June is National Zoo and Aquarium Month - Free Turtle Pattern

One of my regrets of my recent trip to Atlanta was that it was not long enough. Just the downtown area alone has several attractions that I hope to return for, including the Georgia Aquarium.

Since June is National Zoo & Aquarium Month, I am hoping to make it back soon. In the meantime, I occupied myself this week with crocheting some turtles. Daughter #2 loves turtles, and I originally made the tank top in this pattern for her. The other thing that got me in a turtle mood was finding this little guy in my driveway on Memorial Day. I picked him up and put him in the grass so he wouldn't get run over.

The pattern is simple, and it can be made in a variety of sizes. Use crochet cotton for jewelry or a small applique; use sport yarn for a slightly larger applique for shirts, jeans, or hats; use cotton worsted for coasters, or double the yarn for potholders. It's also great for using up those small amounts in your scrap bucket.

Turtle Motif Razor-Back Tank Top

Materials:

Cotton blend razor-back tank top (I used New Boundaries Rib Tank)

Sport weight yarn – a few ounces each of MC & CC

Size G crochet hook

Needle and matching thread

Motif measures approximately 3” using sport yarn

Instructions:

BODY:

Rnd 1: With MC yarn, ch 2, 10 sc in 2^nd ch from hook. Join with sl st.

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1^st dc), dc in 1^st st, 2 dc in each st around (20 dc). Join with sl st.

Rnd 3: With CC yarn, *ch 1, sc in next 2 sts of Rnd 3, dc into st in Rnd 2,* repeat around. Do not skip any sts. Join with sl st.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, inc,* repeat around. Join with sl st.

Rnd 5: With MC yarn, ch 3 dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts,* repeat around. Join with sl st.

Rnd 6: With CC yarn, ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts of Rnd 6, sc in st of Rnd 5, sk next st on Rnd 6* repeat around. Do not fasten off.

HEAD:

Row 1: Sl st in 1^st st, ch 1, sc in next 4 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in next 4 sts.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, dec twice.

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, dec. Fasten off CC.

TAIL:

Row 1: On opposite side of body from head, attach CC. Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, dec, fasten off.

LEGS:

Make front legs 3 sts away from head; make back legs 3 sts away from tail.

Row 1: Attach CC yarn, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in next 3 sts.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, dc over 1^st 2 sts, sc in last st.

Fasten off and weave in ends. Sew turtled centered onto back of tank top with matching thread.

For smaller motif to make earrings or necklace, use crochet cotton and #3 steel hook for a turtle measuring approximately 2 ½”.

For a larger motif to use as a coaster, use I Love This Cotton worsted yarn and a G hook for a turtle measuring approximately 5”.