Introduction

Meet the Sushi Picnic Turtle: a gentle amigurumi friend dressed in a cream short kimono top with indigo edging, matcha-green shorts, crisp white slip-on shoes, and a mint bucket hat. On the back is the star accessory—a bento-box backpack that opens to reveal tiny crocheted nigiri and maki.

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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Form & Proportion Analysis

• Height: ~9.75–10 in (24–25.5 cm) with DK-weight cotton and a 2.5 mm hook.
• Head: Round-oval with very soft cheeks; the face sits low and friendly. Safety eyes are 8 mm, placed wide (about 8 stitches apart) between head Rnds 13–14. Mouth is a tiny curve; nostrils optional.
• Shell: Low-profile dome (removable) in olive with a khaki hex tile motif; diameter a touch smaller than the shoulder width to keep the kimono readable. The bento backpack sits centered on the shell via two yarn straps.
• Arms & Legs: Short tubes; hands rounded, feet flat so the turtle stands with gentle support.
• Outfit:
  1. Kimono top: Cropped; cream with indigo front band and sleeve edging; ties cross right-over-left.
  2. Shorts: Matcha green, straight hem just above the knee.
  3. Shoes: White slip-ons with a subtle side notch and a pale sole ridge.
  4. Hat: Mint bucket, soft downturned brim; not too tall.
  5. Backpack: Bento box with hinged lid (yarn hinge), inner tray with 2 nigiri and 2 maki; straps in cream.

Fabric density is tight—about 8 sc per inch (2.5 cm)—for a professional finish. Angles: arms slightly forward; legs perpendicular; hat sits just above the eyes.

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Materials

• DK-weight 100% cotton in the following colors:
  1. C1 Sage/soft green (head, limbs, tail, shell rim)
  2. C2 Olive (shell dome)
  3. C3 Khaki/tan (shell tiles)
  4. C4 Cream (kimono, shoe uppers, backpack straps)
  5. C5 Indigo/navy (kimono edging)
  6. C6 Matcha green (shorts)
  7. C7 Mint (bucket hat)
  8. C8 Light gray (shoe sole line, bento hinge)
  9. C9 Warm brown (bento box body)
  10. C10 White (rice of nigiri/maki)
  11. C11 Salmon/orange & C12 Avocado green (toppings/fillings)
  12. C13 Black/charcoal (nori band & maki outside)
• Hooks: 2.5 mm (amigurumi), optional 3.0 mm for hat brim/shorts hem.
• Safety eyes: 8 mm black (or crochet circles).
• Stuffing: Polyfill.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors.

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Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR magic ring
• sc single crochet
• inc 2 sc in one stitch
• dec invisible decrease
• sl st slip stitch
• ch chain
• hdc half double crochet
• dc double crochet
• BLO/FLO back/front loop only
• st(s) stitch(es)
• Rnd/Row round/row
• RS right side

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Gauge & General Notes

• Aim for ~8 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm). Tight fabric prevents stuffing show-through.
• Work in continuous spirals unless a join is noted.
• Stuff as you go; shape cheeks and toes with your thumbs.

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Construction Overview

1. Head, body, arms, legs, tail.
2. Low-dome shell (removable).
3. Clothing: kimono, shorts, shoes, bucket hat.
4. Bento backpack and miniature sushi.
5. Assembly, embroidery, and styling.

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Head (C1)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc [6]
Rnd 2: inc around [12]
Rnd 3: (sc, inc)×6 [18]
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc)×6 [24]
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc)×6 [30]
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc)×6 [36]
Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc)×6 [42]
Rnds 8–18: sc around [42]
— Place eyes between Rnds 13–14, 8 sts apart.
Rnd 19: (5 sc, dec)×6 [36]
Rnd 20: sc around [36]
Rnd 21: (4 sc, dec)×6 [30]
Rnd 22: (3 sc, dec)×6 [24] — begin stuffing.
Rnd 23: (2 sc, dec)×6 [18]
Rnd 24: (sc, dec)×6 [12]
Rnd 25: sc around [12]; fasten off with a long tail.

Face embroidery: With a strand of C13, stitch a tiny curve for the mouth under the midpoint; add two micro nostrils if desired.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

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Body (C1)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc [6]
Rnd 2: inc around [12]
Rnd 3: (sc, inc)×6 [18]
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc)×6 [24]
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc)×6 [30]
Rnd 6–8: sc around [30]
Rnd 9: (4 sc, inc)×6 [36]
Rnd 10: sc around [36]
Rnd 11: (4 sc, dec)×6 [30]
Rnd 12: (3 sc, dec)×6 [24] — natural waist
Rnd 13: sc around [24]
Rnd 14: (2 sc, dec)×6 [18] — stuff firmly
Rnd 15: (sc, dec)×6 [12]
Rnd 16: dec around [6]; close.
Sew head to body with strong ladder stitches.

