Create a charming Frog Play Set featuring five little frogs, a cozy pond with lily pads and bugs, and a log that opens to store everything. This playful pattern guides you step-by-step to crochet each frog, assemble a soft log with a plastic canvas insert, and embellish the scene with tiny accessories. Perfect for gifting or imaginative play, the set is full of cute details and simple finishing techniques to personalize.
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β Frogs :
Info :
Materials: Fingering weight yarn - Green (Katia Amigurumi 100% cotton example). Optional: Worsted weight yarn for a larger frog. Optional contrasting colors of embroidery floss or crochet thread for speckles. 2mm crochet hook; 3mm for larger frog. Black embroidery floss for eyes, nostrils and mouth (4mm safety eyes if desired). Fiberfill. Scissors, yarn needle, straight pins.
β Body :
Round 1 :
Magic circle with 6 scs. (6)
Round 2 :
Inc in each st. (12)
Round 3 :
(Sc, inc) x6. (18)
Round 4 :
(Sc x2, inc) x6. (24)
Rounds 5-9 :
Sc in each st. (5 rows) (24)
Round 10 :
(Sc x2, dec) x6. (18)
Round 11 :
(Sc, dec) x6. (12) Stuff.
Info :
Sl st in next st. Finish off with long tail to sew hole closed, finish off and weave in end.
β Speckles :
Infos :
There are a few different options for making speckles. Speckled Yarn - use speckled yarn (example used Red Heart Super Saver: Frosty Green Fleck). Embroidery - embroider small straight stitches or French knots after body assembly and secure thread inside the body. Crochet - stitch speckles onto the body while crocheting by joining speckle color, making 1 stitch, then changing back to main color (examples given below and described in steps).
Info :
Crocheting speckles: Join speckle color on row 5, make 1 stitch then change back to main color. Carry speckle strand along and crochet over it until you want another speckle. Change to speckle color, make 1 stitch, then change back to main color. Continue speckles from rounds 5 thru 9, then drop speckled color and finish in main color.
β Eyes :
Info :
Make 2. With green yarn. Work in continuous rounds.
Round 1 :
Magic circle with 6 scs. (6)
Round 2 :
(Sc, inc) x3. (9)
Round 3 :
Sc in each st. (9)
Info :
Sl st in next st and finish off with long tail for sewing. Using black embroidery floss, secure end inside eye bump. Sew a French knot or embroider a circle for an eye. Note on safety eyes: 4mm safety eye can be used but may require trimming the post or washer to fit inside the eye bump.
Info :
Stuff eyes and pin to top of head where you like them. Sew in place with whip stitches. Finish off and hide ends inside body.
β Feet and Legs :
Info :
Make 2. With green yarn.
Step 1 :
(Ch 3, sl st in the 2nd ch from hook and next ch) x3. (3 toes made)
Step 2 :
Ch 1. Sc in the base of each toe. (3)
Step 3 :
Ch 1, turn. Sc in the front loops of each st. Turn and sc in the 3 back loops on the other side of the same row. (6)
Info :
Begin working in continuous rounds.
Rounds 5-12 :
Sc in each st. (8 rows) (5) No need to stuff.
Info :
Sl st in the next st and finish off with a long tail. Thread the tail onto your yarn needle and sew the top of the leg opening closed. Fold the leg in half and sew the top of the leg to the back of the ankle with a couple of stitches.
Info :
Position on the sides of the body and pin in place. Sew the leg to the body at the ankle, hip, and about halfway up the leg; on the front and back. Finish off and hide ends inside body.
β Face :
Info :
Using black embroidery floss and yarn needle, secure yarn inside the body by sewing back and forth inside the body so it isn't visible. Embroider the mouth using photos for reference; simple straight stitches create different expressions: one long stitch for a straight mouth or three short stitches for a smile. For a frown, use one long stitch and tack it down with a tiny stitch at the center top of the frown.
Info :
After embroidering the mouth, add tiny vertical straight stitches for the nostrils. Secure thread by sewing back and forth inside the body so it isn't visible and then clip the end. Feel free to experiment with mouth shapes and placement.
β Log :
Info :
Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn - Brown and Tan (Bernat Super Value example). Optional contrasting thread for speckles. 3.75mm crochet hook. Plastic canvas brown piece (approx 10.5" x 13.5") cut to size to fit inside log. Scissors, yarn needle, straight pins, thin permanent marker. Optional: sew-on magnet or Velcro dots to keep open end closed. Optional: scrap piece of plastic canvas or milk carton plastic for reinforcement.
Log Ends :
Each end of the log is worked differently; one end is closed and the other is hinged to store frogs. You'll make two sets of 2 disks and sandwich them with a piece of plastic between to reinforce them.
Hinged End - Inside :
Work in continuous rounds with tan yarn: 1. Magic circle with 6 scs. (6) 2. Inc in each st. (12) 3. (Sc, inc) x6. (18) 4. (Sc x2, inc) x6. (24) Finish off and weave in ends. Set aside.
Hinged End - Outside :
Work in joined rounds; you'll be changing colors for rings. 1. With Brown yarn: Magic circle with 6 scs. Join with sl st to first st. Join tan yarn. (6) 2. With Tan yarn: Inc in each st. Join with sl st to first st. Join brown yarn. (12) 3. With Brown yarn: (Sc, inc) x6. Join with sl st to first st. Join tan yarn. (18) 4. With Tan yarn: (Sc x2, inc) x6. Join with sl st to first st, finish off and weave in ends. (24)
Hinged End - Optional :
Cut a circle from scrap plastic canvas to fit between the 2 disks. Place two disks together with wrong sides facing and sandwich optional plastic between them.
Hinged End - Join Disks :
Place two disks together and, with Brown yarn, work through both layers into corresponding stitches on each disk: 5. (Sc x3, inc) x6. (30) 6. Sl st in each st. (30) Join with sl st. Finish off and weave in ends. Set aside until after you've created the log.
Closed End - Inside :
Work in continuous rounds with tan yarn: 1. Magic circle with 6 scs. (6) 2. Inc in each st. (12) 3. (Sc, inc) x6. (18) 4. (Sc x2, inc) x6. (24) Sl st in next st and finish off. Weave in tails. Set aside.
Closed End - Outside :
Work in joined rounds, changing colors each row to create rings: 1. With Tan yarn: Magic circle with 6 scs. Join with sl st to first st. Join brown yarn. (6) 2. With Brown yarn: Inc in each st. Join with sl st to first st. Join tan yarn. (12) 3. With Tan yarn: (Sc, inc) x6. Join with sl st to first st. Join brown yarn. (18) 4. With Brown yarn: (Sc x2, inc) x6. Join with sl st to first st, finish off and weave in ends. (24)
Closed End - Optional :
Optional: cut a circle of scrap plastic canvas to fit between the two disks. Place two disks together wrong sides facing and sandwich the plastic between them.
β Main Trunk of Log :
Info :
At the end of each row, join with sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Ch 3 counts as a stitch. With brown or chosen yarn(s). The pattern photos used 2 strands (one Bernat Super Value Taupe Heather and one Clark Mercerized #30 crochet cotton tan).
Setup :
Ch 33. Join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Row 1 :
Ch 3 and dc in each ch across. Join with sl st in top of beginning ch-3. Join with sl st. (33)
Rows 2-27 :
Ch 3. Dc in next st, fpdc, (dc x2, fpdc) x10. Join with sl st. (26 rows - see below*) (33)
Row 28 :
Ch 1. Beginning in the same st, (sc x2, fpsc) x11. Join with sl st. (33)
Info :
*Check the length of the log starting at about row 22 by placing your frogs lined up along the log to determine how long you need to make it. Add or subtract rows to adjust length. Do not finish off. Place a safety pin in your loop to keep from unraveling during next steps. Weave in starting tail.
β Plastic Canvas Insert :
Info :
To cut the plastic canvas insert to size, roll it up tightly and slide inside the log. Push against it from the inside to stretch while inside the log and mark where it overlaps with a permanent marker. Cut so it is 4-6 squares longer than the overlap point. Trim length to match the log length. Using yarn needle and a 24" piece of brown yarn, sew the tube together so edges overlap by 4-6 rows. Stitch starting tail to secure on the outside of the log. Stitch through about every 3rd square if necessary. Secure ending tail by sewing into previous stitches on the outside of the log and clip end.
β Log Assembly :
Attaching the Plastic Canvas Tube :
1. Place the plastic canvas tube inside the log, lining up the seam of the canvas tube to the seam of your crocheted log. That seam is considered the "bottom" of the log. You'll notice that the plastic canvas is a bit flatter where it overlaps, so be sure that that flat portion is positioned at the bottom of your log.
Attaching the Plastic Canvas Tube :
2. Thread your yarn needle with a long piece of brown yarn (about 24").
Attaching the Plastic Canvas Tube :
3. Start with the end of the log that you left off on (the same side where you have your safety pin β keep safety pin in place). This will be the "closed" end of the log.
Attaching the Plastic Canvas Tube :
4. Secure the yarn tail to the inside of the yarn log.
Attaching the Plastic Canvas Tube :
5. Use a running stitch and sew the end of the yarn log to the plastic canvas sheet. Sew through the posts of the stitches and into the first row on the plastic sheet. Note: Sewing into the posts leaves ends of rows of the log free to work into when attaching the log-end disk.
