Crochet Gator Scarf for Kids - Pattern

- Gator Scarf -
CORRECTED PATTERN

 Last year, I crocheted an alligator scarf for my little niece.  It turned out to be super cute! Sadly, I didn't take a fully done photo of it.

Left: Knit version - Right: Crochet version

Above is my crocheted  version all folded up, but complete. ^

I was inspired by a knitted gator scarf I saw by Knitter by Nature.
You can purchase the knit instructions from Morehouse Merino.  Right ---->


Here's a picture of me wearing my version before sewing in the yarn end or adding eyes.
<----- Left

For more pictures click here.

I've not spent much time knitting and so I feel much more comfortable crocheting.  If you'd like to try crocheting, but need help learning, check out the blogs at the bottom of this post.  Then use the pattern below to make your own gator scarf.

Kids Gator Scarf

(Final Dimensions: 4 1/2" W x 36" L)
*For personal use only, please do not sell pattern.*

-Updated on 09/07/2011-

Supplies needed:
-1 ball of vanna's choice yarn , or 145 yards of medium/weight category 4 yarn
-Crochet Hook, size K
- fabric for the lining (optional)
-bias strips (to finish lining edges)
-9 mm plastic eyes or larger (optional)



Before you start:
- Use both loops unless BLO is notated
In general, this pattern uses back loops only for the inside area of the head and tail ... and both loops to finish the edges. 

-------------------------------------------------------------

Abbreviations:
ch- Chain
SC- Single Chain
HDC- Half Double Chain
DC-Double Chain
TC- Triple chain
Dec- Decrease
nxt- next
BLO- Back Loop Only
YO- Yarn over
* - repeat anything between 2 astericks
3HDC dec- YO, insert hook in nxt space, hook yarn and pull through, YO, insert hook in nxt space, hook yarn and pull through, YO, insert hook in nxt space, hook yarn and pull through (at this point you should have 7 loops on your hook), YO and pull yarn through all 7 loops on hook, chain 1 (for 5HDC dec, continue until you have 11 loops on hook, then YO and pull yarn through all 11 loops)

-------------------------------------------------------------

Instructions:

HEAD

Chain 7

1. SC in 2nd chain from hook , SC in nxt 5 chains , ch 1 , turn. (6) 

2. 2 SC , SC in nxt 4 (BLO) , 2 SC , ch 1 , turn. (8)
3. SC , 5 HDC , SC in nxt 4 (BLO) , 5 HDC , SC , ch 1 , turn. (16)
4. SC in nxt 6 , SC in nxt 4 (BLO) , SC in nxt 6 , ch 1 , turn. (16)
5. 5 HDC dec (BLO) , SC , SC in nxt 4 (BLO) , 5 HDC dec (BLO) , SC , ch 1 turn. (8)
6. 2 SC , SC in nxt 6 , 2 SC , ch 1 , turn. (10)
7-10. SC , SC in nxt 8 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (10).
11. 2 SC , SC in nxt 8 (BLO) , 2 SC , ch1 , turn. (12)
12-15. SC , SC in nxt 10 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (12)
16. 2 SC , SC in nxt 10 (BLO) , 2 SC , ch 1 , turn. (14)
17. HDC , 10 DC , SC in nxt 10 (BLO) , 10 DC , HDC , ch 1 , turn. (32)
18. SC in nxt 11 , SC in nxt 10 (BLO) , SC in nxt 11 , ch 1 , turn. (32)
19. SC , *Dec 2 SC* (repeat 5 times) , SC in nxt 10 (BLO) , *Dec 2 SC* (repeat 5 times) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (22)
20. SC in nxt 6 , SC in nxt 10 (BLO) , SC in nxt 6 , ch 1 , turn. (22)
21. *Dec 2 SC* (repeat 3 times) , SC in nxt 10 (BLO) , *Dec 2 SC* (repeat 3 times) , ch 1 , turn. (16)
22. SC , SC in nxt 14 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (16)
23. Dec 2 SC , SC in nxt 12 (BLO) , Dec 2 SC , ch 1 , turn. (14)
24. SC , SC in nxt 12 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (14)

