Knitting Tutorial: Summer Berry Purple Frog in Strawberry Dress – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet purple frog is designed as a charming handmade collectible plush with a soft cream dress, tiny strawberry embroidery, a matching strawberry purse, berry hair clip, sun hat, and delicate sandals. It has the cozy look of a boutique knitted frog doll, the feel of a heirloom toy, and the kind of detailed finish people often search for in a handmade gift, nursery decor, or amigurumi-style knit animal. The finished doll is posed sitting with long relaxed limbs, glossy eyes, and bright strawberry accents that give it a gentle summer garden personality.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Materials

• Main frog color: light lavender-purple DK yarn, about 70 to 90 g.
• Dress color: soft cream or warm ivory DK yarn, about 45 to 60 g.
• Berry red: small amount for strawberries, purse strap, sandal edging, and hat brim.
• Leaf green: small amount for strawberry tops, vines, and hair clip leaf.
• White: small amount for tiny embroidered strawberry seeds and flower petals.
• Beige or cream: for the hat crown if you want it exactly as shown.
• Needles: 2.75 mm straight or double-pointed needles for flat pieces and small limbs, and 3.0 mm needles if you prefer slightly softer fabric for clothing.
• Tapestry needle for seaming and embroidery.
• Stitch markers.
• Black safety eyes or shiny black shank eyes, 12 to 14 mm, one pair.
• Tiny button for one sandal strap if desired.
• Toy stuffing.
• Thin craft wire optional for strawberry stems only, not required.

Finished Size

• Frog height: about 9.5 to 10.5 inches tall from top of head to bottom of feet when legs are extended.
• Sitting height: about 6.5 to 7 inches.
• Dress length: upper chest to hem about 3 inches.
• Hat diameter: about 4.25 inches across the brim.
• Purse height: about 1.5 inches.

Gauge

Gauge is not absolutely critical for a decorative toy, but it matters for proportions. Aim for a dense fabric so stuffing does not show through. On 2.75 mm needles in stockinette, 28 stitches and 36 rows should measure about 4 inches. If your fabric looks loose, go down one needle size.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• st st = stockinette stitch
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• rep = repeat
• rnd = round
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker
• i-cord = knitted cord made over a small number of stitches

Construction Overview

This frog is made in several detailed parts: head, long narrow body, two arms, two legs, a cream dress, strawberry embroidery, purse, hat, hair clip, sandals, and two hanging strawberries. The proportions matter. The head is large and softly rounded, the body is slim and almost tube-like, and the limbs are long and relaxed.

The frog in the image has a gentle, slightly forward-leaning seated posture. To achieve that look, stuff the head firmly, the body moderately, and the limbs lightly. The dress should sit high at the chest like a simple A-line pinafore without sleeves. The eyes are set wide and slightly high on the head.

Head

Make 2 head side panels

Using lavender-purple yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 8 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: p all.
2. Row 2 RS: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
3. Row 3: p all.
4. Row 4: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
5. Row 5: p all.
6. Row 6: kfb, k10, kfb. 14 sts.
7. Row 7: p all.
8. Row 8: k1, kfb, k10, kfb, k1. 16 sts.
9. Row 9: p all.
10. Row 10: k1, kfb, k12, kfb, k1. 18 sts.
11. Rows 11 to 21: begin with a WS row, work 11 rows in st st.
12. Row 22 RS: k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1. 16 sts.
13. Row 23: p all.
14. Row 24: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
15. Row 25: p all.
16. Row 26: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
17. Row 27: p all.
18. Row 28: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
19. Row 29: p all.
20. Row 30: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
21. BO all sts knitwise on WS or leave live if you prefer grafting.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Head gusset strip

This strip runs from chin over top head to back neck, helping create the broad rounded frog face seen in the image.

CO 6 sts in lavender-purple.

1. Rows 1 to 30: work i-cord flat style or regular st st strip as follows.
2. If making regular strip: Row 1 RS k all, Row 2 WS p all, rep these 2 rows until strip measures about 7.5 inches.
3. BO all sts.

Muzzle shaping note

The face in the photo is not a separate snout. It is a smooth front head panel with gentle side fullness. When seaming, slightly flatten the lower front of the head rather than making a pointed nose. The frog mouth area remains soft and simple.

Assemble head

• Join one long side of the gusset to the first head side panel.
• Insert eyes before fully closing if using safety eyes.
• Place eyes between Rows 11 and 14 from cast-on edge of the side panels, about 9 to 10 sts apart across the face once assembled.
• Join second head side panel to remaining edge of gusset.
• Stuff firmly, especially upper sides and forehead.
• Close lower neck opening only enough to attach later to body. Leave a neat centered opening about 1 inch wide for joining.

