Tuesday, 13 February 2018

George the turtle free pattern


 
As I mentioned in the previous post, here's the pattern for George the turtle. He's a little cutie, and super quick to make.  I hope you enjoy making your own version!



 

Introduction

 

George the turtle came about when I wanted to make a small toy for my then one year old – we’d been to the aquarium and had been fascinated by them. I couldn’t find a small, quick pattern I liked so I made George.

 

Notes

Dc2tog is a decrease over 2sts – I suggest using an invisible decrease (so first part through front loops only)

2dc into same stitch – this is the increase

Number in brackets at end of round is the number of stitches you should have.

This pattern is worked in a spiral, with no turning or joining at ends of rounds, so using a marker    helps to keep track of rounds.

When using magic circles, after closing sew in the ends securely so they won’t come undone.

 

Abbreviations

Dc - double crochet

tog - together

St(s) - stitch(es)

 

UK terms are used throughout the pattern

 

Materials

Small amount of wool – I’ve used leftover DK

Appropriate hook (largest size that doesn’t leave holes) – I’ve used a 3mm

Small amount of toy stuffing

Stitch marker or different colour thread to keep track of the rounds

Noise maker (optional – if you want it to rattle)

Needle for sewing

Scissors

 

Body

Starting with a magic circle, at the base of the body

Round 1 – Work 6dc into the magic circle (6)

Round 2 – 2dc into each st (12)

Round 3 – (Dc in next st, 2dc into next st) x 6 (18)

Round 4(Dc in next 2sts, 2dc in next st) x6 (24)

Round 5(Dc in next 3sts, 2dc in next st) x6 (30)

Round 6(Dc in next 4sts, 2dc in next st) x6 (36)

Round 7 – Dc in each st, working into back loops only (36)

Rounds 8 -10 – Dc in each st, (three rounds) (36)

Round 11 – (Dc in next 4sts, dc2tog) x 6 (30)

Round 12 – Dc in each st (30)

Round 13– (Dc in next 3sts, dc2tog) x 6 (24)

Round 14– Dc in each st (24)

Round 15– (Dc in next 2sts, dc2tog) x 6 (18)

Stuff and insert noise maker (if used) here – continue stuffing as you work

Round 16– (Dc2tog) x 9 (9)

Round 17– Dc into next st, (dc2tog) x 4 (5)

Fasten off leaving a long tail, add more toy stuffing if required and gather stitches to close – this will be the top of the body

 

Head

Starting with a magic circle

Round 1 – Work 6dc into the magic circle (6)

Round 2– 2dc into each st (12)

Round 3– (Dc in next st, 2dc into next stitch) x 6 (18) 

Round 4(Dc in next 2sts, 2dc in next st) x6 (24)

Rounds 5 to 7– Dc in each st (three rounds) (24)

Start inserting stuffing, and continue stuffing as you work

Round 8– (Dc in next 2sts, dc2tog) x 6 (18)

Round 9– (Dc in next st, dc2tog) x 6 (12)

Round 10– (Dc2tog) x 6 (6)

Fasten off leaving a long tail, finish stuffing and gather stitches to close

 

 

 

 

Front flippers (make 2)

Starting with a magic circle

Round 1 – Work 6dc into the magic circle (6)

Round 2– 2dc into each st (12)

Round 3– (Dc in next st, 2dc into next st) x 6 (18) 

Round 4(Dc in next 2sts, 2dc in next st) x6 (24)

Fold in half with wrong sides together, ch1 and working through both tops of sts together, dc around the semi-circle edge created to close (can also be sewn if preferred) (12)

Fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching to body

 

Back flippers (make 2)

Starting with a magic circle

Round 1 – Work 6dc into the magic circle (6)

Round 2– 2dc into each st (12)

Round 3– (Dc in next st, 2dc into next st) x 6 (18) 

Fold in half with wrong sides together, ch1 and working through both tops of sts together, dc around the semi-circle edge created to close (can also be sewn if preferred) (9)

Fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching to body

 

Assembling

Sew head onto body with the first round facing up – small tip: don’t sew it too high up as otherwise it will unbalance the body, it should sit a few rounds above the back loop only round, as you can see in the photo below.

Sew flippers in place on underside – this is the first 6 rounds, edged by the back loop only stitches in round 7 of the body – see photo below.






For the flippers it is nice if they are mirrored, that means that for one front flipper and one back flipper the tail thread is on the wrong side, so you have to weave the tail through to the other side of the flipper. This is up to you, as you can see in the photo I didn’t do that with mine.

 



 

Add face by embroidering eyes and mouth, using the picture at the top as a guide.

 

Here’s a top view to help with sewing up:


 

Thank you for joining me on this mini crochet along, and I hope you’ve enjoyed making George the turtle as much as I did designing him.

 


© 2018 Samantha Boreham

All rights reserved.

The pattern may not be reproduced, distributed or resold. Items made from this pattern and handmade by yourself may be sold in limited number, please give credit to the designer. Pattern and photos may not be used for commercial purpose without permission.