Crocodile Stitch Dahlia Afghan Block Pattern

The Crocodile Stitch Dahlia Afghan Block is a captivating crochet pattern that ingeniously melds the distinctive texture of the Crocodile Stitch with the exquisite beauty of a dahlia flower. This innovative design offers crocheters a unique opportunity to infuse their projects with the charm of a blooming dahlia, elevating the traditional Crocodile Stitch to new heights.

Recent trends in crochet have seen a surge of interest in incorporating the unique Crocodile Stitch into various patterns, and one intriguing adaptation is the use of this textured stitch in a floral afghan block.

Traditionally worked in rows, the Crocodile Stitch’s scale-like appearance has found its way into the world of flowers, giving crochet enthusiasts an exciting new motif to explore. In this pattern, we’ll guide you through creating the Croco-Dahlia, a square, worked-in-the-round afghan block that mimics the petals of a blooming dahlia.

Materials Needed:

1. Worsted weight yarn in three colors:
   • Color A: Brown or black (for the center of the flower)
   • Color B: Any “flower” color (for the petals)
   • Color C: Green or background color of your choice
2. Crochet hook appropriate for your chosen yarn
3. Yarn needle
4. Scissors

Special Stitches:

Banded Doubles: (skip next st, dc in each of next two sts, hdc around the two dc’s just made). In other words: Leave a space, dc in the next two sts. Yarn over, insert the hook into the space just created, yarn over and pull the loop through, keeping it loose. Yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.

Special Term – “In side of”: Refers to the placement of a stitch in the “side” of a previously made stitch. Insert the hook under the front horizontal loop AND the front vertical loop of the indicated stitch, and complete the stitch as usual.

Gauge:

While gauge can be challenging to measure precisely, aim for the first two rows to form a round approximately 2 inches across. Each crocodile scale should be about 1 inch from base to tip, and the completed square should measure approximately 6 inches on each side when using Caron Simply Soft worsted weight yarn and a size G hook.

Color Scheme:

• Color A: Brown or black (for the center of the flower)
• Color B: Any “flower” color (for petals)
• Color C: Green or background color of your choice

Instructions:

With Color A, form a sliding circle.

Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as the first double crochet), work 15 double crochets into the circle, and slip stitch in the top of the beginning chain-3 to join (16 double crochets).

Round 2: Chain 4 (counts as the first double crochet, chain-1), [double crochet in the next double crochet, chain 1] 15 times, slip stitch to the third stitch of the beginning chain-4 to join (16 double crochets and 16 chain-1 spaces). Fasten off.

Round 3: Turn, with the wrong side facing, attach Color B with a single crochet in any chain-1 space. Chain 6, slip stitch in the side of the single crochet at the base of the chain to form a loop. Work (single crochet, treble crochet, single crochet) in the next chain-1 space. Continue [(single crochet in the next chain-1 space, chain 6, slip stitch in the side of the single crochet at the base of the chain to form a loop, (single crochet, treble crochet, single crochet) in the next chain-1 space)] 7 times. Slip stitch in the first single crochet to join (8 chain-6 loops and 8 (single-crochet-treble-crochet-single-crochet) groups). Note: The treble crochet in the (single crochet, treble crochet, single crochet) group should “pop” out on the “right” side of the fabric.

Round 4: Chain 1 and turn, with the right side facing. Slip stitch in the back loops of the next (single-crochet-treble-crochet-single-crochet). Work [(5 double crochets, chain 2, single crochet in the side of the previous double crochet, 5 double crochets) in the next chain-6 loop (crocodile stitch), slip stitch in the back loops of the next (single-crochet-treble-crochet-single-crochet)] 7 times. Slip stitch in the beginning chain-1 to join (8 crocodile stitches).

Round 5: [Chain 3, fold the next petal forward, and, working behind the petal, single crochet in the Row 3 stitch at the center of the petal, chain 3, single crochet in the single crochet between the next two petals] 8 times. Slip stitch in the first chain to join (16 chain-3, 16 single crochets).

