I fell in love with this shawl and the crocodile stitch, but the directions were so frustrating for me. They were redundant and confusing and I was tearing my hair out trying to figure out how to do this. THIS is my version of this shawl, or the closest I could come to it. If you aren't familiar with the crocodile stitch, Mikey's YouTube video showed me how to do it. It took several tries and stopping and starting the video several times for me to get the basic idea. Mikey's crocodile stitch isn't exactly like the one in the pattern, but the video will show you how to do it.
Bridal Shawl
GAUGE:
2 Crocodile stitches = about 4
in. (10 cm). I used a J size hook for most of the shawl.
When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size
specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be
sufficient. The needle or hook size called for in the pattern is based on what
the designer used, but is not unusual for gauge to vary from person to person.
If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make your swatch, try using a
smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook
or needles.
Terms:
ch = chain
st = stitch
yo = yarn
over
sl st = yo,
draw yarn through designated sts and the yarn on the hook
Edc =
extended double crochet
rep = repeat
To do an Edc, yo,
insert hook in indicated st, yo and draw up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo and
draw through 1 loop on hook, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook twice
To do a V-st, Edc,
ch 1, Edc in indicated stitch
Crocodile st:
worked around a V-stitch. Rotate piece one quarter turn right, work 6 Edc on
the left Edc, ch 1, rotate piece one half turn to work 6 Edc around the right Edc.
[See photos]
Notes:
1. Shawl is worked from lower center point [a single Crocodile st]
upwards in alternating rows.
a. Crocodile st rows:
Alternate Crocodile sts with Edcs, beginning and ending with Crocodile sts. Crocodile sts are done in the
V-sts from the previous row and slip stitched to the Edcs from that row.
b. V-sts rows: Alternate V-sts and Edcs. Sts are increased
on each side to create a triangular shawl. This is done by crocheting a V-st
on the ends of the far right and left Crocodile sts from the previous row. V-sts are done in the sl sts from
the previous row and Edcs are done in the center of the Crocodile sts from that row..
2. The shawl is worked with the right side (RS) facing you at all times.
V-sts rows are worked right to left and crocodile rows are worked
left to right, rotating the shawl clockwise and counter clockwise as needed to do the sts.
3. The shawl can be as long or as short as needed; the top edging and
finishing sts are not dependent on the shawl being one certain
length or the final rows being a certain number of sts. It’s very flexible.
SHAWL
Beg at lower back point of Shawl, ch 6; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Row
1: Ch 3 (counts as first Edc), (5 Edc, ch 1, 6 Edc) in ring
(Crocodile st made); do not join.
Row
2: Ch 4 (counts
as Edc, ch 1, Edc in same st as origin of the ch 4 ), ch 3, Edc in center ring,
ch 3, V-st in top of beginning ch 3. [You'll have a V-st on either side with one Edc in the center.]
Row
3 (Crocodile st row): Ch
1, *Crocodile st around V-st, ch 1, sl st in single Edc, ch 1. Rep from * Crocodile st around last V-st.
Row
4 (V-st row): Ch
4, Edc in top of last [far right] crocodile st, ch 3, *Edc in sp at center of Crocodile
st, ch 3, V-st in next sl st (between the Crocodile sts), ch 3. Rep from *; V-st on left side of the first crocodile
stitch of row 3.
Row
5 (Crocodile st row): Ch
1, Crocodile st around first V-st, *ch 1, sl st in
single Edc between V-sts, ch 1, Crocodile st around next V-st; rep
from * across.
Row
6 (V-st row) Ch 4, Edc in top of last crocodile st, ch 3, Edc
in sp at center of next Crocodile st, *ch 3, V-st in next sl st (between the Crocodile
sts), ch 3, Edc in sp at center of next Crocodile st; rep from * across, ch 3, V-st
on left side of the first crocodile stitch of previous row.
Rows
7-58: Rep Rows 5
and 6 until you have the last row of 30 V-sts, 29 Edc, and 58 ch-3 sps at the
end of Row 58.
Row
59: Rep Row 5;
you should have 30 Crocodile sts. [See Note 3.]
Do not fasten off, continue on to work top edging as follows:
Top Edging
Row
1: Ch 4, 3 Edc in
top edge of far right crocodile stitch, 2 Edc in crocodile st space, 4 Edc in
top of left side of the crocodile st. , *4 Edc ch3-sp behind Crocodile st, 2
Edc into sp at center of Crocodile st, 4 Edc into second ch3-sp behind same
Crocodile st; rep from * across.
Side
Edging: Use
an F size hook.
Ch 20, sc in top of 3rd Edc of next Crocodile st, *ch 20, sc in top of 3rd Edc of next Crocodile st; rep
from * to the first Crocodile st at lower back point of shawl [i.e. the first
crocodile st of the shawl].
Ch 20, sc in 4th Edc on the other side of same Crocodile st, **ch 20,
working up other diagonal side edge, sc in 4th Edc of next Crocodile st. Rep from ** to Crocodile st at top right side of the
shawl. Tie off.
This is a V-st row.
Rotate work one-quarter turn right to crochet the left side of the crocodile stitch.
Then rotate it one half turn to crochet the right side of each crocodile stitch.
This is the neck edging.
The neck edging is crocheted in the center of each crocodile st and in the ch 3 areas on either side behind each crocodile st.
I switched to a smaller hook for the trim. The original pattern called for ch 30s for the trim - in two directions. It's your shawl. Do what you want or leave it off completely.
Writing these directions wasn't as easy as I thought. I hope the photos help clarify things, but ask any questions, and I'll try to help.