Pocket Frog Pattern

on

 I decided to revisit a classic mini plushie that I designed years ago, as one of the first items in my portfolio, and I'm rewriting it. I wanted to streamline the pattern, make it a little smaller, and overall just more of how I envisioned in the first place.

I'll include step-by-step instructions for the fiddlier bits, such as the popcorn stitches - because there always is a different way to make them, and I have a specific way that works best for this design. It uses a version of joined double crochets to make a better surface to put the safety eyes through.

Materials

  • 3.5mm hook
  • Medium acrylic yarn (such as Bernat Premium) in any frog colour
  • Pair of 6mm safety eyes in black
  • Embroidery thread or yarn in black
  • Stuffing
  • Keychain findings (optional)

Abbreviations

MR = magic ring
Sc = single crochet
Inc = increase
Pop = popcorn (see Notes)
Rnd(s) = round(s)
Dec = invisible decrease (see Notes)

Notes

  • I strongly recommend using a double magic ring to make sure there is no gap
  • I also recommend using Yarn Under single crochets to make for a tighter, neater material
  • Popcorn: yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through first 2 loops. Pick up a loop from the side of the first leg, then pull up a loop as normal. Yarn over, pull through first 2 loops. Pick up a loop from the side of the second leg, then pull up a loop as normal. Yarn over, pull through first 2 loops. Repeat twice more, so there are 4 legs and 5 loops on the hook. Yarn over, and pull through all 5 loops.
  • Invisible decrease: insert hook through front loop of next stitch. Twist around and insert hook through the front loop of the following stitch. Pull up a loop through both of these stitches. Yarn over, and pull through both to complete the invisible decrease.
  • When attaching the safety eyes, I like to do an extra step to make sure they're never going to fall out: I'll flip my work inside-out and use a lighter to carefully melt the plastic stems, then use the side of the lighter to flatten them while they're still hot.

Steps

  1. MR 8 sc. [8]
  2. Inc 8. [16]
  3. (Inc, sc 3) x4. [20]
  4. Sc (pop, sc 2) x2, sc 13. [20]
  5. Sc 20 for 2 rnds.
  6. (Pop, sc 4) x4. [20]
  7. Attach safety eyes and sew on mouth before continuing.
  8. (Dec, sc 2) x5. [15]
  9. (Dec, sc) x5. [10]
Fasten off. Stuff firmly, and then gather shut.
Sew keychain findings to the back centre, optionally.