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Arms (make 2, C1)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc [6]
Rnd 2: (sc, inc)×3 [9]
Rnds 3–11: sc around [9]
Rnd 12: (2 sc, dec)×2, sc 1 [7]
Stuff lightly at the palm only; flatten the top and sew slightly forward on the body so hands rest near the kimono wrap.

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Legs & White Slip-Ons (make 2)

Shoe Sole (C4 for upper, C8 sole line)
Rnd 1: ch 6; sc in 2nd ch, sc 3, 3 sc in last; rotate, sc 3, inc in last [12]
Rnd 2: inc, sc 3, inc×3, sc 3, inc×2 [18]
Rnd 3: BLO sc around [18]

Upper (C4)
Rnd 4–5: sc around [18]
Rnd 6: (4 sc, dec)×3 [15]
Rnd 7: (3 sc, dec)×3 [12] — rounded toe formed.
Side notch: Row 8: ch 1, turn, sc 8; Row 9: sc 8; fasten off.

Sole ridge (C8)
Surface sl st one neat ring along the BLO ridge.

Leg Tube (C1)
Rnd 1: Join C1 at heel; sc around [12]
Rnds 2–5: sc around [12]
Rnd 6: (sc, dec)×4 [8]
Rnds 7–9: sc around [8]; leave long tail.
Stuff and sew both legs parallel so soles sit level.

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Tail (C1)

Ch 14; sl st back along chain to create a firm cord. Sew at lower back center.

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Low-Profile Shell (removable)

Dome (C2)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc [6]
Rnd 2: inc around [12]
Rnd 3: (sc, inc)×6 [18]
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc)×6 [24]
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc)×6 [30]
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc)×6 [36]
Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc)×6 [42]
Rnd 8: sc around [42]
Rnd 9 (rim in C1): switch colors; BLO sc around [42]; fasten off, leaving long tail.

Tile Motif (C3)
Surface-stitch a hex web: one small hex at center, six radiating lines to the rim, then short lateral links between lines to suggest hex cells.

Underband & Straps (C4)

• Underband: Join C4 to the BLO rim; sc around [42] to create a thin facing.
• Straps (2): ch 22 each; sl st back; sew ends to opposite side edges so straps wrap under the arms like a backpack harness.

Shell should sit flush on the back; the kimono will go over straps at the shoulders so both show neatly.

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Outfit

Cream Short Kimono Top (C4 with C5 edging)

Worked flat, then seamed underarm; cropped length.

Back Panel
Row 1: ch 31; sc in 2nd ch and across [30]
Rows 2–14: sc across [30] (≈ 7.5–8 cm high)

Front Panels (make 2)
Row 1: ch 19; sc in 2nd ch and across [18]
Rows 2–10: sc across [18]
Rows 11–14 (neck shaping): at neck edge dec 1 each row; keep outer edge straight → finish at [14] sts.

Shoulders & Side Seams
Sew fronts to back at the shoulders (5 sts each). Seam sides from hem upward, leaving 6 rows open for armholes.

Sleeves (picked up in the round)
Pick up 24 sc evenly around each armhole.
Rnd 1–2: sc around [24]
Rnd 3: (sc 5, dec)×3 [21]
Rnd 4: sc around; sl st to close.

Indigo Edging & Ties
Along the entire front opening and neckline, work C5 as: Row 1 sc evenly; Row 2 sc again for a firm band.

• Right front tie: ch 25 from the band edge near waist; sl st back.
• Left inner tie: ch 20 anchored at inside waist.
  Cross right-over-left when dressing.

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Matcha Shorts (C6)

Waistband & Body
Rnd 1: ch 48, join [48]
Rnd 2: sc around [48]
Rnd 3: BLO sc around [48] (casing ridge)
Rnd 4: (sc 7, inc)×6 [54]
Rnd 5–6: sc around [54]

Divide for Legs
Mark the join; count 27 sts opposite.
— Right leg: sc 27, join to first of these 27 [27]. Rnds 1–4: sc around [27]. Rnd 5 (hem): FLO sc around; sl st and fasten.
— Left leg: Repeat for remaining 27 sts.
Optional: switch to a 3.0 mm hook on the last round for a relaxed hem.

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Mint Bucket Hat (C7, 3.0 mm for brim)

Crown
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc [6]
Rnd 2: inc around [12]
Rnd 3: (sc, inc)×6 [18]
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc)×6 [24]
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc)×6 [30]
Rnd 6: sc around [30]

Side Wall
Rnd 7: BLO sc around [30]
Rnds 8–9: sc around [30]

Brim
Rnd 10: (2 sc, inc)×10 [40]
Rnd 11: (3 sc, inc)×10 [50]
Rnd 12: sc around [50]; sl st and fasten.
Set low on the head; brim turns down gently.

