I had never heard the term “frogging” before joining the 123Stitch Message Board. Of course I have done a lot of it in the years I have been cross stitching! Frogging is what a lot of needle workers call removing stitches because they say "rip it, rip it" and sound like a frog! Most times when I have to do some ripping out of stitches it is only a few stitches. But on one occasion, while stitching this cardinal, I had to take out all the stitches for one wing because I had used the wrong color for a symbol. It was not an easy task and I did not really have the proper tools for doing it. But I had too much time invested in stitching the red bird to throw it out and start again. Below are some suggestions for tools you might find helpful if you have a visit from the frog!
Tools
Stitch Fixer
A Stitch Fixer has a tapestry needle in one end and a bent point on the other end. Use both ends to remove stitches, anchor thread ends, repair finished works, adjust stitch tension, tidy backs of stitching, repair snags, weave ribbons, and lay silk fibers. See Needlework Tool: Thread-Tucker-Tweaker-Fixer-Thingy
Snip A Stitch scissors
I bought a pair of Snip A Stitch scissors for my Mom one time and they have been a big help. Not sure what brand mine are. The hooked blade easily picks up stitches for clipping without danger of damaging fabric. Others recommend Gingher scissors.
Stitch Blade
The Stitch Blade has a razor sharp surgical steel blade cuts threads or yarns without pulling. Tip slides easily under a single stitch while blunt outer edges protect fabric or canvas.
Judy’s Boo Boo Stick
Judy’s Boo Boo Stick is linen and even-weave friendly – By dragging clipped floss out the back of the fabric, the positioning of the fabric threads are not dislodged and the delicate fibers are not frayed. For a demonstration of how to use it view Judy’s Boo Stick Video Tutorial.
One of the ladies on the MB today said she had made a "Frog Box" for herself.
I got one of those little pink Sew-lutions boxes by Art Bin from Joann’s (with a coupon–the cost is outrageous). In this (labeled, of course) box are my thread plucking tweezers, a "stitch blade", some "stitch fixers" in several sizes, a Star DeTailor, a Boo-Boo Stick, a toothbrush (had to saw 3/4" off the handle so it’d fit in the box), and a pair of stitch remover scissors.
It seemed like every time the Frog came to visit, I’d have to locate all this stuff for my ripping session. So, in the interest of efficiency and organization, I made the Frog Box. Works for me. At first I called it "Repair Tools", but that wasn’t as cool as "Frog Box".
This is the article that inspired me to write this post – Needle Delights Originals Tips on Frogging. I hope the frog does not come to visit while you are stitching.