Stuffed into this free crochet turkey leg amigurumi pattern are all the warming wonders of harvest time gatherings—laughter traveling down a long dinner table, the aroma of warm spices filling your nose, and the allure of warm blankets waiting to welcome you to a post-feast’s nap.
While the hearty harvest soups simmer on the stove, how better to pass the time than with this free crochet turkey leg amigurumi pattern!
So, without further ado, here is the pattern for the Turkey Leg Cutie, part two of three in the Thanksgiving Cuties collection!
Pattern Information | Free Crochet Turkey Leg Amigurumi
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Supplies:
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- Size H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook
- Medium (4) weight yarn in 2 colors:
- Yarn A – white (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Aran)
- Yarn B – tan (example uses Big Twist Value: Camel)
- 10mm black safety eyes (x2)
- Black embroidery floss
- Pink embroidery floss (example uses DMC 963 Light Dusty Rose) or pink yarn
- Polyester fiberfill
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
Alternate Yarn Supplies:
Color Variation 2 (as seen on the left in cover photo):
- Medium (4) weight yarn in 2 colors:
- Yarn A – taupe (example uses Big Twist Value: Khaki)
- Yarn B – brown (example uses Big Twist Value: Toffee)
Terminology:
This free crochet turkey leg pattern uses English (US) terminology:
- st (sts) = stitch (stitches)
- ch = chain stitch
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- sc2tog = single crochet 2 together (over the span of 2 stitches), also known as a decrease
- SPsc = spike stitch*
- sk = skip
Please note that this pattern is written so that each crochet stitch abbreviation is attached to a number, such as 1sc, 2sc, etc. This number denotes how many of that stitch is to be worked into the same stitch.
In other words, 1sc = one single crochet, whereas 2sc = two single crochet worked into one stitch, also known as an increase.
*Be sure to read through the special instructions for the spike stitch before beginning, as it may be unique for this crochet turkey leg amigurumi pattern.
Special Stitch Instructions | Free Crochet Turkey Leg Amigurumi
Please read through all special stitch instructions carefully before beginning your project, as some techniques may be unique to this pattern.
This pattern is worked in the round, with each round joined at the end with a slip stitch. Unless otherwise instructed, the first stitch of your next round will always be worked into the same stitch as your joining slip stitch has been worked into.
Be sure to always keep the ‘right side’ of your stitches facing outwards as you work. The right side is the front side of the stitch that is facing you as you are completing each stitch.
Single Crochet:
This pattern uses a variation of the traditional single crochet stitch, sometimes referred to as the YU/YO (yarn under/yarn over) method.
Instead of yarning over before pulling through, this method utilizes a yarn under technique on the first pass of each stitch, as seen below.
Begin by inserting your hook into the next stitch, then yarn under (not over) as shown above. Pull through the stitch, then yarn over as normal and pull through both loops on your hook to complete your single crochet.
Using the above technique produces a slightly tighter and stiffer fabric than traditional single crochet stitches. This method minimizes holes between stitches, improves shaping, and decreases stitch slanting.
This pattern will still work with the traditional technique of single crochet stitches, so choose what works best for you—just be wary that your project may result in having slight visual differences than those shown in examples if using the traditional method.
Invisible Decrease:
This pattern uses a variation of the single crochet decrease stitch, often called an invisible decrease. This method produces a tighter stitch that improves shaping and blends in more seamlessly with regular stitches.
Insert your hook into the front loop only of the next stitch, then insert into the front loop only of the second stitch in the same way.
Yarn under (not over) as shown above and pull through both front loops. Yarn over as normal and pull through both loops on your hook to complete your invisible decrease.
Joining Rounds:
Unless otherwise stated, each round in this pattern is joined at the end with a slip stitch into the first stitch of the round, followed by one or more chain stitches.
For a cleaner seam, and to ensure that these stitches are not accidentally worked into later, tighten both the slip stitch and chain as shown below.
