Layered crocodile stitch cocoon

A cousin has just had a baby, so I need to come up with a quick gift (I lost track of time and didn’t start on the gift until she posted she was in labour!). A blanket takes me longer, cocoon is much faster hence this project. A simple cocoon would’ve been much faster of course but since when do I go the easier way when it comes to losing myself in my crochet projects….

So a crocodile stitch cocoon looked exciting except for the holes…

A little tinkering and here we are – a layered crocodile stitch cocoon to avoid tiny toes getting caught in the holes behind the scales.

The pictures on the left show the inside and the ones on the right show the outside. The pictures on top are the layered crocodile stitch, which I used for the cocoon. The pictures at the bottom are the regular crocodile stitch, which I used for the hat as it wouldn’t matter as much for it to be “holey”.

I used two different yarns but any colourway should work so I’m not going to indicate where I change yarns.

Newborn size (length 18 inches/46 cm; diameter 18 inches/46 cm)

Yarn: 8 ply; H hook (gauge is not important)

Initial rounds (so need to slip stitch to join all rounds)

Short instructions: mc12; increase until round6; then dc 2 rounds

Or

Detailed instructions

Round1: Magic circle ch2 and 11 dcs (12 dc)

Round2: ch2, dc same stitch; 2dc into each dc (24 dc)

Round3: ch2, 2 dc next stitch; *1 dc next stitch, 2 dc next stitch* 11 times (36 dc)

Round4: ch2, 1 dc, 2 dc next stitch; *1 dc next 2 stitches, 2 dc next stitch* 11 times (48 dc)

Round5: ch2, 2 dc next 2 stitches; 2 dc next stitch; *1 dc next 3 stitches, 2 dc next stitch* 11 times (60 dc)

Round6: ch2, 3 dc next 3 stitches, 2 dc next stitch; *dc next 4 stitches, 2 dc next stitch* 11 times (72 dc)

Round 7-8: Dc each stitch (72 dc)

Crocodile stitch rounds 

*Foundation round: dc each stitch (72 dc)

CS round: Ch2, 4dc along post of first dc, ch1, 5 dc along post of second dc, skip 4 dc, repeat until end, slip stitch to first crocodile stitch and into dc of last row.*

Dc into each stitch of foundation round – this is essentially the next foundation round.

Repeat foundation and CS rounds (*to*) until desired length.

Optional moss stitch rows

Decide on the starting stitch. If the split is to be at the back, the starting stitch should be at the backside and if the split is to be in front then your starting stitch is in front. Mine is at the back.

Work the first row of stitches into the last foundation round. 

Do a standing single stitch at your starting stitch, ch 1, skip 1 stitch, sc; repeat until end; don’t join

Turn. Ch2 (counts as sc and ch1) skip sc and sc into ch1 space; *ch1, skip sc, sc into ch1 space* repeat until end, sc into last stitch

Repeat last row until desired length.

You can actually use any stitches you like for this part – single crochet, half double crochet or double crochets will work as well; just work in rows so you get a split which will make it easier to use.