Gingerbread Turtle Free Crochet Pattern

Gingerbread Turtle Free Crochet Pattern

Meet Ginger, the Gingerbread Turtle! This charming crochet pattern brings a festive twist to a classic favorite, blending the holiday cheer of gingerbread with the adorable appeal of a turtle. Ginger is designed to be versatile – whether as a cuddly plushie, a playful stuffie, or a delightful piece of amigurumi art, it’s bound to bring a warm, cozy touch to your holiday season.

Perfect for adding a bit of whimsy to your Christmas home decor, Ginger makes an adorable addition to any space. Set him on a shelf, nestle him under the tree, or let him be a comforting companion for little ones. With his sweet frosting details and friendly face, this gingerbread-inspired turtle is ready to spread joy and festive cheer wherever he goes!

 

Before you start

Size

  • approx. 19 cm | 11'' with crochet hook 4 mm and 5 bulky yarn
  • approx. 25 cm | 11'' with crochet hook 7 mm and 6 super bulky yarn

 

Needed Yarn

Chenille/blanket yarn. Weight: 5 bulky or 6 super bulky

  • Main color: Brown; 60 m ; 65 yards
  • Frosting: White; approx. 20 m ; 23 yards
  • Gum drops: Green and Red; approx. 1 m, 1 yards

 

Optional: 4 worsted weight yarn for the sprinkles. Colors of your choice (approx. 50 cm ; 0.5 yards) per color

 

Bear in mind that the needed yarn length depends on the choice of crochet hook and tension (how tightly you crochet). The required yarn is therefore generously indicated and you may need less.

 

Others

  • Crochet hook:
    • 5 bulky yarn
      • 4 mm (for crocheters with a very loose tension) through
      • 4.5 mm (for crocheters with a normal or tight tension)
    • 6 super bulky yarn
      • 6 mm (for crocheters with a very loose tension) through
      • 7 mm (for crocheters with a normal or tight tension)

Note: I used 4 mm and 6 mm

 

  • Polyester toy stuffing
  • Stitch marker
  • Tapestry needle
  • Long pins/Sewing sticks
  • Safety eyes of your choice: 12 mm through 16 mm depending on the look you want (I used 12 mm)
  • Scissors

 

Abbreviations

sc: single crochet stitch | inc: increase | dec: decrease | sl st: slip stitch | BLO: back loop only | FLO: front loop only | ch: chain | hdc: half double crochet stitch | mr: magic ring

 

 

Instruction

Front fins

Make 2. Do not stuff the front fins. Main color.

 

R1: 6 sc in mr [6]

R2: 6 inc [12]

R3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x6 [18]

R4: (5 sc, 1 inc) x3 [21]

 

Switch to Frosting color with a visible color change for a quicker and easier transition - it won’t be noticeable later on.

Fold and join the two opposite stitches with single crochet, except for the last stitch, where we’ll do a slip stitch. Cut the yarn and secure it.

 

Back fins

Make 2. Do not stuff the back fins. Main color.

 

R1: 6 sc in mr [6]

R2: 6 inc [12]

R3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x6 [18]

 

Switch to Frosting color with a visible color change for a quicker and easier transition - it won’t be noticeable later on.

Fold and join the two opposite stitches with single crochet, except for the last stitch, where we’ll do a slip stitch. Cut the yarn and secure it.

 

Tail

Do not stuff the tail. Main color.

R1: 4 sc in mr [4]

R2: (1 sc, 1 inc) x2 [6]

R2: (2 sc, 1 inc) [8]

 

Fold and crochet the two opposite stitches together with 3 sc and 1 sl st. Cut yarn and secure.

 

Head

Main color.

 

R1: 5 sc in mr [5]

R2: 1 inc, 4 sc [6]

R3: 6 inc [12]

R4: (1 sc, 1 inc) x6 [18]

R5: (5 sc, 1 inc) x3 [21]

R6-8: 21 sc 3 rounds

R9: 15 sc, 1 dec, 4 sc [20]

Note: For guidance when placing the eyes later, the decrease are positioned at the top of the head.

For safety eyes option: Attach eyes between rounds 5 and 6, spaced 8 stitches apart. To get the instruction on embroidered eyes. Go to Crochet School.

R10: (1 dec, 8 sc) x2 [18 ]

R11: (1 sc, 1 dec) x6 [12]

Start stuffing the head.

R12: (1 sc, 1 dec) x4 [8]

 

To finish head, fold it and join the two opposite stitches together with 4 slip stitches. Depending on your tension, you may need to add an additional sc first to ensure horizontal alignment.

 

Shell (Carapace)

Main color.

 

R1: 6 sc in mr [6]

R2: 6 inc [12]

R3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x6 [18]

R4: (2 sc, 1 inc) x6 [24]

R5: (3 sc, 1 inc) x6 [30]

R6: (4 sc, 1 inc) x6 [36]

R7: 36 sc [36]

R8: 36 FLO sc [36]

Finish with a sl st. Cut yarn and weave in.

R9: Switch to Frosting color and crochet 2 hdc in each stitch [72]

 

Finish with a sl st. Cut yarn and secure.

 

 

 

Belly Plate

Main color.

 

Stitch into the first BLO sc of the first stitch of round 7.

R1: 1 sc, 4 sc with the head, 31 sc [36]

R2: 7 sc, Position the front fin with the frosting side facing the head and join with 2 sc, 4 sc, Position the back fin with the frosting side facing the head and join with 2 sc, 3 sc, Position tail and body right sides and connect with 3 sc, 3 sc, Position the back fin with the frosting side facing the head and join with 2 sc, 4 sc Position the front fin with the frosting side facing the head and join with 2 sc, 2 sc [36]

R3: (4 sc, 1 dec) x6 [30]

R4: (3 sc, 1 dec) x6 [24]

R5: (2 sc, 1 dec) x6 [18]

R6: 9 dec [9]

Stuff the belly.

 

 Fasten off: Close hole and sew.

 

Gum drops buttons

Make 2. Gum drops color.

 

R1: 6 sc in mr [6]

 

To finish the drop, crochet additional sl st. Then, cut the yarn with enough left over for sewing to the shell.Sew the drop on the shell.

 

Head frosting

Frosting color.

 

R1: 6 sc in mr [6]

R2: 6 inc [12]

R3: (1 sc, 1 inc) [18]

R4:

1 sc, 3 ch, in 2nd loop from hook: 1 hdc, 1 hdc, 1 sl st in the first sc (this avoids any holes),

1 sc, 2 ch, in 2nd loop from hook 1 hdc, 1 sl st in the first sc (this avoids any holes),

Repeat this pattern three more times, 4 times in total. Now you should have 4 remaining stitches.

Crochet 3 sc, 1 sl st.

 

Cut the yarn and secure. Attach the frosting slightly tilted on the head, positioning the non-drip part where the head meets the shell/body.

Tip: Use white cotton worsted-weight yarn for sewing.

 

Add sprinkles with the colors of your choice.

 

 

 

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