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The Crocodile stitch is a unique 3D stitch with lots of texture. Learn how to crochet it quickly, easy, and perfectly with this tutorial which has a video included.
In 2017, the crocodile stitch became very popular. Mainly for 2 different reasons: its use for a mermaid tail or for being a yarn eater (uses a lot of yarn to crochet it). But it is also a fantastic stitch to crochet and display different purposes using this amazing texture. It is great for many animal scales and also for rooftops.
In fact, I used it most recently for the Gingerbread House Tissue Box Cover as a rooftop with 2 different colors to represent roof tiles as well as snow. It was so fun to use a 3-dimensional stitch for a rooftop. Be sure to check it out and see how it turned out.
Without any further ado let’s get right into the nitty and gritty of this beautiful and detailed stitch.
The Ultimate Guide to Crocheting the Crocodile Stitch
The crocodile stitch is made up of 2 rows – a foundation row and a scale row. You will need to crochet the foundation row in order to crochet the scales over and around it as well as having a base for the next 2 rows.
In order to get started, it is best to first learn how to crochet this stitch in rows. That is the best way to understand how to hold your project as you learn this unique stitch.
When you first learn this stitch, you will quickly understand that you don’t turn your project how you normally would. More or less you work your scale row backwards with a few twists while doing so.
How do you crochet a crocodile stitch in the round?
You can easily crochet the crocodile stitch in rounds, just like you normally would for any other stitch. You will connect your first and last stitch with a slip stitch for the foundation rounds.
However, you will need to watch out for the scale round, being careful not to add extra scales such that 2 will lay over another. But once you get the hang of it, that will likely not happen.
How do Crochet the Crocodile Stitch
– Video Tutorial
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Crochet Crocodile Stitch Pattern – Written Tutorial
Grab your favorite yarn (I used Brava Yarn from WeCrochet) and hook (I used Furls Crochet Hook size 4.0mm) and let’s crochet together, shall we? Above you have the video tutorials which are more detailed. But let me show you a written tutorial for this.
Chain a multiple of 6 + 3 (counts as dc)
R1: Dc in the third chain from the hook. *Ch 2 and skip 2 chains. Make 2 dc in the next chain. Rep from * to end of row.
R2: Ch 3. Working down first dc post, make 4 dc. Ch 1 and rotate your work so you can work up the other double crochet post. Work 5 dc up that dc. *Ch 1 and skip the next group of 2 dc. Work 5 dc down the first dc of that next group. Ch 1 and rotate. Work 5 dc up the next dc of the same group. Rep from * to end of row.
R3: Ch 3. Dc in the center of the scale. *Ch 2 and work 2 dc in the middle of the next group (underneath the scales). Ch 2 and work 2 dc in the middle of the next scale. Rep from * to end of row.
R4: Ch 1. Skip the first group of 2 dc. Work 5 dc down the first dc of that next group. Ch 1 and rotate. Work 5 dc up the next dc of the same group. *Ch 1 and skip the next group of 2 dc. Work 5 dc down the first dc of that next group. Ch 1 and rotate. Work 5 dc up the next dc of the same group. Rep from * to end of row. Ch 1 and sl st to chain space.
R5: Ch 3 and dc in same space. *Ch 2 and work 2 dc in the middle of next scale. Ch 2 and work 2 dc in the middle of next group (underneath the scales). Rep from * across.
Repeat rows 2-5 until you reached your desired length.
Continue with the crocodile stitch
Once you have crocheted a few rows, you will understand how this stitch works and makes this beautiful 3-dimensional texture using cute scales.
If your scales curl, simply block them according to the yarn you used (wet or steam blocking).
Using the Crocodile Stitch for a Pattern Project
Once you practiced enough you can easily experiment and try out this cute pattern which is the Gingerbread House Tissue Box Cover which uses the crocodile stitch as the roof.
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