Crocodile Stitch – Increases “in the Round” – Quick Tutorial

When I was designing my first Dragon Scale Shrug in early 2014, I needed to be able to increase the scales while working in the round. First of all, I needed to figure out how to work the Crocodile Stitch in the round, but was unable to find any tutorials how to do it, and it was the same for working increases in the round. I wasn’t able to find anything that I could use at the time. So I sat down and worked out both myself. A year ago, I sat down a wrote a tutorial on how I work the Crocodile Stitch in the Round, but didn’t think to write one for the increases in the round at the time.

What I am sharing is not a full-on photo tutorial, but the written instruction for the “Pattern Increases” below is modified from my shrug patterns and there is a photo steps guide included. This is assuming you already know how to make the Crocodile Stitch and the Crocodile Stitch in the round. If not, I suggest going back to my tutorial for the Crocodile Stitch in the Round before continuing here.

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
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
st(s) – stitch(es)

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This style of increase I use is 2 half scales (a right half and a left half) replacing a single scale in a scale rnd. I refer to the increase rounds as “pattern increases”

For left handed stitchers, you would be making the left half scale first, then the right half scale.

After working a pattern repeat of 4 rnds (2 scale rnds) or more, or at desired area of project needing increasing:

Increases:

Rnd 1 pattern increase: (worked in pattern rnd 1) [2dc, ch2, 2 dc] between any 2dc and around ch1 of the previous 2 rows. Beginning of increase.

Rnd 2 pattern increase:

   Increase half scales: (worked in pattern rnd 2)

• Right half scale: in the 1st set of the 2dc of the rnd 1 increase, work the 1st half, 5dc, as usual, ch1, on 2nd half work 5sc. Right half scale made
• Left half scale: in the 2nd set of the 2dc, work the 1st half with 5sc, ch1, work 2nd half with 5dc, as usual. Left half scale made.

Rnd 3 pattern increase: (worked in pattern rnd 3) make 2dc in the center of the right half scale, ch2, 2dc in the space between right half scale and left half scale.

Rnd 4 pattern increase: work scales normally as established in the round.

Photo Steps Guide:

This will increase the stitch pattern by 1 scale. You may increase quickly by repeating the rnd 1 pattern increase at an even interval a second time, or more, before finishing the rnd, or just increase slowly by only doing 1 pattern increase per 4 pattern increase rnds. This increase isn’t fully invisible, but blends in well and is difficult to find, unless you are purposely looking for them.

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