Attaching the Plastic Canvas Tube :
6. Finish off, weave in end.
Attaching the Plastic Canvas Tube :
7. Repeat for 2nd end (this will be the "hinged" end). This time, begin your stitches near the top of the log (opposite of the seam).
Attaching the Plastic Canvas Tube :
8. Do not finish off. Continue on to securing the first log-end disk.
Attaching the Log-End Disks - Hinged End :
1. Continue from attaching the plastic canvas tube. If necessary, feed your yarn up to the top of the log (a few stitches to the right of center).
Attaching the Log-End Disks - Hinged End :
2. Using the disk that ends with the brown stripe, line it up with the inside of the log.
Attaching the Log-End Disks - Hinged End :
3. At the top of the log, use the whip stitch to sew a hinge on the disk - just at the top of the log (about 4-5 stitches). Be sure to sew through all 3 layers: (1) disk, (2) plastic canvas, (3) crocheted log yarn. Test as you go to make sure it flaps open and closed how you like it.
Attaching the Log-End Disks - Hinged End :
4. After securing the top of the disk to the end of the log, continue whip stitching around the end of the opening to give it a nice finish by whip stitching into both layers: the plastic canvas and the crocheted log yarn.
Attaching the Log-End Disks - Hinged End :
5. Secure end and finish off.
Attaching the Log-End Disks - Closed End :
1. Place the disk you made for the closed end (the one that ends with a tan stripe), inside the end of the log where you ended your stitching (your safety pin should still be in that last loop).
Attaching the Log-End Disks - Closed End :
2. Line up the stitches so you begin working in the last st made on the disk.
Attaching the Log-End Disks - Closed End :
3. Remove the safety pin and insert your crochet hook. With the outside of the log facing you, crochet through both layers (both loops of the last row of sts of the log and the BLO of the disk). Special Increases* are made as follows: Sc through next log st and next disk st, and then sc in next log st and same disk st. (Sc x9, special inc*) x3 (33)
Attaching the Log-End Disks - Closed End :
4. Secure ends and finish off.
Adding the Magnet or Velcro Closure :
First, crochet a little stub to sew to the inside of your log to which you will attach the magnet or velcro. With brown yarn: 1. Magic circle with 6 scs. (6) 2. Sc in each st. (6) Finish off with long tail for sewing. Stuff with yarn ends.
Adding the Magnet or Velcro Closure :
To attach: Sew one end of magnet pair or one side of velcro to the stub. Hold stub inside opening of log and peek into side to find matching spot. Place the other side of magnet/velcro against the flap and pin or hold in place; sew stub to floor of inside of log and the other side of magnet/velcro to the flap. If desired, attach a ch-6 loop to bottom of flap as a grab loop.
Adding the Magnet or Velcro Closure :
Alternate idea: Use a shank button and loop closure sewn to outside of log; make hinge on side or bottom instead of top and crochet a loop to hook around the button.
β Branch Stumps :
Info :
Make 3. Use 3.75mm hook. Begin working in joined rounds.
Start with Tan - Round 1 :
Magic circle with 6 scs. Join with sl st. (6)
Start with Tan - Round 2 :
Ch 1. Inc in each st. (12) Join with sl st and finish off.
Change to Brown - Round 3 :
Sl st loosely in each st. Sl st in BLO of first st, Ch 1. (12)
Change to Brown - Round 4 :
In BLO: Sc in same st as joining, and each st around. (12)
Begin Working in Continuous Rounds - Rounds 5-8 :
Sc in each st for 4 rows. (12)
Round 9 :
Sl st in next st, ch 1, turn. Beginning in the next st: Sc x6, sl st. Leave remaining sts unworked.
Round 10 :
Ch 1, turn. Beginning in the next st: (Sc, inc) x2, sc, sl st. (6)
Info :
Finish off with a long tail for sewing. Stuff.
Attaching the Branch Stumps :
Begin by pinning stumps onto the log. Position two stumps toward the bottom of the log on each side for stability, and one stump for appearance near the top front. Ensure all stumps point in the same direction. Once positioned, whip stitch them in place, adding extra stuffing before closing. Finish off and weave in ends.
β Pond/Pool :
Info :
Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn - Light Blue and Green (Bernat Super Value examples Cool Blue and Kelly). 3.75mm crochet hook. Scissors, yarn needle.
