Here is a step-by-step photo tutorial of how to crochet the crocodile stitch, which I used to create an adorable clutch! This stitch was quite tricky for me at first, and I had to really study several YouTube videos to figure it out. I really wanted a nice photo tutorial because videos drive me crazy – it’s so hard to rewind and impossible to watch in slow motion. So, if you also prefer photo tutorials, then you are in luck!
This is quite a tricky stitch, so I’ve broken it down in two parts. When you’re done with this one, go to part 2!
Let’s get started!
Step #1
Make a chain however long you want, as long as it’s multiples of 6. For a clutch, I made a 36 chains.
- In the third chain from the hook, work 2 half double crochets (in the same chain).
- Chain 1, skip 2 chains and work 1 half double crochet.
- *Chain 1, skip 2 chains and work 2 half double crochets in the same chain.
- Chain 1, skip 2 chains and work 1 half double crochet.*
Repeat the length of your chain, ending with 1 half double crochet in the last chain.
Here’s how the first 2 half double crochet will look, with the last 3 chains.
Step #2:
On the first of the two half double crochets, work 4 half double crochets from top to bottom.
Step #3:
Turn your work upside down and work 4 more half double crochets on the last of the set of 2 half double crochets from bottom (of the work) to the top.
Here’s how step #3 will look after you’ve worked 2 of the half double crochets.
Once you finish step #3 and turn your work right side up, the first completed crocodile stitch will look like this!
Step #4:
Work a slip stitch on the next single half double crochet.
Step #5:
Start the next crocodile stitch on the next pair of half double crochets by crocheting 4 half double crochets on the first post closest to your right hand and from top to bottom. Then, just like in step #3, turn your work upside down and work 4 more half double crochets on the second post.
Completed step #5 – now you’ve finished two crocodile stitches!
Continue working steps #2 to #4 for the length of your work, working a crocodile stitch on each pair of half double crochets and a slip stitch on each single half double crochet. You will end with a crocodile stitch and it should look like this!
Now, head on over to part two to finish the project!
I started to follow your tutorial, and got as far as the end of step 1. Then I don’t get it… where is the turn? Why are you starting from the beginning again? do I need to fasten off and go back to the start?
Thanks for your help
Hi Amie! I’m happy to help
. This is a confusing stitch to learn. So, after step one, you don’t fasten off, you just start crocheting onto the last half double crochet post you just finished working. Does that make sense? So, you start to work the crocodile stitch onto that last post. Then you turn your work upside down and work the next four hdc onto that second post. Let me know if you need more help!
That doesn’t really answer the question. In the tutorial you end with 1 HDC, in the pattern for the clutch, you say to end with 2HDC and that would total 18, but if you end with 2 HDC, you end up with 19 HDC. and in your pattern you say to chain 1 then turn. The actual stitch is not confusing, what’s confusing is this. I have watched other crocodile stitches and they all do 2 HDC or DC, in every 2 or 3 chs all the way across. Not 1 then 2, etc. I’m not a beginner and this is driving me crazy! If you can help or explain to me at all I would be VERY greatful. I’d like to make this clutch for my daughter.
Tank you,
Michelle
Hi Michelle – I’m still a bit confused by your question, but I’ll give it a whirl! So, it seems I made one tiny mistake in the pattern, and just like in the tutorial, you should end with only ONE HDC and NOT two. Sorry for the confusion – I don’t have any pattern testers and writing out patterns is very time consuming and tedious, so it’s very easy to make mistakes! I do the best I can.
Thank You very much,Awsome.I’m persian,And know little English,but very helpfull
Thanks again,I hope you be succeed and happy
You’re brave to try a pattern in a different language! Best of luck to you!
It’s VERY hard to write a pattern, I now down to you for doing it over and over. I hope I didn’t come off rude, or angry. I’m
Totally not! I love your blog and get a ton out of it. I still can’t figure out how once you end up with 1 HDC at the end, how do you start in the 2 HDC to begin the crocodile stitch? So your at the e d of the foundation row, you e ended with 1 HDC, then what? The instructions say chain one turn, but that doesn’t get us back to the 2 HDC. Are we. Suppose to skip that single HDC altogether and just start the crocodile stitch in the 2HDC?
Gosh I hope this makes since! Can I just come over?!! Lol
Your comment is cracking me up right now, the “can I just come over?” is the best! I thought the same thing when I was writing to you – I thought, I just need to be sitting down with her and we’d be able to figure this out
. I should start making videos, but have NO time for that with two toddlers and a baby due in one month! ACK! I digress. Okay, so yes, basically you just ignore that last single HDC altogether and pretend it’s not there and start right to work on the set of two. Did I make sense this time 
?
Got it!! Yeah!!’ Ill be sending you a pic when I finish this!! Congrats on the new baby!! Boy or girl?
Hi Sara! Just wanted to let you know I’ve linked to both your photo tutorial here and your crochet crocodile stitch clutch today! Thanks so much, and have a fantastic day!
Tamara at Moogly recently posted..Crazy for Free Crocodile Stitch Crochet Patterns!
Thanks Tamara! I saw that you included this post in your roundup – thanks so much!
I am so excited to try this! I’m totally new to this stitch and have been wanting to try it for some time. So happy to find this tutorial. The only question I have and forgive me if I just missed it somewhere. But what weight yarn and what size hook are you using? Again, I apologize if I missed it listed on the tutorial somewhere. Thanks so much!
Hi Kristin! I used an H size hook and worsted weight yarn.