Always wanted to know how to make this cute crocodile stitch? These little shells make your crocheting project come alive! And don't they look a lot like the skin of a crocodile? This crocodile stitch is super fun to make, and easy to learn with our explanation!
Earlier, we showed how to create a star in your knitting work, and how to crochet a V-stitch. The crocodile stitch uses a little bit more yarn that the V-stitch, and is a little bit harder, but do not be afraid to try it out!
Pssst... We have crocheted a cute Christmas Tree using the Crocodile stitch! Take a look at it here.
Elastico Print
For the explanation of this stitch we have used the Lana Grossa Elastico Print. This yarn is a beautifully mixed yarn and stretches a little bit. Therefore it is also very suitable for knitting and crocheting clothes. The Elastico Print is available in several cheerful colours.
Explanation Crocodile Stitch
With the crocodile stitch you are crocheting a foundation row and on top of that the row with shells. These two rows are repeated alternately.
Crocodile stitch (straight patch)
Start with a multiple of 6 + 1 ch.
Make a foundation ch. of 18 + 1 ch.
Row 1: Ch. 3, dc. 1 in the 4th ch. from your hook. *Ch. 1, skip 2 ch., dc. 1, ch. 1, skip 2 ch., dc. 2 in next st.* Repeat *-* until end.
Row 2: Do not turn your work but continue on the right side. Ch. 3 (= 1st dc. of shell), Dc. 4 around the last crocheted dc. of the previous row (the dc. form a top down row) = left side shell. Ch.1, turn your work so that you can dc. 5 around the last but one dc. of the previous row (the dc. form a top down row) = right side shell. Sc.1 in the single dc. of the previous row. Around the next 2 dc. of the previous row, crochet a shell as is described above. You have a total of 4 shells.
Row 3: Loosely, make a sl.st. in the middle of the 1st shell, ch. 4, dc. 2 in the sc. of the previous row, ch. 1, dc. 1 in the middle of the next shell, *Ch. 1, dc. 2 in sc., ch. 1, dc. 1* Repeat *-* until end.
Row 4: Make 1 sl.st. to the last but 1 dc. of the previous row and ch. 3., dc. 4 around the dc., ch. 1, dc. 5 around the next dc. = 1st shell. Sc. 1 in the dc. of the previous row. Continue until end = 3 shells in total.
Row 5: Ch. 3, dc. 1 in same st. *Ch. 1, dc. 1 in the middle of shell, ch. 1, dc. 2 in sc.* Repeat *-* until end.
Repeat rows 2 - 5.
Crocodile stitch or shell stitch (starting with a point)
Row 1: Ch. 5, close with a sl.st. Ch. 3, dc. 4 in the ring, ch. 1, dc. 5.
Row 2: Ch. 3, dc. 1 in the st. of the last dc., ch. 1, dc. 1 in the middle of the shell, ch. 1, dc. 2 in the upper ch. of the 3 ch. of the previous row.
Row 3: Do not turn your work but continue on the right side of your work. Ch. 3 (= 1st dc of the shell), dc. 4 around the last dc. of the previous row (the dc. form a top down row) = left side shell. Ch. 1, turn your work so that you can dc. 5 around the last but one dc. of the previous row. (the dc. form a top down row) = right side shell. Sc. 1 in the single dc. of the previous row. Around the dc. 2 of the previous row, crochet a shell as is described above.
Repeat row 2 - 3. You will get in every odd row an extra shell..
Inspiration on Pinterest
We collected a lot of cute crochet projects made with the Crocodile Stitch on our Pinterest page. Curious? Take a look at them soon!
Do you know a nice stitch that we can highlight in our 'Stitch of the Month'? Let us know via [email protected]. The most fun stitches could be topic of our next blog!
