Free Pattern: Tree Frog

Although it's still quite green outside, the weather is starting to look more and more like fall. But I thought I'd squeeze in the last summery pattern before moving on to teddy bears in cozy hats and scarves or woolly lambs, which seem to be the only things I want to make when it's cold and rainy outside.

This little tree frog is not too complicated to crochet, but it does have very tiny details and wire inside the legs, which are a bit fiddly to make. But if you have some patience and enjoy working on small details, it's right up your alley. Happy crocheting!

Size

14 cm (51/2") tall, with sport weight cotton and a 2,00 mm crochet hook (US size 1/B).

Tip! You can use the same pattern to make larger or smaller toys by using finer or bulkier yarn. Pick a crochet hook at least a size smaller than suggested on yarn label and crochet tightly enough to achieve a tight gauge that will not allow the stuffing to show through the fabric. 

Skills required

• Crocheting in spiral
• Magic ring
• Single crochet stitch (double crochet stitch in UK and Australia)
• Increasing
• Decreasing
• Finishing an open piece
• Finishing a closed piece
• Joining pieces

You will need

• Yarn. I used sport weight cotton, 50g =120m (50g =130yd) / 5 ply / 12 wpi / 2: fine. You will need about 20 g or 40 m (50 yd) of yarn.
• 2,00 - 2,75 mm crochet hook (US hook size 1/B - 2/C) or according to the yarn.
• Polyester fiberfill, wool, wadding etc. for stuffing.
• 12 mm safety eyes or buttons, beads, felt etc.
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker.
• Wire, pliers or wire cutters and strong tape, or "pipe cleaner".

Abbreviations

mr, sc n = magic ring – crochet n single crochet stitches into the adjustable loop.
sc = single crochet stitch (double crochet stitch in UK and Australia).
sc n = crochet n single crochet stitches, one in each stitch.
inc = increase – crochet two single crochet stitches in the same stitch.
inc3 = double increase – crochet three single crochet stitches in the same stitch. 
dec = decrease – crochet two stitches together using the invisible decrease method.
(sc 4, inc) x n = repeat the pattern between parentheses n times.
(sc 4, inc) x 6 = [36] = number of stitches in a round after finishing round.

Notes

• Work in a continuous spiral, do not join rounds or turn your work, unless instructed otherwise in the pattern.
• Use a stitch marker or a piece of yarn to mark the end or the beginning of a round. Move the marker up after completing each round.
• All stitches are worked into both loops, unless instructed otherwise in the pattern.

Head & Body

1: mr, sc 6 = [6]
2: (sc, inc) x 3 = [9]
3: sc 2, inc3, sc 3, inc3, sc 2 = [13]
4: sc 3, inc3, sc 5, inc3, sc 3 = [17]
5: sc 6, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc 6 = [20]

Place a stitch marker between the 12th and 13th stitch on round 6 and leave it there. This marks the center of the forehead. Use it as guide when placing the eyes.

6: sc 5, inc3, sc 9, inc3, sc 4 = [24]
7-9: sc in each stitch = [24]

Attach safety eyes to either side of the stitch marker, between rows 6 and 7, leaving 8 stitches (count 7 holes) between them.

10: sc 8, dec, (sc, dec) x 3, sc 5 = [20]

Start stuffing the head. Keep adding a bit of fiberfill after every few rounds, stuffing the head and body firmly.

11: sc 7, inc, (sc, inc) x 4, sc 4 = [25]
12: sc 7, inc, sc 12, inc, sc 4 = [27]
13-16: sc in each stitch = [27]
17: sc 6, dec x 2, sc 5, dec, sc 4, dec x 2, sc 2 = [22]
18: sc 6, dec x 2, sc 2, dec, sc 2, dec x 2, sc 2 = [17]
19: sc 5, dec x 2, sc, dec, sc, dec x 2 = [12]
20: dec x 6 = [6]

Finish stuffing. Cut the yarn, leaving a long yarn tail, and close the opening. Fasten and hide the yarn tail.

Front legs (make 2)

1: mr, sc 5 = [5]
2-14: sc in each stitch = [5]

Cut the yarn, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing, and fasten off. Do not stuff the legs.

Back legs (make 2)

1: mr, sc 5 = [5]
2-17: sc in each stitch = [5]

Cut the yarn, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing, and fasten off. Do not stuff the legs.

Cut two pieces of wire long enough to fit inside the legs and through the body, plus about 5 cm (2") so you you can bend back the ends. Push the wires through the body where you want the legs to be.

Bend the end back and then wrap a bit of tape around the wire end to make sure it won't poke through the fabric.

Push the wire inside the leg and sew it to the body.

Hold up the other leg and bend the wire so it's the right length. Push it inside the second leg and sew the leg to the body. Do the same with the front legs.

Bend the legs to shape.

Toes (make 8)

1: mr, sc 4 = [4]
2-3: sc in each stitch = [4]

Cut the yarn, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing, and fasten off. Do not stuff the toes.

Sew the toes to the legs. Fasten and hide all yarn tails.

And done!

I would love to see how your frogs turn out. Post a photo to my Facebook page or leave a comment below.

Copyright © 2013 TÜ Spire. All rights reserved.
Please do not post this pattern to your website or blog, instead post a link to http://engsidrun.spire.ee/blogs/blog1.php/free-pattern-tree-frog. You MAY use this pattern as a teaching aid in any free class or e-course, or as part of a free crochet pattern, provided you credit me as the designer (Kristi Tullus, http://sidrun.spire.ee).

Feel free to sell items made with this pattern. I would appreciate a credit and a link to my blog (Kristi Tullus, http://sidrun.spire.ee).

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