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Making Crocodile Stitch Fashions with Lianka Azulay

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A Review of Crocodile Stitch Fashions

Crocodile Stitch Fashions is made by Bonita Patterns Owner, Lianka Azulay. It introduces a stitch that is very popular in the crochet community right now.

Lianka shows in a very detailed photo tutorial how to make the crocodile stitch and then includes 8 patterns to practice the stitch.

Although this stitch looks difficult it is not. It combines a V-stitch and Double Crochet stitches in a unique way so even beginners can make these patterns.

In the appendix you'll find a stitch guide as well a a metric conversion chart.

If you're thinking of making any of Lianka's patterns I recommend purchasing this booklet as it is a great deal considering single patterns sell for $5.00 each. You get 8 patterns @ roughly $14.95 which saves you $25.00. Plus you get the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting an independent artist - who just happens to be pregnant. :)

Crochet Patterns:

Triangle Shawl

Crocodile Stitch Hood

Wrist Warmers

Flapper Hat

Crocodile Stitch Cloche

Neck Warmer

Slouchy Beret

Crocodile Stitch Gauntlets

Contents at a Glance

Crocodile Stitch Fashions Free Shipping
Download Crocodile Stitch Patterns for Y...
Modern Crochet Patterns
Bavarian Crochet
How to Bavarian Crochet
Lantern Moon Rosewood Crochet Hook
How to Make the Crocodile Stitch
Mary Maxim Mohair Glitter Yarn
Free Crocodile Stitch Patterns

Buy Crocodile Stitch Fashions and Save 32%

Download Crocodile Stitch Patterns for Your Kindle

Scale Crochet Stitch, Crocodile Matinee, and White Crocodile Purse

Additional Crocodile Stitch Patterns are available for download on your Kindle. The first ebook "Stacked and Staggered Scale Crochet Stitch Pattern" by Sharon Santorum will show you how to make the stitch through a photo tutorial. It includes tutorials on how to make the stitches align as well as how to make the stitches staggered. It does not include specific patterns for the stitch it only teaches the crocodile stitch pattern.

The second pattern is from ShiFio's Patterns. I've purchased her patterns in the past and have enjoyed working on them. I find her instructions to be detailed enough for even beginners to crochet. This pattern is an adorable bonnet and sweater for a wee one 0 - 3months. In her sample she crocheted it in pastels but you could easily do it in primary colors or even a solid color.

Finally is the White Crocodile Purse by Darlisa Riggs. This pattern is pretty simple to make as the purse is simply a rectangle. She adds the Crocodile stitch to the flap of the purse to give it a bit of texture. Included in the digital download of this pattern is a pictorial tutorial on how to add a linking to your purse.

Modern Crochet Patterns

Crochet Designs Not Just For Grannies Anymore

Crochet isn't just for grannies anymore. With the resurgence of crochet comes new designers and more modern crochet patterns. Lianka brought her unique style to the world of crochet when she came to America from Brazil with her mother who is also a fantastic crochet artist.

Sarah London breathed life into the Catherine's Wheel stitch with her gorgeous Wool Eater Blanket.

Amigurumi has been a favorite of crocheters since the late nineties. Stacey of FreshStitches and Amy Gaines both bring adorable and new designs to the community of crochet that we can be proud to give as gifts or display.

Today you can find tutorials, videos and even online workshops that will teach you how to make various projects. Places like Craftsy and CrochetVille offer classes with teachers who have been designing and creating for years.

Still not convinced that crochet is modern? Check out the Designer Crochet Project featured on Crochet Concupiscence's blog. She's highlighting 50 designers and how they use crochet in their pieces. Designers like Elsa Schiaparelli, Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Oscar de la Renta.

Picture cc Paeonia on Flickr

Bavarian Crochet

Different Crochet Stitches

The Bavarian Crochet stitch is also known as Catherine's wheel. The first time I saw this stitch was in a lovely blanket by Sarah London called the "Wool Eater Blanket". The colors she chose really brought out the raised stitches of this pattern.

When Teresa of Crochet Geek did a youtube video tutorial on this stitch I was excited because now I could learn how to do this unique stitch. You can find patterns using this stitch online including a blanket pattern from Red Heart Yarns which was featured in an issue of Crochet Magazine September 2010 issue.

Learn to Do Bavarian Crochet (Annie's Attic: Crochet)

by: Jenny King

Amazon Price: $7.45 (as of 02/23/2012)

This Book goes beyond the square and includes instructions on how to make a rectangle, a circle and a triangle. This opens up the possibilities for designing your own unique projects. It includes seven patterns for you to practice this stitch including an afghan, a hat, a scarf and even a table runner.

This book includes detailed photos of the stitch so that you can easily learn what to do. Step by Step instructions guide you through creating you own Bavarian Crochet Afghan.

