Read an Excerpt

Crocodile Stitch Fashions

Annie's

Triangle Shawl

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 * across to last st, V-st in last st, turn.

Next rows: Rep rows 5 and 6 alternately until desired length is reached, ending with row 6. At end of last row, fasten off.

The Shawl in photo has 25 reps.

FRINGE

Cut 6 strands, each 14 inches in length.

Holding all strands tog, fold in half. Pull fold through as stated, pull ends through fold. Pull to tighten.

Attach Fringe in sps between scales along sides and in first st at upper corner, leaving upper edge without Fringe. Trim ends.

Crocodile Stitch Hood

Cowl section: 7 inches wide x 24 inches circumference

Hood section: 11 inches wide x 12 inches high

MATERIALS

* Universal Yarn Uptown DK (light) weight yarn (3½ oz/273 yds/100g per skein):

2½ skeins #128 latte

* Size G/6/4mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

* Tapestry needle

* Stitch marker

GAUGE

Dc rib pattern: 8 dc = 2 inches; 4 dc rows = 2 inches

PATTERN NOTES

Hood is worked in 2 pieces, hood and cowl, that are sewn together.

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 in most shell patterns.

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.

Do not join or turn rounds unless otherwise stated.

Mark first stitch of round.

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

HOOD

COWL SECTION

Rnd 1: Ch 102, being careful not to twist chain, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 4(see Pattern Notes), dc in same st as beg ch, *sk next 2 chs, V-st(see Special Stitch) in next ch, rep from * around, join(see Pattern Notes) in 3rd ch of beg ch4. (34 V-sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (see Pattern Notes), working from top to bottom around post of first dc of first V-st, work 4 fpdc(see Stitch Guide and photo A), ch 1, 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 B), working from bottom to top around post of 2nd dc of V-st, work 5 fpdc (see photo C1 and C2), *sk next V-st, working from top to bottom, work 5 fpdc around post of first dc of next V-st, ch 1, turn work so V-st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of 2nd dc of V-st, work 5 fpdc, rep from * around, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (17 scales)

Rnd 3: Sl st in each of first 2 sts, sl st in ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp, yo, insert hook in next sp between scales and in ch-1 sp directly behind scales, complete as V-st (see photo D1 and D2), * V-st in next ch-1 sp, yo, insert hook in next sp between scales and in ch-1 sp directly behind scales, complete as V-st, rep from * around, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (34 V-sts)

Rnd 4: Sl st in first ch-1 sp, working from top to bottom around post of first dc of next V-st, work 5 fpdc, ch 1, 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 second dc of V-st, work 5 fpdc, *sk next V-st, working from top to bottom around post of first dc of next V-st, work 5 fpdc, ch 1, turn work so V-st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of 2nd dc of V-st, work 5 fpdc, rep from * around; join in top of first fpdc. (17 scales)

Rnds 5–10: [Rep rnds 3 and 4 alternately] 3 times.

Row 11: Now working in rows, ch 3, *dc in each of next 2 sts, dc in next ch-1 sp, dc in each of next 2 sts, Yo, insert hook in next sp between scales and in ch-1 sp directly behind scales, yo, pull lp through and complete as dc, rep from * across, do not join, turn.(102 dc)

Rows 12–17: Ch 3, working in back lps(see Stitch Guide), dc in each st across, turn.

Continue working in rows without joining for rib section to be sewn together at Finishing.

Last row: Ch 3, working in back lps, dc in each st across. Leaving long end for sewing, fasten off.

HOOD SECTION

Row 1: Ch 94, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch across, turn.(91 dc)

Rows 2–16: Ch 3, working in back lps(see Stitch Guide), dc in each dc across, turn.

Row 17 (WS): Ch 3, [sk next 2 dc, V-st in next dc] across to last dc, dc in last dc, turn. (2 dc, 29 V-sts)

Row 18 (RS): Ch 1, working from top to bottom around post of first dc of first V-st, work 5 fpdc, ch 1, 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), working from bottom to top around post of 2nd dc of V-st, work 5 fpdc, *sk next V-st, working from top to bottom around post of first dc of next V-st, work 5 fpdc, ch 1, turn work so V-st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of 2nd dc of V-st, work 5 fpdc, rep from * across to last dc, sl st in last dc, turn. (15 scales)

Row 19: Ch 3, V-st in next ch-1 sp, *yo, insert hook in next ch-1 sp and in sp between scales directly behind ch-1 sp, complete as V-st, V-st in next ch-1 sp, rep from * across to last dc, dc in last st, turn. (29 V-sts)

Row 20: Sl st in each of first 2 sts, sl st in next ch-1 sp, working from top to bottom around post of first dc of next V-st, work 5 fpdc, ch 1, 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 5 fpdc, *sk next V-st, working from top to bottom around post of first dc of next V-st, work 5 fpdc, ch 1, turn work so V-st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of 2nd dc of V-st, work 5 fpdc, rep from * across to last V-st, sl st in next ch-1 sp, sl st in each of last 2 sts, turn. (14 scales)

Row 21: Ch 3, V-st in ch-1 sp of first V-st, *V-st in next ch-1 sp, yo, insert hook in next ch-1 sp and in sp between scales directly behind ch-1 sp, complete as V-st, V-st in next ch-1 sp, rep from * across to last ch-1 sp, V-st in last ch-1 sp, dc in last st, turn. (29 V-sts)

Rows 22–26: [Rep rows 18–21 consecutively for pattern] twice, ending last rep with row 18.

