2. Weave in Ends securely.

Final Thoughts

This chunky sea turtle is perfect for beginners and works up quickly with Lion Brand’s Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick®. The textured shell and cute details make it a charming decor piece or gift!

Want More Crochet Ideas?

  • Try different yarn colors for a unique look!
  • Experiment with safety eyes or embroidered details.

Would you like a simplified version or a video tutorial breakdown? Let me know in the comments! 🧶💙

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