frog

v. to unravel a knitted garment. Also frog stitch v., to intentionally rip out a seam, and n., an intentionally ripped seam. Subjects: English, Apparel, Appearance, & Fashion

Etymological Note: While it is possible that, as frequently stated, frog does come from the admonishment of “rip it, rip it” that might be given when seams are imperfect, which is similar to an imitation of a croaking frog, it is also possible that an unraveled or undone garment has loops of thread or yarn resembling frogging, which is a looped ornamental braid, or coat fastenings made of cylindrical buttons that go into fabric loops.

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Citations: 1991 [Barbara Zanzig] Usenet: rec.crafts.textiles (Aug. 5) “Re: Misc.”: Reminds me of the Frog Stitch: rip-it, rip-it. 1995 [Christina Gigante] Usenet: rec.crafts.textiles.needlework (Oct. 2) “Re: Finished an old UFO-and official delurk”: The teacher taught them (this was the beginning cross stitch class) the “frog stitch.” It’s when you go “rip, rip, rip.” 2004 News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) (Dec. 11) “Stories and stitches from Paint’s fleece” p. E3: Frog Stitch: To rip out a whole row at a time: as the frog says, “Rip it, rip it, rip it, rip it…” 2005 Carolyn McCarthy Bellingham Herald (Wash.) (Jan. 11) “Creating A ‘Harf’ By Hand”: Worst nightmare: A poncho that I’ve knit and frogged (pulled apart) three times now. 2006 Wren Ross Changing Patterns (Jan. 15) p. 206: She said that laughing while frogging the sweater expressed her great relief in ridding herself of that hurtful and untruthful self-perception.…There are times when we aren’t ready to frog, and that’s when “Toad” appears—“Trashed Object Abandoned in Disgust.” Toads are all of those unfinished projects stashed in bags and shoved into closets, drawers, or attics. *2006 Lori Erickson Beliefnet.com (Feb. 14 ) “The God Who Knits”: Experienced knitters, they will go to a thrift store and look for a sweater that is past its prime and unravel the yarn to make something new. The practice is known as “frogging,” from the words “rip it, rip it.”

Posted 23 Feb 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend