Looking for a fun and beginner-friendly sea turtle crochet pattern? This adorable amigurumi sea turtle is the perfect project for ocean lovers, kids, and anyone who enjoys cute and cuddly crochet creatures! Whether you’re making it as a gift, nursery décor, or just for fun, this sea turtle crochet pattern is easy to follow and highly customizable.
In this post, you’ll find a step-by-step free crochet pattern, a list of materials, and helpful tips to ensure your turtle turns out just right. Let’s get started!
Jump into the Sea Turtle Crochet Pattern now, or pin it for later here.
Experiencing adventure and experiencing the cultures of the world brings me life and brings me joy. My mind is just BLOWN by the colors, smells, sounds, tastes, sights and feels of LIFE around this globe. As such, the memory of the first time I swam with the turtles of the Hawaiian coast is burned in my brain as one of the most peaceful and special memories I have.
And now, having swam with the turtles of the Kauai-an coast, I’ve been inspired to crochet a toy that will represent a piece of this island paradise. This sea turtle crochet pattern is named after a hike that my husband and I were finally able to do after dreaming about it for many years – the Napali Coast.
I hope Napali the Sea Turtle will capture your heart as you bring him to life through the art of crochet.
Why You’ll Love This Sea Turtle Crochet Pattern
✅ Advanced-Beginner-friendly – Perfect for those familiar with crochet, but new to amigurumi!
✅ Customizable – Make your turtle in any color!
✅ Great for gifts – Perfect for kids, baby showers, or ocean-themed décor.
✅ Quick & fun – A satisfying weekend project!
This crochet pattern is reader supported by ads on my blog. If you’d rather print the pattern for some cozy couch crocheting, you can find the ad-free, printable PDF in my shop here.
Napali’s ad-free pattern is a beautiful 8-page PDF document with detailed instructions and accompanied by LOTS of clear pictures and diagrams to help you along the way. Find the Napali the Sea Turtle Amigurumi Crochet Pattern here!
Napali the Sea Turtle Crochet Pattern Guide:
Size & Gauge:
Size: 10.5″ x 12.5″
Gauge: N/A
Policies & Disclaimers:
This crochet pattern is for PERSONAL USE ONLY. This pattern or parts of it may not be reproduced, resold, distributed, published, altered, translated, posted or shared without authorization. You can sell your finished items provided that you credit Off the Beaten Hook as the designer using this verbiage, “This pattern was designed by Lindsey Roe and Off the Beaten Hook.” Thank you for your respectfulness!
This post contains affiliate links for materials I use and love. If you purchase something using one of these links I may earn a small commission which in no way affects the cost to you. These partnerships help me support my small business which allows me to provide you with free crochet patterns. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support!
What makes this crochet pattern eco-friendly and sustainable?
THE YARN: I use only sustainable and eco-friendly yarn that has been ethically grown/raised and processed, putting the people and the planet first. This is why I chose 100% ethical merino wool yarn for this pattern.
THE STUFFING: I used recycled polyester (100% post-consumer) to stuff this piece. You can also use recycled yarn, recycled cotton or old fiber you’ve cut into strips.
THE SLOW YARN MOVEMENT: I’m participating in the Slow Yarn Movement. There’s far too much to talk about here, but please take a few minutes to learn about what this means by reading the article I wrote about the Slow Yarn Movement as part of my 6-part Sustainable Crochet Series.
If you’re interested in learning more about sustainable crochet you can read all about it in the 6-part series I wrote covering everything about Sustainable Crochet and how to implement it into your own crafting starting today!
Materials you will need for this sea turtle crochet pattern:
Yarn & Materials:
DK/light worsted weight yarn / 100% cotton
Rowan Handknit Cotton DK in GOOSEBERRY – 2 balls
Rowan Summerlite Cotton DK in PICKLES – 1 ball
3.00 mm Crochet Hook
Safety Eyes: 8 mm (SERIOUSLY, these are the ones with the backs that are easier to put on!)
Tapestry Needle (bent tips make all the difference!)
