Crocodile Stitch – Increases – Photo Tutorial

I’m not really sure what to call this, but it’s for the most common shape for a shawl, point down triangle, upside down triangle, increase stitches…? It is worked flat, starting with one scale, then building from there.

Anyhow, this is how I do it.

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)

~*~

Step 1: (Foundation Row) Ch3, dc in 3rd ch from hook (wrong side facing)

Step 2: (Scale Row) Ch2 (does not count), 5dc along the post of dc from step 1, ch1 (wrong side facing)

Step 3: (Scale Row) 5dc around the ch3 from step1. First scale made (wrong side facing)

Step 4: (Foundation Row) Ch2, dc in the side of the top of the last dc made (wrong side facing)

Step 5: (Foundation Row) Ch2, dc in the center of the scale (wrong side facing)

Step 6: (Foundation Row) Ch2, 2dc in the side of the top on the 1st dc (ignore the 1st ch2 on scale, wrong side facing)

 

 

Step 7:  (Scale Row) With wrong side still facing, turn so the last dc made is horizontal on top of the work. ch2 (does not count), 5dc along the post of the horizontal dc, ch1

Step 8: (Scale Row) Turn work so the right side is facing you, fold the 5dc just made to the back of the work with the next dc horizontal on top

 

Step 9: (Scale Row) Work 5dc along the post of the horizontal dc, ch1

 

Unfold work, 2nd scale made

Step 10: (Scale Row) Skipping the next dc, turn so the 2nd to the last dc is horizontal and holding the ch2 to the back, work 3 dc along the post, ch1

Step 11: (Scale Row) Turning work so the wrong side is facing and ch2 (acting as a dc) is horizontal on top, ch5 around the ch2

3 scales now completed

Right Side:

Wrong Side:

Step 12: (Foundation Row) Repeat Steps 4,

Step 13: (Foundation Row) Ch2, dc in the center of the scale, working in the next dc and around the ch1 between the scales, ch2, dc in the center of the next scale,

Step 14: (Foundation Row) Repeat Step 6

Wrong Side:

Right Side:

Step 15: (Scale Row) Repeat Steps 7 & 8,

Step 16: (Scale Row) Skip next dc, fold work so next dc is horizontal on top, 5dc around the post, ch1

Step 17: Flip so the next dc is horizontal and the previous scales and 5dc just made are folder to the back, 5dc around the post

 

Step 18: Repeat Steps 10 & 11

Right Side:

Wrong Side:

To Continue On:

All Foundation Rows: Repeat Step 3 for the beginning of every Foundation (Wrong Side) Row, Step 13 for the main part of the Foundation Row, and Step 6 for the end of the Foundation Row

All Scale Rows: Repeat Steps 7 & 8 for the 1st scale of every Scale (Right Side) Row, Steps 16 & 17 for the main body of Scales, and Steps 10 & 11 for the last Scale of every Scale row.

Continue until desired size.

Free Pattern using this technique:

Dragon Scale Head Kerchief

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