Patterns, projects and techniques
SO, HERE THE FIRST QUESTION FOR JANUARY, 2010. If you don’t know how the blogtest works, please refer to my blog post of January 2, 2010 for all the rules.
WHAT IS YOUR CROCHET GOAL FOR 2010?
Be sure to post an answer ON THIS BLOG IN THE COMMENTS BELOW. Do not send an email to me or respond elsewhere if you want to be counted as an entry.
And, oh, yeah. The first prize is this sweet little book:
What a sweet little deal!
There is something about turtle crochet patterns that makes me instantly happy. Maybe it is the little round shells, maybe it is the flappy sea turtle fins, or maybe it is because turtles have that calm “I’ll get there when I get there” energy that I very much relate to after a long week of deadlines, dishes, teenagers needing lifts, and Aloo looking at me as if I have personally failed him by not opening the back door fast enough.
Crochet turtles are one of those lovely projects that work for almost every kind of maker. If you love quick market makes, a no sew crochet turtle is the kind of pattern you can work up in an evening with a cup of tea beside you. If you prefer baby gifts, turtle loveys and soft turtle amigurumi are gentle, meaningful handmade presents. And if you are a scrap-yarn saver — and really, what crocheter isn’t? — turtle appliques are a brilliant way to use up those little green, blue, brown, cream, and coral leftovers hiding in the basket.
This roundup includes a mix of free crochet turtle patterns, sea turtle crochet patterns, no sew turtle amigurumi, turtle appliques, loveys, and practical turtle-themed crochet projects. Some are wonderfully beginner-friendly, some are better suited to confident amigurumi makers, and a few are perfect if you are looking for something a little different from the usual plushie. I have also included a couple of CraftGossip and CraftBits turtle crochet links because we have had some sweet turtle projects over the years that deserve another little swim around the craft pond.
One quick note before you start: if you are making crochet turtles for babies or toddlers, skip plastic safety eyes and embroider the features instead. Safety eyes are not always safe for little ones, especially once a handmade toy is loved, tugged, chewed, and dragged around the house.
This free crochet turtle pattern from CraftBits is a lovely one to add if you are looking for a soft, chunky amigurumi turtle that feels modern but still very handmade. The plush-style shape makes it a great choice for gifts, market tables, or a sweet little comfort toy for older children. I especially like this one for crocheters who want a free turtle crochet pattern that looks cuddly without being overly complicated.
If you would rather have the polished printable version, this chunky crochet turtle pattern is also available through the CraftGossip Store on Etsy. It is a handy option for makers who like having a tidy PDF pattern saved in their crochet library, especially if you plan to make several turtles for gifts, craft fairs, or grandkids who suddenly all “need” one in a different colour. The chunky yarn style gives the finished turtle that squishy, modern amigurumi look that is so popular right now.
This no sew crochet turtle pattern is a great one for anyone who loves the look of plush amigurumi but does not love sewing on tiny limbs. It is designed to work up quickly, making it a lovely option for craft markets, birthday gifts, or those “I need something cute by tomorrow” moments. The chunky yarn gives it a squishy modern look that younger makers and kids tend to adore.
This sweet crochet turtle pattern has a cheerful, beginner-friendly feel and includes video support, which is always helpful when you are making amigurumi shapes for the first time. It is a lovely fast project for using plush yarn and would make a cute desk buddy, backpack friend, or handmade gift topper. I especially like this one for crocheters who want a turtle pattern that feels approachable rather than fiddly.
Fred is one of those crochet sea turtle patterns that has proper personality. This free pattern includes a video tutorial and is designed as a quick make, so it is a good choice if you want a sea turtle amigurumi that does not turn into a week-long commitment. The finished shape has that lovely flat sea-turtle look, making it especially nice for ocean-themed gifts or nursery decor.
This no sew turtle crochet pattern is a newer design and a nice option if you want something fresh for market prep or gifting. The pattern uses separate pieces that are joined as you work the body, so you get the benefit of a neat finish without the dreaded sewing pile at the end. It has a sweet little trim detail on the flippers that gives the finished turtle a bit of extra charm.
Nala is a clever no sew turtle crochet pattern with a removable shell, which gives it a little extra play value and personality. It works beautifully as a garden turtle or sea turtle depending on your colour choices, and the optional shell variations make it easy to customize. This is a great choice for crocheters who want a turtle amigurumi pattern that feels a little more special than a basic plushie.
