Crochet Turtle Shell Hexagon Lovey – Free Pattern

This original crochet turtle lovey uses the construction described in its own design brief: A six-sided flat lovey cloth with a low domed stitched shell at its center and a small integrated turtle head and four flat flippers along selected edges; embroidered eyes. The written stitch arithmetic is checked, while gauge and fit must still be confirmed by making a sample before gifting or use.

A six-sided center-out comfort cloth gives this turtle its defining silhouette. A shallow, unfilled domed shell is stitched to the marked central ring; one flat head and four flat tapered flippers extend from separate outer-edge segments. Every facial feature is embroidered.

Pattern Details

• Hook Size: 4 mm for cloth; 3.5 mm for shell and appliqués
• Finished Size: Hexagon approximately 12 inches across opposite corners at target gauge; shell approximately 3 inches across
• Gauge: Target 16 sc and 18 rounds = 4 inches on cloth, washed; exact motif gauge is secondary to firm seams
• Estimated Time: 6–9 hours
• Construction: 24-round six-increase hexagonal cloth (144 outer stitches), eight-round 36-stitch low shell, one flat 24-stitch head and four flat tapered flippers
• Skill level: Intermediate

Why You’ll Love This Project

The shaping is visible at each checkpoint, so a maker can count, measure, and correct the fabric before assembly. The result is a distinct project rather than a recoloring of an older pattern.

Materials

• Planning allowance 290 yards soft washable mint DK cotton-blend yarn for cloth and flippers
• Approximately 110 yards olive DK cotton-blend yarn for shell and head
• Small amount dark-brown washable embroidery yarn, 4 mm and 3.5 mm hooks, six markers, blunt yarn needle, tape measure and scissors

Gauge, Measurements, and Planning

At approximately four stitches per inch, each 24-stitch hexagonal side spans about six inches and the opposite-corner width targets twelve inches. Lay the finished cloth flat after each six rounds; if it cups or waves, check all six increase positions and washed gauge. The shell must fit the 36-stitch center boundary without being stretched.

Make and wash a gauge swatch before beginning. Measure only after the swatch is completely dry. If the stitch width differs, change hook size rather than pulling the working yarn tighter. Keep a written count at the end of every section so the finished edges remain balanced and the assembly points line up.

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd: round
• BLO: back loop only
• inc: two single crochets in one stitch
• sc2tog: single crochet two stitches together
• dec: single crochet two together
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side

Special stitch guidance: Work a hexagon by increasing once in the last old stitch of each of six marked sides. For Round n, each old side contains n−1 stitches: sc in the first n−2 and inc in the last. The shell is a shallow open-bottom cup; do not stuff it or leave its rim loose.

Important Notes

• Development note: the written stitch arithmetic is computationally checked, but no physically crocheted sample or wear test is claimed. Gauge, yardage, fit and dimensions are planning targets; swatch and check before gifting.
• Beginning chains and joining slip stitches do not count unless the step explicitly says otherwise. Mark the first counted stitch and write down every shaping count.
• Use soft washable yarn. Do not add plastic eyes, beads, buttons, long ties or other detachable parts to young-child projects.
• AI-generated photographs are design illustrations, not stitch charts or evidence of a physically tested sample. Follow the written counts and your measured gauge.
• Use only with supervision. These projects are not for infant sleep or unsupervised crib use; inspect seams and attachments before each use.

Complete Instructions for Crochet Turtle Shell Hexagon Lovey

Grow the Six-Sided Lovey Cloth

1. With mint and 4 mm hook, make a magic ring. Round 1: work 6 sc into the ring, pull closed, mark the first stitch and join without turning. (6 sts)
2. Round 2: inc in each of the six stitches. (12 sts) Round 3: repeat [sc in next stitch, inc in next] six times. (18 sts) Round 4: repeat [sc in next two stitches, inc in next] six times. (24 sts)
3. Continue the same six-side rule through Round 24: on Round n, work [sc in the next n−2 old stitches, inc in the next old stitch] six times. The target after every round is 6n stitches. Round 6 has 36 stitches; place a removable marker at each sixth stitch for later shell sewing. Round 24 has (144 sts).
4. Do not count joining slip stitches or beginning chains. Move the six corner markers to the newly increased stitch each round. Wash and dry flat before attaching motifs; confirm all six sides have 24 edge stitches and no corner curls upward.
5. Cloth count checklist only—not extra rounds: Round 2: (12 sts); Round 3: (18 sts); Round 4: (24 sts); Round 5: (30 sts); Round 6: (36 sts); Round 7: (42 sts); Round 8: (48 sts); Round 9: (54 sts); Round 10: (60 sts); Round 11: (66 sts); Round 12: (72 sts); Round 13: (78 sts); Round 14: (84 sts); Round 15: (90 sts); Round 16: (96 sts); Round 17: (102 sts); Round 18: (108 sts); Round 19: (114 sts); Round 20: (120 sts); Round 21: (126 sts); Round 22: (132 sts); Round 23: (138 sts); Round 24: (144 sts).

Crochet the Low Olive Shell and Flat Head

1. With olive and 3.5 mm hook, make a shell magic ring. Shell Round 1: 6 sc. (6 sts) Increase evenly on Rounds 2–6 to 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 stitches respectively. (36 sts)
2. Shell Rounds 7–8: sc in every stitch without increasing, join and fasten off with a long sewing tail. (36 sts) Leave the cup hollow, unstuffed and low; its rim is the sewing edge.
3. For the flat head, make another olive magic ring of 6 sc. Increase on Rounds 2, 3 and 4 to 12, 18 and 24 stitches; join and fasten off. (24 sts) Flatten and embroider two small eyes and a tiny mouth using tight dark-brown stitches with buried tails.
4. Place the head at one cloth corner with twelve of its perimeter stitches lying on the cloth and the other twelve extending beyond the edge. Mark those twelve attachment stitches; do not rely on a single tack stitch.

