Who says crocodile stitch is just for crochet? This knitting pattern brings the unique, scaled texture of the crocodile stitch to life in a chic and practical hobo bag. Perfect for carrying all your essentials, this bag is a versatile accessory that’s as functional as it is stylish. With its bold, textured design, the Crocodile Hobo Bag is a great project for adventurous knitters eager to learn something new. Don’t miss the accompanying video tutorial to help you master this fascinating stitch in no time.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 15” x 12”
Gauge: 11 sts x 20 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Scales patt after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted (100% wool; 220 yards [183 meters]/100 grams): #13112 Red Apple (4 hanks)
Needles: US size 6 (4.0 mm) straight needles
Notions: Markers, tapestry needle, ½ yard of lining fabric, ½ yard heavy fusible interfacing, 14” separating zipper, pair of 24” purse handles with ends that clip to D-rings, two 1 1/2” D-rings
Special Stitches
Crocodile Stitch (CS)
Row 1 (RS): [P1, yo, p1, yo, p1] into st indicated, turn. (5 sts)
Row 2 (WS): K5, turn.
Row 3: P2, [p1, yo, p1, yo, p1] into next st, k2, turn. (9 sts)
Row 4: K1, bind off 7, turn. (2 sts rem)
Row 5: Sl st from right needle to left needle, pass second st on left needle over first st, then slip this st to right needle, pulling the crocodile stitch down to the front of the work and toward cast-on edge, pick up and knit 1 sts along the top edge in the center, sl 1.
Scales (multiple of 5 sts)
Row 1 (RS): K2, *CS, k1, pass last slipped st from CS over st just knit, k3; rep from * to last 3 sts, CS, k1, pass last slipped st from CS over st just knit, k1.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K4, *CS, k1, pass last slipped st from CS over st just knit, k3; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rows 6-8: Work in St st.
Row 9: K1, *CS, k1, pass last slipped st from CS over st just knit, k3; rep from * to last 4 sts, CS, k1, pass last slipped st from CS over st just knit, k2.
Rows 10-12: Work in St st.
Row 13: K3, * CS, k1, pass last slipped st from CS over st just knit, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Rows 14-16: Work in St st.
Row 17: K4, *CS, k1, pass last slipped st from CS over st just knit, k3; rep from * to end.
Rows 18-20: Work in St st.
Rep Rows 1-20 for patt.
Applied I-Cord
CO 3 sts to left needle, *k2, k2tog tbl (last I-Cord st with picked up st), slip these 3 sts back to left needle; rep from * across.
Pattern Notes
This bag is worked from the bottom up in two pieces and seamed.
Pattern
Front
CO 51 sts.
Knit 1 row.
Increase Section
Row 1: K1, kfb, knit to last 3 sts, kfb, k2. (2 sts inc’d)
Rep Row 1, 11 more times. (75 sts)
Next Row: Purl.
Main Bag
Beg with Row 1, work in Scales patt until piece meas 10”, ending with RS Row 1, 5, 9, 13, or 17.
Knit 7 rows.
Shape Right Side
Place markers on either side of center 39 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1, turn. (1 st dec’d)
Place rem 57 sts on holder.
Row 2 (WS): K1, k2tog, knit to end. (1 st dec’d)
Row 3: Knit to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1, turn. (1 st dec’d)
Rows 4-5: Rep Rows 2-3.
Row 6: Knit.
Row 7: Rep Row 3.
Row 8: Knit.
Rows 9-14: Rep Rows 7-8.
Row 15: Rep Row 3.
Rows 16-18: Knit.
Rows 19-22: Rep Rows 15-18.
Row 23: Rep Row 3. (6 sts rem)
Row 24: Knit.
D-Ring Flap
Work in St st over rem 6 sts for 2”. Bind off all sts.
Left Side
Return 57 sts to needle.
Row 1 (RS): Bind off center 39 sts, k2tog, knit to end. (1 st dec’d)
Row 2 (WS): Knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (1 st dec’d)
Row 3: K1, k2tog, knit to end. (1 st dec’d)
Rows 4-5: Rep Rows 2-3.
Row 6: Knit.
Row 7: Rep Row 3.
Row 8: Knit.
Rows 9-14: Rep Rows 7-8.
Row 15: Rep Row 3.
Rows 16-18: Knit.
Rows 19-22: Rep Rows 15-18.
Row 23: Rep Row 3. (6 sts rem)
Row 24: Knit.
D-Ring Flap
Work in St st over rem 6 sts for 2”. Bind off all sts, leaving 24” tail for seaming.
Top Edging
With RS facing, beginning just below right side D-Ring Flap, pick up 12 sts along shaped Right Side edge, 39 sts along bind-off edge, and 12 sts along shaped Left Side edge. Work applied I-Cord along all sts. Bind off rem 3 I-Cord sts.
Back
Work as for Front.
Finishing
Block pieces to finished measurements. Sew side seams. Insert D-Ring Flap into D-Ring. Fold Flap to the inside of the bag enclosing D-Ring, sew shut.
Lining
Using Front as a template, cut 4 pieces from fusible interfacing, cutting top edge of interfacing straight across the top, ignoring D-Ring Flap. Fuse interfacing to WS of lining fabric, following manufacturer’s instructions. Cut out fabric pieces, adding 1/2” seam allowance to all sides. Holding 2 lining pieces RS tog, sew around entire side. Rep for other set of pieces. Place both sets of linings WS tog. Place inside of bag. Turn under top seam allowance. Whipstitch to inside of bag. Weave in ends.
Zipper Facings (Make Two)
CO 51 sts. Work in garter stitch for 1”. Bind off all sts. Place zipper underneath facing. Sew in place. Sew cast-on edge of Facings to inside of bag, just above lining.
Zipper Tab Cover
CO 8 sts. Knit 20 rows. Bind off all sts. Sandwich end of zipper into Zipper Tab Cover. Sew into place.
Clip Handles to D-rings.
very unclear ! …. several parts
1. the top of the Bab
2. the inside of the bag
3. the zipper
… not yet looked at the crocodile pattern yet …. first mentioned the that pattern is unclear was in 2016 … now ist the end of 2020 …. hmmm what shall I think of that
There is no use of having a pattern that is so unclear as this.
Hello! I’ve reached out to the designer for advice and she or I will reply as soon as possible. Thanks! – Nicola, Editor
It would be great if you could have the pattern in video form.As it is really confusing.
It would be great if you could have the pattern in video form.As it is really confusing.sorry for the trouble
pattern not clear. Need to re-write.
This is very unclear. I am assuming you are sewing two large pockets into the yarn bag using material. The zipper is above the two pockets. I do not even see where you are to sew the 2nd side of the zipper. Why would you need a separating zipper, you are not wearing the bag as a sweater?
Might be a nice project, but the directions are very lacking and I have not read the crocodile stitch part. Hopefully that is more informative than putting a lining in the bag and a zipper. I would appreciate more complete instructions.