Tavistock is a charming little tortoise knitting pattern with a striped rounded shell, four stubby legs and a sweet shaped head. At just 7 × 14cm, he’s a quick little toy to knit — and can even double as a knitted pincushion.
Quick Pattern Information
- Project: Knitted tortoise
- Finished Size: Approx. 7 × 14cm
- Yarn Weight: DK
- Yarn Required: Approx. 25g each of dark green, brown and light green
- Needles: 3mm straight needles
- Tension: 26 sts × 28 rows = 10cm in stocking stitch
- Construction: Knitted flat and seamed
- Techniques: Stocking stitch, increasing, decreasing, colour changes, shaping, stuffing and seaming
- Pattern: Tavistock Tortoise
About Tavistock Tortoise
The standout feature is the tortoise’s striped domed shell, worked with alternating dark green and brown sections. Regular increases build the shell to 56 stitches before matching decreases create its rounded shape.
The head, tail and four little legs are knitted separately in light green, stuffed and sewn around the shell.
Knitting Bee Pattern Notes
Best for: A small knitted animal, stash-busting project or novelty pincushion.
Difficulty: Easy. Everything is worked flat on straight needles with straightforward increases and decreases.
What makes it different: Tavistock isn’t just decorative. The designer uses the plump stuffed shell as a pincushion, making this a particularly fun little project for another knitter or sewer.
Safety note: The original uses black beads for the eyes. If making the tortoise as a child’s toy, embroidered eyes would be a better option.
Find more animals and characters in our free toy knitting patterns.