Make Four Tapered Flippers

1. For each mint flipper, ch 9. Row 1: sc in second chain and across, ch 1 and turn. (8 sts)
2. Row 2: sc2tog at both ends with sc in all middle stitches, ch 1 and turn. (6 sts) Row 3: repeat paired end decreases. (4 sts) Row 4: repeat once more. (2 sts)
3. Fasten off with a long tail. Make four identical flippers. Block each gently into a broad base and soft tapered tip; do not insert wire, plastic or stuffing.
4. Mark two flipper bases on each side of the head, separated from the shell rim. Each base attaches across eight consecutive outer-edge positions. Leave the remaining vertices unobstructed so the six-sided cloth remains visible.

Sew Every Part Securely

1. Match all 36 shell-rim stitches to the 36 marked cloth positions around Round 6. Sew completely around twice through full stitches, bury the tail, then gently pull-test the entire rim; no opening should remain.
2. Sew the head across its twelve marked perimeter positions at the chosen vertex and make a second pass. Sew each flipper’s eight-stitch base to eight distinct cloth edge stitches in two passes. Tug each attachment separately.
3. Weave every tail beneath several stitches and reverse direction twice. Count the six outer sides and inspect the wrong side to ensure no floating yarn, loose knot or detachable face element remains.
4. Use as a supervised comfort item only, never in a crib or infant sleep space. Launder gently, dry completely flat and reinspect every seam before each use.

Assembly and Shaping

Center the open shell exactly over cloth Round 6, whose outer edge has 36 stitches. Sew one shell-rim stitch to each corresponding cloth stitch in two passes. Sew half the flat head perimeter to one vertex; sew four flippers at the two neighboring vertices on each side. Keep the shell low and every attachment fully secured.

Lay every component on a flat surface before joining. Match the marked centers first, then divide each remaining edge into equal sections. Work through both layers with consistent tension and pause after each section to check that the fabric lies flat. This measured approach prevents twisting and keeps decorative details facing the intended direction.

Finishing

1. Fasten off with a long tail and weave it through three separate stitch groups, reversing direction twice.
2. Wash and dry according to the yarn label; measure again only after the fabric is fully dry.
3. Inspect both sides of every seam and embroidered feature; remove all markers and repair any loose end.
4. Keep a written note of the finished dimensions, yarn, hook and care instructions with the gift.

For a polished result, weave each tail through several same-color stitches, reverse direction once, and trim only after the fabric has been gently stretched. Block to the listed dimensions without flattening textured stitches. Inspect joins, borders, straps, and decorative pieces before the project is used or gifted.

Helpful Tips

• Make a generous washed gauge swatch; compare stitches and rows per inch separately.
• Place contrasting markers at every segment boundary and recount before and after shaping.
• Check dimensions against an existing well-fitting item; never pin a project directly on a child.
• If a section cups, flares, or twists, fix the underlying count or gauge instead of hiding it in a seam.

Good lighting and a contrasting stitch marker make counting much easier. If a section looks uneven, compare the current count with the previous checkpoint before continuing. Fixing one missed stitch early is faster than compensating later, and it preserves the measurements used by the assembly instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this pattern physically tested?

No physical sample test is claimed. The written counts are audited; make a gauge swatch and verify the complete finished sample before gifting.

Can I change the yarn?

Yes, but only after matching washed stitch and row gauge and checking fabric softness and recovery. Yardage and dimensions change with fiber and tension.

Is this suitable for unsupervised infant sleep?

No. Use only with supervision, omit detachable pieces, and follow current safe-sleep guidance.

Conclusion

Check the finished dimensions against your washed gauge and inspect every seam and embroidered feature. Record any size adjustments and make a complete physical sample before relying on the fit.

BabyYarnie Printable Crochet Pattern Card

BabyYarnie — easy-to-follow crochet for everyday makers.

Project: Crochet Turtle Shell Hexagon Lovey

Skill level: Intermediate   Hook: 4 mm for cloth; 3.5 mm for shell and appliqués   Yarn: DK cotton blend

Finished size: Hexagon approximately 12 inches across opposite corners at target gauge; shell approximately 3 inches across

Card Materials

• Planning allowance 290 yards soft washable mint DK cotton-blend yarn for cloth and flippers
• Approximately 110 yards olive DK cotton-blend yarn for shell and head
• Small amount dark-brown washable embroidery yarn, 4 mm and 3.5 mm hooks, six markers, blunt yarn needle, tape measure and scissors

Card Instructions

1. Grow the Six-Sided Lovey Cloth: Six increases every round, from six center stitches to 144 outer stitches at Round 24.
2. Crochet the Low Olive Shell and Flat Head: A low 36-stitch shell is sewn closed at its rim; a flat 24-stitch head has embroidered features.
3. Make Four Tapered Flippers: Four matching flat flippers narrow 8, 6, 4, 2 stitches and attach by their broad bases.
4. Sew Every Part Securely: Attach the shell, one head and four flippers with complete doubled seams and embroidered eyes.

Finish: Check every count, weave in all ends, block to measurement, and inspect each join.