Last row: Ch 1 (counts as first sc), *sc in each of next 2 sts, sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in each of next 2 sts, sc dec(see Stitch Guide) in next ch-1 sp and in sp between scales directly behind ch-1 st, rep from * across to last 4 sts, sc in each of the last 4 sts. Fasten off.

FINISHING

With WS facing, fold Hood in half lengthwise and sew along ribbed edge (opposite edge from scales). Sew ribbed section edges of Cowl tog. With WS facing, sew Cowl to Hood along bottom edge of Hood as shown in photo E.

Wrist Warmers

FINISHED SIZES

Small/medium and large

MATERIALS

* Premier Yarns Deborah Norville Serenity Sock Weight Solids super fine (fingering) weight yarn (1¾ oz/230 yds/50g per skein):

2 skeins #DN150-11 charcoal

* Size crochet hook needed for size and to obtain gauge

GAUGE

Small/medium size using size E/4/3.5mm hook: 12 V-sts = 2 inches; 5 V-st rows = 2 inches

Large size using size F/5/3.75mm hook: 10 V-sts = 2 inches; 9 V-st rows = 4 inches

PATTERN NOTES

Wrist Warmers are crocheted from hand to cuff.

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 in most shell patterns.

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

WRIST WARMER

MAKE 2.

Rnd 1: Ch 42, being careful not to twist chain, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 4(see Pattern Notes), dc in same stitch as beg ch, *sk next 2 chs, V-st(see Special Stitch) in next ch, rep from * around, join(see Pattern Notes) in 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (14 V-sts)

Rnd 2:Ch 3(see Pattern Notes), working from top to bottom around post of first dc of first V-st, work 4 fpdc(see Stitch Guide and see photo A on page 16), ch 1, 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 B on page 16), working from bottom to top around post of 2nd dc of V-st, work 5 fpdc (see photo C1 and C2 on page 16), *sk next V-st, working from top to bottom, work 5 fpdc around post of first dc of next V-st, ch 1, turn work so V-st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of 2nd dc of V-st, work 5 fpdc, rep from * around, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (7 scales)

Rnd 3: Sl st in each of first 2 sts, sl st in ch-1 sp, ch 4, dc in same ch-1 sp, yo, insert hook in next sp between scales and in ch-1 sp directly behind scales, complete as V-st (see photo D1 and D2), *V-st in next ch-1 sp, yo, insert hook in next sp between scales and in ch-1 sp directly behind scales, complete as V-st, rep from * around, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (14 Vsts)

Rnd 4: Sl st in ch-1 sp, working from top to bottom around post of first dc of next V-st, work 5 fpdc, ch 1, 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 5 fpdc, *sk next V-st, working from top to bottom around post of first dc of next V-st, work 5 fpdc, ch 1, turn work so V-st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of 2nd dc of V-st, work 5 fpdc, rep from * around, join in beg fpdc. (7 scales)

Rnds 5–14: [Rep rnds 3 and 4 alternately for pattern] 5 times.

Rnd 15: Ch 3, *dc dec(see Stitch Guide) in next 2 sts, dc in next ch-1 sp, dc dec in next 2 sts, yo, insert hook in next sp between scales and in ch-1 sp directly behind scales, yo, pull lp through, complete as dc, rep from * around, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (28 dc)

Rnds 16 & 17: Ch 3, dc in each st around, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3.

Rnd 18: Ch 3, dc in each of next 4 dc, dc dec in next 2 sts, [dc in each of next 5 dc, dc dec in next 2 dc] around, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (24 dc)

Rnds 19–26: Ch 3, dc in each st around, join 3rd ch of beg ch3.

Rnd 27: Ch 3, dc in each of next 4 dc, 2 dc in next dc, [dc in each of next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc] around, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (28 dc)

Rnds 28–37: Ch 3, dc in each st around, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. At end of last row, fasten off.

Flapper Hat

FINISHED SIZE

20–22-inch head circumference

MATERIALS

* Universal Yarn Uptown DK light (DK) weight yarn (3½ oz/273 yds/100g per skein):

2 skeins #131 granite

* Size G/6/4mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

* Tapestry needle

* 7/8-inch buttons: 2

* Stitch marker

---

Excerpted from Crocodile Stitch Fashions by Lianka Azulay. Copyright © 2014 Annie's. Excerpted by permission of Annie's.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---