Instructions :
At the end of each row, ch 1 and turn. The chain does not count as a st. With Blue:
Round 1 :
Magic circle with 3 scs. (3)
Round 2 :
Inc in each st. (6)
Round 3 :
(Sc, inc) x3. (9)
Round 4 :
(Sc x2, inc) x3. (12)
Round 5 :
(Sc x3, inc) x3. (15)
Round 6 :
Sc x2, inc, (sc x4, inc) x2, sc x2. (18)
Round 7 :
(Inc, sc x5) x3. (21)
Round 8 :
Sc x3, inc, (sc x6, inc) x2, sc x3. (24)
Round 9 :
(Sc x7, inc) x3. (27)
Round 10 :
Sc x4, inc, (sc x8, inc) x2, sc x4. (30)
Round 11 :
(Inc, sc x9) x3. (33)
Round 12 :
Sc x5, inc, (sc x10, inc) x2, sc x5. (36)
Round 13 :
(Sc x11, inc) x3. (39)
Round 14 :
Sc x6, inc, (sc x12, inc) x2, sc x6. (42)
Round 15 :
(Inc, sc x13) x3. (45)
Round 16 :
Sc x7, inc, (sc x14, inc) x2, sc x7. (48)
Round 17 :
(Sc x15, inc) x3. (51)
Round 18 :
Sc x8, inc, (sc x16, inc) x2, sc x8. (54)
Round 19 :
(Inc, sc x17) x3. (57)
Round 20 :
Sc x9, inc, (sc x18, inc) x2, sc x9. Ch 1, rotate mat clockwise and work along the flat edge. Sc in the same st and in the sides of each row across. Ch 1 and sl st in first st made. Finish off. (about 80 sts made + 1 ch at each corner)
Round 21 :
Turn mat over and join green with sc in same corner. Sc across flat edge. At corner: sc, ch 1, sc in same st. Rotate mat clockwise and work: (Ch 3, sc x2) all around the curve of the mat until you get to the corner. Sl st to join. If stitches are uneven, ease last few sts to fit. Finish off and weave in ends.
β Embellishments :
Info :
Materials: Crochet thread, embroidery floss, or fingering weight yarn (green, red, black, yellow). 2mm crochet hook for crochet thread. Scissors, yarn needle. Optional waterproof fabric glue.
Butterflies - Make 2 :
Start with yellow: Magic circle with: Sc, dc, sc, sl st, (sc, tr x2, sc, sl st) x2, sc, dc, sc, sl st. Sl st in first st and finish off with long tail for sewing. Pull circle closed, weave in starting tail. With black: thread a 24" piece of black thread onto your yarn needle. Feed down through top center of butterflies wings toward back leaving a long tail to serve as one antenna. Sew through wings from back to front and add dots or lines of French knots as desired. Wrap black tightly around center to create body and tie off. Use yellow tail to sew butterflies in place or glue.
Ladybugs - Make 3 :
Start with red: 1. Magic circle with 6 scs. Join with sl st to first st. Keep long red tail for sewing and change to black. 2. Ch 1. Sc in same st and next st. Finish off with long tail for sewing. Thread tail onto needle and sew through base of 2nd black st from front to back. Use tail to make a few dots with tiny straight stitches or French knots. Weave in tail and clip. Sew in place on log or pond as desired.
Lily Pads - Make 3 :
With Green: 1. Magic circle with 6 scs. Do not join. Ch 1, turn. (6) 2. Increase in each st. Do not join. Ch 1, turn. (12) 3. (Sc, inc) x6. Do not join. Ch 1, turn. (18) Finish off with long end for sewing. Pull magic circle closed and weave starting tail into the back. Position and sew or glue into place on the pond.
Vine :
With green - begin with a long starting tail. Ch 15. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. In next chains: sc, hdc x2, sc, sl st. Rotate piece and work on opposite side of the leaf in the free loops of foundation chain. Sl st, sc, hdc x2, sc, sl st in end and in BLO in the first st on the other side. Ch 1. Surface crochet sl sts down center spine of leaf and sl st in first unworked chain just below the leaf. Ch 15. Repeat until vine is desired length (example was about 18" and had 17 leaves). Test against log and adjust length. Finish off with long tail and tack down beginning and end of vine on back or underside of log. Weave tail into log and clip ends.
β Final Assembly and Finishing :
Info :
Pin frogs and accessories in place on log to plan arrangement. Sew frogs to log top if desired or leave removable for play. Add branch stumps, lily pads, butterflies, ladybugs, and vine using photos as reference for placement. Weave in all ends and hide tails inside body and log. Test magnet/velcro closure for a good seal and adjust placement if needed.
This cute Frog Play Set is designed to spark imaginative play and make a delightful handmade gift. The set includes five frogs, a cozy pond, and a clever log that stores the pieces for tidy playtime. Enjoy personalizing colors, expressions, and tiny embellishments to make it uniquely yours. π§ΆπΈπ