Also known as Crocodile stitch, Dragon scale is very distinctive and I’ve been planning to try from the moment I saw it. I’ve had the yarn for it in my stash for months.
The stitch itself is straightforward once you break it down into it’s 3 component steps.
1. Foundation chain.
If working in the round you need a foundation chain in a multiple of 6, for example the standard handwarmer is started with 36 stitches
2. Supporting row
- The scale part of the stitch is worked round supporting posts.
- The first supporting row, worked into the foundation chain is a repeat of 2 treble crochet, chain 1, skip 2 chains, treble crochet, chain 1, skip 2 chains.
- Further supporting rows are 2 treble crochet (worked in chain stitch between the previous scales) chain 1, treble crochet (worked in center of scale) chain 1.
- I used chainless treble crochet for the first stitch in theses rows although 3 chains can be used if easier.
3. Scale row
- Start by working 5 treble crochets down the first of the paired treble crochet.
- Then 1 chain before working another 5 treble crochet up the second of the paired treble crochet.
- secure the scale by slip stitching into the top of the single treble crochet.
Wristwarmers
I used 1 ball of Sheepjes Wanderlust, Las Vegas for these, working on a 3.5mm hook.
Foundation row – 36 chain joined with a slipstitch
1. *2 tr, chain 1, skip 2 ch, tr, chain 1, skip 2 chains* repeat * * 5 more times
2. *5 tr down first post of paired tr, ch 1, 5 tr up second post of paired tr, slst into top of single tr* repeat * * 5 more times. Final slst join with 1st scale of round.
3. * 2 tr in chain between the previous scales, ch 1, tr in center of next scale, ch 1* repeat * * 5 more times.
4. *5 tr down first post of paired tr, ch 1, 5 tr up second post of paired tr, slst into top of single tr* repeat * * 5 more times. Final slst join with 1st scale of round.
5 – 16 repeat rows 3 & 4
17. Same as row 3 up to the final ch, tr, ch. Replace with 6 chain
18. Same as row 4, except final slst is around the 6 ch.
19 – 26 repeat rows 3 & 4,
Finish off & weave in ends.
Handwarmers with cuffs
I made these for my daughter as the previous version was a little loose for her.
This time I used 1 ball of Sheepjes Wanderlust, Berlin on a 3.5mm hook.
Foundation row – 36 chain joined with a slipstitch
1. 36 tr join with slst
2 – 10. 36 tr, alternating working round back post and front post of precious row. This forms a rib effect
11. *2 tr, chain 1, skip 2 ch, tr, chain 1, skip 2 chains* repeat * * 5 more times
12. *5 tr down first post of paired tr, ch 1, 5 tr up second post of paired tr, slst into top of single tr* repeat * * 5 more times. Final slst join with 1st scale of round.
13. * 2 tr in chain between the previous scales, ch 1, tr in center of next scale, ch 1* repeat * * 5 more times.
14. *5 tr down first post of paired tr, ch 1, 5 tr up second post of paired tr, slst into top of single tr* repeat * * 5 more times. Final slst join with 1st scale of round.
15 – 20 repeat rows 3 & 4
21. Same as row 3 up to the final ch, tr, ch. Replace with 6 chain
22. Same as row 4, except final slst is around the 6 ch.
23 – 28. repeat rows 3 & 4,
Finish off & weave in ends.