Free Crochet Pattern: Terra the Sea Turtle

As a kid I loved collecting little trinkets like pretty stones and coins and my stepdaughter is no different. She’s obsessed with all sorts tiny objects, but often loses them in the chaos of all her toys. So I came up with an adorable plushie that can store her favorite treasures. With this easy and free crochet pattern: Terra the Sea Turtle, you can make your very own treasure-holder plushie for that special kid in your life! Terra’s so cute that you might have to make one for yourself too!

©2023 cbfiberworks. This pattern or it’s parts are not allowed to be redistributed, copied or resold. Any items handmade by you from this pattern may be sold, but please credit me (cbfiberworks) as the designer.

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15 Days of December Discounts: Day 9!

It’s time to celebrate Day 9! This is your chance to get the premium pdf of Terra the Sea Turtle for only $1! But this awesome deal is only available today, so don’t wait!

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Free Crochet Pattern: Terra the Sea Turtle

Tester Photos

One of the things my testers loved about this project was how cute Terra turned out in all sorts of yarns and colors! Check out their amazing creations below:

This pattern was tech edited by the fabulous Candice Klyne! She helped me polish up this pattern and I appreciate her awesome feedback so much. If you need a tech editor or virtual assistant, check out her website here.

Project Materials

• Yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton! (2 skeins)
  • Color A: Bright Green (47yds)
  • Color B: Antique Gold (90yds)
• 3.25mm hook
• 14mm safety eyes
• 0.75in. Button (size optional)
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Polyfil

Stitch Abbreviations

(**) – See Project Notes section

• MR – magic ring (**)
• Sc – single crochet (**)
• Inc – increase (**)
• Dec – decrease (**)
• BLsc – back loop single crochet
• BLinc – back loop increase
• Hdc – half double crochet
• Dc – double crochet
• Ch – chain
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• Rnd – round
• Sk – skip
• (#) – the number inside is the stitch count for the Rnd
• { } – the stitches enclosed are all  worked into the same stitch
• [ ] – repeat the stitches inside the brackets the given number of times

Project Notes

• Final dimensions: L: 7.5in. x W: 7.5in. x H: 3in.
• This project is written in US terminology.
• Unless otherwise specified, work in continuous rounds without using a slip stitch to join rows.
• Move stitch markers up each row as you go.
• Magic Ring: Create a magic ring and work the specified number of single crochet into it (ex. MR6 = 6sc into the ring).
• Single Crochet: Unless otherwise specified, this project uses the yarn under technique. Insert your hook into the stitch, yarn under, pull up a loop (2 loops on your hook), yarn under, and pull through both loops.
• Increase: work 2sc into the same stitch.
• Decrease: Unless otherwise specified, use the invisible decrease method. Insert your hook into the front loop of the next stitch, then insert your hook into the front loop of the following stitch, yarn over and pull through the first loop (3 loops on the hook), then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.

Don’t like ads? Honestly me either, but ads help me earn income so that I can keep this blog running and it’s totally free for you. But if you would like this pattern without ads, you can get the premium, printable version in my Etsy, Ravelry, Ribblr and Ko-Fi shops!

Terra the Sea Turtle

Head

Use Color A (green).

Rnd 0: MR6

Rnd 1: inc 6 times. (12)

Rnd 2: [inc, sc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc, sc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 4: [inc, 3sc] 6 times. (30)

Rnds 5-8: sc around. (30)

Rnd 9: [2sc, dec] 3 times, 18sc. (27)

Rnd 10: sc around. (27)

Rnd 11: [sc, dec, sc] 3 times, 15sc. (24)

Rnd 12: sc around. (24)

NOTE: The decreases mark the top center of the head. Keep that in mind when placing the eyes.

Place the eyes on the sides of the head between Rnds 6 and 7 with about 10sts in between.

Rnd 13: [sc, dec] 3 times, 15sc. (21)

Rnd 14: sc around. (21)

Rnd 15: [dec, sc] 3 times, 12sc. (18)

Rnds 16-18: sc around. (18)

Fasten off with a short yarn tail (6-8in.). Firmly stuff the head, but only lightly stuff the neck.

