Crochet and Knit Frogs- Free Patterns

 Christmas 2021 Frogs

Recently (Sept 2021) I've been making frogs using the plastic balls from roll-on deodorants (cleaned of course!)for their heads and bodies

Croydon University Hospital has a charity shop raising funds to improve services for children with cancer.I came up with a pattern for a Frog toy to be sold in the shop in aid of the charity.
https://chartwellcancertrust.co.uk/

I designed this amigurumi toy to be seamless; it works in any weight of yarn, from 3ply to chunky, with hook size variable, what matters is that the fabric be tight enough so no stuffing shows through.I used polyester toy stuffing and embroidered eyes and nose to make it safe for children and cats! So far  I've made the frog into key rings, catnip toys, and plan to use some in an animation. (Had to abandon this however, as guess what, animation requires use of a green screen!)

Inspired by builders over the road, I made these hi-vis jacket wearing frogs for them, and they generously bought some!

Lily the Frog by Jo Bodley

Intermediate

  Stitches used(UK terms)

ch- chain

dc-double crochet

htr-half treble

Bobble stitch- Insert hook into 1^st st of round, yrh, pull yarn through both loops- 1 lp on hook. Pull this loop out about 5mm (may be longer or shorter if using different yarn weight).*Yrh, insert through same st as before, pull through to match 5mm lp. Repeat from * twice.(7 loops on hook).Yrh,pull through all 7 lps. Insert hook into same st loops are in and ss to close bobble.

Increasing and decreasing

Materials

● This pattern uses approx.. 25g any DK yarn in mid green(A), though other weights can also be used. If making collar, you will need small amounts of dk in bright pink and acid green

● This pattern uses a 3mm hook, but as a general rule, size is not important for this project; what matters is, that the hook used produces a firm fabric so that stuffing will not show through.

● Polyester toy stuffing

Small amounts of black and white DK yarn or embroidery thread for eyes and mouth

Tapestry needle

Yarn Alternatives

Any yarn can be used for this project, as long as the guideline above about hook size is taken into consideration. A  4mm hook was used with a variegated aran yarn, to produce a frog which looks like he’s streaked with slime! A fine cotton and a size 14 hook produces a tiny frog which could be a key ring or, the body unstuffed, a finger puppet.

Tension

Tension is not important for this project; a smaller gauge than that recommended on the ball band will produce a tighter fabric- you do not want stuffing to show through.(Exception to this is using felting wool; in this case, you can work at a looser tension, as washing in the machine will shrink frog, produce dense fabric and hide stuffing))

Measurements

Not important for this project, however,

(From top of head to tip of toes )

A DK frog is about 19cm.

An Aran weight frog is 22cm

A chunky frog made using a 6mm hook is 32cm

Special stitch patterns

Bobble 

Pattern Notes

Commence at top of head and work in a spiral, making bobbles for eyes. Once head is completed, stuff it. Arms are worked by making a length of ch, making 3tr for paws and working a bobble into the top of each tr. A row of half trebles is worked into the remaining chain, dc to other side of body, second arm made in the same way. Work straight till body is desired length, then legs are worked like arms only longer. Decrease rounds are worked until about 6 sts remain; stuff body, run yarn end round rem sts like a drawstring, pull tight and sew in end.

Collar is a length of chain with leaf spines made by ch and ss back to top, 8 times. Into each leaf spine sts of varying sizes are worked in pink to make petals, carried along to next spine by ss. Collar can be sewn around neck of frog or sewn together separately and pulled over frog’s head.

Designer Biography

A lifelong knitter,I learnt to crochet in 2010 via a youtube video (thanks, bethin Texas, or bethinxt).I find crochet  a great outlet for creativity.

Instructions

Ch2, work 5 dcs into 2^nd ch from hook. 6sts.

Rnd 1: 2dc into each st.(12sts.)

Rnd 2:*2dcinto next st,1dc, rep from *.(18sts.)

Eye round

Rnd 3:Insert marker for start of rnd. Make bobble,thus.

