Introduction

Meet the Urban Gardener Turtle—a friendly amigurumi in olive overalls, a pocket tee with a daisy, brick loafers, and a sun hat, carrying a little mesh tote of basil. The instructions below reproduce the photographed sample exactly, including stitch counts, color placement, and attachment heights for a perfect 1:1 match.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

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Materials Needed

• Yarn (DK / light-worsted, smooth cotton or cotton-blend for crisp stitches):
  1. Turtle skin (light olive): 70–80 g
  2. Shell plates (medium olive): 30–35 g
  3. Shell edging/under-shell (deep olive): 25–30 g
  4. Tee & tote (cream): 35–40 g
  5. Overalls (olive green): 45–55 g
  6. Shoes (brick/orange clay): 25–30 g
  7. Basil leaves (bright green): scraps
  8. Daisy embroidery (white/yellow) & face thread (dark olive): scraps
• Hooks: 2.75 mm (C) for amigurumi; 3.0 mm for clothing/hat/tote if you crochet tightly.
• Notions: 8 mm safety eyes (pair), 2 small round buttons (7–8 mm) for overalls, tapestry needle, stitch markers, polyester fiberfill, optional thin card for shell stiffener (not required), sewing needle & thread to anchor straps.
• Optional stability: two flat washers/coins inside each loafer.

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Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge (sc in the round): 24 sts × 26 rows = 10 cm (4″) with 2.75 mm.
• Finished height: ~25–26 cm including hat.

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Abbreviations (US Terms)

MR = magic ring; sc = single crochet; inc = 2 sc in same st; dec = invisible decrease; sl st = slip stitch; hdc = half double crochet; dc = double crochet; tr = treble; ch = chain; BLO/FLO = back/front loop only; st(s) = stitch(es); rnd(s) = round(s); pm = place marker; FO = fasten off; RS = right side.

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Pattern Notes

• Work amigurumi pieces in continuous rounds unless noted; use a marker.
• Stuff firmly, especially head, legs, and the shell dome.
• Change color on the final pull-through of the previous stitch.
• Shell uses simple hexagon-style scute layout (center motif + 6 wedges) built as one piece—no sewing of many motifs needed, but the look matches the photo.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Head (light olive)

1. MR 6 (6)
2. inc ×6 (12)
3. (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
5. (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
6. (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
7. (5 sc, inc) ×6 (42)
   8–12) sc around (42)
   — Place eyes between Rnds 12–13, 11 sts apart.
8. (5 sc, dec) ×6 (36)
9. sc around (36) — embroider smile centered between Rnds 14–15.
10. (4 sc, dec) ×6 (30)
11. (3 sc, dec) ×6 (24) — start stuffing.
12. (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
13. (sc, dec) ×6 (12)
14. dec ×6 (6) FO, close. Sculpt cheeks with one gentle tug from the back if desired.

Neck (light olive)

1. MR 6 (6)
2. inc ×6 (12)
3. sc around (12)
4. (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
   5–6) sc around (18) FO, long tail for sewing later.

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Body (light olive base; shell attaches later)

1. MR 6 (6)
2. inc ×6 (12)
3. (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
5. (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
6. (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
   7–12) sc around (36)
7. (5 sc, inc) ×6 (42)
   14–18) sc around (42)
8. (5 sc, dec) ×6 (36)
9. (4 sc, dec) ×6 (30)
10. sc around (30) — mark Rnd 22 for arm line.
11. (3 sc, dec) ×6 (24)
12. (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
13. (sc, dec) ×6 (12)
14. dec ×6 (6) FO. Stuff firm; leave top slightly concave to seat the neck.

Arms (make 2, light olive)

1. MR 6 (6)
2. (sc, inc) ×3 (9)
   3–7) sc around (9)
3. (2 sc, inc) ×3 (12)
   9–12) sc around (12)
4. (sc, dec) ×4 (8)
5. sc around (8) — stuff lightly.
6. dec ×4 (4) FO, flatten opening for sewing.

Legs (make 2, light olive up to ankle)

1. MR 6 (6)
2. inc ×6 (12)
3. (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
   4–7) sc around (18) — create foot cylinder; begin stuffing.
4. (4 sc, dec) ×3 (15)
   9–12) sc around (15)
5. (3 sc, dec) ×3 (12)
6. sc around (12) FO with long tail for sewing.

