If you’ve been poking around Craftsy, you might have noticed the cool, scale-like crochet stitch that pops up from time to time. That scaly stitch is called crocodile stitch, and it’s totally trending right now.
There are many variations of the crocodile stitch. Some use half double crochet, while others use double crochet. Some use 5 back-post double crochets on each side of the scale, while others use more. Once you’ve mastered the basic idea behind it, you’ll be able to easily crochet any of the variations and even design your own crocodile stitch patterns. Check out our step-by-step tutorial.
Skills you’ll need:
- chain stitch
- double crochet
- back post double crochet
- slip stitch
Double crochet base
The base of the crocodile stitch is made up of a row of double crochet with spaces in between. The scales of the crocodile will be worked around these double crochet stitches. Each row of scales will have this row as a base. Let’s find out how it works: Ch 21. Work 2 dc in the 6th ch from the hook. *Ch 1, skip 2, dc, ch 1, skip 2, (dc) twice; repeat from * across the row. Ch 1, turn. Pretty easy, right? When you finish, your row will look like this:
Crochet the scales
Skip the first dc. Work 5 bpdc around the next dc, working from top to bottom. Your stitches should line the length of the dc from the base row.
Work 5 bpdc around the next dc, this time working from bottom to top.
Notice you’ll be creating a mirror image of the scale as you work this second side.
Remember that you work from top to bottom on the first side of the scale, then you’ll work from bottom to top on the second side.
Sl st into the next dc to secure your first crocodile scale. You’ll be slipping into one of the single dc stitches that’s hanging out on its own.
Repeat these steps, continuing across the row.
Here’s a peek at the back of the completed first row, just to give you an idea of how that double crochet base holds the stitches. Notice that the group of two double crochets always holds a scale, while you’re slip stitching into the dc in between.
Second double crochet base
Ch 1, turn. Sl st into the center of the first scale, ch 4, work 2 dc into the next sl stitch, ch 1, dc into center of next scale, *ch 1, work a dc into center of next scale, ch 1, work 2 dc into the next sl stitch; repeat from * across the row. You should now have a base row on top of the first row of scales.
Using the same steps as in the first row, work across the second foundation row to crochet the scales.
The basic idea is to create foundation rows, then work your way across the foundation rows to create the scales.
Practice this for a few rows and you’ll soon find that the crocodile stitch is easy to memorize. Now, explore those crocodile stitch patterns and start a new project!
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