This darling little crochet turkey has completely stolen my heart. He’s cute. He’s squishy. He’s quick to crochet. So much to love!
Meet Toby: Quite possibly my most favorite design of all time.
I’ve been dreaming of crochet turkey design forever and honestly it was quite a challenge. Mostly it’s the back feathers that boggle the mind. How does one crochet something that conveys multi color feathers and yet translates well with crochet.
If you’ve spent any time looking at crochet turkey amigurumi, you know what I mean. A darling turkey body can get lost in crochet feathers that just don’t work. And don’t even get me started at how these feathers have to function: they must look good from the front and back and stand up in just the right way.
Enter the two things that make this project brilliant: A Super Bulky Weight yarn crocheted with a smaller than normal hook to give the piece just the right amount of stiffness. And the chenille style yarn. I’m a big fan of Premier Parfait Chunky yarn for this project.
If you made my crochet bear snuggler, you might even have the teddy bear brown yarn leftover. Otherwise, pop over to Herrschner’s for the best pricing or Amazon. If you can’t locate a color, this Etsy shop seems to stock them all and has pretty fast shipping.
I especially love this squishy turkey head and body which is worked in 1 piece. The tummy has a few extra stitches for that adorable pudgy look.
The details on this little guy make all the difference. Designing with a bulky weight yarn can make it a challenge to get small pieces with a lot of detail. You’ll find the beak, feet, wattle and top feathers I’ve designed have very few stitches, but very intentional placement. It’s so fun and quick to crochet these little elements.
This little crochet turkey is going straight into my Thanksgiving Day decor. It would make a perfect gift for a little one (just make sure to embroider the safety eyes if giving to a very young child). All the adults in my life are loving this crochet turkey too so consider gifting to your adult family and friends too. I can see it being an easy make for a craft show too.
Let’s crochet!
Crochet Turkey
Materials
- Super Bulky Weight #6 yarn (try Herrschners, Amazon or Etsy)
- Brown: 39 yards, sample used Premier Parfait Chunky in Teddy BearGold: 16 yards, sample used Premier Parfait Chunky in MustardRed: 12 yards, sample used Premier Parfait Chunky in Cardinal Red
- US H8/5.00 mmcrochet hook these are my absolute favorite hooks I recommend to everyone!)
- 10 mm safety eyes.NOTE: if making for a baby or young child, embroider eyes instead
- Stitch markers to keep track of rows
- Fiberfill
- Tapestry needleand scissors
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:Crochet Abbreviations,US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart. Find links to stitches on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Startedwill show basic stitches used in many patterns andCrochet Stitch Dictionaryshows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.
Gauge:
My gauge is 6 sc to 2 inches.However, gauge is not important in this pattern.You may use other weights of yarn.Adjust hook size to fit your needs.
Resources and crochet tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:Crochet Abbreviations,US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart. Find links to stitches and basic crochet skills on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Startedwill show basic stitches such as the slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet stitch and chain stitch used in many patterns andCrochet Stitch Dictionaryshows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.
Crochet Abbreviations:
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st = stitch(es)
Special Stitches
Long Single Crochet (long sc):A long single crochet is worked exactly like a regular single crochet stitch, but instead of working into the current row, you drop down and work into a lower row beneath.Simply insert the hook into the designated spot and pull up a loop so that the top of the stitch is exactly where the top of the stitch would be in a normal single crochet.Then yarn over and pull through both loops, just like a normal single crochet stitch.
How to Crochet a Turkey
In this pattern we’ll first start with the colorful turkey feathers which are represented by a modified African Flower motif with a scalloped edge. Then we’ll move on to the head and body, which are worked in one piece. Then it’s on to all the details: the wings, beak, wattle, feet and top of the head feathers. Finally, we’ll sew the completed turkey body to the back feather piece.
Tail Feather Motif (African Flower)
Using gold color, ch 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring
R1: Work all stitches in this round in the ring. Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc),dc, ch 1 *2dc ch1, repeat from * 4 more times. Sl st to top of starting ch 3. (At end of the round there are 6 groups of 2 dc each). Fasten off gold yarn.
R2: Join orange yarn in ch-1 space from previous round. Working in same space as joining, ch3 (counts as 1st dc), dc, ch 2, 2dc, ch 1. *In next space work (2dc, ch 2, 2dc, ch 1). Repeat from * 4 more times. Join with sl stitch to top of starting ch 3.
R3: Sl stitch to 1st space. Ch3 (counts as first dc), work 6dc in same space, ch 1. *in next space work (7 dc, ch 1). Repeat from * 4 more times. Join with sl stitch to top of starting ch 3. Fasten off orange yarn.
R4: With red yarn and starting on the side of any petal, work sc around. Work a long sc in between each petal, by inserting hook into the middle of the 2dc from round 1 and pulling up a loose loop. Continue working sc in every petal stitch and a long sc in between each petal. sc to top of starting sc. Fasten off red yarn.
