2018 Geek-A-Long: Kermit the Frog

The Muppets are my happy place. I grew up watching their variety show, movies, and the animated television show, Muppet Babies, which I wish they’d add to Netflix so I could share it with my niece. The Muppets are part of who I am. When I went through some tough times as a little girl, Miss Piggy showed me that ladies could be strong. They could take care of themselves. She helped me to be brave when I needed it the most.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Then, why did we put Kermit on the square instead of Miss Piggy? The easy answer is that he is the face of the Muppets. The second reason is that when I got married, I walked down the aisle to a string quartet playing Rainbow Connection.

But the real reason is that Kermit got me through a tough time in my life. It sounds silly to say it now, but when my dad died a few years ago, Kermit was there for me. When the sadness became too much to bare, I’d turn on a Muppet movie and let it take me to a better time. There’s something about watching a frog trying to make it in Hollywood and then on Broadway that made me not feel so helpless. There were times when he was barely keeping it together, but he persevered and so did I.

On a lighter note, I suggest you check out the first post I wrote about the Muppets back in 2015 when we featured Bunsen and Beaker on our mad scientist themed blanket.

I loved what singingsheep wrote when she nominated The Muppets, so I thought I’d share that with you:

One of the things I loved about the very first GAL blanket was the eccentric mix of geekery that it represented: movies, books, TV, actual science, video games … something for everyone! And as undoubtably one of the oldest members of this group (seriously, I knew hardly any of the video game squares from 2016), I’m going to haul another potential nominee from my memory vault: The Muppets!

Not thinking Sesame Street here, but the old Muppet Show from the ‘80s, which was firmly targeted to adults and had the most amazing roster of guest stars (predating the guest voices on The Simpsons) including John Cleese, Julie Andrews, Harry Belafonte, Mark Hamill, Chewbacca, C3PO and R2D2 … so many there’s a wiki list.

This is also the show that introduced Fozzy Bear, Rolf, Waldorf and Statler, Sam the Eagle, the Great Gonzo, Swedish Chef, Dr Teeth and The Electric Mayhem, and Miss Piggy. Kermit of course was already well established.

The magic of that original series has never been recaptured, alas, in the movies or the subsequent TV series attempts. How could they ever replicate the glory of Pigs In Space?? :D

ETA: Yes, I know Bunsen and Beaker were featured on the Mad Scientists blanket. But I want Kermit :) And the 2015 squares are the rogue size that isn’t compatible with the others…

And now, you have him. :D

Whether you’re knitting, crocheting, or cross stitching this square, you can download the Kermit the Frog pattern here. Instructions and charts for both knit and crochet are listed in the pattern. When you’re finished making it, don’t forget to Instagram your squares at us @lattesandllamasyarn with the hashtag #geekalong!

If you’re having trouble with double-sided knitting, we have a how-to video here and a tutorial on crochet here. Want to hang out with other people making the blanket? You can find moral support in the Geek-A-Long group on Ravelry here.

~ Jac

Sometimes even frogs have rainy days.

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