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A Crocodile Stitched Crochet Shawl

Jun 4, 2012 by Toni Rexroat
Crochet shawls are the perfect year-round accessory, and the ultimate universal-wear garment—one size fits all! They can be worn with everything from blue jeans to evening wear, and are great for cool summer nights, or to have on-hand for an overly air-conditioned room. But perhaps my favorite thing about crocheting shawls is that they present a great opportunity to learn a new stitch or technique.

 

Crochet Shawl: Icarus Shawl, Tracey McCorkle .
Icarus Shawl, Tracey McCorkle

One crocheted shawl that continues to garner a lot of interest is the Icarus Shawl by Tracey McCorkle, featured in Interweave Crochet Accessories 2011. This magical shawl is inspired by Faroese designs and the wings of an ancient bird. The "feathers" that run down the middle of the intricate shawl are created using the crocodile stitch. If you haven't yet tried this stitch, you should!

 

The crocodile stitch, while quite simple, is a beautiful 3D technique that can be incorporated into complicated crochet patterns. Since its rise to fame, I've been asked by many readers to demonstrate again how it's done. So let's look at how the stitch is created.

The crocodile stitch is worked into a base of V-stitches. I worked several V-stitches on a base of double crochet and separated by single crochet stitches.

On the next row, work a multiple of double crochet stitches down the first post of the V-stitch. For my "scales," I worked five double crochet.

After you have worked down the first post of the V-stitch, chain one. Now work the same number of double crochets, in our case five, up the second post of the V-stitch. Single crochet in the next single crochet and repeat the crocodile stitch in the next V-stitch.

On the next row, work a V-stitch in each V-stitch and a single crochet in each single crochet across. Then repeat the crocodile stitch in each new V-stitch. Voila! The crocodile stitch is demystified.
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If you can't wait to try the crocodile stitch and the Icarus shawl, or if you want to learn a different stitch and choose from 100 other beautiful patterns, you'll want to pick up your own copy of the Interweave Crochet 2011 Collection CD.

I love that I can tuck a whole year of Interweave Crochet, plus Interweave Crochet Accessories 2011 into my travel bag—as a CD, it's light and compact (and I don't have to worry about rips or tears along the way). No matter where I go, I simply slip the CD into my computer and use the searchable table-of-contents to find my next crochet project or learn another fabulous stitch.

Do you love lace borders, geometric motifs, simple blossoms, or the intriguing crocodile stitch? Share your favorite with us below!


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Comments

 
Sylvia@92 wrote
on Jun 4, 2012 12:50 PM

This stitch makes the most beautiful tea cozies in sport weight (3) yarn.

Six petals for a small tea pot, 8 petals for a large teapot.

Ideal for using up leftover colors as long as they go together well.

Char55 wrote
on Jun 4, 2012 6:01 PM

The crocodile stitch would be excellent for making leaves on a tree for an Autumn themed blanket...especially using a variegated autumn colors yarn.

67bk wrote
on Jun 6, 2012 7:01 AM

Just a little confused about the term of "v" stitch. Can anyone clarify? It appears to be something I would like to incorporate into a project.

Char55 wrote
on Jun 6, 2012 10:20 AM

You'll find a simple explanation of the "V" Stitch on this link:

www.woolcrafting.com/v-stitch-crochet-pattern.html

chartid wrote
on Mar 7, 2013 12:43 PM

Help! Before I am featured on a future episode of "Hoarders"! I keep finding patterns I love, buying the yarn (and the crochet hook and, and, and) but never seem to get started on the project. I have crocheted for nearly 50 years but suddenly have this "fear of starting" A perfect example is the lovely Filatura Di Crosa "Variations" Shawl pattern that I want to make. I have the gorgeous "Superior" yarn which may be spun from gold going by the price. I want to make the Moebius Wrap to go with a new dress that I bought for an up coming cruise. But I can't get going on this. Is there a 12-step program for me?

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