Peek-a-boo Tortoise has a unique way of going into his nice safe shell, and when he’s not using his shell, the pocket can be used to hide a small trinket, or carry his hat. The lightly stuffed body gives him/her a soft and cuddly feel.

A word from Jamie Warrick…

Each night The Center of Hope provides shelter for an average of seventy-five people. Many of these individuals are children who are scared and can’t understand why they can’t go home tonight.
Peek-a-boo Tortoise was lovingly designed to bring comfort to homeless, confused, and often lonely and hurting children. With his shell to hide in when he is scared and his soft body just begging for cuddles, it is our prayer that he will bring much joy to the children we serve.
Would you consider using this pattern to create a tortoise for one of our children? Any color combination, pastels or bright, for boys and girls. Imagine the smile on a child’s face when they have a new friend to cuddle and love.
So much thanks to Rachel Hilz for her time and talent in creating Peek-a-Boo for us. The love she poured into the gift of this pattern in unimaginable.

If you would like to donate a completed tortoise, they can be mailed to:
The Salvation Army
Center of Hope
Attn: Case Manager
2211 Park Avenue
Lynchburg, VA. 24501

This pattern is written in US terminology, and is entirely assembled with your hook. Patterns for both hats are included.

MATERIALS

• Heavy Worsted weight yarn (medium 4) - For Color A I used 51 g (1.8 oz) of Loops & Threads, Impeccable in Fern for the skin tone on the little boy tortoise, and Loops & Threads, Impeccable in Soft Taupe for the girl
  • For Color B I used 40 g (1.41 oz) of Loops & Threads, Impeccable in Heather for the boy’s tummy, toes, shell lining, and joining the pieces, and Patons, Décor in First Spring Ombre for the girl’s
  • For Color C, 21.5 g (0.76 oz) of Red Heart, Super Saver in Paddy Green for the fill color of the boy’s shell, and Caron, One Pound in Lilac for the fill color of the girl’s shell
  • For Color D,15.5 g (0.55 oz) of Loops & Threads, Impeccable in Earth Ombre for the lines of the boy’s shell, and Lion Brand, Vanna’s Choice in Dusty Purple for the girl’s
  • 16.5 g (0.58 oz) of Loops & Threads, Shabby in Navy for the boy’s hat
  • 18.5 g (0.65 oz) of Lion Brand, Vanna’s Choice in Dusty Purple for the girl’s hat
• 3.75 mm hook for the head, tummy plate, forelegs, and hind legs
• 4 mm hook for the back/body panel, and the assembly of the pieces
• 5 mm hook for the shell & lining
• Fiberfill
• Optional: ribbon for the girl’s hat
• 15 mm doll safety eyes in brown or blue (Not for children under 3. If you are making this for a smaller child please embroider or needle felt the eyes on)
• Doll making needle (or whatever needle you like to hide your ends, and for a bit of needle sculpting on the face)

  GAUGE

Gauge is not important for this pattern. Just make sure it’s tight so your fiberfill doesn’t show through your stitches. If you are a loose hooker, you might want to go down an additional hook size to compensate for this. Should you need to go down a hook size, remember to adjust all your hooks used in different sections of the pattern.
To give you an idea of size, my tortoise measures about 11 3/4” from the top of her head to the tip of his/her toes, and just shy of 7” across at the widest point of the belly.

ABREVIATIONS USED IN THIS PATTERN

R- round or row
St(s)- stitch or stitches
FO- Finish off
Ch- chain
Sl st- slip stitch
Ea- each
MC- magic circle
Sc- single crochet
Sc2tog- single crochet two together
Hdc- half double crochet
Hdc2tog- half double crochet two together
Dtr- double treble
cc- change color
sk- skip
blo- back loop only