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.

Angel Soft Baby Hat - Free Crochet Pattern

Long past time for a new pattern!  Today I am posting up my Angel Soft Baby Hat.  Perfect as a photo prop because it is designed to have interchangeable decorations that insert into the designed spaces between stitches. 

Angel Soft Baby Hat (with interchangeable adornment ideas)

Sizes 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, and 12 – 18 months

Materials Needed:

Worsted weight soft boucle yarn (I used a soft natural color of Plymouth Yarn Boucle Merino Superwash)

Hook Size H (5.0) for 0-3 months, I (5.50) for 3-6 months, J for 6-12 months, K for 12-18 months

Tapestry Needle

For adornments (optional): yarn scraps, 2” alligator clips, 3 ft. of ½” wide ribbon, premade hair bows or flowers, craft glue

Small alligator style hair clips 

Abbreviations:

Dc – double crochet

Sp- space

St- stitch

Sl st- slip stitch

Ch- chain

Notes

Pattern is written with US crochet terms.

Hat is begun with a magic circle, if you don’t know how to make this I highly recommend looking up one of the many good tutorials on it or you may substitute a ch 4, connecting with a sl st to the first ch to make a ring.

Gauge: gauge sample worked with a size I hook, 5 dc = 2 inches wide and ¾ inch tall, crochet a sample using your yarn and a size I hook to determine if you are crocheting with the tension needed for this project, if not you may need to adjust up or down a hook size to achieve proper sizing.  This hat does have a LOT of stretch so it's very forgiving size wise.

Instructions

Hat

Begin with a magic circle (see notes section).

Round 1: Ch 3 in magic circle (counts as first dc), work 8 more dc in the circle, connect to the top of the ch 3 with a sl st.

Round 2: ch 3, dc in same sp as ch 3, work  2 dc in each dc around, connect to the top of the ch 3 with a sl st.

Round 3: ch 3, dc in same sp as ch 3, ch 1, skip next st, *work 2 dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st*, repeat  from * to * to the end of the round ending with a ch 1 and skip last sp, connect ch 1 to top of the ch 3 with a sl st.

Round 4: ch 3, dc in same sp as ch 3, work one sc in next dc and in ch 1 space of prior round. *2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 dc in ch 1 sp of prior round*, repeat from * to * to end of round and connect last st to ch 2 with a sl st.

Round 5: ch 3, dc in same sp as ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, *2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next 3 dc*, repeat from * to * until you reach the end of the round, connect your last st with a sl st to the ch 3.

Round 6: ch 3, dc in next st, *ch 1 and skip next dc, dc in next 2 dc*, repeat * to * until end of round,  it should end with a ch 1 and skipped stitch, attach the ch 1 to the top of the ch 3 with a sl st.

Round 7: ch 3, work one dc in each dc and ch 1 space to end of round, sl st last dc to the top of the ch 3.

Round 8: ch 3, work one dc in each dc, join last dc to ch 3 with a sl st. 

If you want it a little longer you can add a row of sc around the bottom.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

Interchangeable Decorations

These are what make this hat awesome as a photo prop.  The openings worked into the hat make a great place to thread any color ribbon or to attach hair clip bows and flowers.  One hat….many looks!

How to make a flower clip:  crochet your favorite flower pattern (there are many, many out there and many are free).  Take your alligator clip and clip through the back of the flower being careful that the clip doesn’t show.  You can then attach the clip around the 2 dc in the 3^rd row from the bottom.  If using crocheted flowers you do not need to permanently attach the flower to the clip making the clip reusable as well.

How to add ribbon:  weave a 3 ft. long piece of ½” wide ribbon in and out through the open spaces on the 3^rd row from the bottom of the hat.  Start wherever you want your finished ribbon bow to be.  Once you have completed weaving the ribbon, tie in a pretty bow.

Use plastic or silk flowers: attach to an alligator clip using craft glue or a hot glue gun.