It’s time for the “Highlight of the Month” again! This time, it’s one we’re really excited to dive into. These little shells bring your crochet projects to life. And don’t they actually look a lot like crocodile scales? The crocodile stitch is super fun—and you can learn it, too!
Last time, we showed you the V-stitch. Franca Van Caam Van de Kar asked us in the comments on that blog if we could show the crocodile stitch. This stitch uses a little more yarn than the V-stitch and is a bit harder to learn, but we’re going to take on the challenge anyway. Right?
Elastico Print
For this tutorial, we used Lana Grossa Elastico Print. This yarn has a particularly beautiful heathered effect and stretches slightly, making it ideal for crocheting or knitting clothing. Available in a range of vibrant, cheerful colors.
Explanation of a crocodile stitch
For the crocodile stitch, always crochet a base row and then a row of scales over it. Repeat these two rows.
Crocodile Stitch or Scale Stitch (straight strip)
Start with a multiple of 6 l. + 1 l.
Crochet a chain of 18 sts + 1 st.
Round 1: 3 ch., 1 dc in the 4th ch. from the Crochet Hook. *1 ch., skip 2 ch., 1 dc, 1 ch., skip 2 ch., 2 dc in the next st.* Repeat from * to * to the end.
2nd round: Do not turn your work, but stay on the right side. 3 ch. (= 1st dc of the scale), now crochet 4 more dc around the last dc of your previous round (the double crochets form a row from top to bottom) = left side of the scale. 1 ch., turn your work so that you can now crochet 5 double crochets around your second-to-last dc from the previous round (the double crochets form a row from bottom to top) = right side of scale. 1 single crochet in the single stitch of the previous round. Around the next 2 stitches of the previous round, crochet another scale as described above. Total of 4 scales.
Round 3: Loosely crochet a slip stitch in the center of the first scale, 4 ch., 2 double crochets in the single crochet of the previous round, 1 ch., 1 double crochet in the center of the next scale, *1 ch., 2 double crochets in the single crochet, 1 ch., 1 double crochet,* Repeat from * to * until the end.
4th row: Crochet 1 chain to the second-to-last double crochet of the previous row, then crochet 3 chains, work 4 double crochets around that double crochet, chain 1, crochet 5 double crochets around the next double crochet = 1stscale. Work 1 single crochet in the double crochet of the previous row. Continue in this manner until the end = 3 scales in total.
5th row: 3 ch., 1 dc in the same st. *1 ch., 1 dc in the center of the scale, 1 ch., 2 dc in the v.* Repeat *-* to the end.
Repeat rows 2 through 5.
Crocodile stitch or scale stitch (starting with a point)
Round 1: 5 ch. Join with a sl st. 3 ch., 4 dc in the ring, 1 ch., 5 dc.
Row 2: 3 ch. 1 dc in the st. of the last dc worked, 1 ch., 1 dc in the center of the scale, 1 ch., 2 dc in the top ch. of the 3 ch. from the previous row.
3rd round: Do not turn your work, but stay on the right side. 3 ch. (= 1st st. of the scale), crochet 4 more sts. around the last st. crocheted in the previous round (the double crochets form a row from top to bottom) = left side of the scale. 1 ch., turn your work so that you can now crochet 5 sts around the second-to-last st of the previous round (the double crochets form a row from bottom to top) = right side of the scale. 1 sc in the single st of the previous round. Around the last 2 sts of the previous round, crochet another scale as described above.
Repeat rows 2 through 3. This way, you'll add one extra scale pattern in each odd row.
Have you mastered the stitch? Then try crocheting this cute Christmas tree. Check out the pattern here.
Inspiration on Pinterest
We've already collected a bunch of fun crochet projects using the crocodile stitch on Pinterest. Curious? Take a look!
Do you know of any other fun stitches we could feature as "Stitch of the Month"? Let us know via info@wolplein.nl. We'll feature the best stitches (with proper credit, of course) on our blog!
