How to Make a Snail Frog Closure

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.

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Kenneth King, contributor
Posted on Feb 21st, 2013 in design, online extras, how-to, embellishments, closures, snail frog

Comments (13)

HillBillary writes: Wezi, you can usually burn the ends of synthetic fabrics. I made a lot of braided paracord gear for my equine endeavors and I've found a simple wood burning tool, about $10 at your local craft store, to be indispensable. It will give you a much cleaner finish than the old burn and pinch approach.
Posted: 3:23 am on March 31st

cablough writes: I wish it mentioned the length of cord needed!
Posted: 3:25 pm on March 25th

KennethDKing writes: Hello!

This cord is just filled cord, made in the usual way with the tubing turner and bias strips, pulling the filling into the cord when turning the bias tube right side out.

The ends of the cord are hidden under the frog--stitched in place, and then just cut off, as is shown in the lesson. No fancy finishing for the ends, because they aren't going to show.

Best of luck in the exhibit!
Posted: 9:12 am on February 28th

JanetSpink writes: I have seen the frog closure in your piece on curved tucks in the latest Threads magazine May 2013. Can you tell me how you prepared the fabric for the frog closure- is it cord you have covered and how di you finish it off. I would like to use this closure for a cloak I am making for a textile art exhibition here in Australia.
The vest is beautiful.
Thanks Janet
Posted: 1:52 am on February 28th

Stitcher75 writes: I love these frog closures. Inherited an encyclopedia of knot tying when my father-in-law passed away a few years back and last year, out of boredom, discovered how to make i-cord shoe strings out of #10 crochet cotton and a size 0 or 1 double point knitting needles. I'm beginning to see a plan coming together!

Kenneth, I really appreciate your articles each month. I like your designs and love the embellishments. Thanks for all your inspiration!
Posted: 9:29 pm on October 10th

KennethDKing writes: Here's a link for the Chinese knot....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LceeI0Lw4P8&feature=related
Posted: 6:54 am on October 10th

KennethDKing writes: Brenda, the knot is a simple Chinese knot (also called a monkey fist knot). It's been published in the magazine a couple or three times.
Posted: 6:52 am on October 10th

KennethDKing writes: The class runs periodically--if you email Deepika through the site, she'll schedule it.
Posted: 6:50 am on October 10th

brensews writes: Love the closure, I can see me using this for decorative boxes also. Can you tell me how to add the knot to one end as I can't see how you did this?

Many thanks.

Brenda
Posted: 5:38 am on October 10th

kerstin54 writes: unfortunately I can't find this mentioned class on patternreview. Possibly you will help?

Kerstin
Posted: 1:45 am on October 10th

KennethDKing writes: To Wezi:

You want to stitch the intersections of the frog after you work it, but no, you can skip the sealer. The ends will be hidden inside and underneath. But--if you want to, you can go in and use a little fray check.
Posted: 9:44 pm on October 9th

LuvThreadsMagazine writes: Senor King,

Another tutorial, and never a retread of something pedestrian.

Thank you for this and all of the innovative techniques you have shared with us.
Posted: 5:31 pm on October 9th