Nala the No-Sew Turtle – Free Crochet Pattern

*** I hope you enjoy this free crochet pattern available here on my blog! An ad-free, formatted PDF version of this crochet pattern is also available for purchase here:

Amigurumi is one of my favorite crochet projects to make, but it also includes one of my least favorite things to do… sewing. Even after making amigurumi for years, I sometimes still have trouble with placement and often times find myself sewing, removing, and then re-sewing to get everything just where I want it.

That’s why I am so excited to introduce my newest NO SEW free crochet pattern, Nala the No-Sew Turtle! There is no sewing at all required in this crochet turtle pattern! Have you ever heard of anything more glorious?! Another super fun design feature is that Nala’s shell is completely removable! Which means you can change up the colors of your crochet turtle amigurumi as often as you want!

I like to think of Nala as a garden turtle, with the little flower on her top shell, but she does look a bit like a sea turtle!

This free crochet pattern is part of the 2021 Blog Hop by Furls Fiberarts! During the blog hop, you’ll get a new free pattern every week! You can see all of the past weeks, and see new crochet patterns as they are added, by visiting here.

For this turtle amigurumi, I’m using a 3.75mm pink Odyssey crochet hook from Furls, as well as their newest yarn line, Wander! This turtle amigurumi would look great in any yarn; just adjust your hook size as needed. You’ll also need a stitch marker, tapestry needle/yarn needle, and poly-fil stuffing. You can find my favorites in my Amazon store. For my turtle, I embroidered the eyes with embroidery floss, but you could also use safety eyes if you’d prefer.

Don’t forget to save this pattern in your favorites and add it to your project queue to save it for later! View this pattern on Ravelry here.

I would classify this crochet pattern as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.

I’d love to see what you make with this tutorial! Don’t forget to share a photo of your finished work in your Ravelry projects and my Facebook group!

Nala the No-Sew Turtle

ABBREVIATIONS

st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease is recommended)
TC = treble crochet
DC = double crochet

SPECIAL STITCHES

SC2tog (using invisible decrease method): Insert hook into front loop of the first stitch. Insert hook into front loop of second stitch. Yarn over. Draw through the first two loops on hook. Yarn over. Draw through both loops on hook.

NOTES

• Checking your gauge is not required for this pattern. Use a hook that is smaller than the size recommended for your yarn weight. This will ensure that your stuffing will not show through the stitches.
• This pattern requires no sewing. The head, legs, and tail are worked directly into the body as you work, rather than sewing later.
• All pieces of turtle body are worked in a continuous round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
• Body and head require stuffing. Stuff as you work it to ensure each piece is completely filled. Do not add stuffing to the legs or tail.
• See tutorial photos.

PATTERN

Head

Using color A (shown as snow):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts) 

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R5: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R6: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (15 sts)

R7: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R8-9: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R10: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (10 sts)

R11: 1 SC in each st around. (10 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R12: Fold the head closed, leaving 1 unworked st on each side for the fold. Working through both sides, to close the head, SC across. (4 sts) See tutorial photos.

Cut yarn and fasten off.

Legs (make 4)

Using color A (shown as snow):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R5: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R6: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (8 sts) 

R7-8: 1 SC in each st around. (8 sts)

R9: Fold the leg closed leaving 1 unworked st on each side for the fold. Working through both sides, to close the leg, SC across. (3 sts) See tutorial photos.

Cut yarn and fasten off.

Tail

Using color A (shown as snow):

R1: Begin with 4 SC in a magic ring. (4 sts)

R2: 1 SC in each st around. (4 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

R4: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)

R5: Fold the tail closed leaving 1 unworked st on each side for the fold. Working through both sides, to close the tail, SC across. (2 sts) See tutorial photos.

Cut yarn and fasten off.

Body

Using color A (shown as snow):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R6: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)

R7-8: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

In the next round you will place the head, legs, and tail. To attach, you will work through both the sts of the piece you are placing and the sts of the body. See tutorial photos.

R9: Place the head with 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts, place the first leg with 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts, place the second leg with 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts, place the tail with 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts, place the third leg with 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts, place the last leg with 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. (36 sts)

R10-11: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

R12: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R13: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R14: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R15: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R16: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand. Weave yarn in and out of remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Shell

Using color B (dragonfruit):

R1: Begin with 10 SC in a magic ring. Join with a sl st to beginning. (10 sts)

R2: Ch 1, *1 SC in next st, ch 2, 4 TC in next st, ch 2. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to beginning. (5 flower petals created)

Using color C (meadow):

R3: Working in the SC sts between each petal, ch 2 (does not count as a st), *2 DC, ch 3, 2 DC, ch 1. Working behind the next pink petal, repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to beginning. (5 leaves created)

Using color D (amethyst):

Begin working in a continuous round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.

R4: Working behind the next leaf, *Ch 5, 1 SC in ch 1 space between each leaf. Repeat from * around.

R5: *5 SC in ch 5 space, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R6: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (40 sts)

R7: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 19 sts. Repeat from * around. (42 sts)

R8: 1 SC in each st around. (42 sts)

In the next round you will be creating the holes for the head, legs, and tail to fit through.

R9: 1 SC in next st, ch 9, sk 5 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts, ch 7, sk 4 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts, ch 7, sk 4 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts, ch 5, sk 3 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts, ch 7, sk 4 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts, ch 7, sk 4 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts.

R10: 1 SC in next st, 5 SC in ch space, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts, 4 SC in ch space, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts, 4 SC in ch space, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts, 3 SC in ch space, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts, 4 SC in ch space, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts, 4 SC in ch space, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. (42 sts)

R11: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to beginning. (36 sts)

Cut yarn and fasten off. Weave in ends.

ASSEMBLY & FINISHING

Use embroidery floss and embroider eyes on each side of head, at R2-3.

Dress turtle in the finished shell.

*Note: Safety eyes and noses pose a choking risk for babies; therefore, if making this toy for a baby, I recommend using yarn, felt, or embroidered details.

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Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting!

Nicole

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