Free Pattern – Crocodile Stitch Pixie Hat
This free pixie hat pattern uses fingering weight yarn and is available in 3 sizes ranging from 0-24 months. It was inspired by and designed to match the Crocodile Booties pattern by Bonita Patterns. To add to the set, check out these free crocodile stitch scratch mittens from Layla’s Crochet too!
NOTE: Your feedback matters! Feedback from several users has indicated that the sizing on this pattern was coming out too small. The pattern has now been updated (11/6/15) to increase the sizing for all three sizes, and also to increase the difference in sizing between the 3 sizes. If you purchased a pdf download of this pattern, you should soon receive an updated version.
The pattern contains a short photo tutorial for the crocodile stitch, or you can click here for a more detailed crocodile stitch photo tutorial.
I had originally posted this just over a year ago, but it was buried in another post celebrating my 100th post. This has since become one of my more popular patterns, and I thought it deserved it’s own post. I hope you enjoy it!
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Crocodile Pixie Hat
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Materials:
- Fingering weight yarn – 250 – 300 yards
- Size C / 2 (2.75 mm) hook
- Yarn needle
Difficulty:
Intermediate – crocodile stitches, and front/back post double crochet stitches.
Size:
0-6mo, [6-12mo,12-24mo]. Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses.
Gauge Swatch:
4″ square = 30 sts x 16 rows in pattern as follows:
Row 1: Ch 32, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (31 hdc).
Rows 2-16: Ch 2 (counts as bphdc), turn, (fphdc around next st, bphdc around next st) across.
When measuring, ignore one of the edge stitches (30 stitches should measure 4″, but ribbing pattern requires odd # of stitches)
Abbreviations used:
- RS = right side
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sk = skip
- sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together
- fphdc = front post half double crochet
bphdc = back post half double crochet
V = V stitch – see special stitches
Special Stitches:
- V stitch (V): (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next st.
- Scale: Work 4 hdc around first post of V stitch, ch 1, turn work 90 degrees counterclockwise, work 4 hdc around 2nd post of V stitch. (See Fig 1 below or view Crocodile Stitch Tutorial)
Notes:
- The hat pictured was made with Patons Kroy Socks 4 Ply in the Green Striped Ragg colorway.
- Ch 2 at beginning of ribbing rows counts as bphdc throughout.
- When working in ch space of skipped V stitches (odd rows from 3-9 of crocodile stitch, row 4 of edging), insert hook through both the ch space of the V and the space between the scales in front of the V. (See Crocodile Stitch Tutorial)
- Based on pattern feedback, some crocheters are having a hard time achieving the row gauge and are ending up with a hat that is too shallow. If your row gauge isn’t coming out right, feel free to add or remove rows in the ribbing section as needed, being sure to end with a wrong side row.
Recommended Resources:
- Crocodile Stitch Tutorial on Stitches ‘N’ Scraps
- Front and Back Post Half Double Crochet tutorial by Repeat Crafter Me
- Foundation Single Crochet tutorial by Moogly
Ribbing:
Ch 93 [105, 117].
Row 1 (WS, RS, WS): Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (92 [104, 116] hdc).
Row 2-19 [22, 25]: Ch 2 (counts as bphdc), turn, fphdc around 2nd st, (bphdc around next st, fphdc around next st) across.
Work should now measure 4.75 [5.5, 6.25] inches tall. If you need to, you can add more repeats, being sure to end with a wrong side row.
Next Row: Ch 1, turn, sc in next 9 [7, 9] sts, (sc2tog, sc in next 7 [9, 10] sts) 8 times, sc2tog, sc in last 9 [8, 9] st. Do NOT fasten off. (83 [95, 107] sts)
Crocodile Stitch:
Row 1: Ch 1, turn, hdc in first st, sk next st, (V, sk next 2 sts) repeat across to last 3 sts, V in next st, sk next st, hdc in last st. (27 [31, 35] V stitches, 2 hdc)
Row 2: Turn, sl st in first hdc, (work scale around next V, skip next V) 13 [15, 17] times, work scale around last V, sl st in last st. (14 [16, 18] scales)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in first st, (V in center of next scale, V in skipped V) 13 [15, 17] times, V in center of last scale, hdc in last st. (27 [31, 35] V stitches, 2 hdc)
Row 4: Turn, sl st in first 2 hdc and in ch space of first V, (work scale around next V, skip next V) 12 [14, 15] times, work scale in next V, sl st in ch space of last V and in last 2 hdc. (13 [15, 17] scales)
Row 5: Ch 2, turn, (V in skipped V, V in center of next scale) 13 [15, 17] times, V in last skipped V, hdc in last st. (27 [31, 35] V stitches, 2 hdc)
Row 6-10: Repeat Rows 2 – 5, then repeat row 2 once more.
Do NOT fasten off – secure loop with stitch marker or safety pin as you will need to pick it up again for the next section.
Fold work in half, with right sides together, so that Row 10 forms the front of the hat. Sew back seam. Turn hat right-side-out again.
Bottom Edging:
Pick up loop from last stitch of previous section, and turn work so you are now working in the sides of the rows along the bottom:
Row 1 (WS): Ch 1, work 83 [95, 107] sc evenly spaced along sides of rows.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across.
Row 3: Ch1, turn, sc in each st across. Do NOT finish off.
Front Edging:
Turn work so you are now working in the sides of the rows of bottom edging, and across row 10 of the Crocodile stitch section.