Stitch Markers
Scissors
Stuffing
If you would like to explore other yarn options, here are some that would work well for this pattern:
- Deramores Studio Organic Cotton DK | 100% Organic Cotton | Weight: 3/Light Worsted
- Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton | 100% Organic Cotton | Weight: 3/Light Worsted
- Rico Essentials Organic Cotton DK | 100% Organic Cotton | Weight: 3/Light Worsted
- Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK | 100% Cotton | Weight: 3/Light Worsted
Abbreviations used in the sea turtle crochet pattern:
This pattern is written in English, using US terms. If needed, you can find a handy term conversion chart right here in my Resource Library.
ch – chain
st – stitch
hk – hook
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
tr – treble crochet
inc – increase (2 single crochet in same stitch)
dec – decrease (single crochet 2 together)
rep – repeat
(…) x – repeat instructions indicated number of times
[…] – number of stitches in row/round
PH – photo reference number
Napali the Sea Turtle Crochet Pattern:
Shell:
The shell is created by making 7 hexagons in continuous rounds and then crocheting them together. The hexagons will use both colors.
HEXAGONS – make 7
Start in color Gooseberry
Rnd 1: st 6 in a magic circle [6]
Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
Rnd 3: (sc in the next st, inc in the next st) x6 [18]
Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 st, inc in next st) x6 [24]
Switch to color Pickles
Rnd 5: (sc in next 3 st, 3 sc in the next st) x6 [36]
Rnd 6: sl st in each st around [36]
Fasten off. PH 01
JOINING HEXAGONS:
Join hexagons together as shown in PH 02. Sew the hexagons together through the back loop only of round 5. Slip stitch will show both loops around the top of the hexagons, but the back loop of round 5 will be available to join together on the back of the hexagons.
Make a sc crochet the border around the outside of the joined hexagons (PH 03): Rejoin yarn at one of the tips of a hexagon (the middle of the 3 stitch clump) and continue joining around as follows:
Rnd 1: (sc in the next 6 st, hdc in the next 2 st, dc in the next 2 st, tr in the next 4 st, dc in the next 2 st, hdc in the next 2 st) x6 [108]
Rnd 2: sc in each st around [108]
Sl st to next st. Fasten off.
Tummy
The tummy is crocheted in continuous rounds using the color Gooseberry. Do not join at the end of each round.
Rnd 1: st 6 in a magic circle [6]
Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
Rnd 3: (sc in next st, inc in the next st) x6 [18]
Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 st, inc in next st) x6 [24]
Rnd 5: (sc in next 3 st, inc in the next st) x6 [30]
Rnd 6: (sc in next 4 st, inc in the next st) x6 [36]
Rnd 7: (sc in next 5 st, inc in the next st) x6 [42]
Rnd 8: (sc in next 6 st, inc in the next st) x6 [48]
Rnd 9: (sc in next 7 st, inc in the next st) x6 [54]
Rnd 10: (sc in next 8 st, inc in the next st) x6 [60]
Rnd 11: (sc in next 9 st, inc in the next st) x6 [66]
Rnd 12: (sc in next 10 st, inc in the next st) x6 [72]
Rnd 13: (sc in next 11 st, inc in the next st) x6 [78]
Rnd 14: (sc in next 12 st, inc in the next st) x6 [84]
Rnd 15: (sc in next 13 st, inc in the next st) x6 [90]
Rnd 16: (sc in next 14 st, inc in the next st) x6 [96]
Rnd 17: (sc in next 15 st, inc in the next st) x6 [102]
Rnd 18: (sc in next 16 st, inc in the next st) x6 [108]
Sl st to next st. Fasten off.
Head
The head is crocheted by making a square for the face, and then crocheting in continuous rounds around the outside of the square and continuing on for the remainder of the head and neck.
Start by chaining 5
Row 1: sc in the 2nd back bump from the chain, and the next 3 st [4]
Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across [4]
Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in next 3 st, inc in last st. Continue on to the next (2nd) side: sc in next 2 st, inc in last st. Continue on to the next (3rd) side: sc in next 3 st, inc in last st. Continue on to the last (4th) side: sc in next 2 st, inc in last st [18]
Rnd 4-11: sc in each st around [18]
Insert safety eyes between rows 5 and 6, with 6 or 7 stitches spaced over the top of the head. Using a length of yarn and a tapestry needle, embroider the eyelids by inserting the needle from the inside to the outside at the top, back corner of the safety eye and inserting it back in on the opposite corner, back out from the top where you first started, and back in at the bottom. Repeat immediately on the other eye with the same thread. Stuff head.