Body

The body is slim, vertical, and much narrower than the head. It should look soft and simple under the dress, not rounded like a teddy bear belly. The image shows a lightly stuffed torso with a subtle taper.

Make 2 body panels

Using lavender-purple yarn, CO 10 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: p all.
2. Row 2 RS: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
3. Row 3: p all.
4. Row 4: k all.
5. Row 5: p all.
6. Row 6: k1, kfb, k8, kfb, k1. 14 sts.
7. Rows 7 to 23: work 17 rows in st st.
8. Row 24 RS: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
9. Row 25: p all.
10. Rows 26 to 30: work 5 rows in st st.
11. BO all sts.

Assemble body

• Sew shoulder and side seams, leaving top open for attaching head and lower opening small enough to shape the base.
• Stuff lightly to medium. Keep the body somewhat flat rather than round.
• Close lower edge with a gentle curved seam.

Arms

The arms are long, narrow, softly stuffed tubes. They hang straight down and are slender from shoulder to wrist. No visible hand shaping appears in the image, so the hands are minimal and softly rounded.

Make 2 in lavender-purple.

CO 5 sts.

1. Work i-cord for 20 rows, or until arm measures about 4.25 inches.
2. To create a slightly fuller upper arm, change to flat knitting if preferred.
3. Next Row RS: kfb, k3, kfb. 7 sts.
4. Row WS: p all.
5. Rows 3 to 7: work 5 rows in st st.
6. Next Row RS: k2tog, k3, ssk. 5 sts.
7. Work 4 more rows as i-cord over 5 sts.
8. Break yarn, thread through sts, pull closed.

Stuff only the upper half lightly. Keep the lower arm and hand area very soft so the arm can drape naturally.

Legs

The legs are longer than the arms and slightly thicker. They extend forward from the lower body and bend naturally when seated. The feet are not large separate frog feet in the image because they are mostly hidden inside the sandals.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Make 2 in lavender-purple.

CO 6 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: work as i-cord over 6 sts.
2. Row 5 RS: kfb, k4, kfb. 8 sts.
3. Row 6 WS: p all.
4. Rows 7 to 12: work 6 rows in st st.
5. Row 13 RS: k all.
6. Row 14 WS: p all.
7. Rows 15 to 28: rep Rows 13 and 14 for 14 rows more.
8. Row 29 RS: k2tog, k4, ssk. 6 sts.
9. Rows 30 to 34: work i-cord for 5 rows.
10. Break yarn, thread through sts, pull closed.

Stuff from thigh to ankle lightly. Keep foot end flat and small so the sandal fits well.

Joining Head, Body, Arms, and Legs

• Attach head to top of body with the face centered and the chin slightly forward.
• Sew arms to body sides just below the neckline. Angle them downward at about 35 to 45 degrees.
• Sew legs to lower front half of body so they extend forward when the frog sits.
• Before securing completely, check seated balance. The doll should sit with the head tilted gently upward, just like the photo.

Dress

The dress is an essential visual feature. It is cream, sleeveless, and slightly flared. The neckline sits wide and soft, almost like a rolled funnel neck folded outward. The hem is plain and relaxed. The embroidered strawberry vine runs near the lower front and wraps partly around.

Dress body

Using cream yarn and 3.0 mm needles, CO 44 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: k all rows for garter hem band.
2. Row 5 RS: k all.
3. Row 6 WS: p all.
4. Repeat Rows 5 and 6 until piece measures 2.5 inches from cast-on edge.
5. Next RS shaping row: k2tog, k18, k2tog, k18, k2tog. 41 sts.
6. Next WS row: p all.
7. Next RS row: k all.
8. Next WS row: p all.
9. Next RS shaping row: k2tog, k17, k2tog, k17, k2tog. 38 sts.
10. Work 4 rows in st st.
11. Divide for front and back opening effect if desired, or continue as flat tube panel.
12. For easiest finish, continue flat for 10 more rows in st st.
13. Final 4 rows: k all rows to form soft garter upper edge that rolls slightly.
14. BO loosely.

Dress finishing

• Sew side seam into a tube, leaving top arm openings.
• Slip dress over frog from feet upward before final arm attachment if needed, or make a tiny back opening for easier dressing.
• The neckline should sit wide and soft, not tight against the neck.
• The dress should cover the body and top thighs, ending just above the mid-leg sitting point.

