Crochet

Mini Frog Amigurumi

Our most downloaded pattern ever! This adorable little frog sits on your desk and brings all the good vibes. Great for gifts.

2–3 hours Beginner 11.4k downloads

Amigurumi (ah-mee-goo-ROO-mee) is the Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed figures. It sounds intimidating, but it uses just one stitch — the single crochet — worked in a continuous spiral. No joining rounds, no seams to sew. This mini frog is about 4 inches tall when finished and makes a perfect desk companion or gift.

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Abbreviations & Terms Used

scSingle crochet — insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops. The shortest and most common crochet stitch.
incIncrease — work 2 single crochets into the same stitch. This adds one stitch to your total count and makes the piece wider.
decDecrease (also called sc2tog) — insert hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop, insert hook into the following stitch, pull up another loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. This removes one stitch and makes the piece narrower.
stsStitches — the total number of stitches in the current round, shown in parentheses at the end of a round instruction.
MRMagic ring — an adjustable loop that lets you start crocheting in the round with a closeable center hole. Also called a magic circle.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1

    Make the magic ring and start the base

    Make a magic ring. Work 6 single crochets (sc) into the ring, then pull the tail to close the hole. Place a stitch marker in the last stitch of the round — this marks where each round ends. Do not join or chain up; amigurumi is worked in a continuous spiral. Round 2: Work 2 sc into every stitch around (increase in each stitch). You now have 12 stitches. Round 3: Work 1 sc in the first stitch, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat around. You now have 18 stitches.

  2. 2

    Build the body

    Rounds 4–7: Work 1 sc in every stitch around (no increases or decreases). This is called working 'even' — you're just going around without changing the stitch count. These four rounds create the round body of the frog. Keep moving your stitch marker up to the last stitch of each round so you always know where you are. The piece will start to look like a little cup.

  3. 3

    Shape the top and stuff

    Round 8: Work 1 sc in the first stitch, then decrease (dec) over the next 2 stitches. Repeat around. You now have 12 stitches. This is the point to add the safety eyes if you're using them — push the posts through the fabric between rounds 4 and 5, about 4 stitches apart, and secure the washers on the inside. Now stuff the frog body firmly with polyfill. Use a pencil or chopstick to push stuffing into the bottom. The body should feel solid, not squishy.

  4. 4

    Close the top

    Round 9: Decrease over every 2 stitches around. You now have 6 stitches. Cut the yarn leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread the tail onto a yarn needle, then run the needle through the front loop of each remaining stitch and pull tight to close the hole, like drawing a drawstring. Weave the tail through a few stitches on the inside to secure it. If there's a small gap, add a tiny bit more stuffing before closing.

  5. 5

    Make the eyes and legs

    For the eye bumps: make two small circles in green yarn — magic ring, 6 sc, pull closed. Sew one to each side of the top of the head, slightly toward the front. If you're using safety eyes, insert them through the center of each eye bump before sewing down. For the legs: make four small tubes — magic ring, 4 sc, work 4 rounds even, fasten off. Sew two front legs to the sides of the body near the top and two back legs to the lower sides, angled outward. A wide, flat smile embroidered in black yarn with a yarn needle finishes the face.

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Common Beginner Mistake to Avoid

The hardest part of amigurumi for beginners is keeping track of rounds. Always use a stitch marker — a safety pin or a piece of contrasting yarn works fine — and move it to the last stitch of every round as you go. If you lose count, count the stitches in the round before continuing. Working too loosely lets the stuffing show through the gaps; if you can see white polyfill through your stitches, go down one hook size.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'work even' mean?+

It means work one single crochet into every stitch without any increases or decreases. The stitch count stays the same and the piece grows taller without getting wider or narrower.

Do I have to use safety eyes?+

No — they're optional and purely decorative. You can embroider eyes with black yarn using a yarn needle, or use the eye bump technique described in step 5. If you're making this for a child under 3, skip the safety eyes entirely and embroider instead, as the posts can come loose.

My frog looks lumpy. How do I fix it?+

Lumps usually mean the stuffing isn't distributed evenly. Before closing the top, use a chopstick or the eraser end of a pencil to push stuffing into the bottom and sides. Stuff more firmly than you think you need to — amigurumi compresses as you handle it.

Can I make this bigger?+

Yes — use a heavier yarn and a larger hook. Worsted weight yarn with a 4mm hook will make a frog about twice the size. Just keep the same stitch counts and add more 'work even' rounds in the middle to make it taller.

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