Hold your working loop firmly on your hook and pull up with your hook until your slip stitch is tight. Then, pull back on your working tail until your loop is back to fitting snugly around your hook.
Repeat these steps with the following one or more chain stitches before your next round, as well.
Unless otherwise instructed, the first stitch of your next round will always be worked into the same stitch as your joining slip stitch has been worked into.
Spike Stitch:
The difference between a single crochet and a spike stitch is simply where the stitch is worked into.
This free crochet turkey leg pattern uses a variation of the single crochet spike stitch that is worked only 1 row beneath the current row, as seen below.
Locate your next stitch, but instead of working into the top of your current row, insert your hook just 1 row down from where you would normally insert. Yarn over and pull through.
Pull your new loop up to the height of your current row. Then, finish your single crochet as normal by yarning over and pulling through both loops to complete.
For this crochet turkey leg amigurumi pattern specifically, you will be working 2 spike stitches into the same stitch. Repeat these steps 1 more time, into the same stitch, before continuing.
Pattern Instructions | Free Crochet Turkey Leg Amigurumi
Crochet Turkey Leg Bone – Rounds 1 to 4:
With yarn A (white), make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st into 1st st to form ring, ch 1).
Rnd 1: 6sc into ring, sl st into 1st st to join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 2: 2sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 3: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 4: 1sc into each st around, join (12).
This will be bone piece #1. Fasten off and leave a tail (~8 to 12 inches) for sewing. Set aside for now.
With yarn A (white), make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st into first st to form ring).
Rnd 1: 6sc into ring, sl st into first st to join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 2: 2sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 3: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 4: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (12).
This will be bone piece #2. Do not fasten off, as you will be working directly off of bone piece #2 to join both bone pieces together.
Joining Bone Pieces (Round 5):
Retrieve bone piece #1 that you’ve set aside earlier and leave it on standby. You will be working round 5 around part of both bone pieces to join them.
Rnd 5: 1sc into each of next 9 sts of piece #2, sk last 3 sts of piece #2, 1sc into 1st st of piece #1, 1sc into each of next 8 sts of piece #1, sk last 3 sts of piece #1, sl st into 1st st of rnd to join, ch 1 (18).
Secure your working loop with a stitch marker and follow the instructions below for sewing the bone pieces together before continuing to round 6.
You will now see that both bone pieces are joined together, with the exception of 3 stitches of each on the inside of the bone.
Using the 8-12 inch tail left over from bone piece #1, sew this inside slit closed.
For best results, try sewing a total of 5 pairs of stitches together—the 3 pairs of stitches that were not worked into during round 5, as well as each pair of stitches on either side of this length (where the 1st and 18th stitches of round 5 were worked into and the 9th and 10th stitches were worked into).
Secure your sewing with a knot to the interior of the piece and trim any excess tail. Remove your stitch marker and continue to round 6 of the crochet turkey leg bone.
Crochet Turkey Leg Bone – Rounds 6 to 10:
Rnd 6: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into next st] 6 times, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 7: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 8: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 9: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 10: 1sc into each st around, join (12).
Fasten off and leave a short tail for tying. Continue to the crochet turkey leg meat.
Crochet Turkey Leg Meat – Rounds 11 to 24:
Join yarn B (tan) by inserting your hook into the last stitch of the last round. Pull up a loop of yarn B and ch 1.
Tie the tails of both yarn A and yarn B together on the interior of your piece to secure your ends.
The next round of your turkey leg uses spike stitches that are worked just 1 round below your current round, as seen above.
Be sure to review the instructions for the spike stitch (SPsc), which can be found under the Special Stitch Instructions section of this free crochet turkey leg pattern, if needed.
Rnd 11: [sk next st, 2SPsc into st 1 rnd below next st] 6 times, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 12: [1sc into each of next 2 sts, 2sc into next st] 4 times, join, ch 1 (16).
Rnd 13: [2sc into next st, 1sc into each of next 3 sts] 4 times, join, ch 1 (20).
