Christmas Tree Crochet Pattern – Crocodile Stitch
Clarification: Each row of scales is worked in two passes — the first forms the base, and the second creates the scales.
Start
Begin with a foundation chain that’s a multiple of 6 (for this example, make 12 chains for 2 scales).
You’ll have one scale for every 6 chains.
Row 1 (BASE)
Add 5 more chains for the turning chain.
Insert the hook into the 8th chain from the hook (do not count the one on the hook) and work 2 double crochets (dc) in that same stitch.
Continue as follows:
* Ch 2, skip 2 sts, 1 dc, ch 2, skip 2 sts, 2 dc in next st.
Repeat from * to * once more.
To finish, ch 2, skip 2 sts, 1 dc.
Row 2 (SCALES)
Work directly on the previous row — no turning chains are needed.
Turn the piece 90° to the right, insert the hook into the space between the pair of dc, and make 6 dc, working around one of the 2 dc in the pair.
Turn the work 180° to the right, insert the hook into the same space, and make 6 dc, this time around the second dc of the pair (the one left unworked).
Now, turn the piece to the wrong side, insert the hook into the top of the next single dc (the one that follows the pair from before), and make 1 slip stitch — this anchors the scale.
Return the piece to the right side, turn 90° to the right, and work the next scale in the same way over the following group of 2 dc.
At the end of the row, make 1 slip stitch in the 3rd chain of the turning chain from the previous base row.
Row 3 (BASE)
Now you’ll create a new base row, offsetting the scales by half a scale to the right (you can also change color here if desired).
With the right side facing, insert the hook into the first dc at the edge of the scale, ch 3, and make 1 dc in the same stitch.
Continue as follows:
* Ch 2, 1 dc in the center of the next scale, ch 2, 2 dc in the space between two scales.
Repeat from * to * once more.
Row 4 (SCALES)
Work the scale row as explained for Row 2.
Continue
Alternate between base rows and scale rows until reaching the desired length.
To Decrease Scales
Pass the yarn through the center of the first scale in the row, then begin the next base row with 5 chains (3 count as the first dc and 2 as the separating chains).
Work 2 dc together in the space between two scales and continue across to the center of the last scale.
For the scale row, work as described previously.
TREE PIECE
The entire tree is worked in crocodile stitch (scale stitch).
Begin with a foundation chain of 42 chains (calculate the number of scales as a multiple of 6).
Work following this layout:
- 1st row: 7 scales
- 2nd row: 7 scales
- 3rd row: 7 scales
- 4th row: 6 scales
- 5th row: 6 scales
- 6th row: 5 scales
- 7th row: 4 scales
- 8th row: 3 scales
- 9th row: 3 scales
(Each “row” refers to one full crocodile-stitch sequence — base row plus scale row.)