SPOTSAVER SQUISHY TURTLE CUSHION

Instructions

Reference the downloadable project sheet for project pattern diagrams.

Special Abbreviations / Stitches

Dc2tog - double crochet 2sts together as follows - insert hook UNDER FRONT LOOPS ONLY of next 2sts to be decreased and work as one dc.

UK Crochet Terms.

Back

Using 4.50mm hook and MC, make 77ch loosely.

1st Row (RS) - Miss 1ch, * (1dc, 2tr) in next ch, miss 2ch, rep from * to last ch, 1dc in last ch.

2nd Row - 1ch (does not count as one st throughout), * (1dc, 2tr) in same st, miss next 2sts, rep from * to last st, 1dc in last st.

3rd - 54th Row - Rep 2nd Row.

Fasten off.

Head

Head - Upper (worked in a spiral) -

Using 4mm hook and MC, make a magic ring.

1st Rnd (RS) - 1ch, 6dc in ring, placing stitch marker in 1st st of rnd (move stitch marker every rnd to keep track of your 1st st) ... 6sts.

2nd Rnd - 2dc in each st ... 12sts.

3rd Rnd - * 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, rep from * around ... 18sts.

4th Rnd - * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 2sts, rep from * around ... 24sts.

5th Rnd - * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 3sts, rep from * around ... 30 sts.

Cont increasing this way in each rnd until 20th Rnd completed ... 120sts.

21st - 31st Rnd - 1ch, 1dc in same and each st around.

Fasten off, leaving a long end for sewing.

Head - Lower

Using 4mm hook and CC, work as for Head - Upper to 29th Rnd.

Fasten off.

Mouth -

Using 4mm hook and pink yarn, miss 42sts from beg of rnd, pull up a loop through FRONT loop only of next st, (1ch, slst trough FRONT loop only in next st) 36 times, slst in next st, fasten off.

Eyes (make 2)

Sclera (white part of eye)

Using 4mm hook and white yarn, make a magic ring.

1st Rnd - 1ch, 6dc in ring, slst into dc at beg ... 6sts.

2nd Rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same and each st around, slst into dc at beg ... 12sts.

3rd Rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in next st, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, rep from * around, slst into dc at beg ... 18sts.

4th Rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 2sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 2sts, rep from * around, slst into dc at beg ... 24sts.

5th Rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 3sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 3sts, rep from * around, slst into dc at beg ... 30sts.

6th Rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 4sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 4sts, rep from * around, slst into dc at beg ... 36sts.

7th Rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 5sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 5sts, rep from * around, slst into dc at beg ... 42sts.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Pupil & Iris (make 2) -

Using 4mm hook and black yarn, make a magic ring.

1st Rnd - 1ch, 6dc in ring, slst into dc at beg ... 6sts.

2nd Rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same and each st around, slst into dc at beg ... 12sts.

3rd Rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in next st, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, rep from * around, slst into dc at beg ... 18sts, change to MC.

4th Rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of net 2sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 2sts, rep from * around, slst into dc at beg ... 24sts.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Finishing

Join Head - Upper & Lower using mattress st, working through back lps only of last rnd of both pieces, stuffing firmly using fibre fill before closing seam. Sew Pupil / Iris to Sclera so that there is a thin edging of white on one side. Position Eyes approx. 5cm apart, centred above Mouth, two rows up from Head seam and sew using a flat seam. Using white yarn, embroider a highlight as shown on each Eye. Sew in ends.

Place Turtle Shell on one side of cushion cover and sew in place by hand or machine taking care, stitching through top layer of cover only. Attach 'Loop' part of fastener to 'Strap', sew strap to underside of cushion (side of Turtle) as pictured, sew 'Hook' part of fastener to opposite underside onto cushion cover. Insert pre-made cushion into cover, place Turtle Head onto front of cushion and 'push' slightly in. Firmly sew in place. Sew in ends.