Fashionable and simple to create, the crocodile stitch is popular among crocheters, and this instructional book assists crafters in mastering the stitch. Made with a simple chain stitch and a double crochet, the eight patterns in this book are supported by step-by-step photographs and detailed instructions. The projects showcase the layered scale effect of the crocodile stitch and include hats, gloves, and a shawl. Lianka Azulay is a crochet-pattern designer. She lives in Essex, Maryland. Crocodile Stitch Fashions By Lianka Azulay Annie's Copyright © 2014 Annie's All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-59635-397-8 Contents Triangle Shawl, Crocodile Stitch Hood, Wrist Warmers, Flapper Hat, Crocodile Stitch Cloche, Neck Warmer, Slouchy Beret, Crocodile Stitch Gauntlets, Stitch Guide, Metric Conversion Charts, CHAPTER 1 Triangle Shawl SKILL LEVEL *** INTERMEDIATE FINISHED SIZE 24 x 59 inches MATERIALS * Universal Yarn Swiss Mohair super fine (fingering) weight yarn (3½ oz/601 yds/100g per skein): 3 skeins #2502 edelweiss * Size I/9/5.5mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge GAUGE 3 V-sts = 2 inches; 7 V-st rows = 4 inches PATTERN NOTES Mohair is quite a challenging yarn to pull out, which can be particularly frustrating when learning a new stitch. To make your crochet experience pleasant, first make a swatch of the pattern using yarn of your preference until you become confident with the crocodile stitch. It will not take long for you to master it. Gauge is not important for this project. The choice of a large hook is intentional to provide better drape for the Shawl. The shawl is worked from the bottom up. This type of construction gives you freedom to choose Shawl size of your preference. A neck warmer, a medium or a large shawl are all possible size variations with this single pattern. If making larger Shawl, you may need more yarn than stated in Materials. If making smaller Shawl, you may not use all the yarn stated in Materials. In short, the crocodile stitch is formed by a two-row repeat: a row of V-stitches followed by a row of scales (or shells). This is a fairly easy pattern to execute and is fast to memorize. The only novelty about this design is that the scales are crocheted in front of the V-stitches with clusters of front post double crochets from top to bottom, then from bottom to top, as opposed to working them on top of the row like most shell patterns. The first scale is worked in a round that is not joined; the remainder of the pattern is worked in rows. Each row of scales will increase the number of scales by one, forming the triangular shape. Photos used are worked with larger hook and yarn in order to show more detail. Chain-3 at beginning of row or round counts as first double crochet unless otherwise stated. Chain-4 at beginning of row or round counts as first double crochet and chain-1 unless otherwise stated. Join with slip stitch as indicated unless otherwise stated. SPECIAL STITCH V-stitch (V-st): (Dc, ch 1, dc) as indicated in instructions. INSTRUCTIONS SHAWL Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 6, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 3 (see Pattern Notes), 11 dc in ring, do not join or turn. This first open rnd counts as the first scale and bottom point of the Shawl. Row 2 (WS): Now working in rows, ch 4 (see Pattern Notes), dc in same st as beg ch (counts as first V-st of row), V-st (see Special Stitch) in ring, V-st in last st (see photo A), turn. Row 3: Ch 3, working from top to bottom around post of first dc of first V-st, work 5 fpdc (see Stitch Guide and photo B), turn work so V-st is sideways and post of 2nd dc of V-st is upside down (V point of V-st will be facing right, see photo C), working from bottom to top around post of 2nd dc of V-st, work 6 fpdc (see photo D), sk next V-st, working from top to bottom, work 6 fpdc around post of first dc of last V-st, turn work so V-st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of 2nd dc of V-st, work 6 fpdc, turn (see photo E). Row 4: Ch 4, dc in same st as beg ch (count as first V-st of row), V-st in next ch-1 sp, yo, insert hook in both next ch-1 sp and in sp between scales directly behind ch-1 sp (see photo F1 and F2), complete V-st, V-st in next ch-1 sp, V-st in last st (see photo G), turn. Row 5: Ch 3, working from top to bottom around post of first dc of first V-st, work 5 fpdc, turn work so V-st is sideways and post of 2nd dc of V-st is upside down, working from bottom to top around post of 2nd dc of V-st, work 6 fpdc, *sk next V-st, working from top to bottom around post of first dc of next V-st, work 6 fpdc, turn work so V-st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of 2nd dc of V-st, work 6 fpdc, rep from * across, turn. Row 6: Ch 4, dc in same st as beg ch (count as first V-st of row), V-st in next ch-1 sp, *yo, insert hook in both next ch-1 sp and in sp between scales directly behind ch-1 sp, complete V-st, V-st in next ch-1 sp, rep from * ac