Crocodile Stitch

Skill Level	Row Count	Pattern Repeat
Intermediate	multiples of 2	Multiples of 6 + 1

Instructions

• Row 1: Ch to desired length. Work 2 dc in the 6th ch from hook.
  *Ch 1, skip 2 chains, and dc in the next st. Ch 1, skip 2 ch, and work 2 dc in the next st.
  Repeat from * to end, ending with wigher 2 dc or 1 dc in the last st. Turn.
• Row 2: Ch 1, and start working into the first pair of dc sts, skipping the single dc if that was the last st of the previous row.
  Going around the post of the first dc of the pair as if to work a back post stitch, make 5 dc sts around the post of the st, working down the length of the post towards the foundation chain.
• Then make 5 dc around the post of the next dc st, working from the foundation chain ent towards the top. (First scale made.)

• *Sl st in the next single dc. Make the next scale in the next pair of dc sts. Repeat from * to end, working a sl st in the top of every single dc and a scale in each pair of dc sts. Turn. NOTE: If you ended this row with a sl st in the top of a single dc st, then continue with Row 3 instructions. If you ended with a scale, go to the Row 5 instructions.
• Row 3: Ch 3, dc in the same st. *Ch 1, dc in the middle of the next scale. Ch 1, work 2 dc in the top of the next sl st. Repeat from * to end, working 2 dc sts in the top of each sl st, and 1 dc in the top of each scale. If the previous row ended with a scale, work 1 dc in the left corner of the last scale, as shown. Turn.

Row 4: Repeat Row 2, working scales in the dc pairs and sl sts in the single dc sts.
NOTE: If you ended this row with a sl st in the top of the dc st, then repeat the Row 3 instructions for the next row. If you ended with a scale, continue to Row 5.

• Row 5: Ch 1 and sl st in the center of the last scale made. Ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch1), then work 2 dc in the next sl st. *Ch 1, dc in the center of the next scale. Ch 1, work 2 dc in the next sl st. Repeat from * to end, working sts as appropriate. If the previous row ended with a scale, work 1 dc in the left corner of the last scale, as shown. Turn.
From here you should be able to see the pattern. Work the scaffolding and then work the scales in the dc pairs. Continue as long as desired!

Did you give it a try? If this method just isn't working for you, I recommend trying some other videos on youtube. There are several different ways to make Crocodile Stitches, and everyone has the method they prefer — and that's okay! There's rarely a right or wrong in crochet — just whatever works for the project you're working on. Good luck and let me know if this method worked for you!

Want to learn more about the Crocodile Stitch? Increasing, decreasing, in the round, and more? Check out my new Crocodile Stitch Class on Craftsy!

See a variation on in video demonstration Annies' Catalog .