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White Slip-On Shoes (finishing)

After attaching legs, join C4 at shoe opening and sc one neat round if you want a tighter fit. Keep the side notch visible.

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Bento-Box Backpack (C9 body, C4 strap, C8 hinge)

Base Tray
Row 1: ch 18; sc in 2nd ch and across [17]
Rows 2–9: sc across [17] (rectangle ~5×6.5 cm depending on tension)

Gusset/Wall
Row 1: ch 40; Row 2: sc across [39]; Row 3: sc across.
Sew gusset around the base using whipstitch through FLO for sharp edges.

Lid
Row 1: ch 18; sc across [17]
Rows 2–8: sc across [17]
Hinge: hold lid to one long side of the base; join with C8 sl sts through both edges to make a flexible yarn hinge.
Front lip: ch 18; 2 rows sc; sew to front lid edge.

Straps (C4)
Make two: ch 26; sl st back to form firm cords. Sew to upper back corners and lower back corners of the box so it wears like a backpack over the shell.

Closure Loop & Stud
Loop: ch 8; sl st back; sew to the lid lip center.
Stud: MR with C9, 6 sc; sew to box body front so the loop catches.

Inner Divider (optional)
ch 16; 3 rows sc; sew inside the base to divide sushi.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

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Mini Sushi (2 Nigiri + 2 Maki)

Nigiri (make 2)

• Rice (C10): MR, 6 sc; inc around [12]; Rnd 3–4: sc around [12]; Rnd 5: (sc, dec)×4 [8]; lightly stuff into a rounded oval and close.
• Toppings:
  1. Salmon (C11): ch 9; Row 1: hdc in 2nd ch and across [8]; Row 2: sc across; sculpt slight curves at ends.
  2. Avocado (C12): ch 7; Row 1: sc across; Row 2: sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sc—tapered oval.
     Sew one topping to each rice piece.
• Nori band (C13): ch 10; sl st back to make a thin strip; wrap around nigiri center and stitch closed.

Maki (make 2)

• Outer (C13): MR, 6 sc; inc around [12]; Rnd 3: sc around [12]; fasten leaving tube open.
• Fillings: Small French knots/seed stitches in C11 and C12 on a C10 circle (MR, 6–8 sc). Insert fillings into tube and whipstitch one side closed with C13.

Place sushi inside the bento; lid should close neatly.

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Assembly & Dressing

Order of Dressing

1. Put on the shorts first.
2. Dress the kimono (right-over-left), tie the outer and inner ties.
3. Seat the shell on the back; slide straps under the kimono sleeve area so they read like shell harness.
4. Add shoes, then the bucket hat.
5. Wear the bento backpack over the shell; adjust straps so the box sits centered.

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Embroidery & Final Touches

• With C13, add two micro eyebrow ticks above the eyes (optional).
• Add a faint cheek blush with a few scattered duplicate stitches in a slightly lighter green (split C1).
• If the hat rides up, tack it to the head at two points.

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Blocking, Styling & Care

• Hover-steam the kimono bands and hat brim to set shape; avoid pressing directly to keep stitches puffy.
• Shape the shell dome while warm so its rim hugs the back.
• Spot clean; air dry.
• For photos, place the turtle on a wooden table or by a window with plants; open the bento lid slightly so the sushi peeks out.

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Troubleshooting

• Head wobble: Crochet a neck peg (6 sc around × 4–5 rnds) before sewing head to body.
• Shorts too tight/loose: Adjust waistband chain by ±2; maintain even halves when splitting legs.
• Kimono gapes: Add one more row to front bands or move the inner tie 1–2 sts farther in.
• Hat covers eyes: Remove the last increase round of the crown (stop at 30 sts) or snug the brim with a tighter round of sl sts.
• Backpack tilts: Shorten upper straps by 2–3 chains or anchor a tiny hidden stitch to the shell rim.

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Quick Reference (Counts at a Glance)

• Head: max 42 sts; eyes at Rnds 13–14, 8 sts apart; close at 12.
• Body: max 36 → waist 24 → close at 6.
• Arms: 9-st tubes → taper to 7.
• Legs/Shoes: sole 18; leg tube 12 → 8.
• Tail: chain 14 cord.
• Shell: dome to 42; BLO rim in C1; two straps ch 22.
• Kimono: back 30 sts wide × 14 rows; each front 18 sts tapering to 14; sleeves start 24 → 21.
• Shorts: waist 48 → legs 27/27.
• Hat: crown to 30; brim to 50.
• Bento: base 17×9 rows; gusset 39×3 rows; lid 17×8 rows; loop ch 8; two straps ch 26 each.
• Sushi: nigiri rice 12 sts; maki outer 12 sts tube.