Turtle plant holder

This slow and steady reptile will keep your little pots of succulents safe. Designed by Sarah-Jane Hicks

■ King Cole Giza Cotton 4ply (100% cotton, 50g/158m), 1 ball of each: Teal (2414), Coral (2196)

■ A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook

■ 2 safety eyes, 10mm

■ Toy stuffing

■ Black stranded cotton

■ Stitch markers

TENSION

Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required

MEASUREMENTS

To fit plant pot measuring 6cm (2 in) in diameter

NOTES

Pattern is worked in the amigurumi style unless otherwise stated. Work stitches in a continuous spiral without closing off each round with a slip stitch. You may find it helpful to mark the first st of the round, moving the marker up as you go.

Head is made in one piece and joined to the Body at the end. The Body is worked in two pieces, which are joined together and stuffed to form a double layer.

Refer to the images as a guide when joining the sections together.

TURTLE PLANT HOLDER

HEAD

Using Teal, ch2.

Round 1 (RS) 6dc in second ch from hook. [6 sts]

Round 2 (RS) 2dc in each st around. [12 sts] Round 3 (1dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [18 sts] Round 4 (2dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [24 sts] Round 5 (3dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [30 sts] Rounds 6-10 Dc in each st around.

Round 11 (3dc, dc2tog) 6 times. [24 sts] Round 12 Dc in each st around.

Round 13 (2dc, dc2tog) 6 times. [18 sts] Round 14 Dc in each st around.

Round 15 (1dc, dc2tog) 6 times. [12 sts] Fasten off leaving a long thread to sew Head to Body.

Insert eyes between Rounds 5-6, approx 6 sts apart.

Stuff the Head.

CHEEKS

Using Coral, ch2.

Round 1 (RS) 6dc in second ch from hook. [6 sts]

Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Use the tail to sew the Cheeks to the Head.

BODY

BASE

Using Teal, ch2.

Rounds 1-5 As Rounds 1-5 of Head. [30 sts] Round 6 (4dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [36 sts] Round 7 (5dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [42 sts] Round 8 (Working in fl only), (6dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [48 sts]

Round 9 (7dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [54 sts] Round 10 (8dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [60 sts] Round 11 (9dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [66 sts] Round 12 (10dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [72 sts] Round 13 (11dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [78 sts] Round 14 (12dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [84 sts] Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew Base to Top of Body.

TOP

Using Teal, ch2,

Rounds 1-7 (RS) As Rounds 1-7 of Body Base. [42 sts]

Round 8 (Working in fl only) Dc in each st around.

Rounds 9-21 Dc in each st around.

Round 22 (Working in bl only), (6dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [48 sts]

Round 23 (7dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [54 sts] Round 24 (8dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [60 sts] Round 25 (9dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [66 sts] Round 26 (10dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [72 sts] Round 27 (11dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [78 sts] Round 28 (12dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [84 sts] Rounds 29-35 Dc in each st around.

Fasten off.

With WS together, sew the Base and Top together through the unworked loops from Round 8.

To seam the outer edge, join Teal through both loops of Top and bl of Base of Round 35. In foll round, work all sts through both layers to join. Round 36 Dc in each st around stuffing the body lightly as you go, placing your plant pot inside as you stuff to get the perfect fit, ss to beg dc.

Fasten off and weave in ends. Sew the Head to the Body.

FLIPPERS (MAKE 4)

Using Teal, ch2.

Rounds 1-6 As Rounds 1-6 of Body Base. [36 sts]

Fold and work a dc seam around to join. Sew the Flippers to the Body.

TAIL

Using Teal, ch2.

Round 1 (RS) 4dc in second ch from hook. [4 sts]

Round 2 (1dc, 2dc in next st) twice. [6 sts] Rounds 3-5 Dc in each st around.

Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Sew the Tail to the Body.

TO FINISH

Using black stranded cotton, embroider a mouth to the Head.

If your plant pot has holes in the base, line the Body with plastic before watering.