Turtle Tape Measure Cover-- The pattern!

I wrote up the pattern and had it tested-- have fun! Click the text for the pdf! Crochet to your heart's content!

Please do not distribute or copy the pattern. You may post links back to this blog. You have my permission to sell and donate items made from this pattern as long as you give me full credit as a designer. And, by all means, let me know what you think! (I'm allieliz on both Crochetville and Ravelry)

Turtle Tape Measure Cover by Alice Kaufman Rich

Materials: 2 inch diameter plastic tape measure, size 10 thread in variegated green (or Green for MC and a coordinating color for CC), 1.65 mm steel hook (or size for gauge), small amount of polyester fiberfill, black thread or beads, for eyes.

Special stitches:

Back post double crochet (bpdc)--  Yarn over, insert hook from back to front around post of stitch below,

Reverse Single Crochet (rsc)

“Claw Picot”—Chain 3, sc into 3^rd chain from hook, sc into stitch below.

To start, chain 5, join with ss

Rnd 1—Chain 3(counts as 1^st dc ), 14 dc in circle, join with ss. (15 sts)

Rnd 2—Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dcs in each st, join with ss. (30 sts)

Rnd 3—Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, (dc in following st, 2 dc in next st) 14 times, join with ss. (45 sts)

Rnd 4—Ch 3, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st (1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in following st) 14 times, join with ss. (60 sts)

Rnd 5—Ch 3, 1 dc in nex 2 sts, 2 dc in following st, (1 dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in following st) 14 times, join with ss. (75 sts)

The circle should come out somewhat concave so it forms the shell.

(The next 2 rounds are to be crocheted back and forth in order to make a gap for the tape measure to come out the back)

Row 6—Ss ito 1^st st (to make the gap). Ch 2, bpdc into st below and next 6 sts. Ch 3 (makes a loop to attach the limbs), bpdc into next 23 sts, ch 3, (bpdc into next 7 sts, ch 3) twice, bpdc in next 23 sts, ch 3, bpdc into last 7 sts, turn (do not join with a ss). (74 bpdc)

Row 7—Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 1 dc in each dc below,  2 dc in the last dc (leave the ss unworked).  Join with a ss in the top of the ch 3.  Note: Do not work into the ch 3 loops, keep them to the front so you can fasten the head and feet on later.

At this point you may want to put a small amount of fiberfill in the “shell”, and place the tape measure inside, button side down, poking the tape through the gap made in the 2 previous rows.  You will work the decreases around the tape measure.  If it gets too hard to hold the tape measure, take it and the fiberfill out, work 2 rounds of decreases (rnd 8 and 9) then put the tape measure back in and, using the end of your hook, stuff the fiberfill up in the shell and pull the tab through the gap.

Rnd 8—(begin decreases) Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog in next 2 sts (dec), (dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog in next 2 sts) 14 times, join with a ss. (60 sts)

Rnd 9—ch3, dc in next st, dc2tog in next 2 sts (dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog in next 2 sts) 14 times, join with a ss. (45 sts)

Rnd 10—ch 3, dc2tog in next 2 sts, (dc in next st, dc2tog in next 2 sts) 14 times, join with a ss. (30 sts)

Rnd 11—Ch 2, dc in next st (counts as a dc2tog), (dc2tog in next 2 sts) 14 times, join with a ss. (15 sts)

At this point you should have an opening for the button on the tape measure.  If it is a little large, dc3tog in the first 3 sts and dc2tog in the remaining sts.  If you want to fill it in a little more add a round of scs in each st. 

Finishing—

To make the head: attach thread (or CC if using 2 colors) to the ch 3 loop opposite the opening for the tape measure. 

Row 1--Ch 3 (counts as a dc) 14 more dc in the loop, ch 3, turn (15 sts)

Row 2—ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), dc2tog in next st, (dc in next st, dc2tog in following 2 sts) 4 times. (10 sts) ch 2, turn

Row 3— dc2tog in next 2 sts 5 times. (5 sts)

This should make a nice 3-D semicircular head.  Add 2 dark colored e beads or use black thread to embroider the eyes.

For legs: In each of the remaining 4 ch 3 loops:

Row 1-- Attach the thread, ch 2 (counts as an hdc), hdc, 2 dc, tr, 2 dc, 2 hdc.  Ch 1, turn. 

Row 2--  Claw picot (sc, claw picot) 4 times.  Finish off.

You should have 4 wedge shaped legs with 5 triangular “claws”.

Join thread in the in the ridge created by the bpdcs in row 6.   Rsc  around the ridge.

Weave in all of those pesky little ends, give your turtle a cutesy little name, and enjoy!

Copyright 2010 by Alice Kaufman Rich.  Please do not copy or distribute this pattern.   Individual crafters may sell items made from this pattern for their own cottage business