Free Crochet Tortoise Pin Cushion Pattern

With gorgeous pastel shades and geometric shapes, this cute little tortoise would look as lovely on a nursery shelf as it would a pincushion for your sewing table designed by Irene Strange

Hints and tips Use as many colours as you like to create the shell – this is a quick little project to use up any leftovers. Add some shape to the legs by weaving in a bit of thread through the inner side of the leg and pull tight, gathering it up.

Yarn used Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino; Sport/DK – 3.75mm hook; Small amounts of assorted colours - Citrus 018 (MC), Mint 003 (CC1), Leaf 090 (CC2), Peach Melba 068 (CC3), Pool 071 (CC4), Clotted Cream 065 (CC5)

About the yarn Sport; 125m per 50g ball; 55% wool, 12% cashmere, 33% acrylic

Tension Tension is not critical, but keep stitches tight to stop stuffing showing through

Hook used 3.75mm

Other supplies 2 6mm black safety eyes

Sizing 10cm tall

Pattern instructions

Charts and diagrams shell colour diagram

Head

Rnd 1: Using MC, working into a magic ring, 6 dc.

Rnd 2: 2 dc in each stitch. 12 sts

Rnd 3: [2 dc in first st, 1 dc] six times. 18 sts 

Rnd 4: [2 dc in first st, 2 dc] six times. 24 sts

Rnds 5-8: Dc around.

Rnd 9: [Dc2tog, 2 dc] six times. 18 sts

Rnd 10: [dc2tog, 1 dc] six times. 12 sts

Rnd 11: Dc around. Fasten off, add safety eyes and stuffing.

Legs

Rnd 1: Using MC, working into a magic ring, 8 dc.

Rnd 2-8: Dc around. Fasten off, add stuffing.

Tail

Rnd 1: Using MC, working into a magic ring, 5 dc.

Rnd 2: 2 dc in first st, 4 dc. 6 sts

Rnd 3: 2 dc in first st, 5 dc. 7 sts Fasten off.

Whole Diamond (Make 12, in a mix of contrast colours - 3 in CC2 and CC3, 2 in CC1, CC4 and CC5) Chain 7.

Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, dc across. Turn. 6 sts

Row 2: 1 ch, miss first st, 4 dc, 2 dc in last st. Turn.

Row 3: 1 ch, 2 dc in first st, 5 dc. Turn. 7 sts

Row 4: 1 ch, miss first st, 5 dc, 2 dc in last st. Turn.

Row 5: 1 ch, 2 dc in first st, 6 dc. Turn. 8 sts

Row 6: 1 ch, miss first st, 6 dc, 2 dc in last st. Fasten off.

Half Diamond (Make 6, in a mix of contrast colours - 3 in CC1, 1 in CC3, CC4 and CC5) Chain 7.

Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, dc across. Turn. 6 sts

Row 2: 1 ch, miss first st, 5 dc. Turn. 5 sts

Row 3: 1 ch, miss first st, 4 dc. Turn. 4 sts

Row 4: 1 ch, miss first st, 3 dc. Turn. 3 sts

Row 5: 1 ch, miss first st, 2 dc. Turn. 2 sts

Row 6: 1 ch, miss first st, 1 dc in last st. Fasten off.

Shell Bottom

Rnd 1: Using MC, working into a magic ring, 6 dc.

Rnd 2: 2 dc in each stitch. 12 sts

Rnd 3: [2 dc in first st, 1 dc] six times. 18 sts

Rnd 4: [2 dc in first st, 2 dc] six times. 24 sts

Rnd 5: [2 dc in first st, 3 dc] six times. 30 sts

Rnd 6: [2 dc in first st, 4 dc] six times. 36 sts

Fasten off, leave a long tail for sewing.

Shell Rim

Rnd 1: Using CC1, working into a magic ring, 5 dc.

Rnd 2-26: Dc around. Check the rim is long enough to go around the whole shell once tortoise assembled – if too short add more rounds. Fasten off, sew the ends together. Next sew together the shell - arrange the top with the colours alternating, and sew together along the top corners of the first 6 diamonds, then sew in the next 6 between the first. Finally add the half diamonds along the edge. Sew together the top of the shell and the bottom, tucking in the head, tail and legs between the two parts. Add lots of stuffing to the shell top before sewing up completely. To finish sew the rim along the edge of the shell top.