I had a special request for a turtle, but was unsuccessful in finding a good pattern for a turtle online, except for itty-bitty ones, and I didn’t really want to make one that small. So I made one up, and sometimes my made-up patterns actually work.
I am kind of sad that the turtle and the lamb have to leave us soon. I will most likely need to make replacements.
Pattern below if anyone wants it:
Shell:
cast on 6 stitches,
row one: knit
row two: knit one, make one
(repeat rows 1 and 2 three times)
knit 6 rows (alternating color every 2 rows)
knit 4, k2grep to end of row
knit to end of row
knit 3, k2g rep to end of row
knit to end of row
knit 2, k2g rep to end of row
knit to end of row
knit 1, k2g rep to end of row
knit to end of row
k2g rep until you have 6 stitches on your DPN’s
Stuff the shell, thread tail through last 6 stitches, pull through, tighten.
Head:
Cast on 6 stitches
Knit to end of row
K1, M1 to end of row
knit to end of row
K1, M1 to end of row
Knit 4 rows
Knit 4, ktg rep to end of row
Knit 3, ktg rep to end of row
Knit 2, ktg rep to end of row
Knit 1, ktg rep to end of row
Ktg rep until you have 6 stitches left, stuff the head, thread remaining yarn through last six stitches, pull tight.
Legs/tail:
Made 4 ‘flippers’ for legs (6 stitches for 6 rows, decrease 2, knit 3 more rows, decrease 1, knit one row, bind off) and one tail (knit 4 stitches for 3 rows, decrease two, knit for 2 rows, bind off) and sewed them all together. I tried to do everything on DPN’s because I hate seaming more than anything.
paula
Wow, the turtle is amazing! I am quite impressed. The pattern on the back is an especially nice touch.
mom
Love it! I still have my only stuffed animal that survived the fire…a turtle.
Tina
So freakin cute
Terry
OMG Ali, the turtle is so cute!!! Dylan is going to be so happy to get it! Thank you so much for making this for him. Miss you lots!!! xoxo
Dana
Looks great!! Can I request a giraffe??
j/k. Keep up makin’ the super cute animals.
Hannah G
Cute once again! By the time you and Paul have kids, you’ll have a fully stocked menagerie. (Unless you want to bequeath some of that cuteness to me before then. I wouldn’t object….)
Ali
The sad thing for me, Hannah, is that most of these little dudes are already claimed. I may need to knit up replacements, because I love them all together. And I’ve now got a loooong list of custom orders for people wanting little animals! I might be able to turn this into a nice little side business!
erika
Um you should totally sell them. You could make money, good money! Also, remember that little person I showed you from christmas? Those are sold for $6 bucks each, not very much, but it all adds up VERY quickly. I’m just sayin’.
Ali
I don’t know if 6 bucks would even cover the time it takes! These little guys take a while, so I guess if I wanted to make $1.50 an hour… haha. But yeah, maybe I could sell them, but maybe more than 6 bucks, but then I dont know if anyone would buy them!
valerie
i would totally buy one!
unknown
what does ktg rep mean?
Ali Tong
Unknown,
If you mean K2G, that means knit 2 together, thereby decreasing a stitch. Rep means repeat until the end of the row.
unknown
Thank You I Understand Now
PS the turtle is so totally awesome
Andrea
What size DPNs did you use? And approx how big is the finished cuteness?
Ali Tong
I used size 4 DPN’s and I don’t remember his exact dimensions (I gave him away over a year ago!) but I think he was about 6-7 inches long and maybe 2 inches tall?
liz
ok i love the turtle but I do not understand some of the directions. Like “make one”? do you mean add a stitch?
Ali Tong
Liz, “Make One” is a very common knitting term. It means to increase one stitch. What other parts of the directions do you not understand? I’d be happy to explain them.
mayapapaya
mayapapaya
is this an easy pattern.
can a ten year old do it
Ali Tong
I suppose that would really depend on the skill of the 10 year old? I’m not really sure. I’ve taught a few 10 year olds to knit, and if they can follow a pattern and knit in the round I don’t see why not.
Elizebeth
On the shell, what does knit 4 mean? Is it part of the 6 roes that we knitted?
misskitty90
Hey! The turtle is super cute and I plan on making it for a friend for her baby shower. A quick question though. About how much yarn does it take? And what weight yarn do you recommend? Thanks so much for any help! I will be sure to send a picture of my finished one!
Joy
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
airlie
what size needles do you use? i am 13 and very interested in knitting your turtle. so cute!!
Jodi
This is super cute and my daughter is a turtle freak! We have one named “Tess”. How much yarn did you use and what size needle. Thanks for sharing your adorable little turtle!
Ali Tong
Not sure how much yarn I used, it was scraps! But less than a 1/4 skein i know. Don’t know which brand, sorry- most likely vanna’s choice! Also I used size 4′s I believe!!
Margie
I want to say that I absolutely love this turtle .
But, I am looking for some help making a small stuffed turtle to put into a real turtle shell 6 inches long and 5 inches wide ..HELP….PLEASE..
homemadesarcasm
So adorable! Nice pattern
Bacon
Hello! This is a very cute turtle, I am planning to knit it for a friend’s birthday. I was just wondering in the picture the it looks like you have knitted in stocking stitch (except for the flippers and tail), but in the pattern everything is done by knit. If I want the turtle to look like it does in the picture should I alternate knit and purl rows?
Thanks!
Ali Tong
Bacon,
It’s knit in the round, so every row is knit. If you wanted to knit it flat you would have to alternate knit and purl rows.
Margie
Thanks.! Merry Christmas and Happy 2013..!!!
Bacon
Hi again! Apologies for my beginner-knowledge, but would this pattern work if I just used normal knitting needles or does it have to be DPN for it to work?
Or would it still work if I used normal needles but I would just have to alternate rows?
Thank you!
Ali Tong
No problem, Bacon!
If you wanted to make it on straight needles you would have to alternate knitting and purling and then stitch up the side to close it into a circle once you’re done knitting. I prefer the seamless look of DPN’s. If you’re not sure how to use them I suggest watching some KnitWitch’s videos on Youtube! Happy Knitting!
Hetalian
I absolutely love this pattern! I’m 13, and I am very interested in knitting this! I have one question, is there anyway this pattern can be knitted on circular knitting needles instead of DPNs? And are the flippers knitted on straight needles?