How to Crochet a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle

Crocheting a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle can be such a fun and creative project! The process of bringing these iconic characters to life through yarn and a hook is not only enjoyable but also incredibly rewarding. From selecting the perfect green shade for their shell to adding all the little details like their masks and weapons, each stitch is full of character and charm.

Project Details

Yarn weight: Worsted

Skill level: Beginner +

Gauge: Does not matter, just be sure it is tight so the stuffing doesn't show through.

Materials Needed

• Head, arm and leg color (or MC1), about 50 yards
• Torso color (or MC2), about 20 yards
• Shell color, 10 yards
• Mask color (varies, depending on which Turtle you are making), 2 yards
• Stitch Marker
• Yarn needle
• Poly-fil

Head Instructions

Using MC1, create Magic Circle, SC 6, Pull tail tight to close, PM in last SC.

• Round 1: Work 2 SC in each SC around. (12 Sts)
• Round 2: *2 SC in first St, 1 SC in next St. Repeat from * around. (18 Sts)
• Round 3: *2 SC in first St, SC in next 2 Sts. Repeat from * around. (24 Sts)
• Round 4: *2 SC in first St, SC in next 3 Sts. Repeat from * around. (30 Sts)
• Round 5: *2 SC in first St, SC in next 4 Sts. Repeat from * around. (36 Sts)
• Round 6: *2 SC in first St, SC in next 5 Sts. Repeat from * around. (42 Sts)
• Round 7: *2 SC in first St, SC in next 6 Sts. Repeat from * around. (48 Sts)
• Round 8-12: SC around. (48 Sts)
• Round 13: *Dec, SC in next 6 Sts. Repeat from * around. (42 Sts)
• Round 14: *Dec, SC in next 5 Sts. Repeat from * around. (36 Sts)
• Round 15: *Dec, SC in next 4 Sts. Repeat from * around. (30 Sts)
• Round 16: *Dec, SC in next 3 Sts. Repeat from * around. (24 Sts)
• Stuff tightly.
• Round 17: *Dec, SC in next 2 Sts. Repeat from * around. (18 Sts)
• Round 18: *Dec, SC in next St. Repeat from * around. (12 Sts)
• Round 19: *Dec. Repeat around. (6 Sts)

Finish off.

Arms Instructions (Make 2)

Using MC1, create magic circle. SC 6, Pull tail tight to close. PM in last SC.

• Round 1: Work 2 SC in each SC around. (12 Sts)
• Round 2: *2 SC in first St, SC in next St. Repeat from * around. (18 Sts)
• Round 3-8: SC around. (18 Sts)
• Round 9: *Dec, SC in next 7 Sts. Repeat from * around. (16 Sts)
• Round 10: SC around. (16 Sts)
• Round 11: *Dec, SC in next 6 Sts. Repeat from * around. (14 Sts)
• Round 12: SC around. (14 Sts)
• Stuff arm lightly.
• Round 13: *Dec, SC in next 5 Sts. Repeat from * around. (12 Sts)
• Round 14: *Dec, SC in next 4 Sts. Repeat from * around. (10 Sts)
• Round 15: *Dec, SC in next 3 Sts. Repeat from * around. (8 Sts)
• Pinch work top of work together, and working in both sides, close the top of the work. Work 3 SC across. (3 Sts)

Finish off. Leave long tail for sewing to body.

Legs Instructions (Make 2)

Using MC1, create magic circle. SC 6, Pull tail tight to close. PM in last SC.

• Round 1: Work 2 SC in each SC around. (12 Sts)
• Round 2: *2 SC in first St, SC in next St. Repeat from * around. (18 Sts)
• Round 3: *2 SC in first St, SC in next 5 Sts. Repeat from * around. (21 Sts)
• Round 4-12: SC around. (21 Sts)
• Round 13: Dec, SC in next 9 Sts, Dec, SC in next 9 Sts. (19 Sts)
• Round 14: SC around. (19 Sts)
• Round 15: Dec, SC in next 7 Sts, Dec, SC in next 6 Sts. (17 Sts)
• Round 16: SC around. (17 Sts)
• Stuff leg lightly.
• Round 17: Dec, SC in next 6, Dec, SC in next 7 Sts. (15 Sts)
• Round 18-19: SC around. (15 Sts)
• Round 20: Dec, SC around. (14 Sts)

Finish off, leaving a long tail for sewing to body. Finish stuffing leg.

Torso Instructions

Using MC2, create magic circle. SC 6, Pull tail tight to close. PM in last SC.

• Round 1: Work 2 SC in each SC around. (12 Sts)
• Round 2: *2 SC in first St, SC in next St. Repeat from * around. (18 Sts)
• Round 3: *2 SC in first St, SC in next 2 Sts. Repeat from * around. (24 Sts)
• Round 4: *2 SC in first St, SC in next 3 Sts. Repeat from * around. (30 Sts)
• Round 5: *2 SC in first St, SC in next 4 Sts. Repeat from * around. (36 Sts)
• Round 6-11: SC around. (36 Sts)
• Round 12: *Dec, SC in next 4 Sts. Repeat from * around. (30 Sts)
• Round 13-14: SC around. (30 Sts)
• Round 15: *Dec, SC in next 3 Sts. Repeat from * around. (24 Sts)
• Round 16-17: SC around. (24 Sts)
• Round 18: *Dec, SC in next 2 Sts. Repeat from * around. (18 Sts)
• Round 19: SC around. (18 Sts)

Finish off, leaving a long tail for sewing to head and stuff tightly.

Assembly Instructions

Sew the torso to the head, and the legs and arms to the body.

Shell Instructions

Using shell color, Ch 9.

• Round 1: SC in second ch from hook, SC in next 6 Sts, 3 SC in next St. Working on the opposite side of the chain, work 6 SC across, in the starting SC, work 2 more SC. PM. (18 Sts)
• Round 2: Work 2 SC in first St, 2 SC in next St, SC in next 6 Sts, 2 SC in next 2 Sts, SC in next 8 Sts. (22 Sts)
• Round 3: 2 SC in first St, SC in next 10, 2 SC in next St, SC in next 10 Sts. (24 Sts)
• Round 4: SC in first St, 2 SC in next St, SC in next 11 Sts, 2 SC in next St, SC in next 10 Sts. (26 Sts)
• Round 5: SC in first 2 Sts, 2 SC in next St, SC in next 12 Sts, 2 SC in next St, SC in next 10 Sts. (28 Sts)
• Round 6: Working in front loops only, *SC, 2 SC in next St. Repeat from *around to last St, SC. (41 Sts)
• Round 7: Working in both loops, *SC in next 2 Sts, 2 SC in next St. Repeat from * around. (55 Sts)

Sl St in next St, finish off, leaving a long tail for sewing onto the body.

Optional: Sew shell detail with contrasting color yarn as shown.

Sash Instructions

Ch 45, Finish Off. Tie around waist and tack down with sash colored yarn in several places.

Mask Instructions

Ch 45, PM in center Ch. Sl St in second Ch from hook, and in each Ch, until 5 Sts from center. SC, HDC, DC, HDC, SC, then Sl St in center St. Then, SC, HDC, DC, HDC, SC, then Sl St to the end.

Finish off, leaving long tail to sew onto head.