Looking for the easiest, last-minute crochet Christmas gift: a turtle plushie? Learn how to crochet this UNIQUE crochet peppermint shell slouchy sata hat turtle plushie with a FREE written pattern for all skill levels. This is inspired by the holiday Christmas turtle plushie series for beginners.
If you are looking for a detailed crochet Christmas turtle, I have already shared the Christmas tree turtle plushie and will also share a worsted-weight yarn Santa turtle amigurumi with more details.
Now, continue reading for learning more about this quick, easy, and small plush Santa turtle. Can be crocheted in less than 45 minutes. Now, let’s get started.
Pattern to Crochet the Plush Santa Hat Turtle with Colorwork
Skill Level: Beginner – Level 4
Materials You’ll Need
Approx 75g of chenille yarn in Dark Green (Body Color) and alternating Red and White (Shell Color).
Thin plush yarn in Red and White (for the Santa hat).
4.5mm crochet hook (for the main turtle body, head, and fins).
3.0mm crochet hook (for the Santa hat).
Tapestry Needle.
Polyfil or preferred stuffing.
12mm safety eyes (with white highlight/paw-print details).
Stitch Marker.
Black felt sheet.
Red/White embroidery thread.
Abbreviations
SC: Single Crochet
SC INC: Single Crochet Increase
HDC: Half Double Crochet
HDC INC: Half Double Crochet Increase
INV DEC: Invisible Decrease
FLO: Front Loop Only
BLO: Back Loop Only
Fins (make 4)
Using Dark Green (Body color):
Round 1: In a magic circle, HDC 8. Slip stitch to the first stitch and chain one.
Round 2: HDC INC in each around (16). Slip stitch to the first stitch and chain one.
Fold the circle in half and HDC twice through both halves in the first touching stitches. HDC together the next 6 stitches. HDC twice in the last one (10).
Turtle Head
Using Dark Green (Body color):
Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 8.
Round 2: SC INC in each around (16).
Round 3: SC in the first, SC INC in the next. Repeat around (24).
Rounds 4-5: SC in each around (24).
Round 6: SC in first, INV DEC in the next (16).
Attach the safety eyes between rows 4 and 5, 7 stitches apart.
Round 7: INV DEC in each around (8).
Round 8: SC in each around (8).
Fasten off and weave the end in.
Crochet Turtle Body & Shell
Start with Red (Shell color) for the center ring, alternating Red and White for the concentric rounds as seen in the plush:
Round 1: Using Red, in a magic circle, SC 8 (8).
Round 2: Change to White, SC INC in each around (16).
Round 3: Change to Red, SC in the first, SC INC in the next. Repeat around (24).
Round 4: Change to White, SC in the first two stitches, SC INC in the next. Repeat around (32).
Rounds 5-7: Change to Red, SC in each around (32).
Round 8: In the FLO, SC in each around (32). Change to Dark Green (Body color) here.
Continuing into the Body (Dark Green)
Round 9: In the BLO (of round 7!), SC in the next two. Attach the first fin through the next two stitches. SC in the next 7. Attach the second fin in the next two stitches. SC in the next. Attach the head going through the next 4 stitches using slip stitches. SC in the next. Attach the third fin stitches in the next two. SC in the next 7. Attach the fourth fin in the next two. Finish the round with the last two SC.
Round 10: SC in the first 14. Attach the bottom half of the turtle’s neck with a SC in the remaining 4 stitches. SC in the remaining 14 stitches.
Round 11: SC in the first two, INV DEC in the next. Repeat around (24).
Begin to stuff here. Before you stuff the body, make sure the head and neck have enough stuffing. Continue to stuff as you close.
Round 12: SC in the first, INV DEC in the next. Repeat around (16).
Round 13: INV DEC in each around (8).
Sew the remaining hole closed. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Santa Hat (using thin plush yarn and 3.0mm hook)
Using Red thin plush yarn:
Round 1: 6 SC in a magic circle (6).
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch around (12).
Round 3: (SC in the first, SC INC in the next) repeat around (18).
Round 4: (SC in the next 2, SC INC in the next) repeat around (24).
Round 5: (SC in the next 3, SC INC in the next) repeat around (30).
Round 6: (SC in the next 4, SC INC in the next) repeat around (36).
Round 7: (SC in the next 5, SC INC in the next) repeat around (42).
Round 8: (SC in the next 6, SC INC in the next) repeat around (48).
Rounds 9-10: Change to White yarn and work SC in each stitch around (48).
Fasten off, leaving a tail to sew, and attach a small white pom-pom to the tip of the hat.
Assembly & Finishing Details
Attaching Fins: The line from the HDCs faces towards the back of the turtle. Flip the fin up so that the top touches the shell and attach using two stitches per fin on Round 9. Ensure single crochets sit neatly underneath the fin so the unbroken row remains visible.
Attaching the Hat: Position the Santa hat at a jaunty angle tilted over the top of the turtle’s head and securely sew the white brim down around the crown.
[tispu key=”christmas turtle, turtle”]
