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How to crochet crocodile stitch for feathers, scales or petals

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How to crochet crocodile stitch for feathers, scales or petals
By Beverley Watts 8 years ago

Crocodile stitch is a fun way to create a 3D crochet effect.

It isn’t a brand new crochet stitch, it’s simply a clever way to create overlapping feathers, scales or petals using only treble stitches.

Crochet expert Freddie Patmore teaches you how to create the layers of feathers on an owl crochet pattern in the video below.


How to work crocodile stitch in the round
(Works with a multiple of three stitches.)

1. Work an entire round of trebles: Make 3 chains (ch) - (counts as 1 treble (tr)) [1tr in next stitch (st)] to end, slip stitch (slst) in top of the 3ch you made at the beginning of the round.

2. Working from left to right around the posts of trebles from the previous round, [miss 1tr, slst in next tr, rotate work clockwise and work 5tr around the post of the next tr, rotate work clockwise and work 5tr around the post of the following tr] all the way to the end, working last 5tr of final repeat around 3ch from the beginning of the round, slst in slst from the beginning of the round.

Work around the post of trebles worked on the previous round

 

These two rounds combined create one row of feathers or scales. Simply repeat these two stages (rounds) to create row upon row of texture.


3. If working in colour stripes like with our owl, you must change yarns before recommencing the first of these two rounds.

A really easy way to change colours is to simply stop before the very last stage of the second round, (before the slst) and cut off your yarn (leaving ends long enough to darn in, a minimum of 10cm (4in).

Work the slip stitch as normal, instead using the new yarn to work this stitch. Leave these ends to darn in later, continue as normal being careful not to pull the ends through as you work the first few stitches.

Crochet a cute owl as a toy or a beautiful bird would also make an excellent doorstop if filled with ceramic beans to add some weight at the base.

Margaret Davies' owl crochet pattern

Woman's Weekly reader Margaret Davies has obviously mastered the art of crocodile stitch. She sent us in this charming picture (above) of her very own crochet owl, made using our pattern.

Learn How To Crochet with our complete guide. 

How to crochet: Learn to crochet from the start

See a selection of our cute owls below...

Posted in: How to crochet