This crochet amigurumi turtle has a classic handmade look with a beautifully rounded shell and contrast details. It is a lovely project if you enjoy neat shaping and want a turtle that looks sweet in a whole rainbow of colours. The surface crochet shell detail adds just enough texture to make it interesting without feeling overcomplicated.
This mini turtle amigurumi is perfect for anyone who loves tiny, quick crochet makes. Because it is no sew, it is also a nice choice for batch-making little turtles for markets, party favours, classroom rewards, or stocking stuffers. Use chenille yarn for a plush version or cotton for a smaller keychain-style turtle.
This mini turtle crochet pattern is beginner-friendly and can be made with different yarn weights depending on the size you want. It is a handy scrap yarn project and works well when you want a small amigurumi that does not require a huge amount of stuffing or finishing. I like this one for little gifts tucked into care packages or beach-themed gift baskets.
This small crochet turtle pattern is a good pick if you prefer a more traditional amigurumi style with minimal seaming. It uses two colours, one for the body and one for the shell, which makes it easy to personalize with soft naturals, brights, pastels, or ocean blues. It is a sweet pattern for confident beginners who want to practise shaping without taking on a large plushie.
This crochet turtle lovey is soft, snuggly, and made for little hands to hold. It combines a turtle amigurumi head and body with a comforter-style blanket, making it a thoughtful handmade baby shower gift. If you are making it for a baby, embroidered eyes are the safer option and still look beautifully sweet.
Pebbles is a turtle lovey crochet-along, which is lovely if you enjoy being guided through a project in stages. The design has that handmade heirloom feeling, especially if you choose soft nursery colours or beachy tones. It is a good option for adventurous beginners who want to try a larger baby gift without feeling completely on their own.
This ocean applique set includes a crochet turtle along with a starfish, jellyfish, and seahorse, making it a lovely choice for under-the-sea projects. The turtle applique would be adorable stitched onto a baby blanket, beach bag, cushion, or classroom display. This is also a great pattern to keep in your stash if you like quick crochet pieces that can dress up a plain project.
This sea turtle applique is especially nice if you are planning an ocean-themed crochet blanket. The post includes both the turtle applique and a granny square idea, so you can turn one small motif into a much bigger project. I love this kind of pattern for baby blankets because it feels playful without being overly bright or busy.
This baby sea turtle applique is a paid crochet pattern, but it is beautifully suited to polished projects where you want the turtle to sit flat and neat. Appliques like this are perfect for decorating blankets, wall hangings, tote bags, or framed nursery art. It is a good option if you want your finished project to look a little more detailed and professional.
This free crochet turtle applique has a simple, friendly shape that works well for children’s projects. It would be cute on a library bag, beach towel, baby blanket, or handmade card front if you like mixing crochet with paper crafts. Patterns like this are also brilliant for using up the oddments of green yarn that never seem quite big enough for anything else.
This turtle applique pattern gives you a sweet family of turtles in different sizes, which makes it especially useful for blankets and nursery decor. You can make a whole little turtle parade across the corner of a blanket or add one small turtle to a hat, jumper, or tote. It is a cheerful scrap yarn project and a nice way to add personality to plain crochet pieces.
This CraftGossip feature is a fun turtle crochet idea with a playful twist. Instead of being just a plushie, it turns the turtle theme into a memory game, which makes it a lovely handmade gift for children. It is a good reminder that crochet turtle patterns do not always have to be softies — they can be interactive, useful, and clever too.
This Christmas pudding turtle is wonderfully quirky and very CraftGossip in the best possible way. It combines festive crochet with a kawaii turtle shape, making it a sweet little holiday make for anyone who likes their Christmas crafts with a wink. It would be adorable as a handmade ornament, stocking stuffer, or tiny festive shelf sitter.
This CraftBits sea turtle soap saver is a practical crochet turtle project rather than a plushie, which is why I love having it in the mix. It is a simple handmade bathroom item and would be lovely paired with handmade soap for a gift basket. If you enjoy crochet projects that are cute but still useful, this is the turtle pattern to try.
If you want a quick make, choose a no sew crochet turtle pattern in plush or chenille yarn. These usually work up faster and have that soft, modern squish factor that sells well at markets.
