Free Crochet Pattern Tutorial: Alligator Applique

This little alligator applique was originally created for a hat and was listed in my pattern shop but a few months ago I decided to close my pattern shop on Etsy and I will be releasing all those past patterns here. I do want to say a big thank you to everyone who supported me by purchasing a pattern on Etsy, you are very much appreciated! After lots of consideration and number crunching I found I was only making very small portion of what the pattern actually sold for after the listing fee ($.20), transaction fee (3.5%) & payment processing fee (this fee varies) that it just didn't make any sense to keep using Etsy. Plus, blogging is more fun! Directly following the written pattern is the full photo tutorial and I've also included a photo showing how the finished alligator size will vary with different brands of yarn.

Thanks so much for stopping by and reading!
-Jenni

Skill Level: Easy/Intermediate

Finished size (with gauge): 4 ½” x 1 ¾”

Supplies:
Worsted Weight Yarn in green, yellow, white & black, approx. 5-6 yds.
Size G (4.0 mm) Crochet Hook
Size E (3.5 mm) Crochet Hook
Tapestry Needle
Scissors
Stitch Marker

Stitch Abbreviations (US Terms):
Ch – Chain
FLO – Front Loop Only
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl st – Slip Stitch
Sp – Space

Gauge:
5 sc = 1” and 2 rows = ½”


Body

With G Hook:

Row 1: Ch 20, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 5. Ch 2, sl st in top of sc, sc in next ch sp and in next 4, ch 2, sl st in top of sc. Sc in next ch space and in next 4, sl st in last 3. Ch 2.

You have created the alligator’s legs and now need to rotate the piece to the right so that you can work on the opposite side of the foundation chain.

Row 2: Sl st in first open sp, sl st in next. Sc in next 12, ch 6, place stitch marker in 5th ch. Turn. Row 3: Using FLO: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 4. Now using both loops: Sc in 9, sl st in 5, sl st in ch 2 sp, ch 1, turn.

In the next row you will NOT be working your first stitch in the same space as your ch 1.

Row 4: Sk 1, sl st in next 2, *ch 2, sl st in next 2* Repeat *to* 6 more times (7 spikes made). Sl st in next 3, ch 2, sl st in last.

Fasten off; leave a long end if you will be sewing your applique to another piece.


Teeth

With E Hook:

Rotate alligator to the right so you can start the teeth.
You will be working on the top jaw to start.

Attach white yarn with sl st in the space where it was previously indicated to place a stitch marker, you can remove the stitch marker now.

Ch 1, sl st in same. *Sl st in next, ch 1, sl st in same* Repeat *to* two more times, sl st in next.

Now you will need to rotate the piece to the left so you can work along the bottom jaw.

Sl st in next 2, *Sl st in next, ch 1, sl st in same* Repeat *to* one more time.

Fasten off and sew in ends.

Using a tapestry needle stitch through the 7th spike you created in row 4 with yellow yarn 3 times to make the alligator’s eye, Fasten off.

Using black yarn, make a single stitch vertically through the eye, fasten off and sew in ends.

Photo Tutorial 

Body  

With G Hook: 

Row 1: Ch 20. Sc in 2nd ch from hook.

(click images to enlarge)

 

 Sc in next 5. 

Ch 2, sl st in top of sc. 

 Sc in next ch space, sc in next 4.

Ch 2, sl st in top of sc.

Sc in next ch space and in next 4. 

 Sl st in last 3. 

 Ch 2. You have created the alligator’s legs and now need to rotate the piece to the right so that you can work on the opposite side of the foundation chain. 

 

 Row 2: Sl st in first open sp, sl st in next. 

 Sc in next 12. 

 Ch 6, place stitch marker in 5th ch. The stitch marker is important because you will later be using this space to start the teeth. 

 Turn piece over. 

Row 3: Using FLO: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Your first sc will be placed in the same space as the stitch marker, do NOT remove stitch marker. 

 Sc in next 4, still using the front loop only. 

 Now using BOTH LOOPS sc in 9. 

 Sl st in 5, sl st in ch 2 sp, ch 1. 

 Turn. 

 In the next row you will NOT be working your first stitch in the same space as your ch 1. 

 Row 4: Sk 1, sl st in next 2, *ch 2, sl st in next 2* Repeat *to* 6 more times. 

 7 spikes made. 

 Sl st in next 3, ch 2, sl st in last. Fasten off; leave a long end if you will be sewing your applique to another piece. 

 Teeth 

 With E Hook: 

 Rotate alligator to the right so you can start the teeth. 

You will be working on the top jaw to start. 

Attach white yarn with sl st in the space where it was previously indicated to place a stitch marker. 

 

You can remove the stitch marker now. 

Ch 1.

Sl st in same. 

 *Sl st in next, ch 1, sl st in same* Repeat *to* two more times, sl st in next.

Now you will need to rotate the piece to the left so you can work along the bottom jaw. 

 Sl st in next 2, *Sl st in next, ch 1, sl st in same* Repeat *to* one more time. Leave last space unworked. Fasten off. 

 Sew in ends. 

 Using a tapestry needle stitch through the 7th spike you created in row 4 with yellow yarn 3 times to make the alligator’s eye, Fasten off.

 

Using black yarn, make a single stitch vertically through the eye, fasten off. Sew in all ends that are not needed for sewing alligator on to another piece. 

 Above are a few examples using different brands of yarn but the same hook size (gauge was not obtained with all these gators). As you can see, different yarn works up in different ways. My favorites to work with for this project were Vanna's Choice, then Hobby Lobby's I Love this Yarn and Deborah Norville Everyday Soft.

Below is an example of how I have used the applique, my son was very pleased with his Gator in the Pond hat (pattern to be shared in the near future), you can find the little fish pattern here:
Small Fish Applique