Note: Round 5 turns the African flower into a circle.Larger stitches are worked in the area between the African Flower petals (the long sc in the previous row and the stitches on either side) and a single crochet increase is worked at the top of the “petal” as follows:
R5:Attach gold yarn 2 stitches to the left of a long sc stitch from the prior round.Ch 1 and work sc in the same stitch, sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st, sc in next 2 st, hdc in next st, dc in next st (this is the long sc in previous round), hdc in next st, *sc in next 2 st, 2sc in the next st, sc in next 2 st, hdc in next st, dc in next st (this is the long sc in previous round), hdc in next st.Repeat from * around.At end of round, join to top of first sc in round. Fasten off yellow yarn.
R6:With red yarn, sl st to any stitch, ch 3, skip 1 st, sl st in next st (1stloop made), *ch 3, skip 1 st, sl st in next st (loop made). Repeat from * for a total of 23 loops.Then **ch 1, skip 1 st, sl st to next stitch.Repeat from ** until end of round.Join to starting sl st.Fasten off yarn and weave in all ends.
Turkey Head and Body
The head and body are worked in one piece starting the top of the head, decreasing to the neck and then increasing to work the body.
Make a magic ring.
R1: 6 sc into ring (6 sts). Work in rounds
R2:2 sc in ea st (12 st)
R3: *sc in next st, 2 sc in next.Repeat from * around.(18 st)
R4: *sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next.Repeat from * around.(24 st)
R5-8:sc around. (24 st)
R9: *sc in next 2 st, sc next 2 st together.Repeat from * around (18 st)
R10: *sc in next st, sc next 2 st together.Repeat from * around (12 st)
Insert safety eyes between rows 6 & 7, leaving 4 stitches in between them.Stuff head and continue to stuff body as you work.
R11: *sc in next st, 2 sc in next.Repeat from * around.(18 st)
R12: *sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next.Repeat from * around.(24 st)
R13: sc around (24 st)
R14: *sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in next.Repeat from * around.(28 st)
R15-18:sc around. (28 st)
R19:*sc in next 5 st, sc next 2 st together.Repeat from * around (24 st)
R20: *sc in next st, sc next 2 st together.Repeat from * around (16 st)Firmly stuff body the rest of the way.
R21: *sc next 2 st together.Repeat from * around (8 st)Fasten off, weave end through last stitches and pull tight.
Beak
With Gold yarn, make a magic ring.
R1: 4 sc into ring (4 sts). Work in rounds
R2:(sc in next st, 2sc in next st) twice (6 st).Fasten off, using an invisible join if you prefer.
Sew beak between and below eyes.Beak covers all of row 8 and parts of rows 7 & 9 (or as desired).
Wattle
With red yarn, ch 6
R1: sl st in 2ndch from hook, sl st in next 2 chains.Fasten off by cutting yarn and continuing to pull loop through.Use yarn end to carefully weave in on the wrong side.Then sew over the top of the beak as shown in photo.
Top Feathers (Hair)
With brown yarn, *ch 3, sl st in next 2 st, repeat from * 2 more times.Fasten off and sew to top of head.
Wings (Make 2)
With brown yarn, make a magic ring.
R1: 4 sc into ring (4 sts). Work in rounds
R2: (sc in next st, 2sc in next st) twice (6 st).
R3: (sc in next 2 st, 2sc in next st) twice (8 st)
R4:sc around (8 st)
R5:Fold piece in half, then carefully sc across the double thickness (4 st)
R6:ch 1, (sc next 2 st together) twice. (2 st) Fasten off leaving a long strand for joining.
Sew a wing on either side of the body near neck.
Feet (Make 2)
With gold yarn, ch 3
R1: sl st in 2ndch from hook (1sttoe made), *ch 2, sl st in 2ndch from hook.Repeat from * once (3 toes made).Then, sl st to very 1stchain in round to connect the toes back to the start.Fasten off leaving a long strand for joining.
Sew feet between rows 19 and 20 of body, or as desired.
Assembly
Stand turkey on a flat surface.Then position the back feather piece on the back of the turkey so that the non-scalloped portion is on the bottom (behind where the feet are placed).Form fit the feather piece to contour to the head and body of the turkey.
Using orange yarn, tack the feather piece in a few spots along the center of the turkey, making sure the stitches aren’t noticeable in either piece.I made one stitch on the middle of the back of the head and a few more stitches on the center of the body.When it is securely attached, knot off the yarn and hide the end in the body.
Weave in any loose ends.
I love seeing your finished projects!If you enjoyed making this Crochet Turkey pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @crochet365knittoo. If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Crochet 365 Knit Too Facebook pageor pop over to the Crochet365KnitToo Club and share a photo! I’d love to see your work!
