The crocodile stitch crocheted collar pattern, rough draft by Kelly-Marie

Needed:
3mm hook.
6-8 ply acrylic wool in six colours, preferably red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, in that order (ROYGBIV).
3 buttons with a 2cm minimum diameter.
Stitches: slip stitch, chain, double crochet, treble crochet, reduction stitch for double crochet.
Crocodile stitch (AKA alligator stitch, pineapple stitch).

Row 1:
Red wool to start (remember to follow the ROYGBIV rainbow order when adding layers). Chain 13, fold the chain over and crochet 2 treble stitches into the 9th chain. Chain 3, 1 treble into the last chain in the row. Turn the work, and work 5x treble stitches into each of the two middle trebles to create your first crocodile stitch scale. Complete scale and tie off.

Row 2:
Attach orange wool to the far right of one scale, chain (ch) 3, one treble (tr) crochet back into the first attachment stitch, 3 ch, 1 tr into the space in the first crocodile stitch, 3 ch, 2 tr into the far left stitch at the top of the first crocodile stitch scale. Turn the work around and work 2x crocodile stitch scales into the orange wool layer. Tie off.

Row 3:
Attach yellow wool in the same manner as the orange wool. Ch 3, 1 tr into attachment stitch, 3 ch, 1 tr into the space in between the preceding crocodile stitch, 3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 1 tr, 3 ch, 2 tr into the far left stitch at the top of the preceding crocodile stitch scale. Turn the work around and work 3x crocodile stitch scales into the orange wool layer. Tie off.

Rows 4-7:
Repeat the instructions for Row 3 with the remaining 4 colours, increasing the number of scales each row to create a triangular shape.

Create two; one for each shoulder.

The neck line: attach the two crocodile stitch pieces face up, similar to the above photo, with a large safety pin. There should be about 4-5cm (1.5-2″) distance across the shoulders between the two pieces, to fit an Australian size 14ish. Start from the right hand side (scales facing up).

Row 1:
Attach wool, 2 ch. 1 double crochet (dc) into each of the stitches along the top of the crocodile stitch piece until you reach the end. When reaching the end of the first shoulder pieces, remove safety pin. Chain 12, work 10 dc back onto that chain, fasten off with a slip stitch (sl st). Attach newly created crocheted tab to the second crocodile stitch piece with new wool and a sl st. 1 dc into each of the remaining stitches of the second crocodile stitch piece. Fasten off.

Row 2:
Attach new colour, 2 ch. *1 dc into each stitch for the next 5 stitches, 1 dc into the next 2 stitches, repeat from * until you reach the end. 15 ch off the last stitch, this is the start of a fastener for a button.

Row 3:
2 ch, 1 dc into each of the 15 ch from row 2. *1 dc into each stitch for the next 4 stitches, 1 dc into the next 2 stitches, repeat from * until you reach the end.

Row 4:
2 ch. *1 dc into each stitch for the next 4 stitches, 1 dc into the next 2 stitches, repeat from * until you reach the end. At the button fastener tab, 1 dc into each of the first 8 stitches, 1 ch, 1 dc into each of the last 6 stitches. Fasten off.

Row 5:
Attach new colour, 2 ch. 1 dc into each of the 15 stitches of the button fastener. *1 dc into each stitch for the next 4 stitches, 1 dc into the next 2 stitches, repeat from * until you reach the end.

Row 6:
2 ch. *1 dc into each stitch for the next 5 stitches, 1 dc into the next 2 stitches, repeat from * until you reach the end. Fasten off.

It should look something like this when trying it on:

Row 7-11:
Repeat rows 2-6, in colours that are the most appealing for you.

You should have two fasteners, with button holes, and the crochet collar comes up to the chin. Now to add another few centimetres of material for one last fastener, while flaring out the collar to correctly fit a human’s head.

Row 12:
2 ch, *1 dc into each stitch for the next 8 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch, repeat from * to the end.

Row 13:
2 ch, *1 dc into each stitch for 10 stitches, 2 dc into the next 1 stitch, repeat from * to the end.

Row 14:
2 ch, *1 dc into each stitch for 15 stitches, 2 dc into the next 1 stitch, repeat from * to the end.
Chain 15.

Row 15:
2 ch. 1 dc into each of the next 15 stitches, this is the start of the last button tab. *1 dc into each of the next 8 stitches, 2 dc into the next 1 stitch. Repeat from * until the end.

Row 16:
2 ch. 1 dc into each stitch until reaching the tab, 1 dc into each of the first 8 stitches, 1 ch, 1 dc into each of the last 6 stitches.

Row 17:
2 ch, 1 dc into each stitch.

Row 18:
2 ch, 1 dc into each stitch, fasten off and finish by attaching buttons.

Hopefully it looks something like this now.