Squashed Frog Door Stopper Tutorial crochet along

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to crochet a charming squashed frog door stopper. This project is perfect for beginners and experienced crocheters alike, offering a fun and functional addition to your home decor. With clear, step-by-step instructions, you'll create a heavy, adorable frog that will keep your doors propped open or closed. Let's jump into the details!

Chapter 1: Meet our Frog

• Materials Needed
  • Heavy filling (suggestions include lawn bowls, bocce balls, or heavy stones)
  • Yarn: 4-ply for finer details (optional) or thicker yarn for quicker work
  • Crochet hooks: 3.5 mm for finer yarn, 5 mm for thicker yarn
  • Scissors and a yarn needle for finishing
• Design Changes
  • Stronger neck for durability
  • Fun new toe pad designs
• Frog Dimensions
  • Adjust the size and weight according to your preferences, keeping in mind that the filling should be heavy enough to function as a door stopper.

Chapter 2: How to Make the Legs

• Create Toe Pads
  1. Start with a magic ring.
  2. Chain 2 and crochet 7 single crochet stitches into the ring.
  3. Pull the tail of the magic ring to close it.
  4. Secure the loop by sewing it shut and hiding the tail.
• Crochet the Legs
  1. Use the easy cast-on method to create the leg base.
  2. For the front legs, make 16 easy cast-on stitches; for the back legs, make 18.
  3. Attach toe pads to each leg using single crochet stitches, ensuring to trap yarn tails as you go.

Chapter 3: How to Make the Tongue

• Tongue Creation
  1. Use a 3.5 mm hook and 4-ply yarn.
  2. Make a magic ring with an anchor stitch and crochet 7 single crochet stitches.
  3. Continue with double crochet stitches until the desired length (approximately 20 cm or 8 inches).

Chapter 4: How to Make the Eyes

• Two Size Options
  1. Small Eyes:
     • Start with a magic ring and 7 single crochet stitches.
     • Increase every second stitch to shape the eye.
  2. Large Eyes:
     • Start with a magic ring and 9 single crochet stitches.
     • Use a similar increase pattern to shape the larger eye.
  3. Attach safety eyes securely to avoid choking hazards, especially if children are around.

Chapter 5: How to Make the Mouth

• Mouth Construction
  1. Begin with a magic ring and crochet 7 single crochet stitches.
  2. Increase every second stitch to shape the mouth.
  3. Crochet additional rounds, decreasing strategically to maintain a flat shape.
  4. Attach the tongue within the mouth as you crochet.

Chapter 6: How to Make the Frog Body

• Body Creation
  1. Start with a magic ring, anchoring it tightly.
  2. Crochet the body in rounds, increasing every third and fourth stitch as needed.
  3. Attach legs during the body construction, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
  4. Stop when you reach the desired height to fit around your filling.

Chapter 7: How to Make the Head and Neck

• Head Construction
  1. Use a magic ring to start the head, increasing as you work to form the shape.
  2. Attach the mouth to the head at appropriate points, ensuring symmetry.
• Neck Construction
  1. Continue with single crochet stitches, increasing on the sides as you go down.
  2. Securely attach the neck to the body, making sure it can slide under the door easily.

Chapter 8: Finishing Touches

• Curling the Tongue
  • Roll the tongue and let it sit overnight to achieve a natural curl.
• Attaching Eyes
  • Use stuffing to give the eyes dimension before sewing them onto the head.
• Final Assembly
  • Ensure all parts are firmly attached, and weave in any loose ends.

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing your squashed frog door stopper! This cheerful creation not only serves a practical purpose but also adds a whimsical touch to your home. Feel free to experiment with colors and sizes, and don't forget to share your finished projects on social media. Happy crocheting!