How to Crochet The Crocodile Shawl

Dear Artsy Craftsy Friends,

There are many variations to the crocodile crochet stitch and even more applications and ways to use it to make all sorts of items, from blankets, pillow cases, hats, mittens, shawls, cardigans and so many more. I am currently experimenting with these variations to create patterns for small items just to keep my hands and imagination busy. Let me remind you that I lost my sight in November 2013 after suffering a stroke that I wrote about on my personal blog. You can read the story here. But let’s go back to the crocodile stitch. I put together a video tutorial on how to crochet the crocodile stitch that you can follow bellow.

However, today’s instructions will show you a variation of this beautiful crochet stitch. Why is that ? It is easier for me to use this variation because of the extra chain 1 spaces. Since I no longer see, I need to use my touching quite a lot to figure out a pattern. Which is why I prefer the lacey stitches a lot more rather than the solid block stitches. Thankfully, the crocodile stitch falls under the first category which I like. So now let me explain to you how I was able to crochet the crocodile shawl that you can see in the images bellow, even though I don’t see. If you prefer visual instructions, you can follow my video tutorial on YouTube on how to crochet this type of shawl that I made shortly before the stroke. As far as I remember, the video also uses a small variation of the stitch. Either way will work just fine.

Information about the materials and tools needed:

1. I used 13 skeins of superfine yarn for the entire project, including the tassels, which I prefer long and thick. I wanted to make a large crocodile shawl because this is how I like them better, long and large. Which is why I used so many skeins of yarn. But if you want to make a scarf or a smaller shawl, then you should get 8 skeins. The information on the label is as follows: 50g (1,76 oz), 255m (~ 278yds), 71% acrylic, 24% wool, 5% metallic yarn, needle 2.50mm.

2. I used a 6 mm European size crochet hook, even though the label on the yarn recommends using a smaller size. I chose the 6 mm one because I can’t really hold a smaller hook in my hand. Blind people usually tend to work with big hooks and needles and bulky wool. I should admit that making this shawl was a dare. But the result turned out beautifully, which is why I couldn’t care less about all that effort, sweat, blood and tears.

3. It took me approximately 2 weeks to finish this shawl, with an average of one skein per day used.

4. Sizes: Width= 200cm (78,74 inch), Height= 82cm (32,38 inch), Sides= 128cm (50 inch), Tassels= 17cm (6,7 inch).

Abbreviations and how tos:

ch – chain;

ch sp – chain space;

sl st – slip stitch;

sc – single crochet;

dc – double crochet;

V-st – V stitch ( insert hook in space recommended and work 1dc,1ch,1dc );

crocodile scale – working from top to bottom, make 5dc around first post of V-st, ch-1, working from bottom to top, make 5dc around second post of V-st.

The shawl will be worked in rows, with the start at the tip of the shawl. It will grow in size on each row, on the edges. Which is why I am only going to explain how to crochet the first rows, the rest of them being a repeat of these first, making sure you add the necessary stitches on the sides to enlarge your shawl.

Row 1 and row 2: Ch5; join with beg ch with sl st to form a ring; ch 1; 5dc in ring; ch1; 5dc in ring; turn.

Row 3: Ch4 ( counts as 1dc+ch-1 sp here and throughout ); 1dc in same space as ch-4; V-st in the middle of the scale from previous row; V-st in top of the first dc on one of the sides of the scale from previous row; ch1; turn. ( 3 V-st on row 3, see image bellow )

Row 4: 1scale around first V-st; skip next V-st; 1scale around last V-st; turn. ( 2 scales on row 4, see image bellow )

Row 5: Ch4; 1dc in same space as ch4; V-st in the middle of the scale; V-st in next ch1 sp, making sure you grab and crochet around the space between the scales as well; V-st in the middle of next scale; V-st in top of first dc of the 5dc on one of the sides of the last scale from previous row; ch1; turn. ( 5 V-st on row 5, see image bellow )

Row 6: 1 scale around first V-st; skip next V-st; 1 scale around next V-st; skip next V-st; 1 scale around last V-st from previous row; turn. ( 3 scales on row 6, see image bellow )

Row 7: Ch4; 1dc in same space as ch4; V-st in the middle of the scale; * V-st in next ch1-sp, making sure you grab and crochet around the space between the scales from previous row as well; V-st in the middle of next scale; * repeat from * to * once; v-st in top of first dc of the 5dc on the side of last scale from previous row; ch 1; turn. ( 7 V-sts on row 7 )

Row 8: 1 scale around first V-st; skip next V-st; * 1 scale around next V-st; skip next V-st; * repeat fromm * to * once; 1 scale around last V-st from previous row; turn. ( 4 scales on row 8 )

Row 9: Ch4; 1dc in same space as ch4; V-st in the middle of the scale; * V-st in next ch1-sp, making sure you grab and crochet around the space between the two scales from previous row as well; V-st in the middle of next scale *; repeat from * to * across the row; V-st in top of first dc of the 5dc on the side of the last scale from previous row; ch1; turn. ( 9 V-sts on row 9 )

Row 10: 1 scale around first V-st; skip next V-st; * 1 scale around next V-st; skip next V-st *; repeat from * to * across the row; 1 scale around the last V-st on the side from previous row; turn. ( 5 scales on row 10 )

Rows 11-110: Repeat rows 9-10, making sure you enlarge the shawl on the sides, as explained and shown in the previous paragraphs.

Row 111: 1sc in each chain space and stitch from rows 109 and 110, making sure you grab and crochet around the spaces between the scales and in the middle of the scales from previous row as well. This row is necessary for a stronger foundation when you finish the shawl.

This is about it. Trust me when I say this, the pattern is not complicated at all. And the crocodile stitch is a lot easier to execute than it meets the eye. Even *I* was able to make it and I don’t see. I wrote the instructions on how to make tassels and attach them to a shawl in a different article for a better management of this website. You can find it here. I hope my instructions are of help to you and that you now have a long and gorgeous shawl wrapped around yourself for the upcoming spring. Please share photos of your work on our Facebook page that you can find in the sidebar.

Happy crocodiling, everyone,
Cătălina (from The Coolorburbians).

 

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