Rnd 14: [1sc into each of next 4 sts, 2sc into next st] 4 times, join, ch 1 (24).
Rnd 15: [1sc into each of next 3 sts, 2sc into next st] 6 times, join, ch 1 (30).
Rnd 16: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (30).
Rnd 17 to 24 (8 rnds): repeat rnd 16 (30).
Secure your working loop with a stitch marker and follow the instructions for adding the eyes, mouth, and blush before continuing.
Adding Eyes:
Using the example piece below as reference, insert both safety eyes through the front of your piece (on the opposite side from your joining seam).
The safety eyes should be inserted between rounds 19 and 20 and should sit 6 stitches apart, from the center of one eye to the center of the other.
Adding Mouth:
Rotate your piece so that the beginning rounds face upwards and your last round faces downwards.
Using the example piece below as reference, embroider a mouth using black embroidery floss.
The mouth should be embroidered over top of round 21 and be centered between the eyes. The mouth will be 2 stitches wide and 1 round tall.
Begin by inserting your needle from inside to outside, 1 round down and 2 stitches to the right from where you’ve inserted the left eye. Pull through and leave some tail for tying later.
Then, insert your needle again, 2 stitches to the right, and out again, 1 round down and 1 stitch to the left from where you’ve just inserted, and pull through.
Pass your needle up and underneath the horizontal strand you’ve just created and pull through. Then, insert your needle back into the same space as you’ve last exited from.
Pull your thread through and tug it down slightly until it forms a V-shape. Gently tie both ends together inside your piece.
Take extra care as you tie your ends not to pull the threads too tight! After finishing your knot, trim any excess length.
Adding Blush:
Using the example piece below as reference, embroider a blush line using pink embroidery floss or yarn next to each eye.
Each blush line should start 1 round down (between rounds 20 and 21) and 1 stitch outwards from where each eye was inserted, and span 1 stitch length outwards (away from the center of the face).
Begin by inserting your needle from inside to outside, 1 round down and 1 stitch outwards from where you’ve inserted the eye.
Pull through, leaving some tail inside for tying later. Then, insert your needle back in, 1 more stitch outwards.
If using yarn, you may skip ahead to tying both ends together on the inside of your piece.
If using embroidery floss, pass your needle back out through the same space as you’ve last exited from and pull through. Reinsert your needle, again, 1 stitch outwards in the same place as before.
Repeat these last steps 3 more times, or until you are satisfied with the size of your blush. Then, gently tie both ends together on the inside of your piece.
Take extra care as you tie your ends not to pull the threads too tight! After finishing your knot, trim any excess length.
Crochet Turkey Leg Meat – Rounds 25 to 28:
Continue to the next round and begin stuffing as you go.
Rnd 25: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into each of next 3 sts] 6 times, join, ch 1 (24).
Rnd 26: [1sc into each of next 2 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts] 6 times, join, ch 1 (18).
Rnd 27: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into next st] 6 times, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 28: [sc2tog over next 2 sts] 6 times, join (6).
Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing closed.
Sewing Closed:
To sew the bottom hole closed, pass the needle, from front to back, through the front loop only of each stitch around and then pull tight. Secure your sewing with a knot, trim the tail, and sew in any remaining length.
Conclusion | Free Crochet Turkey Leg Amigurumi
And with that, you’re done the free crochet Turkey Leg Cutie pattern! If you enjoyed this pattern, be sure to check out its two companion patterns in the Thanksgiving Cuties collection: the Corn Cutie and the Squash Cutie!
You can also explore the Cutie Collections and the Pocket Pets archives for more original and free amigurumi patterns, or our Home Decor Patterns for other homemade household goodies!
If you’re looking to cozy up with a longer project, check out our Clothing Patterns, or assemble your own designs from one of our Granny Square Patterns!
And don’t forget to browse our downloadable, ad-free patterns in our Etsy store!
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