Strawberry Embroidery on Dress

The lower dress border shows a neat berry garland of small red strawberries with green leaves and trailing stems. Embroider this after the dress is sewn and blocked lightly.

• Use green yarn to backstitch a loose vine line 0.75 inch above the hem.
• Begin near one side seam, dip gently across the front, and rise toward the opposite side.
• Add 5 small strawberries across the visible front, plus partial side berries if desired.

Each embroidered strawberry

1. Using red yarn, satin stitch or duplicate stitch a small teardrop shape about 5 to 6 rows tall and 4 sts wide.
2. Using green yarn, embroider a tiny leafy crown at top with 3 short straight stitches.
3. Using white yarn, add 2 to 4 seed dots on each strawberry.

Keep the berries small and tidy. They should look dainty, not oversized. The center berry can sit slightly lower than the others, matching the soft garland effect in the image.

Strawberry Purse

The purse is a bright red strawberry with a green leafy top and a narrow red strap crossing from one shoulder to the opposite hip. It sits high on the front right side of the dress in the image.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Purse body make 2

Using red yarn, CO 3 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: p all.
2. Row 2 RS: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
3. Row 3: p all.
4. Row 4: k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1. 7 sts.
5. Row 5: p all.
6. Row 6: k1, kfb, k3, kfb, k1. 9 sts.
7. Row 7: p all.
8. Row 8: k1, kfb, k5, kfb, k1. 11 sts.
9. Rows 9 to 13: work 5 rows in st st.
10. Row 14 RS: k1, ssk, k5, k2tog, k1. 9 sts.
11. Row 15: p all.
12. Row 16: k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1. 7 sts.
13. Row 17: p all.
14. Row 18: k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1. 5 sts.
15. Row 19: p all.
16. Row 20: k2tog, k1, ssk. 3 sts.
17. Break yarn, thread through sts, pull tight.

Leaf top for purse

Using green yarn, CO 12 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: p all.
2. Row 2 RS: *k1, kfb; rep from * to end. 18 sts.
3. Row 3: p all.
4. Row 4: [k2tog, k1] 6 times. 12 sts.
5. BO loosely.

Purse strap

• Using red yarn, make a 2-st i-cord about 8.5 inches long.
• Sew purse body pieces together, stuff very lightly or leave flat.
• Attach green leaf top at upper edge.
• Add 4 to 6 tiny white seed stitches.
• Sew strap from left shoulder area to purse top so the purse rests on the frog’s right side.

Hair Strawberry Clip

A tiny strawberry clip sits on the frog’s upper right head area. This detail is small but very important for matching the image.

Berry

Using red yarn, CO 3 sts.

1. Row 1: p all.
2. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
3. Row 3: p all.
4. Row 4: k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1. 7 sts.
5. Rows 5 to 7: work 3 rows in st st.
6. Row 8: k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1. 5 sts.
7. Row 9: p all.
8. Row 10: k2tog, k1, ssk. 3 sts.
9. Pull closed.

Leaf and attachment

• Using green yarn, embroider a 3-point leaf cap.
• Add 3 tiny white seed stitches.
• Sew to side of head.
• If you want the little pale tab under it as shown, add a tiny cream felted or knitted oval under the berry before sewing down.

Hat

The hat is a soft summer hat with a cream dome and a bright red brim. It lies beside the frog in the photo, not worn. The crown is shallow and rounded, while the brim is flat and circular.

Hat crown

Using cream yarn, CO 6 sts onto DPNs or knit flat and seam later.

1. Rnd 1: k all.
2. Rnd 2: kfb in each st. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: k all.
4. Rnd 4: *k1, kfb; rep around. 18 sts.
5. Rnd 5: k all.
6. Rnd 6: *k2, kfb; rep around. 24 sts.
7. Rnd 7: k all.
8. Rnd 8: *k3, kfb; rep around. 30 sts.
9. Rnd 9: k all.
10. Rnd 10: *k4, kfb; rep around. 36 sts.
11. Rnds 11 to 20: k all.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Hat brim

Change to red yarn.

1. Rnd 21: *k5, kfb; rep around. 42 sts.
2. Rnd 22: k all.
3. Rnd 23: *k6, kfb; rep around. 48 sts.
4. Rnd 24: k all.
5. Rnd 25: *k7, kfb; rep around. 54 sts.
6. Rnds 26 to 29: k all.
7. BO loosely.

