For an upcoming project in Threads, I decided to make a vest to showcase a special embellishment technique and added this frog closure. Knowing some of you might want to know how to make this frog, I've decided to post the method here. We'll share photos of the vest as it gets closer to the issue it appears in.

I'm using a "shoelace" cord to demonstrate the technique, and recommend this, or another smooth round cord to practice with. After you're proficient, you can branch out to other, more decorative cords.

The photos used in this blog post are excerpted from a class I teach on Patternreview.com demonstrating Frogs and Closures. You may want to take this class sometime.

 

Step 1: To begin, whether you have a loop or knot at the end, stitch about 2" up from the cut cord end.

 

The success of working this frog comes from two things: work the frog horizontally instead of vertically, and pass the frog from hand to hand for each loop. Also, don't hold onto it too tightly--a light touch makes your work easier.

 

Step 2: Hold the work in your right hand. Pass the long end of the cord over the tail end to the left, away from you.

 

 

Step 3: Change the frog to the left hand, use your right hand to pass the cord up and over the loop end.

 

Wrap the cord around the loop.

 

Step 4: Change the frog to the right hand, use the left hand to pass the cord over, and behind the loop of the previous loop on the tail end.

 

Wrap the cord around the frog.

 

Step 5: Change the frog back to the left hand, and bring the cord up and around the loop end, making sure the cord sits on top of the previous loop.

 

Wrap the cord around the frog.

 

Repeat these steps as many times as desired to make the size frog you want.

 

 

 

Step 6: After you pass the cord around the loop end of the frog for the last time, secure it to the back of the frog with needle and thread.

 

Then you can cut the cord.

 

Make a few stitches through the frog, at the intersections of the cords, to keep everything in place.

 

Finally, you need to trim the loose end of the cord.

 

Pull the cord backwards through the end loop, and trim close to the frog to conceal it.

 

Step 7: And you're done and ready to attach it to the garment!

 

www.threadsmagazine.com/item/27361/how-to-make-a-snail-frog-closure/page/all