BODY

25. SC , SC , *in next space: DC,TC,DC, SC in nxt 2* (repeat 4 times) , ch 1 , turn.
26. SC , SC , *3HDC Dec over next 3 spaces, SC in nxt 2* (repeat 4 times) , ch 1 , turn.
27. SC in nxt 14 , ch 1 , turn. (14)
28-81. (Repeat lines 25-27 to create 19 rows of bumps on gator's back)

TAIL 

82. Dec 2 SC , SC in nxt 10 (BLO) , Dec 2 SC , ch 1 , turn. (12)

83-85. SC , SC in nxt 10 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (12)
86. SC , SC in nxt 4 (BLO) , Dec 2 SC (BLO) , SC in nxt 4 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (11)
87. SC , SC nxt 9 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (11)
88. SC , SC in nxt 3 (BLO) , Dec 2 SC (BLO) , SC in nxt 4 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (10)
89. SC , SC in nxt 8 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (10)
90. SC , SC in nxt 3 (BLO) , Dec 2 SC  (BLO) , SC in nxt 3 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (9)
91-93. SC , SC in nxt 7 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (9)
94. SC , SC in nxt 3 (BLO) , Dec 2 SC (BLO) , SC in nxt 2 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (8)
95. SC , SC in nxt 6 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (8)
96. SC , SC in nxt 2 (BLO) , Dec 2 SC (BLO) , SC in nxt 2 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (7)
97-99. SC , SC in nxt 5 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn.(7)
100. SC , SC (BLO) , Dec 2 SC (BLO) , SC in nxt 2 BLO , SC , ch 1 , turn. (6)
101. SC , SC in nxt 4 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (6)
102. Dec 2 SC , SC in nxt 2 (BLO) , Dec 2 SC , ch 1 , turn. (4)
103. SC , SC in nxt 2 (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (4)
104. SC , Dec 2 SC (BLO) , SC , ch 1 , turn. (3)
105. Slip stitch nxt 3 , then slip stitch to the first slip stitch at beginning of row 105.

-ALMOST DONE-

Now the crochet part is done, to finish it, I used 12 mm black plastic eyes that I inserted through the eye holes in the gator's head.  Then I selected a fabric I liked an traced the crochet gator onto the fabric & cut out the shape.  Using the leftover fabric, I cut 1" strips to use as bias tape to finish the edges of the fabric.  Finally I hand sewed the fabric lining to the crochet gator.

whew! - DONE.

-------------------------------------------------------------

note: There are many ways of making and applying bias tape including special tools to make it faster & easier.  This is just a guide to get you started if you've never tried it before.  You can also purchase bias tape, but making your own allows you to choose any fabric.

How to make basic bias strip:
1. cut fabric into strips. (Properly done it should be cut at a 45 degree angle to the direction the threads are woven... This allows the fabric to drape better.  But for the gator I cheat & cut strips straight with the threads since it uses less fabric.)
2. Fold fabric strip in half lengthwise (wrong sides together) & iron to create permanent crease.
3. Open strip and use the crease created by the iron as a guide. Fold both outside edges of the fabric in to touch the crease.  Press with iron.
4. With both edges still folded in to center, refold strip in half on original creaseline & press again to complete. 

How to sew bias tape to fabric lining:
1. Open bias tape so you can see the creases on the wrong side of fabric.
2. Line the outside edge of tape, wrong side up, with the outside edge of the fabric, tracing it all the way around the gator cutout. 
3. Pin in place & then sew in the crease line.  One side of the tape is now sewn all around gator cutout.
4. Fold unsewn edge of bias tape under, then fold that half of tape over to the other side of the gator cutout.  Pin  that folded edge in place and sew down the folded edge.  This final stitch will go through both sides of the fabric and tape creating the finished look.

For more help try:
Video Crochet Tutorials thanks to Nexstitch
Video Crochet Tutorials thanks to Crochet Geek blog ...aka crochet mania
How to sew Bias Tape thanks to The Cottage Home
Bias Tape/Binding Tutorials thanks to Jaybird Quilts

***** I’m happy to share this pattern, but please credit me if you repost and please don’t sell without permission.******