Legs x4

Start with Color A (green).

Rnd 0: MR6

Rnd 1: inc 6 times. (12)

Rnd 2: [inc, sc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc, sc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 4: [inc, 3sc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 5: [2sc, inc, 2sc] 6 times. (36)

Fold the circle over like a taco. Remove the stitch marker. For Row 6, we’ll be working through both sides of the taco (under all 4 loops). 

NOTE: For Row 6, when you ch 1 and turn, be sure to insert your hook first into the next available st and then into the last st of the previous rnd.

Row 6: ch 1, turn, 13sc, 2hdc, 3dc. (18)

Fasten off with a short yarn tail (6-8in.).

Tail

Use Color A (green).

Rnd 0: MR6

Rnds 1-2: sc around. (6)

Rnd 3: [inc, sc] 3 times. (9)

Rnds 4-5: sc around. (9)

Rnd 6: [sc, inc, sc] 3 times. (12)

Rnds 7-8: sc around. (12)

Fasten off with a short yarn tail (6-8in.). Lightly stuff the tail.

The next couple of sections are a bit tricky and if you get stuck, you can grab the premium pdf pattern in my Etsy, Ravelry, Ribblr and Ko-Fi shops. The ad-free, premium pdf is printable and contains in-depth photo tutorials.

Body

Start with Color B (brown).

Rnd 0: MR6

Rnd 1: inc 6 times. (12)

Rnd 2: [inc, sc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc, sc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 4: [inc, 3sc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 5: [2sc, inc, 2sc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 6: [inc, 5sc] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 7: [3BLsc, BLinc, 3BLsc] 6 times. (48)

Place a different colored stitch marker (yellow) in the unworked front loop of the first stitch of Rnd 7.

Rnd 8: [inc, 7sc] 6 times. (54)

Rnd 9: [4sc, inc, 4sc] 6 times. (60)

Rnd 10: BLsc across. (60)

Place a different colored stitch marker (blue) in the unworked front loop of the first stitch of Rnd 10.

Rnd 11: sc around. (60)

In Rnd 12, we’ll be attaching the head first and then the tail. Prep for this rnd by pressing the open ends of the head and tail flat.

When attaching the Head, hold it with the open end facing up and the top of the head facing your project. Find the stitch where you fastened off the Head and count over 9 stitches (this is where you’ll insert your hook).

For the Tail, find the stitch where you fastened off and count over 6 stitches (this is where you’ll insert your hook).

When connecting the head and tail, insert your hook into the indicated stitch on the piece (head or tail) from the inside out. Then insert your hook under both loops of the next stitch on the body. Then complete the single crochet. If you get stuck check out this video tutorial on joining pieces.

Rnd 12: 3sc, connect Head with 9sc, 22sc, connect Tail with 6sc, 20sc. (60)

For Rnd 13, we’ll be ignoring the 9 stitches used to join the Head and the 6 stitches used to join the Tail. Instead, work around the outside edges of these pieces.

We’ll also be attaching the Legs in Rnd 13 by working through the tops of each of the 3dc on each leg and stitches on the body.

NOTE: The flat edge of the Legs should always point toward the Head. Take note of the positioning of each leg before attaching.

Rnd 13: 3sc, connect Head: 9sc, 4sc, connect Leg 1: 3sc, 8sc, connect Leg 2: 3sc, 4sc, connect Tail: 6sc, 4sc, connect Leg 3: 3sc, 8sc, connect Leg 4: 3sc, 2sc. (60)

Rnd 14: sc around. (60)

Rnd 15: [4sc, dec, 4sc] 6 times. (54)

Rnd 16: [dec, 7sc] 6 times. (48)

Rnd 17: [3sc, dec, 3sc] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 18: [dec, 5sc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 19: [2sc, dec, 2sc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 20: [dec, 3sc] 6 times. (24)

Start stuffing the body. OPTIONAL: You can lightly stuff the tail, but I don’t recommend adding more stuffing to the neck because it’s supposed to remain a bit narrow.