 Insert hook into 1^st st of round, yrh, pull yarn through both loops- 1 lp on hook. Pull this loop out about 5mm (may be longer or shorter if using different yarn weight).*Yrh, insert through same st as before, pull through to match 5mm lp. Repeat from * twice.(7 loops on hook).Yrh,pull through all 7 lps. Insert hook into same st loops are in and ss to close bobble.

*2dc in next st,2dc until there are 11 sts from bobble (next st should be opposite first bobble).Repeat instructions from make bobble to end. 24sts.

Rnd 4: Manoeuvre bobble to front of hook and make a dc behind it. There needs to be 14 dcs between bobbles and one dc behind each bobble. In order to attain this make 3 evenly spaced increases either side of bobbles. Work second bobble as first, make 3 increases to end. 30sts.

Rnds 5-6: 1dc in each st.

Rnd 7:(2dctog,3dc,) repeat to end.(24sts.)

Rnd 9: (2dctog,2dc)repeat to end.(18sts.)

Rnd 10: (2dctog,1dc) to end.(12sts.)

Rnd11: 1dc in each st.(12sts.)

Rnd 12; 2dc in next st, 1dc to end. (18sts.)

Stuff head.

Arm round

Commence round in stitch which lines up with one eye

Rnd 13:Insert hook into st indicated above,*Ch 13 fairly loosely.

Into 3^rd ch from hook, work 2tr.Make a ss. Pull out loop and make bobble at top of first tr.Repeat twice more- 3 bobbles made. Sl st to st you made the trs into.10 htr into each rem ch.Dc to rejoin body of frog.

(2dc into next st,1dc) twice, 1dc.Repeat from *.

Rnd 14:*Dc into edge of top of arm, fold arm over head and insert hook through middle of arm, 1dc, dc other edge of arm.9dc, repeat from* as for other arm.24sts.

Rnds 15-22:1dc in each st .

Leg round.

Starting point should be aligned with arm and eye.

Rnd 22:1dc in next 2 sts.*Ch 18.

Make foot as for hand,

Htr into 15 ch to top of leg.3dc.Repeat from * for other leg.

Rnd 24:(3dc,2dctog)all around.When you come to legs , work a 2dc behind each leg.

Rnd 25:(2dc,2dctog) to start of round.18sts

Stuff body.

Rnd 26: (1dc,2dctog) to start of round.12sts

 Rnd 27(2dctog)to start of round. 6sts

Break off yarn.

Weave yarn in and out around sts of final rnd and pull tight like a drawstring. Fasten off securely.

Embroider on eyes as per photograph. Satin st or lazy daisies. For mouth, bring yarn out just below eye, make a smile shape with yarn and insert needle to match other side.Tether the loose ‘smile’ with tiny sts in 3 or 4 places.

Fasten off.

Petal Collar.(optional)

 With B make 21ch.

Row 1. 1dc into 2^nd ch from hook,1dc.

*ch6.Sl st into 2^nd ch from hook and foll 5 sts.idc into each of next 2 sts.Rep from *.

Row 2. Start at one end, sl st into first 2sts.Into first leaf ‘spine’, work (1dc,1htr,3tr).Into end st work (1htr,1tr,1htr).Into second edge of spine work 3tr,1htr, 1dc.

Repeat to end. 8 petals.

Darn in all ends.Press under damp cloth with a warm iron. Either sew collar on to frog, or sew short edges together and pull over frog’s head.

More variations

Hula Frog (and child)

Punk Frog

Knitted frog

Knitted Frog Mk 2 – Jo and Mallika

Green DK yarn

Size 12 Knitting needles

Size 12 Double pointed needles

Tapestry needle

Arms (make 2) Made using knitted i-cord.

With dpns, cast on 3 sts. Knit 3 sts, *then without turning work, slide sts on needle to other end of needle and k3 sts again. Repeat from *until arm measures about 6cm.

Increase for paws

Row 1: Knit into front and back of each st (6sts).

