Frog-Back Planner
Calculate work back to a saved checkpoint.
How Frog-Back Planner Works?
The Frog-Back Planner works by taking Target Safe Row, the last correct row, and showing Rows to Frog, the rows to rip out. Frogging means unravelling work back to a known good point.
Find the mistake
Find the row where the mistake sits, then pick the row below it as the safe row.
Set the safe row
Press → to set Target Safe Row.
Enter the current row
Tap in the rows above the safe row as Rows to Frog.
Rip back
Unravel that many rows, then pick up the live stitches of the safe row.
Frog-Back Planner Formula
The Frog-Back Planner formula is rows to frog = current row − safe row and stitches to frog = rows to frog × stitches per row.
- Rows to frog
F = R − sR is the current row and s is the Target Safe Row.
- Stitches to frog
Sts = F × SS is stitches per row.
- Yarn freed
Yarn = Sts × yarn per stitchWind the yarn back on the ball as you go.
Worked example: A mistake on row 53 with row 52 safe and the current row at 60 means frogging 8 rows. On 120 stitches that is 960 stitches.
Frog-Back Planner Conversion Table
The Frog-Back Planner conversion table shows stitches and yarn freed when frogging rows of a 120-stitch worsted piece.
| Rows to frog | Stitches | Yarn freed (worsted, 1 in/st) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 120 | 3.3 yd (3 m) |
| 2 | 240 | 6.7 yd (6.1 m) |
| 4 | 480 | 13.3 yd (12.2 m) |
| 8 | 960 | 26.7 yd (24.4 m) |
| 12 | 1,440 | 40 yd (36.6 m) |
| 20 | 2,400 | 66.7 yd (61 m) |
| 30 | 3,600 | 100 yd (91.4 m) |
Rip back to 1 row above the safe row, then tink (unknit) the last row stitch by stitch for a clean pick-up.
What is Frog-Back Planner?
A Frog-Back Planner is a tool that works out how many rows and stitches to rip out to reach a safe row. Frogging is the fix when a mistake sits several rows below the needle.
Knowing the rows to frog before you start stops you ripping out too much. A lifeline in the safe row makes picking up the stitches easier.
The Stitches Counter tool saves the rows to frog and the safe row in your browser.
What are the uses of Frog-Back Planner?
There are 4 main uses of the Frog-Back Planner, including lace mistakes, cable mistakes and size changes.
Lace mistakes
Rip back to a lifeline.
Cable mistakes
Rip back below a wrong cross.
Size changes
Rip back to change a size.
Crochet fixes
Rip back crochet rows to a correct row.
About the Frog-Back Planner
Made a mistake 8 rows back? Calculate exactly how many stitches and rows to unravel to reach your safe checkpoint line.
How to Use This Tool Efficiently
- ✓Insert a smooth scrap-yarn lifeline into the target row BEFORE unraveling.
- ✓Prevents ripping past your intended recovery point in panic.
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