Rnd 21:  [sc, dec, sc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 22: [dec, sc] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 23: dec 6 times. (6)

Fasten off with a short yarn tail (6-8in.). Use a tapestry needle to sew the remaining hole shut and then weave the tail into the body.

Shell Compartment

Start with Color B (brown).

Attach Color B with a ch 1 into the first unworked front loop of Rnd 7 (yellow stitch marker). The ch 1 does not count as a stitch. Work all of Rnd 1 in the remaining front loops.

NOTE: Be sure to start Rnd 1 so that the right side of the stitches is facing inward and the wrong side is facing outward. 

Rnd 1: sc around. (42)

Continue to Rnd 2 by working directly into the top of the first stitch of Rnd 1 (place a stitch marker). 

Rnds 2-4: sc around. (42)

Rnd 5: [3BLsc, BLinc, 3BLsc] 6 times. (48)

Rnd 6: [inc, 7sc] 6 times. (54)

Rnd 7: [4sc, inc, 4sc] 6 times. (60)

Rnds 8-9: sc around. (60)

Flip the edge down so that Rnd 9 lines up with the unworked front loops of Rnd 10 on the body. In Rnd 10, we’ll be connecting these two with single crochet stitches.

NOTE: We marked the unworked front loop of Rnd 10 with a blue stitch marker earlier. However, when you’re lining up the two rows, if your starting stitch has drifted a bit, just start Rnd 11 in the front loop stitch it lines up with. Remove the blue stitch marker.

To do this, insert your hook into the next stitch, then insert your hook into the matching unworked front loop. Then complete the single crochet. 

Rnd 10: sc around. (60)

NOTE: Every 10 or so stitches, pause and lightly stuff the inside.

Rnds 11-15: sc around. (60)

Fasten off with a short yarn tail (6-8in.). Use a tapestry needle to weave the remaining yarn tail into the body.

Shell Lid

Start with Color B (brown).

Rnd 0: MR6

Rnd 1: inc 6 times. (12)

Rnd 2: [inc, sc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc, sc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 4: [inc, 3sc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 5: [2sc, inc, 2sc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 6: [inc, 5sc] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 7: sc around. (42)

NOTE: Get the button you’ve picked and when working the chains in Rnd 8, adjust as needed so you can slip the button through without it being too loose.

Rnd 8: 5sc, ch 3, sk 3, 34sc. (42)

Fasten off with a short yarn tail (6-8in.). Use a tapestry needle to weave the remaining yarn tail into the underside of the lid.

Assembly

Use 4 stitch markers to mark the places where the button and part of the Shell Lid will be sewn. Find the center line from the Head to the Tail and mark out 6 stitches (unworked front loops from Rnd 5 of the Shell Compartment) on the side closest to the head. 

Then directly across from those marked stitches, mark out 2 stitches (on the unworked front loops). (This is the side closest to the tail.)

Cut a short length of Color B (brown) (6-8in.) and use a tapestry needle to sew your button to the 2 marked stitches. Weave the remaining yarn tail into the body.

NOTE: Be sure not to sew the button so tightly that it can’t be tilted slightly.

Now take the Shell Lid and push the button into the chain space. This will help you line up to the unworked front loops on the Shell Compartment.

Cut a medium length of Color B (brown) (10-12in.) and use a tapestry needle to sew the Shell Lid to the Shell Compartment, making sure to only attach at the 6 marked off stitches. Weave the remaining yarn tail into the body.

Wrap Up!

You’re done! I hope you loved making Terra as much as I did. Will you be giving her as a gift this year or keeping her for yourself? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

And don’t forget that if you want to share your makes with me, you can always email me at chanel@cbfiberworks.com or tag me on socials (@cbfiberworks).

If you loved making Terra, check out some of the other patterns available for free right here on my blog!

• Fin the Frog
• Piper the Peppermint Snake