Crocodile Stitch “in the Round” – Photo Tutorial

When I was designing my Dragon Scale Shrug, I knew I needed to do the sleeves seamless, so I had to do the Crocodile Stitch “in the round”, but I wasn’t quite sure at the time how to do that, as I had just learned how to do the stitch pattern flat. I did do a Google search, of course, looking for how to do the Crocodile Stitch in the round, but was coming up with nothing. Well, not completely nothing. There was one video tutorial that was meant for a backpack pattern that I did not have the patience at the time to watch. It was long and didn’t seem to have what I was looking for at the time. I wanted a basic tutorial, not something meant for another pattern. So I sat down with hook and thread, lots of determination, and, with much “hits & misses”, this is what I came up with.

Stitches used are in US terminology

Note: I am right handed, for left handed stitchers, the photos would be in reverse.

Terms used with abbreviations:

ch – chain
dc – double crochet
slst -slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)

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To begin, chain a multiple of 6, joining in a circle without twisting the chain.

I started with ch24

Note: I do suggest chaining the starting chain very loosely, using 1 hook size larger for the starting chain only, or, as an alternative, you can use the Foundation Single Crochet Stitch (fsc) with a multiple of 6, then ch2 and make a dc in the 1st fsc, then following the rest of the set up foundation row steps.

 Set up Foundation Round Step 1: Ch2, turn, dc in same st as joining, ch2, skip 2 sts, [2dc in next st, ch 2, skip next 2 sts] around, join with slst in between the 1st ch2 and dc.

Wrong Side:

Right Side:

Scale Round 1 Step 1: With right side facing, fold at the [Foundation Rnd ch2, dc] so the Foundation Rnd ch2 is horizontal and at the top, ch2,  4dc around the ch2, ch1.

Scale Round 1 Step 2: Keeping work folded, turn so the next dc is horizontal at the top and the [ch2, 4dc] is folded down away from you, 5dc around the post of the horizontal dc at top, ch1.

Scale Round 1 Step 3: Skipping the next 2dc, fold work so next dc is horizontal at the top, make 5 dc around horizontal dc at top, ch1.

Scale Round 1 Step 4: Keeping work folded, turn so the next dc is horizontal at the top and the 5dc is folded down away from you, 5dc around the post of the horizontal dc at top, ch1.

Continue Scale Round Steps 3 & 4 around, join with a slst in the ch2 of the 1st scale, ch2, slst in the center of the 1st scale.

Foundation Round Step 1: Ch2, Turn, dc in the center of the 1st scale, ch2, 2dc in between the next 2dc and around the ch1 between the scales, ch2

Wrong Side:

Right Side:

Foundation Round Step 2: [2dc in the center of the next scale, ch 2, 2dc in between the next 2dc and around the ch1 between the scales] around, ch 2, join with a slst in between the beginning ch2, 2dc.

Wrong Side:

Right Side:

Scale Round 2 Step 1: Ch1, skipping the next 2dc, fold work so the next dc is horizontal and at the top of the work, 5dc around the post of the horizontal dc at top, ch1

Scale Round 2 Step 2: Repeat Step 4 of Scale Rnd 1

Scale Round 2 Step 3: Repeat Scale Round 1 Step 3

Scale Round 2 Step 4: Repeat Scale Round 1 Step 4

Scale Round Step 5: Repeat Steps 3 & 4 around, slst in 1st dc of 1st scale, slst in between 2dc and around ch1 between the 1st and last scale of rnd

Continue following the Foundation Round steps, with 2dc in the center of every scale and in between every 2dc and around the ch1, and Scale Rounds 1 & 2 steps until desired size is reached.

How to increase in the round

Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I claim, this stitch pattern. I am just sharing my technique on how to make it.