Crouched Frog Amigurumi

Simple Knitted Soft Toy

A chubby little frog sitting in a friendly squat. Worked entirely in stockinette in the round from separate pieces that are stuffed and seamed. Perfect first amigurumi for beginners.

Skill Level: Beginner
Finished Size: Approximately 4" (10 cm) tall × 5½" (14 cm) long when seated in crouched position.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn (approx. 50 yd / 46 m MC green; 15 yd / 14 m CC cream or pale yellow for belly; small amount black for embroidery)
• US 4 (3.5 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or 32–40" circular for Magic Loop (use needles 1–2 sizes smaller than yarn label for a dense fabric)
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing (approx. 1–1½ oz / 30–40 g)
• 9 mm safety eyes (pair) or black embroidery floss
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch marker
• Optional: small amount of pink yarn for cheek spots

Gauge

6 sts and 8 rounds = 1" (2.5 cm) in stockinette stitch in the round.
Note: Exact stitch count is less important than a firm, even fabric that will not show stuffing. Adjust needle size if needed to obtain a tight fabric.

Abbreviations (US)

• CO: cast on
• k: knit
• kfb: knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
• k2tog: knit 2 together (1 st decreased)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd(s): round(s)
• St st: stockinette stitch (knit every round)
• BO: bind off
• pm: place marker

Notes

• All pieces except the belly patch are worked in the round in St st.
• Stuff each piece firmly as you go, especially before final decreases, so the frog holds a rounded squat shape.
• Insert safety eyes before closing the head.
• Weave all yarn ends securely to the inside of the pieces.
• The back legs are deliberately longer and are sewn in a folded position to create the crouched look.

Pattern Instructions

Head (make 1 in MC)

CO 6 sts using preferred cast-on for working in the round. Join, being careful not to twist; pm for beginning of rnd.

Rnd 1: kfb around — 12 sts (6 increases → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓).
Rnd 2: k around.
Rnd 3: *k1, kfb; rep from * around — 18 sts (6 increases → 12 + 6 = 18 ✓).
Rnd 4: k around.
Rnd 5: *k2, kfb; rep from * around — 24 sts (6 increases → 18 + 6 = 24 ✓).
Rnd 6: k around.
Rnd 7: *k3, kfb; rep from * around — 30 sts (6 increases → 24 + 6 = 30 ✓).
Rnd 8: k around.
Rnd 9: *k4, kfb; rep from * around — 36 sts (6 increases → 30 + 6 = 36 ✓).
Rnds 10–16: k around (7 rnds even).

Insert 9 mm safety eyes now, spaced about 8 sts apart and roughly between Rnds 12–13.

Rnd 17: *k4, k2tog; rep from * around — 30 sts (6 decreases → 36 – 6 = 30 ✓).
Rnd 18: k around.
Rnd 19: *k3, k2tog; rep from * around — 24 sts (6 decreases → 30 – 6 = 24 ✓).
Rnd 20: k around.
Begin stuffing firmly and continue to stuff as you decrease.
Rnd 21: *k2, k2tog; rep from * around — 18 sts (6 decreases → 24 – 6 = 18 ✓).
Rnd 22: *k1, k2tog; rep from * around — 12 sts (6 decreases → 18 – 6 = 12 ✓).
Rnd 23: k2tog around — 6 sts (6 decreases → 12 – 6 = 6 ✓).

Cut yarn, thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight, and secure. Weave end inside. Head measures approx. 2" (5 cm) diameter.

Body (make 1 in MC)

CO 6 sts. Join and pm.

Rnd 1: kfb around — 12 sts.
Rnd 2: k around.
Rnd 3: *k1, kfb; rep from * around — 18 sts.
Rnd 4: k around.
Rnd 5: *k2, kfb; rep from * around — 24 sts.
Rnd 6: k around.
Rnd 7: *k3, kfb; rep from * around — 30 sts.
Rnd 8: k around.
Rnd 9: *k4, kfb; rep from * around — 36 sts.
Rnd 10: k around.
Rnd 11: *k5, kfb; rep from * around — 42 sts (6 increases → 36 + 6 = 42 ✓).
Rnds 12–24: k around (13 rnds even).

Stuff firmly as you work the decreases, keeping the shape slightly elongated and plump for a squat body.

Rnd 25: *k5, k2tog; rep from * around — 36 sts.
Rnd 26: k around.
Rnd 27: *k4, k2tog; rep from * around — 30 sts.
Rnd 28: k around.
Rnd 29: *k3, k2tog; rep from * around — 24 sts.
Rnd 30: *k2, k2tog; rep from * around — 18 sts.
Rnd 31: *k1, k2tog; rep from * around — 12 sts.
Rnd 32: k2tog around — 6 sts.
Rnd 33: k2tog around — 3 sts.

Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight. Body is approx. 3½" (9 cm) long and 2½" (6.5 cm) wide at fullest point.

Belly Patch (make 1 in CC, worked flat)

CO 10 sts.
Work 12 rows in St st (knit on RS, purl on WS).
Next row (RS): ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog — 8 sts.
Next row: p.
Next row: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog — 6 sts.
Next row: p.
BO all sts.

(Optional: embroider a few simple freckles or leave plain.)

Front Legs (make 2 in MC)

CO 12 sts. Join and pm.
Rnds 1–10: k around.
Stuff lightly.
Rnd 11: k2tog around — 6 sts.
Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight to close foot end. Leave long tail for seaming. Each front leg is approx. 1¾" (4.5 cm) long.

Back Legs (make 2 in MC)

CO 16 sts. Join and pm.
Rnds 1–8: k around (thigh section).
Rnd 9: *k2, k2tog; rep from * around — 12 sts (4 decreases → 16 – 4 = 12 ✓).
Rnds 10–18: k around (lower leg).
Stuff firmly in thigh, lightly in lower leg so it can bend.
Rnd 19: k2tog around — 6 sts.
Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight. Leave long tail. Each back leg is approx. 3" (7.5 cm) long before folding.

Assembly

1. Belly: Center the cream belly patch on the underside of the body and mattress-stitch neatly in place.
2. Head to Body: Mattress-stitch the head to the wider (cast-on) end of the body, slightly tilted upward for a curious expression. Add a tiny bit more stuffing at the neck join if needed for firmness.
3. Front Legs: Attach one front leg on each side of the body, about ½" (1.5 cm) behind the head join and low on the sides so the frog sits stably. Seam securely with mattress stitch.
4. Back Legs (crouched pose): Fold each back leg so the thigh sits against the rear sides of the body and the lower leg tucks forward underneath. Pin in a natural squat, then mattress-stitch the thigh firmly to the body and catch a few stitches of the lower leg to hold the fold. Legs should splay slightly outward for balance.
5. Face: With black yarn or floss, embroider a simple curved smile (3–4 sts wide) centered below the eyes. Optional: add two small pink cheek circles with duplicate stitch or French knots.
6. Weave in every remaining end securely to the inside. Gently roll and shape the frog so it sits flat in its crouch.

Finishing

Check that all seams are secure and no stuffing shows. The frog should sit upright on its own in a compact crouched position approximately 4" tall. Spot-clean only if needed.

Enjoy your little squatting frog!