Flower tortoise (free pattern)

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I've always wanted to learn how to crochet flowers, and when I did recently it occurred to me they'd make a pretty cute carapace (upper shell) for a tortoise (my favourite animal). So naturally, i had to try and make one. She's a little over-stuffed, but other than that she's alright!
 
For this patterm you'll need 4 colours for the top bit of the shell. One of these is also used for the bottom part (plastron). I've made the legs and head in a colour that also appears in the flower, but you can use a separate one if you like.

I've used cotton SMC Catania yarn, suitable for a 2.00-2.50mm hook.

Head:

In colour 1, start a magic ring.
R1: sc 6 in the ring (6)
R2: 2sc in every stitch (12)
R3: 2sc in every 2nd stitch (18)
R4-6: sc in every stitch (18)
R7: sc2tog every 2nd and 3rd stitch (12)
R8: sc2tog 1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 5th and 6th and 7th and 8th stitch; sc 4 (8)
R9-12: sc in every stitch (8)
 
Stuff the head with polyfiber stuffing and the neck with a folded piece of pipe cleaner. Sc 4 across to the close the head. Ch 1, turn and sc in every stitch again (4). Fasten off.
 
crochet toy amigurumi turtle tortoise flower animal
 

Front leg (x2):

In colour 1, start a magic ring.
R1: sc 4 in the ring (4)
R2: 2sc in every 2nd stitch (6)
R3: 2sc in every 3rd stitch (8)
R4: 2sc in every 4th stitch (10)
R5: sc2tog 1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th stitch; sc 6 (8)
R6: (sc2tog, sc 1)x2; sc2tog (5)
Sc 2 across to close the leg. Make 2.
 

Hind leg (x2):

In colour 1, start a magic ring.
R1: sc 4 in the ring (4)
R2: 2sc in every 2nd stitch (6)
R3: 2sc in every 3rd stitch (8)
R4-5: sc in every stitch: 8
 
Sc 4 across to close the leg. Make 2.
 
Carapace:
In colour 1, start a magic ring.
R1: sc 6 in the ring (6)
R2: 2sc in every stitch (12)
R3: In back loops only, 2sc in every 2nd stitch (18)
R4: In back loops only, 2sc in every 3rd very stitch (24)
R5: In back loops only, 2sc in every 4th stitch (30)
 
In the last stitch, change to colour 4.
 
R6: In the 1st stitch: ss 1, ch 3, dc 1. In the 2nd stitch: dc 1, tc 1. In the 3rd stitch: tc 2. In the 4th stitch: tb 1, dc 1. In the 5th stitch: tc 1, ch 3, ss 1. Repeat these steps 5 more time until you have made 6 petals.
 
Fasten off and weave in the tail.
 
crochet toy amigurumi turtle tortoise flower animal
 
Join colour 1 in the loops from round 3.
 
R7: In the 1st stitch: ss 1, ch 2, sc 1 in the first ch. In the 2nd stitch: ss 1. Repeat these steps 5 more times until you have made 6 petals. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
 
Join colour 2 in the loops from round 4.
 
R8: In the 1st stitch: sc 1 and hdc 1. In the 2nd stitch: dc 2. In the 3rd stitch: hdc 1 and sc 1. Repeat these steps 5 more times until you have made 6 petals. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
 
Join colour 3 in the loops from round 5.
 
R9: In the 1st stitch: ss 1, ch 2, hdc 1. In the 2nd stitch: dc 2. In the 3rd stitch: dc 2. In the 4th stitch: hdc 1, ch 2, ss 1. Repeat these steps 5 more times until you have made 6 petals. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
 

Plastron:

In colour 4, start a magic ring.
R1: sc 6 in the ring (6)
R2: 2sc in every stitch (12)
R3: 2sc in every 2nd stitch (18)
R4: 2sc in every 3rd very stitch (24)
R5: 2sc in every 4th stitch (30)
R6: 2sc in every 5th stitch (36)
 
Fasten off, leaving a long enough tail to sew the plastron to the carapace.
 
Pin the plastron onto the carapace and place the legs and head in between. With the tail of the plastron, sew the to parts of the shell together and make sure to sew through the legs and head to fasten them in. Stuff the shell as you go. Use some embroidery thread to give the tortoise 2 eyes and any other details you like.
 
crochet toy amigurumi turtle tortoise flower animal

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