These striking dragon-scale gloves are worked in the round using crocodile stitch for a textured, layered look. Designed for intermediate crocheters, this pattern creates a snug, flexible glove that fits most adult hands. You’ll begin by working crocodile scales up the wrist, form a thumb opening, then finish with a clean ribbed cuff.

Quick Overview

• Skill level: Intermediate
• Technique: Crocodile stitch (dragon scale effect)
• Fit: Adult medium (instructions explain how to size up/down)
• Worked: In the round, joining at the end of each row
• Yarn weight: DK / Light Worsted
• Hook size: 3.5 mm
• Yarn needed: 50–100 g per pair (depending on yarn length, fiber & personal tension)
• Materials You’ll Need
• DK / Light Worsted yarn (50–100 g total)
• 3.5 mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Recommended yarns: Variegated yarns work beautifully with crocodile stitch. Designer suggestions include:
• Cygnet Boho
• King Cole Riot
• Drops Delight

• Important Notes Before You Start
• The pattern uses US crochet terms.
• Starting chain must be a multiple of 6.
• Do not twist your foundation chain when joining into a ring.
• Try the glove on as you work to ensure a comfortable fit.
• The glove is made in one piece, worked in continuous joined rounds.

• Special Stitches Used
• V-Stitch
• 2 double crochets (dc) worked in the same stitch.
• Crocodile Stitch (CS)
• A scale made of 5 dc down one post of a V-stitch, ch 1, then 5 dc up the next post of the V-stitch.
• (Video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BRKEfpIYmk)

• Stitch Abbreviations
• dc — Double crochet
• cs — Crocodile stitch
• ss — Slip stitch
• ch — Chain
• fpdc — Front post double crochet
• bpdc — Back post double crochet

• Step-by-Step Pattern
• Foundation
• Chain 36 (or any multiple of 6 for size adjustments).
  Slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring without twisting.

• Row 1 — Establish V-Stitches & DCs
• Ch 3, dc in the same stitch.
• Ch 1, skip 2 stitches.
• 1 dc, ch 1, skip 2, 2 dc in next stitch (V-stitch), ch 1, skip 2.
• Repeat around.
• Join with a ss to top of beginning ch-3.
• You should have: 6 V-stitches and 6 dc

• Row 2 — First Crocodile Stitch Row
• Ch 3, then 4 dc downward around the same post.
• Ch 1.
• Work 5 dc upward the next post of the V-stitch.
• Ss into the next dc.
• Repeat crocodile stitches around all V-stitches.
• Total: 6 crocodile stitches, 6 slip stitches
• Tip: Anchor the last slip stitch into both the first ch-3 and the first dc for a cleaner join.

• Row 3 — Rebuild the Foundation for Next Scales
• Ch 3, dc in the same stitch.
• Ch 1.
• Dc in the center of the crocodile stitch, ch 1, V-stitch in the slip stitch, ch 1.
• Repeat around.
• Join to top of ch-3.

• Rows 4–12 — Build the Arm/Wrist Length
• Alternate as follows:
• Even rows: Repeat Row 2 (crocodile stitch)
• Odd rows: Repeat Row 3 (foundation rows)
• When you finish Row 12, you should have 6 full rows of crocodile scales.
• Try the glove on now for fit around the wrist and lower hand.

• Thumb Opening & Hand Shaping
• Row 13 — Create the Thumb Hole
• Ch 3, work 2 dc in same stitch.
• 3 dc in the center of the scale, 3 dc in the slip stitch.
• Repeat 4 times.
• Ch 8, skip the final crocodile stitch — this forms the thumb opening.
• Ss into the first dc (not the starting chain).
• You now have: Eleven 3-dc groups + chain-8 opening

• Row 14 — Work Around Thumb Space
• Ss to the next space.
• Ch 3, dc in same space.
• 3 dc in each space for 8 repeats.
• In the ch-8 space: 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc.
• Dc into the first space and join.
• Total: 12 three-dc clusters

• Row 15 — Begin Tapering the Hand
• Ss to next space.
• Ch 3, dc in same space.
• 2 dc in next space.
• 3 dc in next space.
• 2 dc in next two spaces, 3 dc in next.
• Repeat twice more.
• Join.
• You should now have: 8 clusters of 2-dc + 4 clusters of 3-dc

• Row 16 — Even Out the Shape
• Ss to next space.
• Ch 3, dc in same space.
• 2 dc in each space around.
  Total: 12 clusters of 2-dc

• Row 17 — Begin Final Hand Expansion
• Ss to next space.
• Ch 3, dc in same space.
• Skip a space.
• 3 dc in next 3 spaces.
• Skip next space.
• 3 dc in next 3 spaces.
• Skip next space.
• 3 dc in next 2 spaces.
• Dc in the starting space.
• Join.
• Total: Nine 3-dc clusters

• Rows 18–25 — Length of the Hand
• Repeat this simple row:
• Ss to next space.
• Ch 3, dc in the same stitch.
• 3 dc in each space around.
• Dc into starting space.
• Join.
• (You will always have 9 clusters.)
• To make the gloves longer, add more repeats of this section.

• Finishing the Wrist
• Row 26 — Straight DC Round
• Ch 3.
• Dc in each stitch around.
• Join.

• Row 27 — Ribbed Cuff
• Ch 3.
• Fpdc in next stitch, bpdc in next stitch.
• Repeat this fpdc/bpdc pattern around.
• Join to finish.

• Finishing Touches
• Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle.
• Steam lightly if needed to relax stitches.
• Make the second glove the same way.

• Adjusting Size
• Smaller hands: Start with fewer chains (must be a multiple of 6).
• Larger hands: Increase starting chain by 6 or 12 stitches.
• Try on frequently—crocodile stitch stretches differently depending on yarn.