Recently, one of our followers reached out asking for some assistance for an important cause. She is a mental health advocate and public speaker. She asked me for help to make small crocheted turtles.

MHATs or Mental Health Awareness Turtles, will be distributed to patients who are dealing with traumatic experiences that led to their ongoing struggles with mental health. This individual is working to help others who, like herself, have endured horrific experiences and SURVIVED.

In the aftermath, they are now left with lifelong battles. We can HELP! These little turtles have provided big benefits to patients dealing with these traumas. The goal of the MHATs is to provide comfort and start conversations. A reminder for people to come out of their “shells” and discuss mental health openly without fear of stigma.

Patients who are living with ACE or Adverse Childhood Experiences, Agoraphobia, cPTSD or complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Severe Dissociative Disorders and many others both inpatient and out-patient will benefit from this project. She needs to meet her goal of 100 turtles by October 1st,2018. All the turtles we make and send to her will be 100% donated to this cause and help patients. If anyone would like to help, please read and follow the pattern below.

THIS IS NOT MY PATTERN AND THERE IS NO VIDEO TUTORIAL. I have provided photos of my own turtle which I made using this pattern to show you the end result. You can find the address to ship your turtles to at the bottom of this page.

I have made it big and bold so you cannot miss it! DON’T forget the deadline is OCTOBER 1st, 2018. She will be speaking at an event on OCTOBER 11th, 2018 and will need to have the turtles well in advance. MHATs Pattern is property of Erika Reva Memering.

Address to send your turtles to:

Erika Reva Memering
MHATs Project
2956 Allen Street
Lake Station, IN 46405

Pattern:

Body and Head: You can use any colors you want. Scraps of yarn even work, since this doesn’t take too much yarn to make this project.
Color I used photographed above: Red Heart Super Saver Freshmint

Shell: You can use any color you want. Scraps of yarn even work, since this doesn’t take too much yarn to make this project.
Color I used photographed above: Red Heart Super Saver Stripes Polo Stripe

Materials You will need:
Yarn (Any colors you want)
Crochet Hook Size G-4.25mm or H-5.00mm
Stuffing
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Stitch Markers

Special stitches:
Ch(s): chain(s)
YO: Yarn Over
St(s): Stitch(es)
Sl st: slip stitch
SK: Skip
SC: Single Crochet
HDC: Half Double Crochet
DC: Double Crochet
BLO: Back Loop Only
RS: Right Side
WS: Wrong Side

Body:
Using Your Main Color, work in BLO and in continuous rounds.
Put Stitch Marker at the beginning of each round to mark your rounds if needed.

Ch 2
Rnd 1: 7SC in 2nd CH from hook. (7)
Rnd 2: 2 SC in each st around. (14)
Rnd 3: [2 SC in next st, SC in next st] 7 times. (21)
Rnd 4: [2 SC in next st, SC in next 2 sts] 7 times. (28)
Rnd 5: *Ch 7, Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, SC in next 3 Chs, HDC in next ch, DC in next ch, Sl st into next st on body and next 6 sts, repeat from * around. (4 legs made)
Fasten off weave in ends.

Head:
Using Your Main Color, work in BLO and in continuous rounds.
Put Stitch Marker at the beginning of each round to mark your rounds if needed.
Ch 2
Rnd 1: 5 SC in 2nd Ch from hook. (5)
Rnd 2: 2 SC in each st around. (10)
Rnd 3: [2 SC in next st, SC in next st] 5 times. (15)
Rnds 4-5: SC in each st around. (15)
Embroider eyes on turtle (optional)
Rnd 6: [SC2TOG, SC in next st] 5 times. (10)
Stuff the head
Rnd 7: [SC2TOG] 5 times. (5)
Stuff head a little more if needed.
Fasten off with long tail for sewing.
Sew to body between 2 legs.

Shell:
Using Your Accent Color, work in BLO and in continuous rounds.
Put Stitch Marker at the beginning of each round to mark your rounds if needed.
Ch 2
Rnd 1: 7 SC in 2nd CH from hook. (7)
Rnd 2: 2 SC in each st around. (14)
Rnd 3: [2 SC in next st, SC in next st] 7 times. (21)
Rnd 4: [2 SC in next st, SC in next 2 sts] 7 times. (28)
Rnds 5-7: SC in each st around. (28)
Fasten off with long tail for sewing.

Be sure to have the Right Side facing out and sew shell to the body. Once you have it 3/4 of the way sewn closed, be sure to stuff the shell, but do not stuff too firmly.

Weave in all ends.
Enjoy!

Please send your finished turtles to:

Erika Reva Memering
MHATs Project
2956 Allen Street
Lake Station, IN 46405

This post contains affiliate links, which I may be compensated for when you make a purchase. That means if you click on any link and buy from the linked websites, I will receive a small percentage of the value of your order. The amount you pay is not changed. Thank you for all your support in clicking the links in my blog!! You all are so amazing!! ~Nadia