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Shell (one-piece domed shell with scute texture)

Color map:

• Center & wedges: medium olive.
• Outer rim / underside band: deep olive.

Hook 2.75 mm.

Center plate (medium olive):

1. MR 6 (6)
2. inc ×6 (12)
3. (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)

Begin hex-wedge segmentation: place markers every 4 sts (6 segments).
5) [sc in next 3, inc] around (30)
6) sc around (30)
7) [sc in next 4, inc] around (36)
8) sc around (36)
9) [sc in next 5, inc] around (42)
10) sc around (42)
11) [sc in next 6, inc] around (48)
12) sc around (48)
13) [sc in next 7, inc] around (54)
14) sc around (54)
15) [sc in next 8, inc] around (60)
16) sc around (60)

Rim & depth (switch to deep olive):
17) BLO sc around (60)
18) (9 sc, inc) ×6 (66)
19) sc around (66)
20) (10 sc, inc) ×6 (72)
21) sc around (72)
22) (10 sc, dec) ×6 (66)
23) sc around (66) — begin firm stuffing under shell.
24) (9 sc, dec) ×6 (60)
25) sc around (60)
26) (8 sc, dec) ×6 (54)
27) sc around (54) — FO leaving very long tail for sewing to the back.
Optional segmentation lines: surface-slip deep olive lines from center to each marker to emphasize wedges.

Under-shell pad (deep olive, flat):

1. MR 6 (6)
2. inc ×6 (12)
3. (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
5. (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
6. (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
7. (5 sc, inc) ×6 (42) — size should nest inside shell; FO.
   Insert pad inside shell before attaching to body for a tidy interior.

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Clothing & Accessories

Pocket Tee (cream, worked flat)

Hook 3.0 mm.

Body:
Ch 44.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch & across (43).
Rows 2–10: sc across (43).
Row 11 (armholes): sc 13, ch 6, sk 5, sc 7, ch 6, sk 5, sc 13 (43).
Rows 12–15: sc across (43), working into chains to form sleeves.
Row 16 (neck): sc 16, sk 11, sc 16 (32).
Rows 17–18: sc 16 each shoulder; FO. Seam sides & underarms.

Neck & sleeve trims:
Join cream at neck; work 1 rnd sl st loosely. Work 1 rnd sc around each sleeve.

Tiny chest pocket:
Ch 7; Row 1: sc 6; Rows 2–3: sc 6; FO. Stitch pocket to left chest and embroider a mini daisy: yellow french-knot center, 6–8 white straight-stitch petals, small green stem.

Overalls Shorts (olive, rolled hems)

Hook 3.0 mm.

Shorts base:
Ch 60, join without twist.
Rnds 1–3: sc around (60).
Rnd 4: (8 sc, dec) ×6 → 54.
Rnds 5–8: sc around (54).
Split for legs: 27 sts per leg.

Leg 1:
Rnds 1–6: sc around (27).
Rnds 7–8: BLO sc around (27) to create a tidy roll line; FO. Roll hems upward ~1 cm and tack side seams.

Leg 2: same as Leg 1.

Bib:
Rejoin yarn centered at front. PU 20 sts along front waist.
Rows 1–8: sc across (20).
Row 9: dec each edge (18).
Row 10: sc across (18); FO.

Straps (make 2):
Ch 26–28 (fit from back waist up over shoulders to bib without crossing).
Row 1: sc in back bumps; Row 2: sl st back for firm strap; FO.
Sew back ends to back waist. Bring to front and add two round buttons to bib corners; stitch strap tips under each button (no buttonholes in strap to match photo look).

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Sun Hat (olive)

Hook 3.0 mm; joined rounds.

Crown:

1. MR 6 (6)
2. inc ×6 (12)
3. (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
5. (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
6. (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)

Side wall:
7–10) sc around (36)

Brim:
11) (5 sc, inc) ×6 (42)
12) (6 sc, inc) ×6 (48)
13) sc around (48)
14) sl st loosely around for a neat edge. FO. Steam brim slightly downward.

Loafers (brick/orange; 2 shoes)

Hook 2.75 mm.

