How to Crochet Crocodile Stitch | V Stitch

This is the first of two tutorials to create the stunning crocodile stitch in crochet. This is one of the first stitches I learned, after basics as I adored the texture and of course dragons. I instantly had visions of dragon scale garments running through my head, which have yet to fully arrive but they're in the works for sure!

It's also a great stitch to create feathers and leaves as in used in my recent Winter Fir Teacosy pattern (which is free).

Note: External site links in the 'What I Used' section below affiliate links, no cost to you if used and I do really appreciate the support those extra pennies provide.

WHAT ​I USED

UK Terms
 ​ch chain
 chsp chain space
 slst slip stitch
 dc double crochet
 tr treble crochet
 ​sk ​ skip
 st(s) stitch(es)
 rep repeat
 

US ​Terms
 ​ch chain
 chsp chain space
 slst slip stitch
 ​sc ​ single crochet
 ​dc ​double crochet
 ​sk ​ skip
 st(s) stitch(es)
 rep repeat

A small amount of maths is needed if you are not following a pattern....
 
 If you are creating on the fly you will need to chain a multiple of 2 plus 3 (for the first V). Remember that you will need twice as many V stitches as you want scales. As an example for 5 Scales you will need to create 10 V stitches which means (10 x 2) + 3 = 15 chains are needed. I will detail below the counts from the video tutorial.
 
 ​UK Terms - V Stitches
 Chain 11 sts,​ sl st into first st to form circle.
 ​

Ro​w 1: ​​Tr 1 into 4th ch from hook, *sk 1, (1 tr, 1 ch, 1tr) in the next st; repeat from * to end, turn. 4 V's
 

Row 2:​ ​Ch 3, tr1 into 4th ch from hook, *sk 1, (1 tr, 1 ch, 1tr) in the next st; repeat from * to end, turn. ​
 

​Repeat Row 2 until desired length of V stitch pattern has been reached. If working a Crocodile stitch the V stitch row needs to be worked alternately with the scale stitch row.
 
 ​Fasten off.

 US Terms - V Stitches
 Chain 11 sts,​ slst into first st to form circle.
 ​

Ro​w 1: ​​Dc 1 into 4th ch from hook, *sk 1, (1 dc, 1 ch, 1dc) in the next st; repeat from * to end, turn. 4 V's
 

Row 2:​ ​Slst to the centre of the first V, ch 3, dc1 into 4th ch from hook, *sk 1, (1dc, 1 ch, 1dc) in the next st; repeat from * to end, turn. ​
 

​Repeat Row 2 until desired length of V stitch pattern has been reached. If working a Crocodile stitch the V stitch row needs to be worked alternately with the scale stitch row.
 
 ​Fasten off.

Next click over to Crocodile Stitch Part 2 - the Scales themselves.