Handsome Frog Plush Toy Pattern

What you'll need: Size 4.00mm crochet hook
                             Green, white, off-white, and black yarn
                             yarn needle
                             stuffing

Abbreviations used in this pattern:  cr = crochet
                                                        ch = chain
                                                        sk = skip one stitch
                                                        dc = double crochet
                                                        st = stitch
We're starting with the head so use your green wool:
In a magic circle, ch 1, then sc 6.  Do not join.  Simply continue with next row after pulling magic circle tight.
ROW 2:  2sc in each sc around (12)
ROW3:  *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (18)
ROW 4:  *1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (24)
ROW 5:  *1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (30)
ROW 6:  *1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (36)
ROW 7:  *1 sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (42)
ROW 8:  *1 sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in nex sc* Repeat from * to * around (48)
ROW 9-12:  Place marker and sc around
ROW 13:  *sc 6, sk 1* Repeat from * to * around (42)
ROW 14:  *sc 5, sk 1* Repeat from * to * around until 3 sc left.  sk 1, sc 1 (36)
ROW 15:  *sc 4, sk 1: Repeat from * to * around (28)
ROW 15:  *sc 3, sk 1* Repeat from * to * around (24)

Stuff the head lightly and continue on to the body
ROW 1:  *1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (32)
ROW 2:  *1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (36)
ROW 3 - 13:  Place marker and sc around (10 rounds)
ROW 14:  *sc 5, sk 1* Repeat from * to * around (35)
ROW 15: *sc 4, sk 1* Repeat from * to * around (28)
ROW 16: *sc 3, sk 1* Repeat from * to * around (21)
ROW 17:  *sc 2, sk 1* Repeat from * to * around (14)
Stuff body
ROW 18:  *sc 1, sk1*  Repeat from * to * until 2 st left.  Bind off
You will now have an oddly shaped thing like this:
 

 

Belly Patch:

In off-white ch 5

ROW 1:  sc down first side (4sc) In the fourth sc (on the end) sc 3

ROW 2:  sc 4 down the other side (In the fourth/end sc, sc 2 more for a total of 3 sc in that sc) (12)

ROW 3:  sc around the oval (12)

ROW 4:  sc 1 in next 4 sc, sc 2 next 2 sc

ROW 6:  Repeat row 5 down other side

ROW 7: sc 1 in next 4 sc, sc 2 in next 4 sc

ROW 8:  Repeat row 7 down other side

ROW 9:  sc 1 in next 6 sc, sc 2 in next 5 sc

ROW 10:  sc 3, sl st.  

Bind off, leaving a long tail for sewing on

Arms:  make 2 in green wool

ROW 1:  In magic circle, ch1, then sc 6

ROW 2:  *2 sc in each sc* Repeat from * to * around (12)

ROW 3 - 7:  sc around (5 rows)

ROW 8:  1 sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc (16)

ROW 9 - 18: sc around (10 rows)

Bind off

Toes: make 12 in green wool

ROW 1:  In magic circle, ch 1, sc 6

ROW 2: *sc 2 in each sc* Repeat from * to * around (12)

ROW 3:  *sc 1, sk 1* Repeat from * to * around (6)

ROW 3 +  sc 25 sc

Bind off

Eyeballs: make 2 in white

ROW 1:  In magic circle, ch1, sc 8

ROW 2:  sc 2 in ech sc around (16)

ROW 3 - 6;  sc around (4 rows)

Bind off

Inner eyeballs: make 2 in white and black

In white:  ROW 1:  In magic circle, ch 1, sc 5

Switch to black:  ROW 2:  sc 2 in each sc around (10)

ROW 3: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc*  Repeat from * to * around (15)

Bind off

Upper leg:  make 2 in green

ROW 1: ch 7, sc into first chain (making a circle out of the 7 sc)

ROW 2:  *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* (12)

ROW 3 - 13:  sc around (12 rows)

ROW 4:  sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc.  Repeat. (14)

ROW 5:  sc around (14)

ROW 6: dc in next 7 sc

Bind off

Lower Leg:  make 2 in green

ROW 1: Repeat row 1 of upper leg

ROW 2: same as row 2 for arms

ROW 3: same as row 3 for arms

ROW 4:  same as row 4 for arms

ROW 5:  same as row 5 for arms

ROW 6: same as row 6 for arms

ROW 7: same as row 7 for arms

ROW 8: same as row 8 for arms

ROW 9 - 15: sc around (7 rows)

Knees:  make 2 in green

ROW 1:  In magic circle, ch 1, sc 6

ROW 2:  *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* (12)

ROW 3:  *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* (18)

ROW 4 - 5:  sc around (2 rows)

ROW 6;  *sc 1 in next sc, sk 1*  Repeat from * to * around (12)

Stuff knee with stuffing

ROW 7:  sc 1, sk 1, (6)

Bind off

Assembly:  Refer to pictures as a reference for assembly

Sew the belly patch to the middle of his belly.  

Now sew the black & white inner eye to the front of the white eyeballs.  Stuff the eyeballs, and sew each to the top of the frog's head as in the photo.

Now to attach the toes to the arms and legs.  I started with the middle toe, and sewed it to the large end of the arms and lower legs.  Next I positioned the other two toes beside the middle one, and sewed them on while sewing the end of the arms and legs shut.

Sew the arms to the side of the body as shown in the photo.

Sew the upper legs to the bottom sides of the body, and sew the knees to the body.

Now position the legs as I have done in the very first photo of this post.align the lower legs up to the knees and point the toes in the right direction.  Holding them in the correct position, sew them to the knees.

I added a daisy to the back of my frog, but I only do that as my signature so this is an optional detail.