Rnd 12: (sc in next 4 st, dec in the next st) x3 [15]
Rnd 13: (sc in next 3 st, dec in the next st) x3 [12]
Rnd 14-17: sc in each st around [12]
Sl st to fasten off. Leave a long tail for sewing.
Front Flippers – make 2
Rnd 1: sc 6 in a magic circle [6]
Rnd 2: sc in each st around [6]
Rnd 3: (sc in next 2 st, inc in next st) x2 [8]
Rnd 4: (sc in next 3 st, inc in next st) x2 [10]
Rnd 5: inc in next st, sc in next 8 st, inc in next st [12]
Rnd 6: inc in next st, sc in next 10 st, inc in next st [14]
Rnd 7: inc in next st, sc in next 12 st, inc in next st [16]
Rnd 8: sc in each st around [16]
Rnd 9: inc in next st, sc in next 14 st, inc in next st [18]
Rnd 10: sc in each st around [18]
Rnd 11: inc in next st, sc in next 7 st, dec in next st, sc in next 7 st, inc in next st [19]
Rnd 12: sc in each st around [19]
Rnd 13: inc in next st, sc in next 8 st, dec in next st, sc in next 7 st, inc in next st [20]
Rnd 14: sc in each st around [20]
Rnd 15-21: inc in next st, sc in next 7 st, dec in next 2 st, sc in next 7 st, inc in next st [20]
Rnd 22: sc in next 8 st, dec in next 2 st, sc in next 8 st [18]
Rnd 23: sc in next 7 st, dec in next 2 st, sc in next 7 st [16]
Rnd 24: sc in next 6 st, dec in next 2 st, sc in next 6 st [14]
Sl st to next st. Fasten off.
Back Flippers – make 2
Rnd 1: sc 6 in a magic circle [6]
Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
Rnd 3-4: sc in each st around [12]
Rnd 5: (make 3 sc in next st) x3, sc in next 2 st, dec in next 2 st, sc in next 3 st [16]
Rnd 6-8: sc in each st around [16]
Rnd 9: sc in next 5 st, (make 3 sc in next st) x3, sc in next 4 st, dec in next 2 st [20]
Rnd 10-14: sc in each st around [20]
Rnd 15: dec in next st, sc in next 6 st, dec in next st, sc in next 8 st, dec in next st [17]
Rnd 16: sc in next 7 st, dec in next st, sc in next 6 st, dec in next st [15]
Rnd 17: sc in next 6 st, dec in next st, sc in next 5 st, dec in next st [13]
Rnd 18: sc in each st around [13]
Sl st to next st. Fasten off.
Tail
Rnd 1: sc 6 in a magic circle [6]
Rnd 2: sc in each st around [6]
Rnd 3: (sc in next st, inc in next st) x3 [9]
Rnd 4: sc in each st around [9]
Rnd 5: (sc in next 2 st, inc in next st) x3 [12]
Rnd 6: sc in each st around [12]
Rnd 7: (sc in next 3 st, inc in next st) x3 [15]
Rnd 8: sc in each st around [15]
Sl st to next st. Fasten off.
Assembly
It’s time to put together sea turtle! Begin with the head and sew shell to top side of head along 6 stitches of head opening and continue with the tummy-piece underneath. Continue down one side, sewing the shell and tummy together – picking up one loop from the shell and two loops from the tummy. This will allow for a nice, clean border around the turtle, without having the sewn stitches showing. Sew in first flipper lined approximately up with the outer flat side of one of the outer hexagon. Continue down to the back flipper and sew it in approximately along where you made the 4 treble crochet stitches around the outside of the shell. Stop here and do not sew in tail yet.
Start again with the other side of the head and repeat in the same manner down the other side of the turtle. You can stuff a bit before you make it to the back flipper. Then, after sewing in the second back flipper be sure to stuff to your liking before you sew in the tail. I stuffed very lightly so as to keep the turtle pretty flat.
Finally, sew in the tail and you’re done!
Show Off Your Work! ✨
I can’t wait to see your beautiful sea turtles! Be sure to tag me on social media @offthebeatenhook or use the hashtag #offthebeatenhook so I can admire your makes. ❤️
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