If you are making a baby gift, look for a turtle lovey or soft amigurumi pattern and embroider the eyes instead of using plastic safety eyes. Soft cotton or baby-safe yarns are lovely choices, and washable yarn is always a blessing because babies are beautifully messy little creatures.
If you are decorating a blanket, bag, or nursery wall hanging, a crochet turtle applique is often the best choice. Appliques are flatter, faster, and easier to stitch onto finished projects.
If you are using scrap yarn, mini turtles and turtle appliques are your best friends. You can make shells in greens, browns, rainbow colours, florals, speckles, or even holiday colours if you fancy a turtle with a bit of attitude.
Turtle crochet patterns are one of those happy little corners of the crochet world where cute, calming, and practical all meet. You can make a tiny turtle in an hour, a turtle lovey for a new baby, a sea turtle applique for an ocean blanket, or a squishy no sew turtle for your next market table.
And honestly, there is something rather lovely about a handmade turtle. They are slow, steady, comforting, and full of character — a bit like the best kind of craft project. Not rushed, not fussy, just quietly adorable and very satisfying to finish.
For 2010, my goals are to do everything in the CALs that I have joined – at least 10 shawls, 10 12×12 inch blocks, at least 1 class a month at HPKCHC, etc.
Oh, and to do at least three skirts for me, while trying not to stress out about my son (who is currently deployed in SW Asia).
Starting the projects is not the problem, finishing them is…oh, and trying to do the majority from my stash.
I just found amigurumi…I’ve been out of crocheting for a while. Last year I crocheted 3 animals for TheToySociety toy drops, this year my goal is to do at least one a month to continue the drops.
Finishing at least one small project a month and FINALLY making something for myself a sweater and a new bedspread. Oh ya and finishing this fine crochet bedspead that I have been working on for TEN YEARS!!! Time to get going on that I think.
My crochet goal is to learn to crochet!
I have the basics down but just can’t seem to make the stitches consistent. So I usually give up and knit instead.
My crochet goal is to use up all the yarn in my stash (which is outta control!!!) and to make and finish at least one project every month. I also want to learn tunisian crochet.
My crochet goal for 2010 is to learn how to read crochet ‘patterns’. I want to learn the lingo well enough to complete projects, right now I just know a few stitches here and there.
I goal is to finish a sweater I started in Feb, 2006 for my DIL. I was about 2/3 done when I had a stroke. I was spared any physical damage but the brain is another thing! I was immediately able to crochet but couldn’t read/understand patterns. I’ve slowly worked my way back and am ready to tackle this again. I want to have it done for her birthday Feb 15. Then I’ll start on other UFOs.
I’ve thought quite a bit about what I want to resolve to do with my crochet. Eventually, I really want to turn my crafting into a legit business (not just the odd contract piece). So, I’m resolving to work on perfecting techniques and finishing–to really give my work that extra “something.”
Actually, this is going to sound weird.My 2 year old grandson is totally in to ROBOTS! MY daughter had just done a painting of one for his room, and I commented that I had to find a pattern to crochet one for him. So that was my immediate goal.
I want to make a teddy bear for my son, who is turning 1 this week. A quality-looking 10″ or so sized one that can be his “Forever Teddy.” If you know where I can find a good pattern, just let me know. Thanks! Happy crocheting!
My goal is to get my nine year old daughter hooked on crochet. Actually…any of my children, but I’ve been softening her up. Now I’ve just got to grasp that hook and show her how much fun it can be.
My crochet goal for 2010 is basically threefold. 1. To finish off the projects that are lying around almost finished. 2. To make more baby outfits for the charity that I belong to. 3. To really make an effort to do some Tunisian crochet and do it properly and finish it.
My crochet goal for 2010 is to complete one amigurumi character a month.
crochet goals: finish daughter black & gray afghan; design &make son’s purple, black & red afghan; make slipper socks for everyone’s Christmas visit; make bed slippers for hubby; Make 2 shawls/month for church charity project; Design & make dresses for large porcelian dolls-showcase items; join CGOA & take master crochet course.
For 2010, I have promised myself that I will stop making things for me that I won’t wear. I find enticing frilly things that I just love, make them, and then am not comfortable wearing them. I will continue taking those ‘unwearables’ apart and making something that I will use with the yarn. I really hate wasting yarn!