2^nd Row: Knit

3^rd Row:Knit into front and back of each st(12sts).

4^th Row:Knit

5^th Row: Knit

6^th Row: Cast off leaving a long end.

Shape paws by sewing close to end of icord and around increased part in two places, pulling yarn tight and fastening it off, so it looks as if frog has 3 digits.

Legs(Make 2)

Make icord as for arms, but for 10-12 cm.Repear paw increases and complete in same way for toes.

Eyes(make 2)

Cast on 10sts, knit 1 row.Cast off.

Head/Body

Cast on 4sts.

Row 1:Knit

Row 2:Inc on every st by knitting into front and back (8sts.)

Row 3:Knit

Row 4:Rep row 2 (16sts)

Row 5: Knit

Row 6: Inc 1^st at beginning and end of row.(18sts).

Rows 7-11: Knit

Row 12: Knit 2 tog to end (9sts)

Row 13: Rep row 2.(18sts).

Rows14-22: Knit

Row 23: Dec 1^st at beginning and end of row (16sts).

Row 24: Knit

Row 25:K2tog to end (8sts)

Row 26: Knit

Row 27: Rep Row 25 (4sts)

Row 28:Knit

Leaving a long end, break off yarn and thread through remaining stitches and pull tight. Sew body of frog together by making horizontal stitches through edges, then stuff. Make a row off running stitches around neck decreases and pull tight. Sew sides of head together and stuff.

To make up

Attach arms and legs to body, approximately lined up with each other.

Gather around one long edge of eye piece and pull tight, sew to top  of head- experiment!

With black yarn make a smile or a frown, embroider pupils with satin st. With white make a circle around pupils, using chain or back stitch..

Stars and Stripes Felted Cushion Cover

 I used Carol Meldrum's freeform cowl motif, featured in an old  issue of Crochet Now, to make this felted cushion cover for my son's bedroom.I made a few alterations to the pattern.I went around shapes twice using different colours, worked two shaping rounds to get the hexagon shape, then went around the edge with trs, 5 trs in each corner.I used feltable 100% wool and tapestry wool.Felted at 40 degrees it came out in the Goldilocks Zone- Phew!

Before Felting

                                        

                                                                                After Felting

Before

After

The wonderful world of Noro

 Noro, for the uninitiated, is a Japanese yarn manufacturer renowned for its long colour changes and luxurious fibres, such as silk and merino wool. It can be on the pricey side, but there are lower cost similar alternatives available from other manufacturers.

I recently found a pattern for crochet slippers in a Noro magazine, and made them for my son(21).I think he likes them. He hasn't taken them off since I gave them to him.I added  soles made up of 4 strands of DK and a large hook, to make them last a bit longer.

ASKI Knitting and Crochet Workshop

 Every tuesday from 10-12 noon I help run a craft group at ASKI, Thornton Heath.It is now led by Kirti Shah. Knitters meet to share ideas, techniques and resources.  Some examples of mandalas made using embroidery hoops in the first few sessions.

A cap for a baby girl made by a beginner crocheter. Isn't it cute?

A cardigan and a baby blanket made by someone with more experience

Dutch Wax Print Cotton Fabric Kimono

 I've always loved the bright, decorative fabrics used to make traditional (and non traditional!) clothing worn by BAME people. Nigerian Artist Yinka Shonibare uses them to recreate tableaux taken from famous paintings, making a comment on history. My son tells me off if I do anything which smacks of 'cultural appropriation,' though, so I've held back from making my own garments from it. Until now! Here he is, modelling my latest 'creation.'(He wants one, too!)

If anyone is entitled to wear it my sister, who has spent a lifetime advancing  diverse cultures and advocating for disability,surely is. I used a sewing pattern for a kimono which has been in my possession for ages. Very pleased with the result.

I used a 6 yard piece of fabric which I first washed at 60 degrees in the washing machine before cutting out and sewing it. You can get them in cotton and polycotton, I prefer the cotton, it has a nice 'handle' once washed.