Meet Fly-Catcher Frog:
When I designed my Pufferfish Purse pattern, the positive response was so encouraging, and there were also some requests for a bigger version. So for my next bag design, I wanted it to be big enough to hold a phone. The puffer is more of a decorative mini-bag for holding small nick-knacks like earbuds or lip-balm, that you’d clip on the outside of your gym bag, for example, and so I wanted to design anther option with room for bigger items – one that functions as a bag on it’s own.
My original plan was to make a frog bag based on the puffer model with minor alterations, and just size it up. But the plan just didn’t work out. You can see a glimpse of my trials here. I almost ended up scrapping the project and starting over, because I didn’t think I could make the bag look enough like a frog while also being able to fit a phone inside. Luckily, a solution somehow occurred to me that would allow it work out, and the project was saved!
The final result is far from my original plan, but not in a bad way. I really love how it turned out in the end and I think it’s a super fun design. The mouth still has a drawstring closure like the puffer has, but this one functions differently, in the sense that it has a toggle to close it more like a paper bag, versus the cinched style of the puffer’s kissing lips. This feature presented the perfect opportunity to make the drawstring as a tongue and the toggle as a fly – so the frog catches the fly when you close the bag!!! I find this little detail incredibly cute and exciting!
I didn’t want the bag to be a hugely time consuming project for for you, so I didn’t want it to be massive with endless rounds of boring stitches, or have a ton of difficult detail – just big enough for bare essentials that everyone carries, like your phone plus a credit card and car- or house-key. This leaves us with a relatively fast make, maximum fun, and solid functionality for its size.
Speaking of the effort required, this bag is crocheted firmly, and its small size means it keeps its shape without needing a lining inside. The strap is also thoughtfully designed to be 100% non-stretch so whatever length you make it is the length it will be when you wear it!
We have just enough detail in this design to make it interesting without being intricate to crochet, with friendly, sparkling eyes, knobbly toes, and little blossoms on leg garters! The garters do indeed serve a purpose too: the blossoms function as little fasteners which you can undo to release the legs and let them dangle free. The front legs can also be unhooked, making your fancy little frog fully poseable!
He is also adorned with a dashing little ruffle on his neck, which you can omit if you prefer a more natural looking frog. The project has almost zero sewing; everything is crocheted together as you go, and only sewing you’ll have to do will be to attach the frog’s eyes and the flies wings. We all love a no-sew project and I’m especially pleased at the level of detail we achieve with this one!
I want to say a big thank you to my beautiful team of testers who helped with this pattern. Here are their projects with credit in order of appearance: Thank you Reeta (@thestitchgame), Sharon (@stitchesandfiber) ,Yvonne (@silvertreecrochet), Stacey (@curlymoon_crochet), Joanna (@noworriesjo), Marilyn (@fish_marilyn), Julia (@julikahuli), Mia (@mightystargazer), Vennesa (@buckeyefiberco) and Haylee. Tap the images to visit their Instagram accounts.
I hope you have loads of fun with your Fly-Catcher. Please tag me @Projectarian on social media if you make one, I’d love to see your project! Use #FlyCatcherFrogBag to browse projects and share yours!
xxx
Jessie
PIN IT!