Lightly steam only the brim so it lies flat. Do not overflatten the crown.

Sandals

The sandals are bright red and open at the toe, with a small floral strawberry accent near the upper front. One sandal also shows a tiny side button. These should look decorative and delicate, not bulky.

Sole make 2

Using red yarn, CO 6 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: p all.
2. Row 2 RS: kfb, k4, kfb. 8 sts.
3. Row 3: p all.
4. Row 4: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
5. Rows 5 to 10: work 6 rows in st st.
6. Row 11 RS: k2tog, k6, ssk. 8 sts.
7. Row 12: p all.
8. Row 13 RS: k2tog, k4, ssk. 6 sts.
9. BO.

Toe strap

• Pick up 4 sts across front third of sole.
• Work 3 rows in garter.
• BO.

Ankle strap

• Using red yarn, pick up 3 sts at one side of sandal.
• Work 10 rows i-cord.
• Attach to opposite side of sandal around ankle area.
• Add a tiny cream or wood-look button on outer side if desired.

Flower-strawberry accent

• Make a tiny 5-petal flower using white yarn by embroidery or small knitted petals.
• Sew a miniature red berry at center with green top.
• Attach on upper front strap area.

Slip sandals onto feet and stitch invisibly in place if the doll is decorative only.

Hanging Strawberries for Hand

The frog is holding two small strawberries at one side. They hang from green stems and rest near the hand. These should be tiny, soft, and slightly plump.

Make 2.

Using red yarn, CO 3 sts.

1. Row 1: p all.
2. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
3. Row 3: p all.
4. Row 4: k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1. 7 sts.
5. Rows 5 to 8: work 4 rows in st st.
6. Row 9: k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1. 5 sts.
7. Row 10: p all.
8. Row 11: k2tog, k1, ssk. 3 sts.
9. Pull closed and stuff lightly before fully tightening.

• Embroider white seeds.
• Add green leafy tops.
• Make a short twisted cord stem for each, about 1.25 inches.
• Attach both stems together and sew into one hand so they dangle naturally.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Facial Shaping and Expression

The face is simple and sweet. It does not need a stitched smile to match the image. The eyes carry the expression. Keep the front head smooth, rounded, and open. Avoid adding nostrils, mouth lines, or cheek circles if you want the closest result.

• Set the eyes wide apart.
• Angle them very slightly outward.
• Keep the lower face unembellished.
• If needed, use a little shaping thread from side to side behind the eyes to flatten the front face subtly.

Color Placement Notes for Accuracy

• The frog body, head, arms, and legs are all the same light lavender-purple.
• The dress is cream and plain except for embroidered strawberries near the hem.
• The purse is red with a green top and red strap.
• The hat crown is cream and the brim is red.
• The sandals are red with white-and-red floral berry embellishment.
• The hair clip is a tiny red strawberry with green top.

Blocking and Finishing Notes

Because this is a toy with many tiny accessories, block gently. Do not soak heavily after assembly unless absolutely needed. It is better to lightly steam flat pieces before sewing. The dress, purse leaves, hat brim, and sandal soles benefit the most from light shaping.

Trim all yarn ends securely and weave them deeply into seams. For a display finish, add a few hidden tack stitches to hold the purse strap, dress neckline, and sandals exactly in place.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

• Attach head to body first, then arms, then legs.
• Dress the frog and check the hem placement before sewing accessories.
• Sew eyes securely and confirm both are level from the front view.
• Attach purse so it crosses diagonally across the chest.
• Sew hair strawberry on the upper side of the head.
• Place sandals neatly and tack them in position if needed.
• Attach the two hanging strawberries to one hand last.

Care Notes

• Display indoors away from direct strong sunlight.
• Spot clean when possible.
• Avoid rough pulling on purse strap, hat brim, or strawberry stems.
• If used as decor, support the doll in a seated pose to preserve limb shape.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head larger than body and well stuffed.
• Eyes glossy, wide-set, and even.
• Dress loose and slightly flared.
• Strawberry embroidery centered and delicate.
• Purse strap crossing the chest correctly.
• Hat brim flat and bright red.
• Sandals matched and secure.
• Two hand strawberries attached and hanging naturally.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

• Use a soft dry cloth first for dust.
• For light marks, dab gently with cool water and mild soap, then blot dry.
• Do not machine wash if the doll has safety eyes, buttons, or fixed accessories.
• Store flat or seated in a clean dry box with tissue support.
• Keep away from moisture, heat, and sharp objects that may snag knitted stitches.