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Round 6: Still working behind the petals, chain 1, single crochet in the same stitch, [chain 6, slip stitch in the side of the previous single crochet to form a loop, 3 single crochets in the next chain-3 space, single crochet in the next single crochet, 3 single crochets in the next chain-3 space, single crochet in the next single crochet] 7 times. Chain 6, slip stitch in the side of the previous single crochet to form a loop, 3 single crochets in the next chain-3 space, single crochet in the next single crochet, 3 single crochets in the next chain-3 space, slip stitch in the beginning single crochet to join (8 chain-6 loops, 64 single crochets).

Round 7: Chain 1, [(5 double crochets, chain 2, single crochet in the side of the previous double crochet, 5 double crochets) in the next chain-6 loop (crocodile stitch), skip 3 single crochets, single crochet in the next single crochet, skip 3 single crochets] 8 times. Slip stitch through the beginning chain-1 into the next single crochet to pin the first petal in place (8 crocodile stitches, 8 single crochets). Keep the petals folded up like a blooming onion to avoid interference.

Round 8: [Chain 3, fold the next petal forward, double crochet in the stitch at the center of the next petal, chain 3, single crochet in the stitch between the next two petals, chain 3, single crochet in the stitch at the center of the next petal, chain 3, single crochet in the stitch between the next
two petals] 4 times. Slip stitch to the beginning chain to join (1 double crochet in each corner, 3 single crochets, and 4 chain-3 on each side).

Round 9: Chain 1, [(single crochet, 2 half-double crochets, 2 double crochets) in the next chain-3 space, chain 2, (2 double crochets, 2 half-double crochets, single crochet) in the next chain-3 space, single crochet in the single crochet, 3 single crochets in the next chain-3 space, skip the next single crochet, 3 single crochets in the next chain-3 space, single crochet in the next single crochet] 4 times. Slip stitch in the beginning chain-1 to join (18 stitches on each side and a chain-2 at each corner). Fasten off.

Round 10: Attach Color C with a double crochet in any corner chain-2 space, (double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochets) in the same space. Double crochet in each of the next 18 stitches, [(2 double crochets, chain 2, 2 double crochets) in the next corner space, double crochet in each of the next 18 stitches] 3 times. Slip stitch in the beginning double crochet to join (22 stitches on each side and a chain-2 at each corner).

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Round 11: Slip stitch in the next double crochet, slip stitch in the chain-2 space, chain 3, (double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochets) in the same space, chain 1, [skip the next stitch, double crochet in each of the next 2 stitches, half-double crochet around the two double crochets just made (Banded Doubles)] 7 times, [skip the next double crochet, (2 double crochets, chain 2, 2 double crochets) in the corner chain-2 space, chain 1, [skip the next stitch, double crochet in each of the next 2 stitches, half-double crochet around the two double crochets just made (Banded Doubles)] 7 times] 3 times. Slip stitch in the top of the first chain-3 to join (26 stitches on each side, chain-2 at each corner).

Round 12: Slip stitch in the next double crochet, slip stitch in the chain-2 space, chain 2, (half-double crochet, chain 2, 2 half-double crochets) in the same space. [Half-double crochet in each of the next 26 stitches, (2 half-double crochets, chain 2, 2 half-double crochets) in the next corner space] 3 times. Half-double crochet in each of the next 26 stitches, slip stitch in the top of the beginning chain-2 to join (30 stitches on each side, chain-2 at each corner). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finishing: Tug on each of the petals to stretch and flatten them.
You have now completed the Crocodile Stitch Dahlia Afghan Block.

This pattern combines intricate stitches with floral inspiration, resulting in a visually stunning crochet square that allows for personalization through color choices. Enjoy the creative process and the beauty of the finished Crocodile Stitch Dahlia Afghan Block!