I love the many different positions this frog falls in to.  His legs bend so nicely, and he looks so cute perched anywhere in the house!

Enjoy this pattern!!  As always, if you have any questions or need any clarifications please feel free to ask in the comments below :)

Itty Bitty Doll Pattern

 This little doll is well used in our house as it's the right size for everything;  Doll houses, riding in Barbie cars, fits into homemade cardboard box houses, and into little pockets :)  Here's the pattern:
Head:  ROW 1: SC 5 into magic circle
            ROW 2: 2 SC in each SC (10)
            ROW 3: *1SC, 2SC in 1* Repeat from * to *4 more        times
            ROW 4 - 5: SC 15
            ROW 6: SC 1, DEC 1 (10)
            Stuff head with stuffing
            ROW 7:  SC 2 TOG.  Repeat until 5 ST left
            SL ST.  Bind off, leaving a long string for sewing on later

Body: ROW 1: SC 6 into magic circle
           ROW 2: 2 SC in each SC (12)
           ROW 3: *1 SC in first SC, 2 SC in next*  Repeat from * to * around (18)
           ROW 4 - 8:  SC 18
           ROW 9: *SC 1, DEC 1* around (12)
           Stuff body 
           ROW 10: *SC 1, DEC 1* around (12)  Bind off.

Arms (make 2):  SC 4 into magic ring
                          SC 4 around until arm is desired length.  (I did 7 rounds)
                           Stuff
Legs (make 2):  SC 5 into magic circle.
                          SC 5 around until leg is desired length.  (I did 7 rounds)
                          Stuff
Ears (make 2):  CH 3, Skip first CH, & SC2
Assembly:  Sew the open end of the arms together, and sew to     the open end of the body at the neck.
                    Sew the open end of the body onto the open end of the head.
Sew both legs to the bottom of the body.
Attach the ears to each side of the head.

Hair and Face: Take a strand of wool about an ams length (or longer).  Start at the bottom of the body; Go into the body with your needle and wool, try to weave it through the inside of a few stitches on your way up to the top of the head so it's a little more secure.  Go in and out with your wool on the top of the head and design your hair however you like, leaving long loops.  When you are done, give her a little haircut, cutting the loops so they become long strands, and making the ends even.

Now sew on a mouth, and eyes.  (For the eyes, I went in under the arms, came out where I wanted the eye to be, made a knot, went back in the same spot, came out at the other eye spot, 
made a knot, when back in the same hole, and weaved the wool through the inside of the body, coming out at the chest.
  
As always, if you have any questions about this pattern, or need clarifications, feel free to ask in the comments below.
I've made a few outfits for this doll, but would be willing to take any requests for clothing items that you'd like a pattern for to fit this doll
Enjoy!

Basic Granny Square Pattern (for the beginner)

The Granny Square is a good starting point for any beginner to crochet.  I love them because they can be very simple, they are quick to make, and if you only have a few minutes a day where you can pull out your hook & wool, you can make a few of these and in the end you will have a great afghan to show for your stolen moments :)

ROUND 1:  Begin with a magic circle.  CH 3, 2 DC in circle.  *CH2, 3 DC in circle:  Repeat from * to * 2 more times.  Connect to top of first CH3 with SL ST.
You should now have something like this:

Now, either bind off and switch to a new colour or SL ST to the first CH2 space (from round 1)
ROUND 2:  CH 3, 2DC, *CH2, 3DC, CH1,*   This should complete your 1st corner for Round 2.  (IF you want a rounder corner, just CH1 instead of CH2 in between your group of 3DC's)  
Repeat from * to * 3 more times until you arrive back where you started.  Join with a SL ST and bind off to begin with a new colour or SL ST to the first CH 1 or 2 space if staying with same colour.

 ROUND 3:  I'm sure you have now discovered the pattern.  Round 3 is the same as Round 1.  It's plain & simple; just groups of 3DC with a CH1 or a CH2 in between.  The only reason I ever CH2 instead of 1 is on the corners in order to make it a more square shape.  (This makes it easier to sew them together; rather than working with rounded edges).

 ROUND 4:  (Optional)  You make want to stick with little granny squares, but if you want one a little larger (see photo below) then continue with Round 4, or add a Round 6 or 7.... Totally up to you :)

 Now time to have fun with combining colours!  Here's a few strange-ish combinations I've put together today.  I'm hoping that when sewn all together it will look pretty cool - if not blinding! lol  But what a great family heirloom!  I'd love to have an afghan like this in a chest in our family room, to pull out for cozy movie nights, etc.  I'll be sure to post a photo when I finish!!  If you have any questions or need clarifications on this pattern, please feel free to ask away in the comments below.
Enjoy!

In the beginning...

Jan 2012.  Here I am proudly showing off my first ever attempt at crocheting. I've come a long way in a year and a half!  LOL  Crocheting has become my all-time favourite hobby since then.  I can tell you in complete honesty now that I'm pretty sure I can crochet anything.  Yes, I mean ANYTHING.  But here's why I wanted to start a blog:  There was a time (a long period of time) where I thought I was a pretty good crocheter (is that a word?)  and I could make anything IF (big IF) I could find a pattern for it.  There's a pattern for just about everything out there, but most good patterns cost money.   I cannot even begin to describe the frustration of not being able to find a good free pattern!  This is my solution for anyone out there who shares my sentiments:  Now that I am not bound by the restraints of following patterns (I can pretty much just pick up my hook and wool, and make anything I want); I've started writing them down; even taking pictures now and then of my work in progress, and I plan to post all of my patterns FOR FREE for anyone who would like to use them!  So please Enjoy! :)