How to Bavarian Crochet

Bavarian Crochet Sweater Pattern

A couple of videos online that may help you in learning how to Bavarian crochet are:

Catherine's Wheel by Teresa aka Crochet Geek

Catherine's Wheel by The Crochet Crowd

The Yarn Eater Blanket by NadelSpiel

Once you get the hang of the stitch why not try ShiFio Patterns Bavarian Crochet Sweater Pattern. It includes 5 different sizes [0-12months] and comes with a little bonnet to match.

Be sure to choose colorful wool yarn when making this as a blanket. You'll find some gorgeous photos on Sarah London's flickr group. Plus don't forget she has a written tutorial on her blog for the wool eater blanket.

Photo Amazon:Groanygirl

Lantern Moon Rosewood Crochet Hook

Handcrafted Wood Crochet Hooks

Lantern Moon Rosewood Crochet Hooks are largely handcrafted from regional rosewood, carved, sanded, and finished by hand. Located in Portland, Oregon with offices in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - The company prides itself on providing fair-trade products that encourage training and employment for women and their family's.

You'll find hooks from sustainably harvested wood as well as Ebony which comes in shades of medium brown to black. Each hook is 6.5" long and is made so that the yarn glides and releases off the wood.

The price is higher than aluminum hooks but the craftsmanship of a handmade crochet hook is well worth it. The only thing about these hooks is you do have purchase them separately. Sizes come in D - K so a set would run you about $160 - You may want to slowly add to your collection.

Lantern Moon Rosewood Crochet Hooks H/5.00mm. (RC500H)

Amazon Price: $14.94 (as of 02/23/2012)

How to Make the Crocodile Stitch

V-Stitch and Chain

Although the crocodile stitch seems intimidating at first you'll soon learn that it's not that difficult to learn how to Make the Crocodile Stitch. All you need to know is the basics of crochet and what a 'post' is when referring to a stitch.

In order to make a scarf you'll need to crochet a chain as wide as you'd like your scarf to be. Let's say you wanted it to be about 5" wide. The multiple of this stitch pattern is 3+3 so you're going to make a chain of 18 - 23 depending on how thick your yarn is. Then make a double crochet stitch in the 5th chain from the hook. This will count as you first V-stitch. [Chain 2, skip 2, make a V-stitch]* repeat this across. You will now work around the post of the last double crochet you made. Ch3 [counts as first double crochet] and make 4 double crochet around that first dc post. Turn your work slightly so you can do the same thing to the next double crochet post. [5 dc around the post of the next dc] First Scale made.

[Skip the next v-stitch, make a Crocodile stitch in the next v-stitch.]* repeat this across.

Photo cc corriendocontieras on flickr

Mary Maxim Mohair Glitter Yarn

Mohair Yarn is Perfect for Scarves and Shawls

Lianka suggests using a super fine fingering weight Mohair Yarn for her triangle shawl pattern. Although this yarn is difficult to work with especially for those new to crochet it [and a larger hook] makes the shawl drape better giving it the look that makes it so pleasing to the eye.

You might want to try the crocodile stitch out with an easier yarn until you get the feel of the stitch pattern. Once you have it down then go ahead and use the mohair taking your time so the yarn doesn't knot up.

Mary Maxim has been around for over 50 years and has a reputation for quality. You'll find a variety of yarns for your scarf or shawl project as well as hooks and needles. Google 'Mary Maxim' for more details.

Free Crocodile Stitch Patterns

For Crafters on a Limited Budget

If you're on a tight budget like our family is you'll want to try your hand out on this stitch before investing the money in the booklet. Here are a few Crocodile Stitch Patterns that crafty bloggers have put out there for us to use.

The first comes from an etsy seller 'Crochet Roo'. She shows how to make the Adult Crocodile stitch hat. She even has a version that is a strawberry with a green leave on top. She also has a Scallop tea cozy pattern that looks similar - that will keep your tea pot nice and warm.

Moira crochet shows how to make a Crocodile stitch pouch from plarn. She also has an excellent article on Hub pages where she takes the mystery out of the crocodile crochet stitch.

Yarn Muse shows you how to make a scarf out of the stitch pattern.

Sunshine Creations has a great video tutorial set that shows how she uses the stitch pattern to make a dress.

Photo cc Tafkabecky on flickr

Bonita Patterns

Lianka Azulay on Etsy

I first found Lianka via Etsy.com. I purchased her slouchy crocodile stitch hat. She has a number of patterns now using this stitch the latest being her adorable crocodile stitch baby booties. She chose a rainbow yarn to do the sample in and it looks amazing.

Now that Lianka is expecting we'll probably see a number of baby centered patterns. :)

Did you know that Lianka crocheted a crocodile stitch wedding dress in just 3 weeks? Yes, she did. She even modeled it when she presented it to the Crochet Guild of America Fall Conference Fashion Show.