Sole (oval, flat):
Ch 7.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch & next 4, 3 sc in last; rotate, sc 4 on opposite side, 2 sc in first st (13).
Row 2: inc in first, sc 4, inc ×3 at toe, sc 4, inc ×2 heel (18).
Row 3: sc, inc, sc 4, (sc, inc) ×3, sc 4, (sc, inc) ×2 (24).
Row 4: BLO sc around (24).

Upper:
Rnd 5: sc around (24).
Rnd 6: dec at toe ×2, sc 8, dec at heel ×2, sc to end (20).
Rnd 7: sc around (20).
Rnd 8: sc 6, dec ×2 toe, sc 6, dec heel, sc to end (17).
Saddle detail: Join yarn at mid-instep; sl st 8 across, FO.
Insert washer/coin if using; FO. Tack heel to leg after fitting.

Mesh Market Tote (cream) & Basil Leaves (bright green)

Tote body (cream, 3.0 mm):
Rnd 1: MR, ch 2 (counts as hdc), 11 hdc in ring (12). Close with sl st.
Rnd 2: ch 3, sk 1, sc in next, ch 3 rep around (mesh loops).
Rnd 3–7: sc in next loop, ch 3 around—keeping loops stacked.
Rnd 8: tighten rim—2 sc in each loop around (approximately 24–26 sc).
Rnd 9: sc around.
Handles: ch 18, sk 5, sc to opposite side, ch 18, sk 5, sc to start. Final rnd sc around handles and rim; FO.

Basil sprigs (green):
For each leaf: ch 6, sc in 2nd ch, hdc, dc, hdc, sc; ch 1, rotate to work other side back along chain: sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc; sl st to base; FO. Make 4–6 leaves; stitch in pairs to a short chain stem and place inside tote.

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Assembly

1. Neck: Sew neck cylinder to the top of body opening.
2. Head: Ladder-stitch head closed opening to neck top; ensure the face looks forward slightly.
3. Arms: Attach at Body Rnd 22; arms hang straight with a mild forward tilt.
4. Legs: Sew to body base with inner ankles 6 sts apart; check that soles sit flat and parallel.
5. Shell: Stuff shell dome firmly; drop the under-shell pad inside. Pin shell to back so the top edge touches the shoulder line and the bottom edge meets just above the shorts waistband. Whipstitch using the long deep-olive tail all the way around.
6. Clothe & accessorize: Dress the turtle in the tee, then overalls shorts (roll hems). Sew straps to back waist and fasten to bib corners under buttons. Put on loafers. Set sun hat on head with a tiny tack if needed. Place tote in the right hand; add one hidden tack to palm.

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Exact Placement Map (for photo match)

• Eyes: Head Rnds 12–13, spacing 11 sts.
• Smile: centered across Rnds 14–15.
• Neck height: 6 rnds tall; no visible gap beneath chin.
• Arms: attach across Body Rnd 22, 14–15 sts apart front view.
• Legs: sewn vertical; inner ankles 6 sts apart.
• Shell: diameter 10–11 cm; top aligns with shoulder edge; bottom sits one finger above waistband.
• Overalls: bib width 20 sts; buttons placed at bib corners (Row 10 of bib), roughly 7 cm up from shorts hem.
• Hat: brim depth ~2 cm; crown flush with head—no gap.
• Tote: bag opening roughly 4.5–5 cm wide, handles reaching mid-forearm.

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Finishing Touches / Tips

• Crisp shell definition: If your dome feels soft, add a thin card oval inside under-shell pad before final seaming.
• Color transitions: Keep overalls’ BLO roll line neat so hems sit like the photo.
• Face balance: Slightly tighten yarn inside head below each eye to form soft cheeks; add a subtle blush with dry pastel if desired.
• Shoes stability: Glue a small felt outsole or insert washers before closing to improve standing.
• Pocket daisy: Keep stitches compact; too large a flower will distort the pocket proportions.

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Conclusion

Your Urban Gardener Turtle is complete—sun hat on, daisy tee and rolled-hem overalls, brick loafers, basil-filled tote, and a beautifully domed shell. Follow the counts and placements above for a 1:1 photo match, then make seasonal variants (sage hat + tan shorts, mint tote herbs) to build a whole balcony-garden crew. Happy crocheting!