Crocodile stitch tutorial

Crocodile stitch is a quick and easy way to add some really nice texture to your projects! The pattern consists of sets of two rows – first a row a V stitches, and then “scales” worked into the V stitches. Normally this would be all in one color, but here I have used different colors for each section to make it easier to see how it all comes together. Here’s a diagram showing the various parts:

To keep things nice and straight on the edges, it helps to start and end the row with a single stitch instead of a V. To do this, your foundation chain or base row should have a multiple of 3, plus 2 stitches. If you want the rows of scales to be staggered (so they don’t line up in straight rows) then you need to have a multiple of 6, plus 5 stitches. My edges here look a little crooked, but it’s due to changing colors with each row.

In this example, I am using HDC stitches, so each V stitch is (hdc, ch1, hdc). The full row shown above in blue is: ch2 (counts as first hdc), skip next st, (V stitch in next st, skip next 2 st)across to last 3 sts, V in next st, skip next st, hdc in last stitch. Now we have a nice neat row of V stitches. Turn and slip stitch in the edge stitch to start the next row.  Then, work the first scale as follows:

Work 4 hdc around the nearest post of the first V stitch on the previous row. (first / leftmost of the three frames)

Now, ch 1, turn your work 90 degrees counterclockwise, and work 4 hdc around the 2nd post of the V stitch. (Middle frame)

The last / right frame shows the finished scale.

The scales should be worked in every alternate V stitch, so skip the next V stitch, and repeat in the following V stitch.

The pattern for this row would read: ch 2, (V st in next ch sp, V stitch working through both next ch sp and space between scales), repeat across, hdc in last st. The finished row should look like this.

In order to create staggered scales, we want to work the scales in the next row between the ones on the previous row. To do this, slip stitch the first 2 stitches and the first ch space. Now work a scale as before, but in the 2nd V. Skip the next V, and work a scale in the following V. Repeat across to last V. Slip stitch in last ch sp and in last 2 stitches. At the end of the row, it should look like this:

For a third pair of rows, work the V stitch row as before, and work the scales the same way we did the first time – now it should look like this:

Continue in this manner, alternating between V stitches and scales, and staggering the scales until you reach the desired length.

If you want the scales taller, use DC stitches on the V stitch rows. If you want the scales wider, use DC stitches on the scale rows.

Happy crafting!