Crocodile Stitch Scarf Pattern

If you like this crocodile / alligator / scale stitch, you will LOVE my new pattern incorporating this stitch in a set of sleeves!  Check it out: Crocodile Stitch Sleeves

CROCODILE STITCH SCARF

©Interpreted & Adapted by Alena Woods

This sample scarf will result in alternating rows of 3 & 4 “scales”.

The “Crocodile”, “Alligator”, or “Scale” Stitch is basically working a total of 10 double crochets around the posts of two individual double crochets which are placed right beside one another. (Think “V-Stitch” without the chain 1 between the double crochets.) You work 5 DC “down” the post of the first DC and 5 DC “up” the post of the second DC – this is why all the tutorials recommend “rotating” your work sideways to make it easier to work the 10 DC. Hold your work however it is comfortable for you.

Front of "scales":

Reverse side of "scales":

I watched all the tutorials I could find and I highly recommend that you watch this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MMPLqDMUuA. I have developed this pattern based upon said tutorial. I do not wish to take “credit” for this as an “original” pattern idea, I simply practiced what was taught and wrote it down and then tested my own interpretation. There are many wonderful crocheters out there who have figured this stitch out and developed their own style of working this stitch. I simply wanted to make a written pattern that I could share with other enthusiasts for free. I am not an expert pattern writer as you’ll be able to tell. If I can help you figure it out, please do ask. But, I highly recommend watching the tutorial video with yarn and hook in hand and THEN working this pattern as it will make more sense.

Play with different hook sizes and yarns. Gauge is not important with this project, this scarf project is simply to familiarize yourself with this beautiful stitch so that you can adapt it how you wish and use it in many other projects. To make the scales more “pointy”, gently tug on each one to get it to lay just right. You could also try to lightly steam block the scales to give them a better drape.

Supplies: Worsted weight, 4 ply yarn of your choice. Sample scarf made in Caron Simply Soft, color: Ocean. Size I hook. Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

NOTE: To get your scales to lay "flat" on either end of your project, simply slip stitch around the post of the individual double crochet where the instructions say to skip that stitch and then continue on making your 10 double crochets around the posts of the 2 double crochets.

Do NOT turn your work over at the end of each row, Ch 1 and then turn.

Ch. 20

Row 1 : Sk 1^st ch from hook, DC in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 2 ch, 2 DC in next ch, ch 1, sk 2 ch, DC in next ch* repeat from * to * to end of row.

Row 2 : Ch 1, turn, *5 DC around post of second DC, (without turning work over turn your work 90 degrees to make it easier to work around the next post) 5 DC around the post of the 3^rd DC, sl st around post of next DC (DC that is on its own), 5 DC around post of next DC, 5 DC around post of next DC* repeat from * to * last individual DC, sl st at end of row to the last individual DC stitch in row 1.

SCALE PATTERN STITCH:

Row 3 : Ch 1, turn, *2 DC in individual DC, ch 1, DC in space between 10 DC of previous row, ch 1* repeat from * to * to last st which was the beginning ch of the previous row, work 2 DC in that beg chain.

THIS HAS FORMED THE FOUNDATION FOR 4 “SCALES” ROW

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, turn work sideways, 5 DC around post of first st, 5 DC around post of next st, *sl st around post of individual DC, 5 DC around post of next st, 5 DC around post of next st*, repeat from * to * to end of the row, sl st into the ch.

4 “SCALES” ROW COMPLETED

Row 5 : Ch 1, turn, *DC in sp between 10 DC, ch 1, 2 DC in individual stitch, ch 1*, repeat from * to * through end of row ending with DC in sp between last 10 DC.

THIS HAS FORMED THE FOUNDATION FOR 3 “SCALES” ROW

Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sk post of first st, 5 DC around post of next st, 5 DC around post of next st, *sl st around post of individual DC, 5 DC around post of next st, 5 Dc around post of next st, sl st around post of individual DC *repeat from, * to * to end of row. Work a sl st in beginning stitch of previous row.

3 “SCALES” ROW COMPLETED

END OF SCALE PATTERN STITCH.

Row 7 : Ch 1, turn, 2 DC in previous individual st, ch 1, DC in center of 10 DC, ch 1, *2 DC in individual st, ch 1, DC in center of 10 DC, ch 1*, repeat from * to * to last st of row. Work 2 DC in last individual st on the edge at end of the row.

Row 8 : Ch 1, turn, 5 DC around post of first st, *5 DC around post of next st, sl st around post of individual DC, 5 DC around post of next st *, repeat from * to * to last individual DC, sl st around post of last individual DC, 5 DC around post of next st, 5 DC around post of next st, sl st into beginning stitch of previous row.

Row 9: Repeat Row 5

Row 10: Repeat Row 6

Row 11: Repeat Row 3

Row 12: Repeat Row 4

Row 13: Repeat Row 5

Row 14: Repeat Row 6

Row 15: Repeat Row 3

Row 16: Repeat Row 4

Row 17: Repeat Row 5

Row 18: Repeat Row 6…and so on.

WORK PATTERN STITCH AS FOLLOWS: REPEAT ROWS IN THIS ORDER STARTING WITH ROW 9: 5, 6, 3, 4, 5, 6 FOR THE LENGTH OF THE PROJECT YOU ARE MAKING ENDING WITH A REPEAT OF ROW 6. FASTEN OFF, WEAVE IN ENDS.

Abbreviations used:

ch = chain

DC = Double Crochet

sl st = slip stitch

st = stitch

* = Repeat whatever steps fall between * and *