Row 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in side of row 3, sc in side of row 2, sc in side of row 1, sc in next st, (3 sc in center of next scale, 3 sc in next skipped V stitch) 13 [15, 17] times, 3 sc in center of last scale, sc in next st, sc in side of row 1, sc in side of row 2, 2 sc side of row 3, join with sl st to 1st st of row 3, turn, do NOT fasten off. (91 [103, 115] sc).
Ties:
This is for basic ties, see notes below for variations. The hat pictured is made with option 3.
First tie: Sl st in next 2 st, ch 45, sc in each ch, sl st in same st last sl st, fasten off.
Second tie: Join with sl st in 3rd st of row 4, ch 45, sc in each ch, sl st in same st as last sl st, fasten off.
Variations for Ties:
Option 1: basic tie with tassel
First tie: Sl st in next 2 st, ch 50, sc in 6th ch from hook and in each ch across, sl st in same st last sl st, finish off.
Second tie: Join with sl st in 3rd st of row 4, ch 50, sc in 6th ch from hook and in each ch across, sl st in same st as last sl st, fasten off.
Tassels: Cut 10, 4 inch pieces of yarn. Using 5 pieces for each tassel make a tassel in the chain loop at the end of each tie. [Fig 2]
Note: the following options require knowledge of foundation sc. If you are not familiar with this technique, check out the tutorial in the Recommended Resources section above.
Option 2: Foundation sc [fsc]
First tie: Sl st in next 2 st, work 45 fsc, fasten off.
Second tie: Join with sl st in 3rd st of row 4, work 45 fsc, fasten off.
Option 3: Foundation sc [fsc] with tassels
First tie: Sl st in next 2 st, work 45 fsc, ch5, sl st in base of last fsc, fasten off.
Second tie: Join with sl st in 3rd st of row 4, work 45 fsc, ch5, sl st in base of last fsc, fasten off.
Tassels: Cut 10, 4 inch long pieces of yarn. Using 5 pieces each, attach a tassel to the chain loop at the end of each tie. [Fig 2]
I hope you enjoy the pattern! An ad-free, downloadable pdf of this pattern is also available in my Craftsy store for a $1 fee. The fee for the pdf format is to offset the advertising revenue lost when you print or download the pattern rather than viewing it online.
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13 Comments
sandy smith
I downloaded the pattern on ravelry, and you make reference to Fig.2, but there is no Fig. 2 photo. Can you please advise?
Thank You.
Pia Thadani
I’m sorry, I meant to take that reference out when I took out the picture (I went with the photo tutorial on my blog instead). Thank you so much for bringing it to my attention, I will try to get it updated tonight. I have to redo the pattern anyway – some of the links are no longer valid since I moved my blog, and I plan to reformat it too. I just haven’t gotten to it yet. Meanwhile you can see the full tutorial here: https://stitchesnscraps.com/2013/10/19/crocodile-stitch-tutorial/ What would have been figure 2 is the 3rd image on this page.
Thanks!
Sandy Smith
Thank you for your quick response! Would you also happen to know the name of the yarn used for the hat in the pink, yellow, blue & greens? It’s so adorable!!
Thanks again!
Pia Thadani
Looks like she used Ice Yarns Angora Design 🙂 Here’s a link to her project: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/creations92/crocodile-pixie-hat
Lisa
Thanks for the pattern! I finished mine today and had a lot of fun making it. You can see of picture of the finished hat here: https://lisascrochet.blogspot.com/2016/06/crocodile-stitch-pixie-hat.html
Pia Thadani
It’s beautiful! Thanks for posting it 🙂
Paige
I am attempting the 0-6 mo version with the 93 chain beginning… and it looks like it will be huge! Does that sound correct? Another pattern showed only using 54 chains for a 0-3 mo hat. If I try to scale your pattern down, is there a number I should keep in mind? A number that can be divided by 3, for example? I’m making this hat for an infant. Thanks!
Pia Thadani
Away at the knit and crochet show right now – let me take a look later in the day 🙂
Pia Thadani
ok, sorry for the delayed response! I’ve had a chance to look at the pattern now. A couple of thoughts/questions:
Did you do a gauge swatch, and if so, did you get the correct gauge? if you did, the sizing should work out without changing the pattern.
The hat is worked from back to front (not bottom up or top down), so the whole piece will actually be folded in half and the sewn together at the starting chain. with 92 stitches, you should be looking at about 12.25 inches, so when you fold it in half it’s just over 6 inches(before adding the bottom edging).
If you’re getting a much different gauge and can’t fix that by changing hooks/yarn, then yes, you can adjust the stitch count. The crocodile stitch is worked in a multiple of 6, plus 5 stitches. There are 9 decreases in the last row of the hat, so the ribbing section is a multiple of 6, plus 5, plus the 9 decreases. You also need 1 extra chain for the turning chain on the first row. So your starting chain should basically be a multiple of 6 + 3. Hope that helps!
Paige
Thank you so much! That was so helpful!
Pia Thadani
Glad it helped 🙂 can’t wait to see your hat when it’s done!
Bianca
Thank you very much for this lovely pattern 🙂
https://selbstdiefrau.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/pixie-muetze-mit-krokodilstich-fuer-kleine-zwerge-haekeln/
Pia Thadani
You’re welcome – Yours turned out really pretty! 🙂