My crochet goal in 2010 is to learn how to crochet! I’ve been admiring other people’s beautiful works for a couple of months now, and I think it’s time that I learn it myself!
My crochet goals for 2010 are to finish an afghan by joining a block-a-month group, creating my own patterns, and making things for myself as well as others.
My goal for 2010 is to make more presents for my family crocheting or knitting. Also to make more items for myself.
I will finally get back to crocheting once my wrist has healed. I will finish my daughters afghan that’s 2/3 of the way complete & also continue crocheting the scarfs for the caritas men that my church supports.
My goal this year is to crochet enough items to have for a booth at a yearly craft fair held every November here. Plus, my sister-in-law is pushing me to sell my crocheted items and write down my patterns. Lol, looks like a busy year for me.
I’m 8 months pregnant and so my crochet goal is to make something for baby this year!
I recently moved from Canada to Austria, so my 2010 goal is to learn to read crochet patterns in German to be better able to make use of all the resources here.
Goals… I have some but I am not exactly sure what they are… they are more like vague ideas on where I want my life to go… things like I want to make more time to crochet and paint and design jewelry… but I have to finish all the UFO’s first, then the WIP’s, then get the craft room organized after I figure out what I’m keeping and where I’ll put it…
So I guess my goal is to make some time every day to work toward these things… maybe one day I’ll crochet, one day make jewelry, one day go thru my stash of fabrics… but if I tackle a little every day after a while my goals will be accomplished.
My crochet goal for 2010 is to keep learning new patterns and stitches. I also want to finish a sweater set for my grandnephew who is going to be born around August
My goal is to continue busting my stash by making cat beds for a local rescue group.
My crochet goal is to finish a NY Yankees afghan I just started and to start making patterns that are in the intermediate category and get away from simply single and double crochet projects.
My goal for this year, is to quit work, and crochet for my home. I have so many places in my home begging to be crocheted for. I have started to lay awake at night thinking of things I can crochet for each and every room. I think I have some crochet illness. I’m sure you all must have the same condition.
My main goal right now is to finish my first afghan ever! I haven’t ever made one, it seems like such a huge project but I chose a good one I think. I’m doing the sampler afghan 6401. Yippie! I’m working on the third block now 🙂 It’s only 48 total (only.. heehee)
So I’ll make a blanket and get to practice 48 ways of stitches!
Here’s the pattern I’m doing
http://www.purplekittyyarns.com/afghan-patterns/vol64-no6401
My goals are twofold:
1. Finish my middle son’s afghan-in-progress
2. For new projects, crochet only from stash (with a near-certain falling off the wagon at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival)
My crochet goal this year is to crochet at least 6 items. I work fulltime and have a 7 year old daughter who is into activities and homework so my crochet time is very limited. I have already begun by crocheting a Granny Square Christmas Tree (pic on Crochet Partners), I’m working on a caplet now for my daughter’s fist communion in March and I want to make some things for me. So, for me this is a big goal
My goal is to finish the afghan that I had started for my husband to give to my grandson since my husband passed away on January 6, 2010 and this little guy will never know his papa.
I’ve had a Babette in my queue waiting to be hooked seems like forever. I’ve got the yarn, and have started working on a few squares. Let’s see if 2010 is the year I finally finish an afghan.
I intend to finish the Dale Earnhardt afghan (so much larger than an afghan) that I originally started 3 years ago.
I just started learning crochet at the end of 2009 and when my best friend found out she said she wanted me to crochet her a waistcoat for Christmas 2010. So that is my goal to be able to crochet her waistcoat by this coming Christmas 🙂 Eek!
Hi , my goal is to to teach as much and to as many as possible the dying art of crochet . I also want to distrbute maximum profit to each one of my NGO girls for all the hard work they put in . So guys , please pray that all our exhibitions here in India area a roaring success !!
To feel more in control, proficient, comfortable with it. I still feel like i am stumbling around, or guessing. But with the help of the internet and a few good books with photos i am getting htere!
My goal for 2010 is to use all the Red Heart Super Saver yarn (tubs full) that is not soft enough for hats, scarves, afghans, etc. BEFORE I buy any more yarn! I inherited the yarn from my mother and sister and feel guilty every time I buy other yarn to make a project.
I want to make my daughter a doll afghan — shouldn’t take long!
I would love to learn more than just the basics of crochet.