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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27 comments

This is so sweet! I really like that the legs are posable. Thank you so much for this pattern!

Beautiful and funny <3 love it so much c: I’ll crochet mine today, tks for the pattern :)

Deseo me manden ideas para poder vender. muchas gracias

What a great little guy! The body is finished and ready, but the legs are so skinny! Any advice on how to get the legs started. I usually start the rounds inside out and then use a blunt hook end down the shaft to push it right-side out. Thanks!

Hi David,
The legs are quite fiddly to make. I try to start them the right side out from the beginning, turning them right side out after making the first couple of rounds is near impossible.
You could also add a stitch or two to the first round, so you’d have 6-7 stitches in a round, this makes crocheting the legs a lot easier.
Kristi

One of my favorite patterns. Much gratitude for sharing.

I LOVE this, frogs are my favorite thing. I also needed an idea for a frog to attach to a baby afghan i made for a cousin. I am going to follow your pattern but will not use wires or stuffing. I will post an image when I’m finished. Thank you for sharing this pattern!

I love frogs.This is by far the best froggy pattern I’ve seen yet.Now gotta get some green yarn.🐸💖

Been looking for a little frog pattern for ages, and if I can decipher the instructions I will be in seventh heaven! But I will give it a go and may take up your thought of adding stitches to the legs to help slightly arthritic hands. Thanks

Encantei com este sapinho, adoro fazer coisas pequenas e fáceis.

Mil gracias Kristi por compartir tu don, estuve buscando por mucho tiempo esta ranita y como mandado de Dios encontre tu pagina en donde hay muchos trabajos tuyos en pinteres, pero no me dicen como realizar la labor, nuevamente te doy las gracias te deseo felicidades y que sigan los exitos.

Thanks for this pattern. Just finished this as a present for a friend and I love him! Going to have to make another for my son who is now slightly obsessed with it!

Thank you so much for the pattern. I truly appreciate your talent and your willingness to share with others.

Please help! The math for the bodys head doesn’t make sense. The count for the stitches are off and is making it very difficult.

Hi Madi,
The head includes double increases (inc3 = crochet three single crochet stitches in the same stitch), I think this is what is tripping you up. Then the head pattern should work out.
Kristi

I realy like this frog and want to try it
I will send you a picture as soon as it is ready
will take some time I have problems with my eyes
greatings
Riet

Shouldn’t you make 12 toes instead of 8? The picture shows 3 on each foot?

Hi Michelle,
We add two toes to the sides of each leg, the middle toe is just the leg itself, if that makes sense.