About This Pattern
This turtle is a small, fruity companion. A head and a shell, worked flat through fifteen rounds combined. It sits well in one evening, split across two sittings. It needs chenille yarn, a steady hook, and patience for color changes. The shell carries the fruit: kiwi seeds, citrus lines, or a blueberry dimple. Small stitches, small rewards.
In the basket
Abbreviations
- sc
- single crochet
- inc
- increase
- dec
- decrease
- blo
- back loops only
- flo
- front loops only
- bobble
- bobble stitch
Fruit-inspired amigurumi turtles crochet pattern
Head (Kiwi Turtle Example - Brown Yarn)
- Round 1Magic ring, 8 single crochets (sc)
- Round 2Increase in every stitch (inc*8) = 16 stitchesRound 3-4: 1sc in each stitch = 16 stitches per round
- Round 5(2sc, dec) repeat 4 times = 12 stitches
- Round 6(1sc, dec) repeat 4 times = 8 stitches Attach 7mm safety eyes between rounds 3 and 4, 6 stitches apart
- Round 71sc in each stitch = 8 stitches Stuff the head with fiberfill Fold and close with 4 sc
Body (Kiwi Turtle Example - White and Green Yarn)
- Round 1White Yarn Magic ring, 6 sc
- Round 2White Yarn Inc in each stitch (inc*6) = 12 stitches Switch to green yarn on the last stitch of Round 2
- Round 3Green Yarn (1sc, inc) repeat 6 times = 18 stitches
- Round 4(2sc, inc) repeat 6 times = 24 stitches
- Round 5(3sc, inc) repeat 6 times = 30 stitchesRound 6-7: 1sc in each stitch = 30 stitches per round Round 8: Front loops only (Flo), 1sc in each stitch = 30 stitchesRound 9 (Brown Yarn): Back loops only (Blo) of Round 8, 13sc, 4sc attaching head, 13sc = 30 stitches
- Round 104sc, bobble stitch, (5sc, bobble stitch) repeat 3 times, 4sc = 30 stitches (Bobble = 5 double crochets worked into one stitch)
- Round 11(3sc, dec) repeat 6 times = 24 stitches Stuff with fiberfill
- Round 12(2sc, dec) repeat 6 times = 18 stitches
- Round 13(1sc, dec) repeat 6 times = 12 stitches
- Round 14Dec 6 times = 6 stitches Leave a long tail and fasten off
More pictures
Before the first stitch
- Check yarn amounts for two colors if making the kiwi or orange version.
- Have your embroidery yarn ready before you finish stuffing the shell.
Minutes per piece
- Head about 1 hour, because it is only 5 rounds and needs careful eye placement
- Body and shell about 3-4 hours, because 10 rounds plus embroidery details take patience
Other yarns that work
- Acrylic worsted weight Easier stitch definition, but less fuzzy texture than chenille. Same hook size works.
- Cotton DK weight Smaller finished turtle, crisper stitches. Move to a 2.75mm hook and stuff a little less.
Where it ends up
- A desk companion that sits beside a monitor or a stack of books.
- A small gift for a fruit lover or an amigurumi collector.
- A shelf piece that pairs well with other mini crochet animals.
Joining up
- Step 1 Embroider black "kiwi seeds" onto the turtle’s back using black yarn
Small notes
- Use a 3.00mm hook and keep tension tight. Chenille yarn shows gaps easily.
- Stuff the head firmly before closing. Safety eyes need a solid base to sit straight.
Little questions
Can I skip the back loops only round?
No, that round shapes the shell's ridge line. Skipping it makes the shell look flat instead of domed.
Do I need safety eyes, or can I embroider them?
The pattern calls for 7mm safety eyes, placed between rounds 3 and 4. Embroidery would work too, but eyes give a firmer, more finished look.
What if I don't have chenille yarn?
Any worsted weight yarn will work with the same 3.00mm hook. Chenille just adds a soft, fuzzy shell texture.
Original pattern: https://crocheteverything.com/fruit-inspired-turtles-amiguumi-crochet-free-pattern/
About the Author
Tamsin Okoro Who writes the patterns at Yarn Gallery, how a pattern gets from the hook to the page, and what this site will never do.
