Newborn Turtle Photo Prop Set Free Crochet Pattern

I've debated back and forth on releasing this pattern on my blog for free or as a paid pattern on Etsy. In honor of the big Mommy & Baby giveaway I decided to go ahead and do it for free because every baby deserves to have extra special newborn pictures!!! Please see the terms of use tab on the blog for information on how this pattern may and may not be used. 

Newborn Turtle Photo Prop Set
By Kate Knapp @ Crafty Kate Going Crazy

Materials Needed:
Worsted weight yarn in 2 shades of green (I used one skein Bernat Satin dark green and one skein Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in a medium green.

Sizes H & K crochet hook Tapestry needle

Abbreviations:
Sc – single crochet
Dc- double crochet
Sc2tog- single crochet decrease
Sl St- slip stitch Ch- chain

Stitch Explanations: Sc2tog- insert hook into indicated stitch, yo, pull through loop, insert hook into next stitch, yo, pull through loop, yo, pull through the 3 loops on the hook.

Notes:
This pattern is written in US Crochet Terms.
 
The shell is worked with two strands of yarn held together.

Both items begin with a magic circle, there are many tutorials on this online.

Instructions are for a newborn size, you can up the sizing to a 3 months size by going up one hook size for the hat and shell.

Both pieces are worked in the round, starting chains do not count as stitches and you do not turn after the chain.

Hat Instructions:

Round 1: using the lighter green and the size H hook create a magic circle, ch 2, 10 dc. Sl st in 1st dc. (chains do not count as stitches in this pattern)

Round 2: ch 2, do 2 dc in each dc of prior round. Connect with a sl st to the first dc (not the chain)

Round 3: ch 2, 1 dc in first stich, *2 dc in next stitch, 1 dc in the following stitch* repeat from *to* until the end of the round, connect with a sl st to the first dc.

Round 4: ch 2, 1 dc in first stitch, *2 dc in next stitch, dc in the next 2 dc*, repeat from * to * until the end of the round, connect with a sl st to the first dc.

Round 5: ch 2, 1 dc in first stitch, *2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 3 dc*, repeat from * to* until the end of the round, connect with a sl st to the first dc.

Round 6-9: ch 2, 1 dc in each stitch, connect with a sl st to the first dc.

Round 10: change to the darker green and ch 1, work 1 sc in each stitch around. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Turtle Shell Instructions:

Round 1: Start with a magic circle using two strands and the K hook (one of each green which will create a mottled shell look). Ch 2, work 8 dc in the magic circle.

Round 2: ch 2, work 2 dc in each dc of prior round. Connect with a sl st to the first dc (not the chain)

Round 3: ch 2, 1 dc in first stich, *2 dc in next stitch, 1 dc in the following stitch* repeat from *to* until the end of the round, connect with a sl st to the first dc.

Round 4: ch 2, 1 dc in first stitch, *2 dc in next stitch, dc in the next 2 dc*, repeat from * to * until the end of the round, connect with a sl st to the first dc.

Round 5: ch 2, 1 dc in first stitch, *2 dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 3 dc*, repeat from * to* until the end of the round, connect with a sl st to the first dc.

Round 6: ch 1, work one sc in each stitch around, connect to the first sc with a sl st.

Round 7: Using one strand of the light color ch 1, work one sc in each stitch around, connect to the first sc with a sl st. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Now we will make the patches on the shell using just the one strand of the lighter green and the H hook. Make a total of 5 patches.

Foundation and Row 1: ch 2, work one sc in the 2nd ch from the hook. (1 sc)

Row 2: ch 1, turn, work 2 sc in the sc. (2 sc)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, work 2 sc in each sc. (4 sc)

Row 4: ch 1, turn, work 2 sc in the first sc, one sc in each of the next two stitches, work 2 sc in the last stitch. (6 sc)

Row 5: ch 1, turn, work 2 sc in the first sc, work one sc across until the last stitch, work 2 sc in the last stitch. (8 sc)

Rows 6 & 7: ch 1, turn, work 1 sc in each stitch. (8 sc)

Row 8 & 9: ch 1, turn, work a sc2tog, sc in each stitch across except the last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. (you will have 6 stitches in row 8 and 4 stitches in row 9).

Sew on using random placement and rotating the patches on the shell to achieve a more natural look.